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The Royal Hotel

3.0 star property

Photo gallery for The Royal Hotel

Reception
Coffee shop
Outdoor pool
Lobby
Front of property

Reviews

7.4 out of 10
Good

Popular amenities

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

Explore the area

View 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.)
    ‪26 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

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

7.0 out of 10
Good
(2 reviews)
  • Harbor view
  • 30 sq m
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

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

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

Family Suite, 2 Bedrooms, Non Smoking, City View

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

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

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

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

  • Harbor view
  • 60 sq m
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

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  • Pool
  • Spa
  • Parking included
  • Free Wi-Fi
4.4 out of 5, Excellent, 127 reviews
The price is NZ$112
includes taxes & fees
16 Apr - 17 Apr
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About the area

Durban

With a stay at The Royal Hotel, you'll be centrally located in Durban, within a 5-minute drive of uShaka Marine World and Old Courthouse Museum. .This spa hotel is 0.4 mi (0.7 km) from Harbour and 0.5 mi (0.8 km) from Durban Natural Science Museum.

What's nearby

  • Durban City Hall - 2 min walk - 0.2 km
  • Playhouse - 2 min walk - 0.2 km
  • Harbour - 3 min walk - 0.3 km
  • West Street Mosque - 7 min walk - 0.6 km
  • Durban International Convention Centre - 10 min walk - 0.9 km

Getting around

  • King Shaka Intl. Airport (DUR) - 34 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Maxi's - ‬9 min walk
  • ‪KFC - ‬11 min walk
  • ‪Wimpy - ‬12 min walk
  • ‪KFC - ‬7 min walk
  • ‪KFC - ‬9 min walk

About this property

The Royal Hotel

The Royal Hotel offers 206 air-conditioned accommodations with laptop-compatible safes and hair dryers. Each accommodation is individually furnished and decorated. 42-inch flat-screen televisions come with satellite channels.

Bathrooms include separate bathtubs and showers and complimentary toiletries. This Durban hotel provides complimentary wireless Internet access. Housekeeping is offered daily and irons/ironing boards 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 onsite 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.
Make yourself at home in one of the 206 air-conditioned rooms featuring flat-screen televisions. Complimentary wireless internet access keeps you connected, and satellite programming is available for your entertainment. Private bathrooms with separate bathtubs and showers feature complimentary toiletries and hair dryers. Conveniences include phones and laptop-compatible safes, and housekeeping is provided daily.
Relax and unwind with massages, body treatments, and facials. Additional amenities at this Colonial hotel include complimentary wireless internet access, concierge services, and wedding services. The beach shuttle (surcharge) makes getting to the surf and sand a breeze.
Enjoy a meal at the restaurant or snacks in the coffee shop/cafe. The hotel also offers room service (during limited hours). Wrap up your day with a drink at the bar/lounge. Buffet breakfasts are available daily from 6:30 AM to 10 AM for a fee.
Featured amenities include a business center, limo/town car service, and dry cleaning/laundry services. Event facilities at this hotel consist of a conference center and meeting rooms. For a surcharge, guests may use a roundtrip airport shuttle (available 24 hours) and a cruise ship terminal shuttle.
Buffet breakfasts are available for a surcharge and are served each morning between 6:30 AM and 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 percent 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

No pets or service animals allowed

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome
Rollaway/extra beds are not available
Cribs (infant beds) are not available

Payment types

Important information

Optional extras

  • Fee for buffet breakfast: approximately ZAR 205 for adults and 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 percent

The above list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits may not include tax and are subject to change.

You need to know

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

We should mention

Reservations are required for massage services and spa treatments; reservations can be made by contacting the property prior to arrival, using the contact information on the booking confirmation
Only registered guests are allowed in the guestrooms
No pets and no service animals are allowed at this property
Parking height restrictions apply

National rating

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

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. 70 out of 254 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 82 out of 254 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 57 out of 254 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 21 out of 254 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 24 out of 254 reviews

7.8/10

Cleanliness

7.4/10

Staff & service

7.8/10

Amenities

7.0/10

Property conditions & facilities

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Mbuyiseni

Stayed 1 night in Dec 2025

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

10/10 Excellent

Sithembile, Newport beach

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

10/10 Excellent

Racheal

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

10/10 Excellent

Muzaffar

Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

6/10 Okay

Bilal

Stayed 1 night in Apr 2025

6/10 Okay

Dr. Lindokuhle, Santa Ana

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

10/10 Excellent

John

Business traveller
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

10/10 Excellent

Richard

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Dr. Lindokuhle, Santa Ana

Travelled with family and small children
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Relaxing and spacious.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2025

10/10 Excellent

THEOPHILUS

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

10/10 Excellent

Deepak

Stayed 7 nights in Dec 2024

8/10 Good

Mbuyiseni

Stayed 1 night in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Randall, La Honda

Travelled with group
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

4/10 Poor

Sergio

Business traveller
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

10/10 Excellent

Nthabiseng

Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2024

8/10 Good

Nthabiseng

Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2024

2/10 Terrible

Nthabiseng

Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2024

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Business traveller
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2024

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