Everybody loves a holiday right?
But too often we don’t have time to plan one, or enough leave to even take one, so we spend weekend to weekend in the same place, doing the same thing.
Well I say nuh-uh to that!
I’ve decided to take more holidays right here in my own city and I started off in style with a mini-break at The Beverly Hills Hotel in Umhlanga :)
I’ve often eaten there or met people for a drink, but have never stayed there, so I was delighted when Tsogo Sun offered to host me one weekend. A suite overlooking the most spectacular view in Umhlanga is hard to beat and it felt totally decadent arriving at the hotel on a Friday afternoon after work and checking in for some down time, instead of heading home.
There’s something about a hotel – I don’t know if it’s the king-sized bed, the plethora of pillows, the mini-bar, or the fact that you can order room service from 3 floors up and you’ll be served a hamburger in bed, but I for one am a huge fan and could definitely get used to staying somewhere with such a killer view each weekend.
The Beverly Hills opened in Umhlanga in 1964 and this grand hotel has hosted many a celeb in its time. Boasting one of Durban’s most magnificent views, every single room in the hotel has a private balcony which overlooks the sparkling hotel pool, the Umhlanga promenade and the Indian Ocean – surfing dolphins are an added bonus.
It was like arriving at a desert oasis when we arrived in our room – the sea was sparkling, the sky was blue, the bubbly was on ice and a fruit platter awaited. AND there was a bath :)
Now my excitement at this might be over zealous, as most hotel rooms have a bath in the bathroom, but we have no bath in our new house and OMG I miss one! It was the first thing I did that evening and sheesh was it good. Then it was time to just laze in the king-sized bed and admire the view as the sun set – pure magic.
The hotel has some amazing restaurants right on its doorstep in the Umhlanga neighbourhood, but we decided not to venture too far and headed downstairs to the in-house Elements Cafe for sundowners and a light meal – the perfect way to unwind after a busy week. The restaurant serves a variety of light and main meals with a good selection of seafood, including tempura prawns with mango salsa, lemony Patagonian calamari, asian spiced fish cakes and freshly shucked oysters. There are some great meat dishes, including a Durban curry, as well as salads and pizzas. And don’t miss dessert – we shared a slice of oreo and nutella cheesecake – YUM!
We had a nightcap in the hotel lounge after dinner and listened to some laid back jazz – very relaxing – before retiring to listen to the sound of the ocean – the view at night towards the Umhlanga pier is magnificent!.
Breakfast is served in The Sugar Club – we headed for the terrace overlooking the sea – and is both buffet and made-to-order. Fresh fruit, pastries, cereals, fish monger and butcher selectionions are all available, as are eggs any way you like, plus waffles, pancakes and french toast if you have space! We rolled down to the pool afterwards and just lazed for a bit in the warm winter sun – I could very easily have ordered one of the poolside masseuses and never left!
Hands down one of the better mini-breaks I’ve had – it was great to feel like we’d been on holiday but had just a 20 minute drive home afterwards! Thanks to Tsogo Sun and Beverly Hills for hosting us – we will be back :)
SPECIAL OFFERS:
You can take advantage of their special offers if you want a decadent mini-break – there’s an ‘Escape to Luxury’, ‘Long Weekend’, ‘Senior’s Escape’ and an ‘Ultimate Romance’ package currently available – R5400 for 2 people for the night is all inclusive of:
- sparkling wine, fresh strawberries and cream in your room on arrival
- accommodation in a standard sea facing room
- romantic, candlelit dinner for 2 to the value of R 600 in either elements café bar, The Sugar Club or your room
- a 60 minute signature hot shell massage per person in our pool gazebo or your room
- rose petal turn down
- special gifting
- lavish breakfast, inclusive of bubbly
No Comments