The Royal Hotel

I went to the Royal Hotel for the first time last week on Monday to meet someone. I picked it because it was closer to their office, and I assumed a central hotel would have a café with reliable Wi-Fi where I could work while waiting, meet comfortably, then carry on working with coffee or food. The front-of-house staff were polite and helpful. I asked where the café was and realised I’d walked right past it. Inside, it matched the rest of the hotel, a little dated but formal. I tried one seat, felt uncomfortable, and moved. The marble tabletops suggest durability and history, but several were chipped, and my table wobbled. It felt as if the space wasn’t being maintained to the standard its name suggests. A light refurbishment would make a noticeable difference. Wi-Fi was one of the main reasons I chose the place. When I asked the waiters for the password, they said it “doesn’t usually work.” It didn’t work when I got the password and tried logging in. I noticed another guest working on a laptop, then learned in conversation as they were leaving that they use their own mobile data when they come to the hotel, so this seems to be a common Wi-Fi problem. For a city hotel café in 2026, unreliable Wi-Fi makes it much less useful for meetings and work. The drinks selection was limited, with around four main options readily available. I ordered the “Royal” something something sandwich, their large signature sandwich, though I can’t remember its actual menu name. The chips were crisp and well prepared, and the sandwich was generously filled with bacon, egg, and other fillings. It was very dry overall and needed moisture or sauce. The person I met ordered fish and calamari with salad. The salad looked decent, but the fish didn’t seem particularly fresh or appealing, more like fast-food quality than hotel dining. The hotel sits in the heart of Durban’s CBD on Anton Lembede Street, central and walkable, with a history tied to the city’s commercial and civic life. From the outside it has the scale of an older metropolitan hotel, with strong horizontal façade lines, a prominent entrance canopy, and the vertical massing of a mid-century commercial hospitality building. Its name and presence carry a sense of history, though the look also shows the passage of time. While I was there, someone commented that the hotel had dropped in standards from what it used to be. As I asked questions, what I was experiencing did seem different from what I expected of a hotel like this. This is only a review of the café as a place to work and meet. I didn’t stay overnight, use the rooms, or visit other facilities such as the pool or conference spaces. My one-star rating reflects this café visit, not the accommodation as a whole. I may update this if I return to the café or use the hotel’s other facilities.

The spa was a highlight, with a wide range of treatments at amazing prices. I also liked that Payflex was available there as a payment option, which made it more accessible. The Royal Hotel offers great value for money for a short or longer stay. It’s right in the CBD, so everything is easy to reach, and parking is a breeze. The rooms are neat, spacious, and have the basics you need for a comfortable stay. I had a wonderful time and highly recommend it for comfort, convenience, and value.

The wraps were tasty, especially the halloumi one, though there wasn't a vegan option. We also enjoyed the well-made margarita and strawberry daiquiri, and my niece finished every bit of her salted milkshake. Drinks were affordable, with mocktails starting at R55, and the bar staff were great. I usually visit Fleur-de-lis spa on the 21st floor. It's professional, reasonably priced, and offers plenty of choices, though it often books up because the service is so good. While we waited for someone to finish a massage this time, we spent time in the hotel bar. The place has a regal look, but it's dated and has quite a lot of rain damage. Given that it's Durban's oldest hotel, that makes sense. Some refurbishment and care could really lift the experience.

This was our third stay at The Royal Hotel, and we love coming here. Our first room wasn't quite right, but Tasmin, the manager on duty, was very accommodating and arranged a room change promptly. We appreciated that. The cleaner was cheerful, pleasant, and always smiling. She did seem to need more training, though, as she had to make several trips back and forth for linen.