The Oyster Box

The Oyster Box aims to offer guests all the comforts of home with splendid luxury, thoughtful touches and the latest state-of-the-art facilities. Perfect for family holidays, romantic getaways, the business traveler or business conferences, The Oyster Box will meet all individual needs. The award-winning Spa, with seven superbly equipped treatment rooms, has a team of qualified therapists to oversee well-being and rejuvenation during your stay, the 24-seater private cinema is ideal for a movie night or can be privately booked out for a group, and the Business Center is fully equipped with the latest in office equipment. For those who like to take their exercise outside of our fitness center, a refreshing dip in one of our two pools, one sea facing and one in our tropical garden.

One of the most magnificent reflections of The Oyster Box’s fusion of its historical character and modern experience delivery is the beautifully crafted Spa. Designed by the creative minds of the Red Carnation Hotel Collection, a hotel group awarded internationally for the world’s finest spas and spa experiences, The Spa at The Oyster Box is a natural, elegant extension to the hotel and its tropical garden environment on the shores of Umhlanga. And to The Oyster Box’s celebration of the people and culture of Africa.

Tucked away amongst the lush indigenous gardens of one of South Africa’s greatest architectural treasures and ready to pamper guests, true luxury awaits you at The Spa. Offering an extensive range of carefully crafted treatments along with a well equipped private fitness club, two swimming pools for guests to use at their leisure, exquisite spa dining and ample space to stretch out on the terraces and within the gardens for simply being still, The Spa defines personal care.

The Spa at The Oyster Box does not wish to offer its guests an array of traditional spa treatments and services. Instead The Spa seeks to celebrate the guest. As a result guest experiences are approached as personally designed, perfectly crafted and deeply pleasurable journeys from first luxurious moment in the Spa to the last. For the guest the result is spa pampering which naturally, culturally and spiritually engages the body and mind, magnifying its in-the-moment feeling and afterglow. Our Spa menu offers an extensive variety of health and beauty enhancing treatments that utilise the exclusive range of B|Africa spa products, the Elemis International Spa Range, Mama Mio and Dermalogica.

With the most breathtaking panoramic views along the Umhlanga beach and out to sea there can be no better place than the Lighthouse Bar for unwinding with exotic cocktails and great music. These are truly spectacular surroundings.

Overlooking the pool and Indian Ocean, the celebrated Oyster Bar is a haven of luxurious tranquility, perfect for enjoying a plate of oysters on ice freshly picked from our own oyster beds and other mouthwatering snacks. Ooh – and don’t forget a glass or two of your favorite chilled champagne! With its gently, rhythmically swaying palm fans and views of the bright blue sea a glance away this is the place to settle down with a friend or two to catch up on the latest news, share the latest stories and savor the here and now.

To enter the Chukka Bar with its authentic old world charm and character is to enter a perfect environment for toasting the joys of life. Do note that the Chukka Bar is a smoking venue.

Carefully crafted to meet the wishes and whims of guests from across the nation and world, The Oyster Box is proud to offer tasteful, ethnically inspired menus perfect for guests seeking anything from special fine dining occasions to simple, relaxed meals or just a small bite. Based on the principles of using the freshest seasonal ingredients, sourced from local suppliers, the cuisine at The Oyster Box not only gives guests the very best taste of local flavors but is also more environmentally sustainable and supportive of the local community. A critical ingredient in the experience of exceptional cuisine is the location of its enjoyment. The Oyster Box is delighted to offer you a wonderful mix of dining options to suit every taste.

When it comes to legends of the Oyster Box, one of its finest is the celebrated Grill Room with the adjoining Colony Restaurant. A true fine dining restaurant serving the finest local cuisine, the Grill Room boasts a wide selection of freshly caught seafood and its exceptional wine cellar offers a wide choice of the best local and international wines

The beautiful Ocean Terrace overlooking the rolling Indian Ocean is perfect for family and more casual dining. With authentic Tandoori and pizza ovens to prepare some of your favorite dishes with exceptional taste and aroma, this enchanting restaurant offers mouthwatering Indian cuisine, a full English breakfast buffet, as well as an a la carte menu for lunch and dinner. The Ocean Terrace is also the perfect backdrop for a relaxed drink, elegantly enhanced by a nearby rim flow pool.

The Curry Buffet in the Ocean Terrace Restaurant continues to attract fans from far and wide. Set in the casual, Mediterranean-inspired Ocean Terrace, with gorgeous views across the Indian Ocean, the impressive curry selection, of at least 11 curries daily, includes meat, fish and vegetarian options. Using delicate blends of spices and fresh herbs, each curry is a masterpiece in itself.

The Oyster Box’s High Tea is legendary and laden with sumptuous treats, from freshly baked scones, pastries, quiches, cakes, finger sandwiches and savories. Inspired by the hotel’s original, colonial architecture and resplendent with chandeliers purchased from the Savoy Hotel in London, High Tea at The Oyster Box is a lengthy, leisurely affair. Live piano music provides the perfect backdrop and adds a personal element to the beautiful Palm Court, softening the atmosphere and putting guests at ease. The menu changes regularly to suit seasonal availability and specialties. Tea begins at 2:30 PM and reservations are essential.

Each of the guest rooms at The Oyster Box offer breathtaking views and luxurious surroundings. We prefer the classic and luxury sea view rooms!

The elegant Classic Rooms all overlook the hotel’s lush and tranquil gardens for a peaceful view into what can only be described as the hotel’s private oasis.

Each one of the Classic Sea Facing Rooms has a balcony that overlooks Umhlanga’s iconic lighthouse and the breathtaking coastline.

Luxury Sea Facing Rooms, each with a balcony that opens onto views of Umhlanga’s iconic lighthouse and breathtaking coastline. All rooms include a bathroom with double vanities and a spacious separate shower.

At The Oyster Box an incredible level of care and consideration has been put into providing exceptional levels of comfort for families. With this in mind we are pleased to offer five private Family rooms, each with a master bedroom along with an additional second bedroom (four with bunk beds and one loft with two single beds) for the smaller members of the family.

The beautifully appointed Cabanas, situated on the lower ground level with individual terraces, offer exceptional views of the water’s edge. Within these lovely cabanas guests can enjoy sleeping peacefully on luxurious king size four poster beds.

Gorgeously designed garden-facing Loft Rooms are available as stand-alone accommodation, or in combination with a Superior Garden Villa. Each room is individually and superbly decorated with magnificent 4 poster king size beds and ample space for guests to feel at home in legendary luxury.

Please contact us for more information on the sea facing luxury and deluxe suites, the superior garden villas and the presidential suite.

From the moment the Oyster Box opened its doors in 1947 the hotel rapidly became one of Africa’s best loved and most distinguished hotels. The combination of colonial charm, impeccable service, lush tropical gardens and breathtaking seaside setting swiftly gained it a reputation that was legendary the world over.

This iconic landmark has been lovingly refurbished to offer guests a vibrantly contemporary experience, whilst still evoking feelings, memories, and the warm nostalgia of days gone by. Meticulous attention to detail ensures that former guests will be delighted to discover the old glory has not just been retained, but carefully enhanced. All of the warm hospitality and gracious elegance which guests so fondly remember are harmoniously blended with a wealth of modern facilities and contemporary touches to satisfy today’s most discerning of tourist, business person and honeymoon couple.