8 Gunda

We had a lovely holiday here in March, coming from Ireland. The weather was so good, and the hosts were very friendly. The apartment was beautiful, classy, clean, and a good size, with a nice garden and patio and a good-sized swimming pool. Umhlanga beach was four minutes away, and there were lots of good restaurants nearby. It’s in a beautiful, quiet suburb of Umhlanga. Regards to the owners.

I wanted to hire the place for my wedding and asked the owner if people could come over to do my hair and makeup. Given that it was an Indian wedding, I was decent enough to ask first, but the service I got was horrible. When I called to enquire, he said he was busy and would call the next day. I waited, but he didn’t call, so I tried several times and he wouldn’t answer. When I finally got through, he again said he’d call back after asking his mother whether he could hire the place out. I’ve now been waiting a week for that second call. If he didn’t want to rent it for what I asked, he should have just told me. The service was disgusting.

The stay was uncomfortable for the amount we paid, and we won’t be back. The Wi-Fi signal was very poor, and DSTV sharing with other guests caused frustration. The main house is beautifully decorated and furnished, but the lounge has only one sofa, which was uncomfortable, while the wingback chairs felt more suited to a waiting area. In the bedroom with two single beds, the bathroom sliding door left the bottom completely exposed, and there were gaps in the frosting, so privacy was a real issue. There were no hairdryer plugs or dressing tables, and the apartment felt crowded with too much decor.

The beach is about five minutes away, though it’s uphill on the way back. The place is really clean and has a clear swimming pool. I’d recommend it if you’re looking for somewhere to stay in Durban North.