Located close to Gateway Theatre of Shopping and Umhlanga Rocks Beach, The Oyster Box provides an airport shuttle, a poolside bar, and a terrace. This hotel is a great place to bask in the sun with a beachfront location and sun loungers. Indulge in a body wrap, a Swedish massage, and a manicure/pedicure at the onsite spa. At the two on-site restaurants, enjoy breakfast, lunch, dinner, kids' meals, and Indian cuisine. In addition to a coffee shop/cafe and a garden, guests can connect to free in-room WiFi.
Located in uMhlanga, The Oyster Box is in the entertainment district and on the beach. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Umhlanga Rocks Beach and Umdloti Beach, while Durban Funworld and Durban Botanical Gardens are popular area attractions. Looking to enjoy an event or a game while in town? See what's going on at Moses Mabhida Stadium. Windsurfing and fishing offer great chances to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with horse riding nearby. Visit our uMhlanga travel guide
2 Lighthouse Road, Umhlanga, KwaZulu-Natal, 4320
What's nearby
Umhlanga Lighthouse
2 min walk - 0.2 km
Oceans Mall
3 min walk - 0.3 km
Umhlanga Main Beach
8 min walk - 0.7 km
Umhlanga Rocks Beach
11 min walk - 1.0 km
Gateway Theatre of Shopping
4 min drive - 2.2 km
Getting around
King Shaka Intl. Airport (DUR)
19 min drive
Restaurants
Butcher boys
3 min walk
African Roots Coffee
4 min walk
Starbucks
4 min walk
Joops
5 min walk
Cafe La Plage
3 min walk
About this property
The Oyster Box
Luxury boutique hotel near Umhlanga Rocks Beach
Located close to Gateway Theatre of Shopping, The Oyster Box provides an airport shuttle, a poolside bar, and a terrace. This hotel is a great place to bask in the sun with a beachfront location and sun loungers. Indulge in a body wrap, a Swedish massage, and a manicure/pedicure at the onsite spa. At the two on-site restaurants, enjoy breakfast, lunch, dinner, kids' meals, and Indian cuisine. Stay connected with free in-room WiFi, and guests can find other amenities such as a coffee shop/cafe and a garden.
You'll also find perks like:
2 outdoor pools along with sun loungers and pool umbrellas
Free self parking and valet parking
Full breakfast (surcharge), a roundtrip airport shuttle (surcharge), and an electric car charging station
Babysitting (surcharge), free newspapers, and a 24-hour front desk
Guest reviews say great things about the helpful staff
Room features
All 86 rooms boast comforts such as 24-hour room service and premium bedding, as well as perks like pillow menus and laptop-friendly workspaces.
Extra amenities include:
Highchairs and free infant beds
Free toiletries and hair dryers
43-inch Smart TVs with premium channels
Wardrobes/closets, patios, and reusable coffee/tea filters
Awards and affiliations
Sustainability Certifications
This property is certified by this third-party sustainability certification scheme: EarthCheck. For more information on what this certification requires and verifies, please visit their website.
The Oyster Box is listed in the 2021 Travel + Leisure 500.
As of 23 October 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at The Oyster Box on 22 November 2026 start from AED 1,432, excluding taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.
Is The Oyster Box pet-friendly?
Yes, this hotel allows pets (limit 2 total). There's a deposit of ZAR 1000 per night and a fee of ZAR 1000 per pet, per night. Service animals are exempt from fees.
How much is parking?
Self parking and valet parking are free at this property.
What time is check-in at The Oyster Box?
Check-in start time: 2:00 PM; Check-in end time: anytime. A fee applies for early check-in (subject to availability).
What time is check-out at The Oyster Box?
Check-out is at 11:00 AM. Late check-out is available for a fee (subject to availability).
Does The Oyster Box provide a shuttle to the airport?
Yes, there's an airport shuttle that runs on request. A fee of ZAR 1045 per vehicle applies.
Where is The Oyster Box located?
Located in uMhlanga, this beachfront hotel is in the entertainment district and within 2 mi (3 km) of Umhlanga Rocks Beach and Gateway Theatre of Shopping. Umdloti Beach and Durban Beach are also within 9 mi (15 km).
Can I cancel my reservation for free and receive a full refund?
Yes, this property offers free cancellation on select room rates, because flexibility matters! Please refer to the property cancellation policy on our site for more details about any exclusions or requirements.
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Reviews
The Oyster Box Reviews
9.8
Exceptional
All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travelers who have booked a stay with us can submit a review. We verify reviews according to our guidelines and publish all reviews, positive or negative.
