Hotels near Shongweni dam & game reserve, Durban

I travelled to Durban to run the annual Comrades Marathon. My priorities were quiet - for getting in the nightbefore sleep off street parking - so that I needn't worry about the car being stolen 4a.m. gate access - to be able to leave for the race start early Sunday morning. Late evening access - for getting back in after the race The lady at reception called me on my 8 hour journey to Durban to make sure I was still ok and on my way. On arrival, there was a super-friendly greeting and I was shown to my room which was immaculately fitted out and spotless. Large comfortable double bed, microwave, good sized barfridge, TV, satellite tv decoder and dvd player. Aircon and dimmable lights completed the main room. Modern spacious bathroom, hot shower, fresh towels all included. Albion Manor is situated high up on the hill and away from the main streets so it was quiet and tranquil. On Sunday morning, although i had personalised gate access control, Jean was up and about at 4a.m, having phoned me at 3:55 to make sure I hadn't overslept ! This is one morning that you absolutely cannot afford to wake up late. I had pre-booked a taxi from a local company, Eagle Taxi's, for 4:30am. I was concerned that the taxi might be late but Jean phoned the company to make sure that the taxi came all the way up the long driveway so that I didn't need to wait out in the street. The taxi arrived promptly and off I went to go running. Unfortunately, I only managed 79km out of the total 87km but was still alive and kicking. I had managed to leave my credit card back in Johannesburg which left me with no access to cash to pay for a return taxi trip back to Albion Manor after returning on a pre-booked bus from Pietermaritzburg back to Durban. I had estimated the return time for the bus at 7pm and then an hour walk back to Morningside i.e 8pm. Jean said not to worry, give her a call when I was back in Durban. There was an unexpected 3 hour queue for one of the pre-booked bus trips back to Durban. Together with this delay and the traffic congestion, this resulted in arriving back shortly before 10pm instead. I called Jean and within 15 minutes, Jean and her husband Peter had driven down to the Durban city centre to pick me up in my stinky unshowered state ! Not only that, but Peter stopped off at a drive-through on the lively Florida Road for a delicious late night snack which they kindly allowed to be settled the next morning once I'd made some financial arrangements. Next morning, I sat down to an amazing multicourse breakfast - fresh fruit juice, cereals, omelette, tomato, hash browns.... If you haven't guessed, this is a 5 out of 5 recommendation both for the accommodation and the hosts and the experience.

My wife and I stayed at the Royal Hotel overnight, during March, 2022. We used an elevator to get to our room, and noticed a large dead cockroach lying at the entrance to one of the three elevators. The entrance carpet of our room was damp, and the other carpets and easy chairs were shabby. The curtains were not ironed, and the windows were smudgy. The bathroom basin had a good share of mould around the top of the basin. The room fridge was totally empty, and after our trip to get to the hotel, we were thirsty, but there was no water bottles in the fridge. We complained at the front desk,and afterwards one of the staff brought us two small bottles of water and charged us Twenty-Five Rand per small bottle. There was a kettle in the room, with tea/coffee making facilities. The bedside lamps were strange, and were not matching at all. The shower and toilet were in good working condition. We took the elevator at about 09h30 the next morning to check out, and the cockroach of the night before, was still in front of one of the elevators. We decided to order coffee and scones at the coffee shop. The picture on their website displays a cake stand, filled with a variety of delicious cakes. The cake stand was empty. It seems that the regular business lounges were closed. The tragedy of this experience is that The Durban Royal Hotel has always been, over many years, one of the most famous and popular hotels in Durban, that was regularly used by businessmen and international travellers to Durban. It appears that there was a great lack of care or concern for guests at this hotel during our stay. This hotel is located in the central gardens square of Durban, and could be unsafe to walk around outside the hotel? Numerous tramps and beggars hang around. Sadly, we will not be staying there again.

The hotel is great and close to the sea. It was not safe in Durban and we didn't dare to go out. And we only stayed in the hotel. The tour guide said that the locals were asking about being robbed how many times instead of whether being robbed? It is better to have local friends to accompany you, otherwise try not to go out.

Definitely an amazing hotel. The hotel was worth every cent. I loved that I was able to get an international plug when I needed one and that the staff was always willing to help. The breakfast OMG!!! Never seen or tasted anything more delicious. The variety of food and service from staff was a absolutely exceptional !!!!

The hotel is ok and everything but the parking is very small and limited I had to park my bakkie on the parking lot across the street but there is a guard 24hrs

The service I was given at reception was spectacular, as well as room service. Everyone was very welcoming and warm-hearted

The hotel is in a great location and the staff were helpful and friendly. I didn't particularly like the restaurant/ room service menu as it ONLY had milkshakes on their drinks menu. You have to inquire about other drinks like wine, juices, coffee etc. It would be nicer if all the drinks prices were listed. The kettle in my room was dirty but housekeeping and the front desk were apologetic and replaced it with a clean kettle quickly. Every cafe or restaurant around the hotel opens at 9a.m, so I recommend paying for the hotel breakfast buffet if you're an early bird like me. I learnt about loadshedding after coming back from a day out and finding no power except a light and the tv in my room. For foreign guests who don't know about it, it might be a nice touch if the hotel could place the loadshedding schedule in guest rooms so it doesn't come as an unwelcome surprise. The bed was comfy and the wifi was usually fast. Overall, I had a good stay at the hotel.

There is no breakfast, and there is a breakfast shop downstairs. A family of three with children, very comfortable. Ten minutes walk from the hotel is the beach, and the hotel is a dining street downstairs, very convenient.

Had a very wonderful stay and for the first time, the place is clean and also the location is great. First time getting there during breakfast, the service was not the same, but then at a later stage that was fixed and there was equality.

As always the Beverley has surpassed itself. This is my third stay and I wouldn’t stay anywhere else in Durban. The staff are impeccable and they can’t do more for you. Room in excellent condition and contains thoughtful touches. Food great breakfast and dinner service. Room service is well presented and to a good standard. If I was going to criticise I would say the balcony’s could do with a spruce up but other then that great. See you next year.