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<\/a>The unformed doormen in traditional garb welcome guests to the timeless Oyster Box in Durban<\/p><\/div>\n
The property, which upon red carpet entrance feels like a hidden, diplomatic embassy, could well have been called \u201cThe Jewelry Box\u201d as it feels as delicate, intricate and precious as one. But its\u2019 Oyster Box name hints at the 1930\u2019s-era, recently refurbished, 86-room boutique hotel\u2019s beachfront perch. A glamorous infinity pool, for those who don\u2019t want their toes in the sand, overlooks the Indian Ocean and the scenic Uhmlanga Lighthouse; but watch your feet when you\u2019re standing in the Oyster Bar, because the glass floor reveals a private chef\u2019s table for up to 10 diners in the wine cellar below.<\/p>\n
Prefer to be sky high? The Lighthouse Bar on the roof, under red and white-striped canopies, presents a 180-degree, open-air view of the coastline \u2013 once you step out of the dark wood, leather chairs, and hardwood-floor of the interior speakeasy. I can write words like \u201cspeakeasy\u201d to define the Oyster Box because it truly transports guests to a time of elegant comfort and now uncommon civilities such as serving guests arriving at the front desk next to the swirling grand staircase a glass of champagne \u2013 that\u2019s after they step over the house tabby cat lazing next to the rickshaw and have been greeted by traditionally-uniformed doormen. High tea with colorful macaroons and plentiful pastel pastries is served daily amidst the foliage in the Palm Court atrium.<\/p>\n
Each public room, including the African adventurer\u2019s club-style library, is a genteel but dramatic setting giving the appearance of international intrigue and whispered stories, such as the time, in 2011, Prince Albert of Monaco and his South African bride Princess Charlene, honeymooned at The Oyster Box. Russian President Vladmir Putin\u2019s photo (he\u00a0stayed in 2013),\u00a0adorns a back hallway display of famous (infamous?) guests.<\/p>\n
Potential “monkey business” awaits guests who dine on the Oyster Box’s Ocean Terrace<\/p><\/div>\n
Unwanted – but unavoidably tolerated – monkeys sometimes make brief guest appearances on the open-air tables of the relaxing, Mediterranean-inspired, Ocean Terrace attempting to snatch a bread roll or a sugar packet. If only the little devils knew what they were missing with the elaborate nightly Curry Buffett, which features at least 11 curries daily, including Lamb Vindaloo; Singapore Fish; and Durban Chicken and Prawn, cooked in Tandoori ovens.<\/p>\n
The guestrooms are spotless and bright, with small touches such as soap presented on a seashell. The spa is also an exotic experience via a traditional oriental hammam and sensation shower. The pet-friendly hotel offers a cinema screening room; kid\u2019s club and chauffeured rides to locations around town, including Durban Country Club, but I\u00a0 nearly wept with grief each time I had to leave the Oyster Box, even for a short time, on various investigative sightseeing pursuits. The Oyster Box is not a showstopper. It is the show.<\/p>\n
For more information visit www.OysterBoxHotel.com<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Michael Patrick Shiels may be contacted at\u00a0<\/em>InviteYourself@aol.com<\/em><\/a>\u00a0or via TravelTattler.com\u00a0His talk show can be heard weekday mornings in\u00a0Lansing\u00a0on 92.1 FM.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"