The Riverside Hotel sits at 10 Kenneth Kaunda Drive in Durban North, on the Umgeni River side of the city, and it is a four-class property with 169 rooms. It is a larger, more traditional hotel than the beachfront boutiques, with an outdoor pool and pool umbrellas, a terrace, a garden, a hair salon, a gym, two bars and the Riverside Cafe, which serves breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner, including a poolside spot. Nearby you find the Beachwood Mangroves Nature Reserve, a three-minute walk away, plus the Umgeni River Bird Park and the Japanese Gardens, each about a two-minute drive, and Durban Beach is about two minutes by car. It suits visitors who prefer a leafy, calmer base between the city and Umhlanga rather than the busy Golden Mile.
Location and getting around
Durban North lies between the city centre and Umhlanga, so you can reach either in a short ride. The beach is about two minutes by car, King Shaka International Airport about twenty-seven minutes, and Windsor Park golf course about four minutes. A round-trip airport shuttle is available for a fee. The hotel is not within walking distance of the main sights, so use taxis or ride-hailing cars for the city, uShaka and the market, and plan day trips with pick-up arrangements in mind.
Facilities
The pool can be used from eight in the morning until half past seven in the evening. There is free self parking and free WiFi in the rooms, along with air conditioning, laundry and dry cleaning, a front-desk safe and a porter. Buffet breakfast, babysitting and the airport shuttle are charged extras. No spa is described, so choose another hotel on this list if a spa is essential.
Policies
Check-in starts at three in the afternoon and check-out is at half past ten, which is earlier than many hotels. Only service animals are allowed. Free cancellation is offered on selected room rates, so check the terms of the rate you choose. Who it suits: families and business travellers who want a large hotel with a pool and gardens, nature on the doorstep and easy access to the north coast, and visitors who do not need to be on the beachfront.
It is a good mid-priced alternative when beachfront rooms are full in the holidays.
Choosing it well
It is a good fit if you want a pool, grounds and nature nearby and do not mind driving or taking taxis for the city and beachfront. Check the terms of the room rate you choose, because free cancellation applies only to selected rates, and confirm the cost of breakfast, which is charged separately. Early check-out at half past ten is worth remembering if you have a late flight.
Why stay here
- ✓Outdoor pool with umbrellas
- ✓Gym
- ✓Riverside Cafe restaurant
- ✓Two bars
- ✓Terrace and garden
- ✓Free self parking
- ✓Free in-room WiFi
- ✓Airport shuttle for a fee
Good questions
Is The Riverside Hotel on the beach?+
No. Durban Beach is about two minutes by car, and the Beachwood Mangroves Nature Reserve is about three minutes on foot.
Does the hotel have a pool?+
Yes, an outdoor pool with umbrellas, open from eight in the morning until half past seven in the evening.
What times are check-in and check-out?+
Check-in starts at three in the afternoon and check-out is at half past ten in the morning.
