The new owners, the Red Coronation Hotel Collection, ensures that the old beacon building, which overlooks the Indian Ocean, gets a new face without compromising its former glory.
This was accomplished by effortlessly combining colonial charm with modern technology in order to usher the hotel into the 21st Century.
The hotel dates back to 1947 and some of the original elements have been retained, among which the swing door at the entrance, the spiral staircase's cast-iron railing, the antique marble clock and the hand-painted tiles. The crystal chandeliers are from the old Savoy hotel in London.
In harmony with the restored areas exciting spaces were created through the use of glass, luxury finishes and a comprehensive collection. This collection has been collected over three years and entails works by SA and European artists.
The Oyster Box offers 90 rooms and suites, eight garden villas – each with its own private swimming pool – and a presidential suite of 450sqm. The hotel also makes provision for guests' pets and the hotel has its own resident cat, Skabenga.
In accordance with the green wave spilling over the SA building landscape, there are various green initiatives in the design of the upgraded hotel.
This involves the use of the hotel's air conditioning system to heat the 14 swimming pools and also includes sun panels that heat the water in the new spa.
Energy-efficient lights are used while rain water is used for the gardens. The building's indigenous plants were moved to a nursery while it was being restored. – Elma Kloppers, Sake24
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My lady and I often enjoyed sundowners and Sunday lunches there,at very reasonable rates.We are looking forward to going back there for the same reason,however I understand that the Room Rates now make it almost impossible for the average income earner to stay there.We are fortunate to reside in Umdloti, just up the road! - Peter Johnson
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