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The Royal Hotel

3.0 star property

Choose dates to view prices

your current months are December, 2024 and January, 2025.
December 2024
January 2025

Photo gallery for The Royal Hotel

Coffee shop
City view
Front of property
Terrace/patio
Deluxe Twin Room, 2 Single Beds, Non Smoking, City View | In-room safe, individually decorated, individually furnished

Reviews

7.2 out of 10

Good

Popular amenities

  • Bar
    Bar
  • Parking available
    Parking available
  • Spa
    Spa
  • Pool
    Pool
  • Room service
    Room service
  • 24/7 front desk
    24/7 front desk

Explore the area

Map
267 Smith Street, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, 4001
  • Durban City Hall
    1 min walk
  • Playhouse
    2 min walk
  • Harbour
    4 min walk
  • Durban (DUR-King Shaka Intl.)
    33 min drive

Room options

View all photos for Deluxe Twin Room, 2 Single Beds, Non Smoking, City View

In-room safe, individually decorated, individually furnished

Deluxe Twin Room, 2 Single Beds, Non Smoking, City View

  • 30 sq m
  • City view
  • Sleeps 2
  • 2 Single Beds

View all photos for Family Suite, 2 Bedrooms, Non Smoking, City View

Family Suite, 2 Bedrooms, Non Smoking, City View | In-room safe, individually decorated, individually furnished

Family Suite, 2 Bedrooms, Non Smoking, City View

  • City view
  • Sleeps 4
  • 1 Queen Bed and 2 Single Beds

View all photos for Executive Suite, 1 Queen Bed, Non Smoking, Harbour View

Executive Suite, 1 Queen Bed, Non Smoking, Harbour View | In-room safe, individually decorated, individually furnished

Executive Suite, 1 Queen Bed, Non Smoking, Harbour View

  • 60 sq m
  • Harbour view
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

View all photos for Deluxe Room, 1 Queen Bed, Non Smoking, Harbour View

Deluxe Room, 1 Queen Bed, Non Smoking, Harbour View | In-room safe, individually decorated, individually furnished

Deluxe Room, 1 Queen Bed, Non Smoking, Harbour View

  • 30 sq m
  • Harbour view
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

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About this property

The Royal Hotel

Colonial Durban hotel in Durban Central Business District with a conference centre
An outdoor pool, a restaurant and a bar/lounge are available at this hotel. WiFi in public areas is free. Additionally, a snack bar/deli, a conference centre and a coffee shop/cafe are on-site.
The Royal Hotel offers 206 air-conditioned accommodations with laptop-compatible safes and a hairdryer. Each accommodation is individually furnished and decorated. 42-inch flat-screen televisions come with satellite channels.

Bathrooms include a separate bath and shower and complimentary toiletries. This Durban hotel provides complimentary wireless Internet access. Housekeeping is offered on a daily basis and an iron/ironing board can be requested.

Recreational amenities at the hotel include an outdoor pool.

The recreational activities listed below are available either on-site or nearby; fees may apply.

Guests can pamper themselves by indulging in the on-site spa services. There are 3 treatment rooms including rooms for couples. Services include deep-tissue massages, hot stone massages, Swedish massages and facials. A variety of treatment therapies are provided, including aromatherapy and reflexology.
During your stay at The Royal Hotel, you're just a quick walk from Durban Art Gallery. You'll find features such as free WiFi in public areas, plus an outdoor pool and a restaurant.
  • Free WiFi
  • Options for a bite to eat or a relaxing drink include a coffee shop, a restaurant and a bar/lounge
  • Buffet breakfast served daily for a fee
  • Self-parking available for a fee
  • Take a swim in the outdoor pool
  • Services include dry cleaning/laundry, a concierge and a porter
  • Just a 3-minute drive from uShaka Marine World and a few minutes from Durban Beach
  • Airport, railway station and cruise terminal shuttle service available for a fee
Along with a restaurant and a coffee shop/cafe, there's a snack bar/deli on site. You can enjoy a drink at the bar/lounge. Business amenities include a business centre, meeting rooms, and limo/town car service.

Public spaces have free WiFi. An outdoor pool, spa services, and a terrace are also featured at The Royal Hotel. An airport shuttle (available 24 hours), a beach shuttle and a train station drop-off service are available for a fee. Limited parking is available for a fee and is offered on a first-come, first-served basis.

For a fee, guests can enjoy a buffet breakfast daily from 6:30 AM to 10 AM.
The Royal Hotel has a restaurant serving breakfast and dinner.
Room service (during limited hours) is available.

