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Budget Travel Stays: Best Cheap Accommodation in Durban Near the Beach
If you’re a backpacker like me or just looking to save a few bucks while in Durban, I would recommend an affordable (yet accommodating) hotel for your vacation. The hotel has to be near the beach to make your mornings a bit beautiful before you go on your adventures in Durban.
Not quite sure where to look for cheap accommodations? I got you. I’ve been traveling back and forth to Durban for both business and pleasure, so I rounded up my top favorite stays in the city!
Durban Spa
Website: https://www.durbanspa.co.za/
Address: 57 Marine Parade, South Beach
Contact info: +27 39 688 5320
Cheapest room per night: $56 for a family studio room
Durban Spa is probably the priciest one on the list, but I usually stay here for the view, the wide space, and the amenities. I usually pick their family studio room, which has a nice double bed and a sofa bed. It also comes with a full kitchen if you want to cook your meals or, if you’re like me, make cereal and instant coffee.
They have a spa nearby if you want to unwind after a long day and an outdoor seating area if you prefer to have some fresh air. If you want to soak in the cool water to cap your night, they have two indoor pools and a hot tub you can enjoy.
| Pro tips: Skip this hotel if you have a service animal with you, as they don’t allow pets and service animals. For parents, you can leave your travel cribs behind, as there are cribs and infant beds available to rent for free. |
Durban Manor Hotel & Conference Centre
Media from visitkzn
Website: https://durbanmanorhotel.com/
Address: 92-96 Victoria Embankment, Durban Central
Contact info: +27 311 0007 62
Cheapest room per night: $25 for a standard double room
With its stunning architecture and convenient distance from Durban Beach, the Durban Manor Hotel & Conference Centre is one of my go-to for quick getaways. Their standard double room looks plain, but it’s comfortable and affordable for a few-day stay.
What sells them to travelers like me is their location, which is close to popular attractions like the uShaka Marine World and Durban Botanical Gardens. Everything is within walking distance (by the way, I walk a lot), so if you’re the type to explore nearby beach hangouts, this place is for you.
| Pro tips: There’s free parking for this hotel, so if you want to explore Durban with a rented car, this place might be a good option for you. This place isn’t ideal for seniors and wheelchair users since they don’t have elevators. |
Parade Hotel
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Website: https://www.paradehotel.co.za/
Address: 191 O R Tambo Parade &, Marine Parade, North Beach
Contact info: +27 313 3745 65
Cheapest room per night: $34 for a double room
Parade Hotel is one of the popular hotels for backpackers because of its beachfront location and nearby attractions. Their rooms might be small, but they’re clean and the beds are comfy. I never had problems sleeping when I stayed here!
If you feel a bit lazy after a day’s worth of strolling but want a nightcap, there’s a bar just downstairs for simple alcoholic drinks and local beer choices. They only have a breakfast buffet available and no cafes in the hotel itself, but thankfully, there are nearby restaurants for lunch and dinner.
| Pro tips: There’s free parking for travelers with rented cars or bikes.This hotel is completely cashless, so don’t forget your credit cards! |
Bayside Hotel Pine Street
Media from baysidehotelgroup
Website: http://www.baysidegroup.co.za/
Address: 14 Monty Naicker Rd, South Beach
Contact info: +27 818 5576 23
Cheapest room per night: $26 for a luxury double room
Bayside Hotel Pine Street is a popular pick for businessmen who need to attend events and conferences at the Durban International Convention Centre. Their Wi-Fi connection is stable on most floors, which is convenient if you need to work or answer video calls.
I stayed here to attend an expo, but I still had enough time to check out Golden Mile Beach and the Durban Botanical Garden since it’s just a few minutes’ drive. I also squeezed in a little trip to the Beachview Mall for some necessities and last-minute gifts for my clients.
| Pro tips: This hotel doesn’t allow service animals, so if you have one, consider looking for another accommodation.I also suggest looking for a different hotel if you’re traveling with wheelchair users or seniors, as there are no elevators in this hotel. |
SUN1 Durban
Media from aurora_95ml
Website: https://www.southernsun.com/sun1-durban
Address: 65 Masabalala Yengwa Ave, Stamford Hill
Contact info: +27 313 0115 51
Cheapest room per night: $36 for a standard triple room
I highly recommend SUN1 Durban if you have an early trip out of Durban via bus since the bus terminal is next to it. Their rooms are small, but there are enough beds (a double bed and a bunk bed) to comfortably accommodate a group of friends or a small family.