9.8
Cleanliness
9.4
Location
9.8
Staff & service
9.6
Property conditions & facilities
Rating 10 - Excellent. 280 out of 322 reviews
10 - Excellent
280
Rating 8 - Good. 29 out of 322 reviews
8 - Good
29
Rating 6 - Okay. 6 out of 322 reviews
6 - Okay
6
Rating 4 - Poor. 6 out of 322 reviews
4 - Poor
6
Rating 2 - Terrible. 1 out of 322 reviews
2 - Terrible
1
Reviews
Verified review
10/10 Excellent
Judith
17 February 2026
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Have stayed in the truly wonderful Oyster Box many times. Everything is always superb, attention to detail, staff, pool, dining
Would totally recommend the hotel and experience of staying
This is an excellent hotel, you get what you pay for and this hotel and its staff deliver 110% we had a villa room which was outstanding the pools were lovely and the staff are super friendly and helpful
Really enjoy our stay at The Oyster Box, staff are so friendly and they really take care of you feel really special, go back every year because we enjoy it so much.
The best hotel we have ever stayed it! The staff are incredible, the food delicious and the beds so comfy.
Will definitely stay here again, can't wait!
The Oyster Box is an exceptional hotel . The level of service and its unique style is incomparable . George the Maitre D and Somolier in The Grill Restaurant is an absolute asset to the hotel and to The Red Carnation Group
Despite a dismal booking and check-in experience the rest of the stay was wonderful. Direct feedback with the booking and front desk team has been shared but no attempt at amends were made.
The Oyster Box is exceptional. The Grill offers wonderful dining with great value overseen by George and his team who always offer first rate service with pinache and style and the bossa nova singer provides the perfect accompaniment . The spa staff are lovely and offer amazing treatments Still my favourite hotel .
This has to be one of the best hotels in South Africa.
From service to offerings, to quality of offering, attention, cleanliness.
Honestly i can not say one bad word about this hotel.
If you can, definitely stay here!!!
It is a beautiful stunning hotel!
Regards,
Yet again another amazing stay at the Oyster Box. Thanks to all the staff involved for making the 8 days so perfect, all were exceptional but we would like to give a special thank you to 3 staff that made our 3 hour breakfasts on the Terrace so wonderful, Stephanie, Letho & Andile you were amazing and we can’t wait to come back and see you again next year if not sooner.
Just love the hotel. Super efficient, professional, friendly staff. Always so polite, courteous. Nothing is too much trouble. Good position. Would thoroughly recommend
Yet another fabulous stay at the Oyster Box, such a wonderful place to stay and relax with ultra friendly and efficient staff. We especially look forward to the buffet breakfast, a great way to start the day, sat on the terrace looking out in to the Indian Ocean and spotting the passing whales and dolphins, such a treat. A special mention and thanks must go to Wesley and Clive along with their teams for looking after us as usual, can’t wait for next year.
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2023
Verified review
8/10 Good
Peter
16 February 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
OB 2nd visit
Very good. Bar closed too early. No entertainment in the evenings. Dead!
The ever splendid Oyster Box. Personal and attentive service in a stunning setting. Uniquely charming. Fabulous service at every turn from the lovely first aiders to the friendly and professional pool staff, to the polite and charming front desk staff . But as ever the icing on this fabulous cake were George and his team and Leon in The Grill. Faultless and friendly service , enthusiastic shared knowledge from a great sommelier and head of house and lovely music from maestro Leon. The monkeys are ever cheekier and Sabenka is sadly missed but the splendour of this lovely hotel endures . And our new favourite breakfast server , Charlie on The Terrace . Already counting the days until we return . Also very lovely to experience sunrise and the regular dolphins swimming by from the sea facing garden cabana . I just need to win the lottery to stay in that amazing Presidential suite !
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2025
Verified review
6/10 Okay
Yegan
10 March 2024
Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Cleanliness
Oyster Box - Disappointing Stay
The service from staff and overall friendliness of the staff is outstanding. The hotel itself leaves alot to be desired. The rooms are small and everything is crammed into this small space. The set up is old and outdated with take away from the appeal of the hotel. The rooms are not cleaned properly and we often found slithering insects/worms on the floor. The Ocean Terrace - the food was good, not outstanding but my main issues is that staff are not knowledgeable on the wine list or dishes offered. The seating seems to be subjective as on my 1st visit, I was seated right at the door of the hotel. This was uncomfortable. The 2nd night, I was seated under the broken roof, again not ideal. All restaurants close at 10pm even for hotel guests, this is another major issue. When I compare this to the Saxon which is similar in pricing then this hotel is a rip off. The Saxon Hotel is miles ahead on every aspect.