Without a doubt, the Concierge is Durban’s hippest place to stay. The boutique hotel is owned by well-known Durban creative Neil Roake, whose fun personal style permeates throughout the rooms.

Housed in renovated 1920s buildings, the rooms each have their own color themes and quirky touches such as sausage dog motifs, as well as funky designer furniture, sleek modern fittings, incredibly comfortable beds and jungle waterfall-style showers (one of the best hotel shower experiences I’ve ever had), free Wi-Fi, and iPod docking stations. I loved the addition of a stylish African-print dressing gown instead of the usual white robe.

The Concierge couldn’t have a better location: it’s situated on a quiet residential street in the suburb of Morningside, a short walk away from Florida Road – Durban’s trendiest street – with bars, cafés and restaurants, and is only a five-minute drive from the beach.

Next door to the hotel is the Freedom Café, a funky casual restaurant housed in a bright red shipping container and glass walls and shady outdoor courtyard. Here’s where you’ll have breakfast when you stay at the Concierge (it’s included in the rate): choose from an a la carte menu with dishes such as eggs benedict, potato rosti with salmon gravlax and buttermilk pancakes with maple butter, pecans and banana. It’s worth staying around for lunch or dinner (which is only served on weekends): the menu has a mix of playful international fare much of which is featured in Neil Roake’s award-winning cookbooks. Try the pulled chicken tacos with hummus and avocado-pineapple salsa, the falafel burger, Vietnamese veggie rolls or the warm kale salad.