The Oyster Box (South Africa)

The Oyster Box is a luxury five-star hotel in uMhlanga, just north of Durban, South Africa. It is known for its spa and the outdoor pools which have views on the Indian Ocean.[1]

The Oyster Box
The Oyster Box (South Africa) is located in South Africa
The Oyster Box (South Africa)
General information
LocationuMhlanga, near Durban, South Africa.
Coordinates29°43′41″S 31°5′14″E
Website
www.oysterboxhotel.com

History

The cottage, originally called Oyster Lodge, was built in 1863 with teak, corrugated iron and reinforced concrete. In 1952, the hotel was bought by Ken and Kay O’Connor (brother and sister) who turned it into a tea garden, then a restaurant, and finally a hotel in March 1954.[2]

The Oyster hotel has always been the official custodian of the Umhlanga lighthouse.[2]

In 2006, the hotel, then owned by Wayne Reed, was bought by Stanley and Bea Tollman of Red Carnation Hotels. Renovation work lasted from 2007 to 2009.[2]

In October 2016, the South African version of the Monopoly, Monopoly Mzansi, included the Oyster Box as one of the country's top 22 locations and the only hotel in the game.[3]

Special guests

In July 2011, Prince Albert II of Monaco and Princess Charlene of Monaco hosted their wedding reception at the Pearl Room and spent their honeymoon in its £4600 a night Presidential Suite.

The hotel has been visited by Princes Harry and William of the UK, and King Goodwill Zwelithini of the Zulus.[2]

In November 2016, Tina Knowles, the mother of Beyoncé, had lunch at the Oyster Box.[4]

Awards

The Oyster Box was voted #1 top hotel in South Africa by Trip Advisor Travellers’ Choice Awards 2016.[5]

Controversies

In June 2016, the Democratic Alliance reported that SA's minister of social development Bathabile Dlamini stayed at the pricey hotel, thus questioning how the bill was paid.[6][7]

See also

References
  1. Haas, Philipp (5 June 2015). "The Oyster Box - one of the best 1000 hotels in the world". Retrieved 25 June 2015.
  2. Maria Louis. (4 April 2016). "Why this South African hotel is a celebrity hotspot". Verve (Indian magazine). Retrieved 10 January 2017.
  3. "The Oyster Box features as the only hotel on SA's own Monopoly - Mzanzi edition". 5starduban.co.za. 28 October 2016. Retrieved 10 January 2017.
  4. "WATCH: Beyoncé's mom has lunch at The Oyster Box in Durban". Channel24.co.za. 4 November 2016. Retrieved 10 January 2017.
  5. "The Oyster Box Hotel In Durban South Africa Is Your Dream Vacation: LuxEcoLiving's Best Luxury Hotel". Huffingtonpost.com. 7 August 2016. Retrieved 19 January 2017.
  6. "DA: Who footed bill for minister's R11,000-a-night Oyster Box stay?". Timeslive.co.za. 13 June 2016. Retrieved 10 January 2017.
  7. ""Oyster Box" minister splashes out R500,000 on trip to Chicago". Businesstech.co.za. 30 October 2016. Retrieved 10 January 2017.


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