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The Royal Hotel

3.0 star property

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Reception
Family Suite, 2 Bedrooms, Non Smoking, City View | In-room safe, individually decorated, individually furnished
Outdoor pool
Coffee shop
Meeting facility

Reviews

7.4 out of 10
Good

Popular amenities

  • Pool
  • Spa
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Restaurant
  • Air-conditioning

Explore the area

View in a map
267 Smith Street, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, 4001
  • Place, Durban City Hall
    ‪2 min walk‬
  • Place, Playhouse
    ‪2 min walk‬
  • Place, Durban International Convention Centre
    ‪10 min walk‬
  • Airport, Durban (DUR-King Shaka Intl.)
    ‪32 min drive‬

Room options

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

7.0 out of 10
Good
(2 reviews)
  • Harbour view
  • 30 sq m
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed
  • Free Wi-Fi

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

  • City view
  • 30 sq m
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 2 Single Beds
  • Free Wi-Fi

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

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(1 review)
  • City view
  • 2 bedrooms
  • Sleeps 4
  • 1 Queen Bed and 2 Single Beds
  • Free Wi-Fi

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

  • Harbour view
  • 60 sq m
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed
  • Free Wi-Fi

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About this property

The Royal Hotel

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 City Hall. 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
  • Steps from Durban City Hall and Durban Natural Science Museum
  • Airport, railway station and theme park 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.

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 self parking
  • Wheelchair-accessible parking available

Food and drink

  • Daily buffet breakfast available 6:30 AM to 10 AM for a fee: ZAR 205 for adults and ZAR 100 for children
  • A bar/lounge
  • A coffee shop/cafe
  • A restaurant
  • Snack bar/deli

Things to do

  • Outdoor pool
  • Stereo

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 at the property
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools

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 205 for adults and from ZAR 100 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, a smoke detector 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 at the property.

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

7.4

Good

Rating 10 - Excellent. 71 out of 257 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 83 out of 257 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 58 out of 257 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 21 out of 257 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 24 out of 257 reviews

7.8/10

Cleanliness

7.4/10

Staff & service

8.0/10

Amenities

7.0/10

Property conditions & facilities

Reviews

Verified

10/10 Excellent

VIVIAN

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

10/10 Excellent

THEOPHILUS

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Very good location
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Sithembile

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Very peaceful. Friendly staff.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025
Verified

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
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Dr. Lindokuhle

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Relaxing and spacious.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Racheal

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Safe
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Pedro Manuel Pereira

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

10/10 Excellent

John

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Beautiful suite, beautiful view

I love staying in old well-kept hotels. The Royal Hotel is a perfect example. I stayed on a high floor facing the harbor. Always something going on out there from a tiny lone sailboat to a whole sailboat race to a tugboat on mysterious course in the wee hours.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Randall

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
For walking around during the day, this might be the best location in Durban. At night, not so much, and there are dodgy parts on the way to the Golden Mile. However the room was great, the breakfast sensational, and the staff could not be kinder and more helpful.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Maud

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

6/10 Okay

Dr. Lindokuhle

Firstly staff does not take initiative in assisting guests with luggage Building is old and hold a rich history but not maintained or renovated enough to keep the standards of today not luxurious just plain boring hotel with couches that are torn and old The breakfast is not really great not appetising not enough option and very plain.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2025
Verified

4/10 Poor

Sergio

Disliked: Property conditions & facilities, room comfort

No Airconditioning or Openable windows

Beautiful architecturally, however, the rooms do not have air-conditioning or openable windows. Bed was comfortable and linen clean. check in was quick and easy, however, parking is an additional cost and separate to the establishment, so plan for a 5min - 10min to get to your car.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2024
Verified

8/10 Good

Sisikazi Sylvia

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Okay

I liked the big room,and 19th floor was very quiet.Friendly staff who always assist you.Great breakfast and dinner.Iron station is available at 9 and 15th floors. iNo 1. I disliked the fact that the TV channels are controlled at T V room, No 2. the aircon is controlled at 1 place nd if switched on it will be on for the whole hotel,i was disappointed. bcz i could not have the aircon in my room.. No 3 There are no microwaves to warm food in the floors,you must take a lift from 19 th floor to go and warm your food at the ground floor in the coffee shop,i suggest they shoud have the microwaves in the ironing stations which are situated at 6th and 15 th floors
Coffee station
Bed
2 sofas abd a table
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2025
Verified

8/10 Good

Verified 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
Verified

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
Verified

8/10 Good

Danai

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

2/10 Terrible

Verified traveller

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
Verified

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
Verified

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
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Jeffrey

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
My family and I had a wonderful time at the Royal. Reception was great; capacious rooms; ample parking; nice breakfast. Overall stay was excellent.
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2019
Verified

8/10 Good

Alice

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
The stay was fine but need to look at fixing their furniture in time before guests arrive.
Stayed 5 nights in Dec 2019
Verified

6/10 Okay

Irene

Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities

Dissapointed

It was fair but most amazing was scarcity of drinking water just a mere tap water n i had to complain first before they can cnhange our bedding....they just made the bed without changing sheets ,pillow cases n towels let alone refilling tea/coffee stuff n toiletries in the bathrooms n end up buying toilet paper .... remember we stayed 5 nights there but at after a reguested to speak to the manager everything was taken care of.Remember i syeyed in this hotel in 2015 but this year i dnt know what happened. During breakfast they end up counting food .i wonder why they accomodaye so many guest they cannot afford to feed them breakfast .
Stayed 5 nights in Dec 2019
Verified

4/10 Poor

Verified traveller

Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
Pics online deceiving.Pool water was green & disgusting.Room wasn't set up as requested originally.Wifi in the room kept loosing signal.Tv in RM 643 wasn't clear but snowy.Breakfast at the cafe wasn't great.Hotel could do with an upgrade as it's definitely dated. Great location as it's close to transport an good surrounding shops/mall. Restoration definitely required in the city too.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2019
Verified

10/10 Excellent

bonisiwe

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Amazing service , most friendly staff,spotless cleaning Royal hotel is our second home We have great time with my partner Keep up on your super service
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2019
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Vinit Prakash

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
stay was good for its price. Breakfast was very good. We are vegetarians, they accomodated vegetarian food also.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2019