Hotels Near Jackaroo Paper in Durban

My wife and I stayed at the Royal Hotel overnight, during March, 2022. We used an elevator to get to our room, and noticed a large dead cockroach lying at the entrance to one of the three elevators. The entrance carpet of our room was damp, and the other carpets and easy chairs were shabby. The curtains were not ironed, and the windows were smudgy. The bathroom basin had a good share of mould around the top of the basin. The room fridge was totally empty, and after our trip to get to the hotel, we were thirsty, but there was no water bottles in the fridge. We complained at the front desk,and afterwards one of the staff brought us two small bottles of water and charged us Twenty-Five Rand per small bottle. There was a kettle in the room, with tea/coffee making facilities. The bedside lamps were strange, and were not matching at all. The shower and toilet were in good working condition. We took the elevator at about 09h30 the next morning to check out, and the cockroach of the night before, was still in front of one of the elevators. We decided to order coffee and scones at the coffee shop. The picture on their website displays a cake stand, filled with a variety of delicious cakes. The cake stand was empty. It seems that the regular business lounges were closed. The tragedy of this experience is that The Durban Royal Hotel has always been, over many years, one of the most famous and popular hotels in Durban, that was regularly used by businessmen and international travellers to Durban. It appears that there was a great lack of care or concern for guests at this hotel during our stay. This hotel is located in the central gardens square of Durban, and could be unsafe to walk around outside the hotel? Numerous tramps and beggars hang around. Sadly, we will not be staying there again.

The hotel is ok and everything but the parking is very small and limited I had to park my bakkie on the parking lot across the street but there is a guard 24hrs

At check-in we were welcomed warmly by Mr. Mhize :) Our room was nicely done but deep cleaning is highly needed I mean even bathroom walls have stains which goes to show that training at housekeeping is highly needed. It was not my first time staying at the hotel. Previously we enjoyed breakfast especially when there was an Indian girl working there. This time around their service was just so disgusting!!!! In the first morning I informed the chef in charge that I'm vegetarian and asked if she could prepare anything for me and rudely told me that ”I don't know of you except of one guest that I prepared for, reception didn't inform me about you! So I'll give you something little from what I prepared for the vegetarian guest that I know of.” And indeed she gave me unappetizing less than a fist of fried chips. So much talk for fried potatoes! I am a paying guest and you don't talk to guests like that. When I went to go get something else on the buffet another chef asked me ”where is the plate you were using before?” REALLY????? I'm so disgusted and disappointed by their service. The chef in charge also kept shouting at a newly employed lady ordering her around with no respect! If you have no respect for your staff do that back of house not in front of guests it's belittling us and lowering your standards. On the second day we hoped for better but it was worse! We dished up our first rounds and I was made mushrooms only, even after I informed them I'd be returning. I believe there's so much more that could've being prepared if the love and passion was there. I went to go dishup again for my fiance and the chef first served the guest behind me and ignored me as if I was not standing in front of her, I saw her leaving one egg and I asked for two and she said ”second rounds are not allowed for eggs, that is why I'm making you one.” In my whole history of working and staying in hotels never in my entire life have I ever heard of such!!! Breakfast was decreased by an hour. Is it so much work to give good service in ONE HOUR?!

This boutique hotel is remarkable but so is the unparalleled service and exceptional hospitality. When you have this winning combination, it lends itself to quality and care that the staff have for their customers. It all started when I unsuccessfully tried to book a weekend stay for my parents from Australia, and none of the other five star hotels bothered to respond to me. A friend of mine suggested I might look towards boutique or private stays, and so a quick google revealed this absolute gem. I left a Facebook message which was promptly responded to by Catherine who reached out immediately to the hotel to help arrange my parents stay on my behalf. She was my point of contact and I do not have words for how professional and warm she was. After being away from South Africa for nearly a decade, she represented the very best of South African culture and hospitality. Nothing was too hard for her to help me with, when I couldn't reach them she assisted, she thought about ideas and made suggestions to make my parents stay incredible. From there on the front desk was amazing, suggesting food and menu options (for my fussy parents), offering ideas about what could make their stay special and genuinely within a day, everything was organised and sorted. They even mocked up a voucher for me! When I called my parents on their last day, they simply didn't want to leave. They commented not only on the personalised experience and service, but genuinely expressed their sadness at having to leave. They wished their stay would have been endless. The facilities were par excellence, every single meal was delivered and plated to an exceptional quality, the spa treatment was relaxing and the property is aptly named as it does offer endless views. Every single evening the property made my parents time special - it was to celebrate my mums birthday and her retirement from teaching at a public school. They went out of their way with generosity, kindness and personalisation. My mum loved that they found time to sing her a happy birthday song! I have no hesitation in recommending this property to anyone looking for world class service combined with an exceptional property. I am incredibly well travelled and from what I have experienced and from my parents utter joy, this property ranks up with the very best of properties. Well done to the entire team and when I visit South Africa, you can be guaranteed a visit from me.

This has to be the best boutique hotel in the area. The building is lovely with fantastic views and they have thought of everything- a beautiful viewing deck for breakfast and a relaxed bar. The rooms are super clean and neat and comfortable. The service has been fantastic since day one and the breakfast is excellent. Loved every minute of our stay here.

We had an Amazing experience at the Holiday Inn Express, Umhlanga. This has to be one of the best service I've experienced (local and international included). Wouldn't hesitate to highly recommend this Establishment. Check in was awesome. Brendan and team were extremely Welcoming, Friendly and Efficient. We were settled into the room in no time as well as informed of all the amenities. We traveled as a group and the team helped us to get rooms close to each other which was so convenient. Breakfast was scrumptious and the service exceeded our expectations. Trisha and the team take their work and service to customers so seriously - like it's their own company. My son wanted Chocolate muffins and they baked it specially for him - how amazing is that! We were leaving early to the airport and Trisha offered to have breakfast ready from 5am - was so impressed and grateful. This has to be one of the best hotels across the world. Kudos to the team and leadership. Highly recommend anyone to not hesitate to book here. Thanks so much guys

The service I was given at reception was spectacular, as well as room service. Everyone was very welcoming and warm-hearted

well! The best hotel in the class, the neighborhood is very safe, fast food, Chinese and Western food are available, the beach is very beautiful, but a bit expensive, but it is worth it, five-star worth experiencing