Part of the Suncoast-Sunsquare casino and entertainment complex on the northern end of Durban’s Golden Mile, the Suncoast Towers is one of the more elegant hotels on the four-mile-long strip.
Courtesy of Sunsquare Suncoast
Like many of the other hotels on the beachfront, it has a quasi-Art Deco design scheme, at least on the outside. The zyggurat-fringed facade rises up to face the beach, and the pastel exterior turns a gorgeous orange when the early morning sun hits it. A placid pool area sits between the hotel and the beach, but it’s separated by a towering hedge and, strangely, does not have a view of the ocean.
The bright, airy rooms have a modern-chic aesthetic, with beige carpets and accents, maple closets, and minimalist frosted-glass enclosures for the toilet and shower areas. My room did not have a separate bathroom — rather the sink, shower and toilet compartment were all to be found along one wall — which is OK if you are traveling with a spouse, but this layout does not provide much privacy if you are with a friend or acquaintance. The flat-screen TV is on the small side, but the closets are ample and the bed firmly comfortable with soft, fluffy linens. My only complaint was that there were not enough power ports, and the ones that did exist were not in areas that were convenient for me — i.e. on the desk, but none near the bedside tables. Also, the free wi-fi was a bit slow, but you do get a higher daily allotment here than at nearby hotels.
Courtesy of amg133.blogspot.com
Elsewhere in the hotel is a well-kept fitness room, a lovely Asian-themed restaurant, and a fantastic ninth-floor spa. The hotel is directly connected to the casino complex, where you’ll find dozens of restaurants (a couple are high-end, but most are mid-to-low end chains), a cinema, and shops that stay open late. This, plus the Kids Club and easy access to the beach, make the Suncoast Towers a popular option for families, though a fair number of business travelers come through (there is a small business center near reception), and those who want to stay close to Moses Mabhida Stadium (which is 10 minutes away on foot).
Service here was extremely friendly and polite — definitely a cut above other hotels in the area. In fact, this was one of the best hotel experiences I had in Durban, and I highly recommend it.
