The Balmoral

Overall happy with the hospitality at the Balmoral Hotel. Except for the poor service from the reception staff. Thanks to the cleaning staff, I appreciate their efforts in keeping the Hotel at the graded stars. Big ups.

I am unclear how a hotel with no bar or pool and limited menu can achieve 4*status. The hotel remains tired and in need of overhauling- but it is difficult to see how this will be achieved on such a low nightly rate, with no bar. The staff I cannot fault - nothing was too much trouble, please make use of the hotel driver, he’s really great and I will also call out the hotel security who would walk us across the road at night to ensure our safety. It is such a shame about the crime levels - but with careful planning and just practicing safe travel - a couple of days in Durban can be really good. But this hotel is in need of an upgrade if it has pretensions of 4* status. It represents great value for the price but 4 star it isn’t.

Centrally located hotel with great restaurant wanting of in-room service finesses - For instance, daily room water refill and towel change are best-practice basics for hotels worth the name everywhere and Balmoral needs to look into and pay attention to that. Otherwise, except for room service, VIP suites are basic - Elsewhere in the world including Durban Umhlanga, they’d have their own kitchen, microwave and kitchenettes for a home/executive feel. In this state, VIP rooms at Balmoral are overpriced

No mini fridgein room. needed something to drink and restaurant was close. No bottel water.Breakfast staff not friendly. Sunnyside eggs, the white was running.Bed was comfortable. Reception was friendly and helpful.

The hotel is clean, well ventilated and air conditioned. It is needed considering the humid weather at the coastland. The food is of a 7 star hotel the staff is friendly and the place is secured with security around and visible. The facilities are of good quality. Am definetely going back there. Durban = Balmoral Hotel.

We were welcomed by friendly staff who kept our bags safe as we needed to explore the city prior to checking in. The breakfast was amazing. The rooms are clean however we kept on sneezing due to the carpeted floors.

Good meals, friendly staff and clean rooms. Only bad things are the noise, crime and hawkers that overwhelm you when you visit. As a tip try not to get rooms near the stairs as people can be quiet noisy. No alcohol is also a minus, but looking at the area it is quite understandable.

Upon arrival, I inquire about room service and its operating hours. I receive an affirmative response. Once in the room, I search for the "room service" phone number without success. I scan the QR code and check the hotel directory, without finding the "precious" piece of information. I get dressed (as I was about to take a shower), go to the reception, and ask how on earth I could contact room service. The solution is simple, they say, you just had to dial *739 (or was it *749 ?). Just a pity that the info was not available to customers ! Before dialling the magic number, I ask where I could find the menu, meaning what can be ordered from "ROOM service". The receptionist looks at me somehow puzzled by such a strange question and says that in the room next door there's a buffet available. No further comments are necessary! Otherwise, the hotel is substandard from all perspectives: old and poorly maintained, not particularly clean at first glance, and a rather limited breakfast selection. The breakfast restaurant (terrace) has tables without cutlery and napkins (you have to ask for them, isn't it like that in all 4 stars hotels around the world? The only strong point is that it's a few meters from the beach, but going to the beach is not recommended for safety reasons.

The place was great and the staff was friendly and assisted us in the best possible way. We requested and early check in and the rooms were available on time and the communication with the booking team was on point.