Durban - Glamour, glitz, a fair sprinkling of heritage, and the Point area of Durban. Pick the odd one out. Well, there’s none, actually, because Durban’s Point has all that and more. It’s fast becoming the city’s worst kept secret, as visitors and residents alike are having so much fun, they keep coming back for more.
Just the other day, Jockey had a product launch there, and docking sailors may have caught a welcoming glimpse of models strutting their stuff through giant windows at reception, in the revamped Waterfront Hotel and Spa, formerly known as the Three cities Docklands Hotel.
The area has had a dicey reputation; some would even call it the ugly part of town. But even then, among the thorns, the vintage buildings held a gritty charm, a promise of something exciting…
But the future has hurried up and got here. The Waterfront Hotel and Spa is burgeoning after its re-launch late last year.
That old school charm has been maintained in the redesign, as the original bare-face brick walls are protected heritage sites. Even in the carpark, one of the walls stands proudly, providing a quirky backdrop for couples who have just said I do, in the hotel’s best feature, the courtyard.
Protected from the outside world, but still tickled by a whiff of sea breeze, the courtyard is a popular spot for sundowners, or lazy lunches. It attracts a chilled Saturday afternoon crowd, with three plasma screens giving sports lovers plenty of options.
But The Waterfront Hotel and Spa is a jewel and far more than a sports bar with a view.
Upstairs, the rooms have been renovated with a touch of opulence and functionality. Happily, every room has a view, be it the ships in the harbour, the courtyard, or the Indian Ocean.
The rooms are not small, with the feeling that you are in an apartment, not a hotel. The addition of the Aqua Spa will also be a welcome facility for those in need of pampering.
Downstairs, manager Rodney Bull and his team welcome you with a warm smile and a cold drink, immediately making you feel comfortable. Charming and jovial, Bull is almost the perfect host; the fact that he hasn’t completely shed his Cape roots - and still supports the Stormers - letting him down slightly.
Another massive drawcard is Wodka restaurant, a chic fusion eatery that has a menu as retro as the walls it is served in. Jack Daniels inspired wings, cavernous portions of shank - which I swear by - as well as a teppanyaki station right in front of diners.
For those looking for more than a bed and something in the belly, the hotel’s uber-functional entertainment rooms can hold up to 400 people, be it for weddings, parties, conferences, the odd Jockey model and even car shows, which have been hosted.
The Waterfront has all this, and more. Around the corner is the beach, while by night, a short walk gets you to The Chairman, a braggadocio addition to Durban nightlife, where cigars and cognac flow to the sounds of jazz and happy people.
These are all part of the Point revamp, and the fancy new frock that the Waterfront Hotel and Spa have put on has set a stylish new benchmark. If you’ve heard about it, go see it for yourself.
If you haven’t, then you are missing the Point altogether…
The Waterfront Hotel and Spa is The Misty Blue Group’s latest acquisition. Call 031 566 6260 or visit www.mistyblue.co.za
Sunday Tribune