The Oster Box is a quirky hotel just moments away from the warm Indian Ocean and the sandy Umhlanga Beach. With a bright red and white lighthouse sitting between the elegant, Mediterannean-style façade and the ocean, the hotel looks something like a seaside postcard from yesteryear, making for an enchanting stay.
Awarded: Bronze
Location
The hotel sits on the Umhlanga beachfront with easy access to the vibrant centre of Durban and just a two-minute walk to Umhlanga Village. The hotel is surrounded by beaches full of dolphin-watching opportunities, as well as surfing, diving and snorkelling.
Rooms
89 rooms are set amid gardens and interiors are comfortable and simple with a beach-chic design, South African artwork lining the walls and white shutters opening out to garden or coastline views.
Communal Areas
The coloured stone and timber of the main area blend with the seafront surroundings and charming features from the hotel’s past runs throughout with antique furniture, polished tiles and paintings by KwaZulu-Natal artists. Take high-tea and meals on the ocean-fronted terraces or in the relaxed Grill Room. For a quiet evening, make use of the 24-seat cinema beside the huge swimming pools or take a drink at The Lighthouse Bar. There’s also a two-storey spa with a Turkish hammam.Â
Activities
If not strolling across the sands of the beach or through the nearby village, guests can discover the aquatic animals at uShaka Marine World, explore the flora of Durban Botanic Gardens or visit the Temple of Understanding, a huge Hare Krishna temple in the shape of a lotus flower. Guests can also indulge in some watersports at Bay of Plenty Beach and visit the Gandhi Settlement where he once lived.
Bed & Breakfast
When to go
Find out when is best to visit
- Excellent
- Good
- Poor
SUMMER
The hottest time of the year, with days predominately over 30°C/86°F. This period of the year is also the wettest, though rainfall usually comes in the form of short afternoon thunderstorms.
With its location along the Indian Ocean KwaZulu-Natal enjoys a humid subtropical climate, with hot humid summers and warm largely dry winters.
SUMMER
The hottest time of the year, with days predominately over 30°C/86°F. This period of the year is also the wettest, though rainfall usually comes in the form of short afternoon thunderstorms.
With its location along the Indian Ocean KwaZulu-Natal enjoys a humid subtropical climate, with hot humid summers and warm largely dry winters.
AUTUMN
Pleasant midday highs and generally clear conditions, this remains a fantastic time of year to visit. The likelihood of rainfall decreases as the months' progress.
With its location along the Indian Ocean KwaZulu-Natal enjoys a humid subtropical climate, with hot humid summers and warm largely dry winters.
AUTUMN
Pleasant midday highs and generally clear conditions, this remains a fantastic time of year to visit. The likelihood of rainfall decreases as the months' progress.
With its location along the Indian Ocean KwaZulu-Natal enjoys a humid subtropical climate, with hot humid summers and warm largely dry winters.
WINTER
The driest months of the year, with barely any rainfall and blue skies dominating. Midday temperatures are very pleasant, averaging around 25°C/77°F. Mornings can be cool, so worth packing warm clothes should you wish to take in any outdoor activities.
With its location along the Indian Ocean KwaZulu-Natal enjoys a humid subtropical climate, with hot humid summers and warm largely dry winters.
WINTER
The driest months of the year, with barely any rainfall and blue skies dominating. Midday temperatures are very pleasant, averaging around 25°C/77°F. Mornings can be cool, so worth packing warm clothes should you wish to take in any outdoor activities.
With its location along the Indian Ocean KwaZulu-Natal enjoys a humid subtropical climate, with hot humid summers and warm largely dry winters.
WINTER
The driest months of the year, with barely any rainfall and blue skies dominating. Midday temperatures are very pleasant, averaging around 25°C/77°F. Mornings can be cool, so worth packing warm clothes should you wish to take in any outdoor activities.
With its location along the Indian Ocean KwaZulu-Natal enjoys a humid subtropical climate, with hot humid summers and warm largely dry winters.
WINTER
The driest months of the year, with barely any rainfall and blue skies dominating. Midday temperatures are very pleasant, averaging around 25°C/77°F. Mornings can be cool, so worth packing warm clothes should you wish to take in any outdoor activities.
With its location along the Indian Ocean KwaZulu-Natal enjoys a humid subtropical climate, with hot humid summers and warm largely dry winters.
SPRING
With pleasant midday highs and generally clear conditions, this remains a fantastic time of year to visit. The likelihood of rainfall increases towards the end of October.
With its location along the Indian Ocean KwaZulu-Natal enjoys a humid subtropical climate, with hot humid summers and warm largely dry winters.
SPRING
With pleasant midday highs and generally clear conditions, this remains a fantastic time of year to visit. The likelihood of rainfall increases towards the end of October.
With its location along the Indian Ocean KwaZulu-Natal enjoys a humid subtropical climate, with hot humid summers and warm largely dry winters.
SUMMER
The hottest time of the year, with days predominately over 30°C/86°F. This period of the year is also the wettest, though rainfall usually comes in the form of short afternoon thunderstorms.
With its location along the Indian Ocean KwaZulu-Natal enjoys a humid subtropical climate, with hot humid summers and warm largely dry winters.
SUMMER / WET SEASON
This is the perfect time to visit the Southern part of South Africa (Western, Garden Route and Eastern Cape), with clear skies and warm weather dominating. It is also a good time to visit KwaZulu-Natal and the Drakensburg Mountains.
These months mark the wet season throughout the north of the country, where you can expect high temperatures and thunderstorms. So not ideal for safaris within these regions.
Of all the countries in Africa, South Africa is arguably the most climatically diverse; the beauty of this is that it is one destination which can be truly great throughout the year, you just need to know where to travel. With this in mind, we could suggest getting in touch to learn more.
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What People Say
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The personalised service provided was far beyond my expectations. A three week trip visiting four countries in Africa, multiple game reserves, wineries and much, much more was flawless. While a close encounter with a leopard and her cubs…
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We got in touch after hearing about Hide & Seek from a friend. Have to say hats off to Jamie, he was so patient throughout, even through our indecisiveness! Ultimately we ended up with the most incredible holiday of our lives. Thank you again, we will be back!!
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Thank you for arranging our Safari holiday in Kenya and Tanzania for us. It was to celebrate our 40th. Wedding anniversary which was on July 1st. 2018, and through your arrangements, we have had a holiday that we will never forget...
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Thanks so much for a truly unforgettable once in a life time holiday. Hopefully we will be in touch again soon!
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Spot on in terms of itinerary . We not disappointed by any of the suggestions and had the best holiday ever! Thank you!
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Jamie was very helpful throughout the booking process and recommended the perfect holiday. There was nothing we would change having now been out to Tanzania. I would highly recommend Hide & Seek to friends and relatives.
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Jamie was excellent. Once I described what we wanted I knew he would come up with the business. ..and he did!!! 5 stars
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We spoke to numerous travel agents over the period we looked at booking our honeymoon and only hide and seek gave me the confidence I was looking for. Really pleased with our decision.
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Hide and seek dealt with our last minute travel plans extremely well. Obviously, our accommodations shifted as availability diminished but ultimately they came up with a vacation that we will never forget.