Languages

English

Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
  • Available in some public areas: Free WiFi

Parking and transport

  • Height restrictions apply for on-site parking
  • 24-hour return airport shuttle on request for a surcharge
  • Train station pick-up and drop-off shuttle (surcharge)
  • Beach shuttle (surcharge)
  • Cruise terminal shuttle (surcharge)
  • Theme park shuttle (surcharge)
  • Limo/town car service
  • Secured, covered parking on site (ZAR 60 per day)
  • Limited on-site parking
  • Wheelchair-accessible parking available

Food and drink

  • Daily buffet breakfast available 6:30 AM to 10 AM for a fee: ZAR 185 for adults and ZAR 92.50 for children
  • A bar/lounge
  • A coffee shop/cafe
  • A restaurant
  • Snack bar/deli

Family friendly

  • Laundry facilities
  • Outdoor pool
  • Snack bar/deli
  • Soundproofed rooms

Conveniences

  • 24-hour front desk
  • ATM
  • Laundry facilities
  • Luggage storage
  • Safe at front desk

Guest services

  • Concierge services
  • Dry cleaning/laundry service
  • Housekeeping (daily)
  • Multilingual staff
  • Porter/bellhop
  • Wedding services

Business services

  • Business centre
  • Conference centre
  • Meeting rooms

Outdoors

  • Terrace

Spa

  • 3 treatment rooms
  • Aromatherapy
  • Body scrubs
  • Body wraps
  • Couples treatment rooms
  • Deep-tissue massages
  • Facials
  • Hot stone massages
  • Manicures/pedicures
  • Reflexology
  • Swedish massages

Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • Handrails in stairways
  • Lift
  • Thin carpet in room
  • Well-lit path to entrance
  • Wheelchair accessibility
  • Wheelchair accessible (may have limitations)
  • Wheelchair-accessible business centre
  • Wheelchair-accessible concierge desk
  • Wheelchair-accessible lounge
  • Wheelchair-accessible parking
  • Wheelchair-accessible path to lift
  • Wheelchair-accessible pool
  • Wheelchair-accessible registration desk
  • Wheelchair-accessible restaurant
  • Wheelchair-accessible spa
  • Wheelchair-width doorways

More

  • 1 building
  • 18 floors
  • Banquet hall
  • Built in 1845
  • Colonial architecture
  • Reception hall
  • Smoke-free property

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • Free toiletries
  • Hair dryer
  • Private bathroom
  • Separate bathtub and shower
  • Towels provided

Entertainment

  • 42-inch flat-screen TV with satellite channels

Food and drink

  • Limited room service
  • Restaurant dining guides

More

  • Air conditioning
  • Individual decor
  • Individual furnishings
  • Iron/ironing board on request
  • Laptop-compatible safe
  • Phone
  • Soundproofed rooms

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: 2:00 PM; check-in end time: anytime
Minimum check-in age - 18

Check-out

Check-out before 11 AM

Special check-in instructions

This property offers transfers from the cruise terminal and airport (surcharges may apply); to arrange pick-up, guests must contact the property 24 hours prior to arrival, using the contact information on the booking confirmation
The property charges 3 per cent for credit card payments
Front desk staff will greet guests on arrival

Access methods

Staffed front desk

Pets

  • Pets and service animals are not allowed at The Royal Hotel

Children and extra beds

  • Children are welcome.
  • Rollaway/extra beds are not available.
  • Cots (infant beds) are not available.

Payment types at the property

Important information

Optional extras

The fees and deposits listed below will be charged at the time of service, check-in, or check-out.

  • Fee for buffet breakfast: from approximately ZAR 185 for adults and from ZAR 92.50 for children
  • Airport shuttle fee: ZAR 450 per vehicle (one-way, maximum occupancy 4)
  • Airport shuttle fee per child: ZAR 150.00 (one-way), (from 5 to 11 years old)
  • Covered self-parking fee: ZAR 60 per day
  • Credit card charges are subject to a surcharge of 3 per cent

This may not be a comprehensive list. Fees and deposits are subject to change and might not include tax.

You need to know

This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business or profession.
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
The name on the credit card used at check-in to pay for incidentals must be the primary name on the guestroom reservation
This property accepts credit cards and cash
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit
Please note that cultural norms and guest policies may differ by country and by property; the policies listed are provided by the property
The Royal Hotel offers transfers from the cruise terminal and airport (fees may apply). Please contact the property on the number on the booking confirmation 24 hours prior to arrival with your arrival details. Front desk staff will greet guests on arrival.