I only stayed here overnight, but my experience was good since the Golden Mile is an 18-minute walk away (I don’t mind the hike) and the Durban Beach is within a 3-minute drive. The hotel really is just a place for sleeping and freshening up since there aren’t a lot of amenities here.
| Pro tips: They offer a luggage storage service, so you can drop off your stuff at the front desk before you can explore the city. Check-in online to avoid the long queues during busy hours. |
Essenwood Park Hotel
Media from essenwood_park_hotel
Website: http://essenwoodparkhotel.co.za/
Address: 296 Stephen Dlamini Rd, Musgrave
Contact info: +27 312 0119 45
Cheapest room per night: $45 for a double room
Essenwood Park Hotel’s rooms are spacious and modern, which makes longer stays there comfortable. Aside from their cozy and clean rooms, they also have convenient money exchange, airport shuttle services, and free parking available.
Durban Beach was just a 3-minute drive away, so I mostly stayed there during my stay in Essenwood. After a good swim and some lazing around, I went to the nearby Heaven on Earth Spa to unwind before returning to my hotel. Unfortunately, they don’t have a lot of amenities for fun and relaxation.
| Pro tips: Reserve a parking space for your rented vehicles ahead of time! The parking is free, but it’s limited and they prioritize reservations.There is no spa in the hotel, but there’s a nearby spa (Heaven on Earth Spa) you can enjoy. It’s just a few minutes away from the hotel if you need to destress. |
The Royal Hotel
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Website: https://www.coastlands.co.za/the-royal/
Address: 267 Anton Lembede St, Durban Central
Contact info: +27 313 3360 00
Cheapest room per night: $38 for a deluxe queen room
The Royal Hotel’s rooms are charming with their wooden furniture, warm lighting, and carpeted floors that seamlessly complement the entirety of the room. The cherry on top for me is the bathtub in their bathroom, which makes it an inviting place to decompress after a long day.
For nearby beaches, the Golden Mile Beach is just a 4-minute drive away from the hotel, which was my go-to when I stayed here. Another nearby attraction I enjoyed visiting was the Bat Cave Centre, which is known for its art galleries and live performances from budding artists.
| Pro tips: There’s private parking available for those who have rented vehicles. I suggest going there earlier to secure a good spot.No need to book a separate taxi service for your trip to the airport. The hotel offers airport shuttle services for a fee. Just book your trip at the front desk. |
Hotel Cube
Media from sibiyamcknight
Website: http://www.hotelcube.co.za/
Address: 186 Innes Rd, Morningside
Contact info: +27 313 0320 97
Cheapest room per night: $29 for a double standard room
Hotel Cube may have no frills in their rooms and amenities, but the beds are cozy and the room is clean. I have to note though that their rooms are small, so I don’t really recommend this for families and friend groups.
When I stayed here, I mainly lazed at Thekwini Beach and sometimes, at Oasis Beach. If you’re sick of the beach (which I don’t believe is possible), I recommend checking out the nearby attractions like Mitchell Park Zoo and Jameson Park for a change of scenery.
| Pro tips: They don’t offer cots and extra bed rentals.Children aged 6 and above are charged as adults, so bear this in mind if you have kids with you. |
Albany Hotel
Media from noluthando_mgazi
Website: http://www.albanyhotel.co.za/
Address: 225 Anton Lembede St, Durban Central
Contact info: +27 313 0443 81
Cheapest room per night: $38 for a standard double room
Albany Hotel’s rooms are well-lit and bright during the daytime, which makes their small room feel a bit bigger. The room I had when I stayed there had a view of Francis Farewell Gardens, and I enjoyed people-watching from the comfort of my hotel bed.
During my stay, I went on a morning jog at Addington Beach, which was around 20 minutes on foot. If you’re not in the mood for the beach, the Port Natal Maritime Museum is nearby to look at majestic ships.
| Pro tips: There are no cots and extra bed rentals here, so make sure you book enough rooms for your group.I highly recommend Xpresso Cafe’s flat white. You can find Xpresso Cafe in the hotel’s lobby. |
