Umhlanga Ridge Hotel

Description:

Umhlanga Ridge Hotel

From Durban City it's not hard to find the hotel because it spans a whole block of the promenade outside the Gateway's Theatre of Shopping.

The reception area is large and airy with an open-plan feel to it. The 130-seater restaurant leads out from the centre court where the reception is situated.

Also there is a Muffin Bar filled with delicious baked goodies in this area as well as the inviting smell of good coffee when you are greeted with warmth and then directed to your room.

When moving out of the hotel's central passage into a small haven of browns and creams you will want to share this place with someone.

The loft apartment is an exquisite two-storey affair with a spacious lounge/office/kitchenette with full shower room and loo downstairs.

Up a flight of solid wooden stairs nestles a loft bedroom, surrounded by cream sheets and net curtains. To top it all, the rooms division manager will spell out your name with chocolates in large letters on the bed cover which will make your frustrations of the day disappear with a smile by this thoughtful gesture.

Guests can make an immediate cup of coffee at the kitchenette and eating from the "J" and "V" while watching one of the two flat-screen plasma televisions in the apartment.

The view from the apartment overlooks the beautiful Chris Saunders Park on the Ridge through floor-to-ceiling windows. The sea is just a few kilometres away. The loft apartment is one of the hotel's speciality rooms.

The design of the lights throughout the hotel is special. Wispy metal "branches" have been fashioned around each low-slung shade and little lights glisten inside.

For breakfast the large restaurant is open from 6.30am to 10.30pm. The buffet is elaborate and will spoilt you for choice. There is the traditional English breakfast on offer with bacon and eggs, bangers and beans, boerewors and even hot vegetables for those who like to start lunch early.

There is also a selection of cold meats and fish of all kinds. A very tempting display of pastries, from Danish to English muffins, includes freshly baked hot crumpets with cream and honey and other delicious treats. Also the healthy fruit and yoghurt, followed by scrambled eggs on rye bread.

The Umhlanga Ridge Hotel has a variety of double rooms which range from the fairly simple, with just two double beds, bathroom and kitchenette, to larger ones with more space, a small office facility and a few extra internet features.

The hotel also offers seven conference venues. With the hotel situated just 20 minutes from Durban's CBD, 15 minutes from the new King Shaka Airport and with Umhlanga Ridge Business Park five minutes away, this must be one of the most convenient conference venues in KwaZulu-Natal.

The recreational facilities are exceptional. A large roof-level swimming pool glistens invitingly and I'm just sorry that it's too cold to try it out.

Umhlanga Ridge is a four-star Protea Hotel which has been in operation for little more than a year. It's situated a walk away from Gateway's mall where all manner of recreational facilities are available, from Cinema Nouveau to the Wave House for children or rock climbing. Golf courses and other sports facilities are close by too.

www.proteahotels.com/umhlangaridge

Hotel facilities

• Number of Rooms: 205

• Air Conditioning

• Bar

• Restaurant

• Conference Facilities seating: 300

• Satellite TV

• WI-FI

• Undercover Parking

• Disabled Facilities Nearby facilities...

• Distance (minutes) to airport: 15

• Golf

• Gym / Health Club

• Tennis

• Squash

• Bowls

• Horse Riding

Address

14 Palm Boulevard, Umhlanga Ridge,

Umhlanga Rocks

Durban

Kwazulu Natal

South Africa

4321

+27 (31) 582 6000

+27 (31) 582 6100

reservations@phumhlangaridge.co.za