We should mention

  • Reservations are needed for massage services and spa treatments. For reservations, contact the hotel before arrival using the contact information on the booking confirmation.
  • Registered guests are the only ones allowed to be in guestrooms.
  • Pets and service animals are not allowed on site.

National rating

Quality graded by the Tourism Grading Council of South Africa (TGCSA) – South Africa's official quality assurance organisation.

Property is also known as

Royal Durban
Royal Hotel Durban
The Royal Hotel Hotel
The Royal Hotel Durban
The Royal Hotel Hotel Durban

The Royal Hotel Reviews

Reviews

7.2

Good

Rating 10 - Excellent. 61 out of 241 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 80 out of 241 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 55 out of 241 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 21 out of 241 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 24 out of 241 reviews" "

7.8/10

Cleanliness

7.2/10

Staff & service

7.4/10

Amenities

7.0/10

Property conditions & facilities

7.0/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Clifford

Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

VIVIAN

Business traveller
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great breakfast and rooms are kept clean
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2024

8/10 Good

Magnus

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 9 nights in Jun 2024

8/10 Good

Magnus

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
It is always so convenient to stay at the Royal
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2024

6/10 Okay

William

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
The staff was incredible. The breakfast and dinner buffets were very good with lots of options. Biggest issue is that even though it is a non-smoking hotel there is cigarette, cigar, and pot smells coming from the rooms vents even though the circulation is off. I even switched rooms because of the smell into my room, but it really didn't matter even though it was on a different floor from my original room. Thankfully my second room had a window that could open and I was able to keep the room aired out, but it still smelled of smoke. In other hotels the people who smoke in rooms are fined and removed from the hotel. Also, having the exhaust fans pulling air out of the rooms would keep it from circulating through the vent system because my vents were definitely not on. Even bought a fan at Clicks to help cool the room down for comfortable sleeping.
Stayed 8 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Mark

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2024

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Business traveller
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Fine hotel, good people, needs better internet
This is a hotel in the heart of downtown, with a fine staff and sizable, comfortable rooms (perhaps a bit dated). The breakfast has quite a good variety of dishes. The room has a mini-fridge, which is a valuable amenity. This hotel offers excellent value for money. The one big fault of the place lies in the internet. It was usually not reachable in my room, and even when I went to the lobby for a good connection, Windows refused to connect to it because their system uses a long-outdated security protocol. (Android did work, but only in the lobby.) If you're staying downtown, you're probably in Durban for business, not tourism, and an up-to-date functional internet with a decent signal is absolutely essential.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2024

8/10 Good

Gottfried, West Vancouver

Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2024

8/10 Good

James

Liked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Maud

Liked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Hood
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2024

8/10 Good

Russell

Stayed 1 night in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Mildred Nomvana

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2023

2/10 Terrible

Isaac

Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2023

2/10 Terrible

Ferdinand

Stayed 1 night in Aug 2023

8/10 Good

Pearl

Stayed 1 night in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Maud

Stayed 1 night in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Pedro Manuel Pereira, Concord

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Above and beyond great experience , staff is fantastic.
Stayed 8 nights in Jun 2023

2/10 Terrible

Verified traveller

Liked: Room comfort
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Travelstart online

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 5 nights in Apr 2022

8/10 Good

Danai

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Clean rooms and wide selection for breakfast items
Stayed 1 night in May 2022

6/10 Okay

Mvuyiso

Stayed 1 night in Oct 2021

2/10 Terrible

Verified traveller

Travelled with group
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Hotel of F***** Horror.
Upon arriving at the hotel bookings were not correct but after some time it was resolved. We got to the rooms and their room appears clean but when looking at the curtains or even the carpets it was filthy. The lift buttons are dirty and do not appear to be polished. The service we got was shocking, reception staff does not give a toss about guests, and if things are asked they take their own time or do not get back to you about it. They have hot water issues and when asking about it we were told that they would get back to us, which they never did. When they heard that we knew media personnel they then only offered to find us a room with hot water. The reception staff is the worst I have ever seen or even had to deal with, for the place they are working at it is rather sad. There were even chicken bones laying on the stairways and cockroaches in front and in rooms.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2021

10/10 Excellent

Sandile

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Definitely coming back
I don't understand why it's a 3 star cause everything is 5star and the staff is amazing
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2019

10/10 Excellent

Nomonde

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2019

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Liked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Disliked: Cleanliness
Vintage style
We had to pay R75 per day for parking and I was not told in advance. The carpet in my room(642) was dirty or stained. Otherwise I like the vintage and elegant decor. The porters were helpful. Great service at the restaurant.
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2020