Harry Escombe
Harry Escombe, Church Street, eThekwini Ward 28, Durban, 4057, South Africa- Public Art
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Award-Winning Cuisine - Indulge in exquisite dining experiences at Royal Hotel's two restaurants, serving up culinary delights that have won awards for their exceptional flavors and presentation.
Panoramic Views - Wake up to breathtaking vistas of either the vibrant cityscape or the picturesque yacht harbour from the comfort of your stylish guest room, offering a unique perspective of Durban.
Top-Floor Swimming Pool - Relax and unwind at the hotel's exclusive swimming pool located on the top floor, where you can soak up the sun while enjoying panoramic views of the city skyline.
Experience luxury and convenience at Royal Hotel. Book now to secure your stay in the heart of Durban's CBD.
Check-in from
02:00 PM
Check-out by
10:00 AM
Parking
PAID
Children
Allowed
Pets
Not allowed
Sleeps
Up to 4 guests
4 adults · 3 children
Beds
2 Twin bed (90-130 cm wide), Double bed (131-150 cm wide)
Room details
60 sqm
City View
In-room amenities
Sleeps
Up to 2 guests
2 adults · 1 children
Beds
Double bed (131-150 cm wide)
Room details
30 sqm
In-room amenities
Sleeps
Up to 2 guests
2 adults · 1 children
Beds
2 Twin bed (90-130 cm wide)
Room details
30 sqm
City View
In-room amenities
Sleeps
Up to 2 guests
2 adults · 1 children
Beds
Double bed (131-150 cm wide)
Room details
60 sqm
Sea View
In-room amenities
Get answers about amenities, policies, and more — e.g. “Are pets allowed?” or “Is parking available?”
Provider-sourced guest reviews.
Everything Ecxept the view I was expecting to see the haibour or the sea side view please next time
For not been given a choice of the view I like
Oud hotel. Vergane glorie. Mooi uitzicht over de haven.
Er is veel wat niet goed meer functioneert
The food was good and also view was good.
The windows was dirty.
Furniture
Rooms cold, rattling windows during the windy nite
Room was spacious with spacious bathroom and hot water. Staff on duty when I arrive on Friday were very welcoming and friendly.
Carpet was old and dull, cups for tea that they provided us with stained, most things were hidden, I kept on phoning to ask where to find things eg plug for light, fridge kept inside wardrobe etc. I thought it was bed and breakfast only to realize later that breakfast was excluded I had to pay separately. No control over drunk clients despite asking the reception to intervene I slept very late. When checking out on Sunday , the staff on duty were so unfriendly.
Clean
Your staff don't help with luggage
The stay was good and the property does its best overall, I arrived earlier than check in time and I was welcomed and stayed in the lobby for less than 30 minutes a room was prepared and ready for me. Throughout my stay the people were forever welcoming
The bathtub stopper losing water while taking a bath and the wind noise on the windows please improve. Some of us don't like calling maintenance every now and then. overall, a warm experience for the business purpose of my stay
I really enjoyed my second stay. I loved everything, especially my room and the family room, where the kids were able to sleep comfortably. The hotel staff and security were very friendly, welcoming and helpful. I would especially like to thank the kitchen ladies and gentlemen who assisted us when one of my children became sick. They handled the situation with so much kindness and made us feel special and cared for rather than embarrassed by what was happening. Your kindness and understanding meant a lot to us, and we truly appreciate it. Thank you so much for making our stay comfortable and memorable. Keep up the great work! 🙏 ❤️
Our keys were not working we had to call the receptionist to send security to open for us.
Breakfast ❤️❤️10/10
Upgrade your furnisher is very old
Our room was perfect
Paying for a parking and no microwave in the room
It was very nice
Everything about the hotel was good
Hygiene
A/C that was centralized.
For the management to consider other aspects when making logistical decisions. Saying the carpets have a dumpy smell because of the air-conditioner which is switched off does not hold water. Effort was not taken for the appearance of the room. The manager answered by saying the hotel does not "do throws". The room was not clean and the furniture was worn out. We even had to cancel the booking and go to another place. That was how disappointing the place was.
Everything, even while checking in we were requested to pay extra and we were informed that arrangements for arrivals made with booking.com were not communicated with the establishment.
Avoid – unless you enjoy paying modern prices to stay in a decrepit hotel and being treated with condescension by the staff. - it took me around 20 minutes to negotiate with them just for a two-hour early check-in (although they had agreed and promised when I made booking); - arrogant and rude staff – lacking basic manners of proper communication, but always try to “teach” you something; - artificially made queues at the reception – just for a simple question one needs “to sit down and wait” in the same line with the people doing check-in and check-out, while 5-7 staff members are dealing with just one the same customer at the same time; - completely old-fashioned, outdated, outworn hotel – the entire property feels neglected, run-down, and stuck in a bygone era; - all the facilities – from the plumbing to the electronics – ancient and barely functional; - it is not possible to adjust temperature in the room – it was freezing.
View
Shower and the bed
It was well situated. Very clean and good value for money. Rooms are spacious and bedding is very clean. The staff is very friendly!!!
Faulty showers in both the rooms I had booked. Room 940 - the hot water was coming out uncontrollably and in room 739 - the shower water was not hot. So my parents and us in the separate rooms were forced to only use the bathtub for the duration of our stay there.
I like everything about this peaceful place.
Buffet breakfast always on point 👌👌❤️❤️🌹🌹😍😍
You need to upgrade a little bit of your furnisher is too old ,
We appreciate the service and cleanliness throughout.
The only inconvenient thing is the parking, which is a bit far away despite being safe.
The food and that the shops are close by
The two single beds combined together
The food was good and enough hi
Nothing
Friendly and welcoming staff.
Air-conditioning have cold air only but they provided blankets.
Tv network and display
It was beautiful.
Not eny things besides that lounge erea was nice end clean
Lounge only
Everything
Nothing
1.Rooms are very clean and Junior staff members are welcoming and very hands on. The ladies cleaning the 19th floor. 2.Very secure place. 3.Nice views from the rooms
1.Hotel Management still has a lot to work on.. Very poor customer care was displayed. I had to beg for my bedding to be changed on day 3 of my stay and was told "there's nothing we can do". This was then resolved only after I had refused to accept that there was no 1 available to assist me.. I was given a new room to move to. (1937) The room had very visible evidence of ageing, (Cracked window and chipped furniture.. 2. Aircon being centrally controlled by the reception 😅.. Please work on this.
Everything
The stuff attitude
Nothing
The TV , boring and it was no clear Aircon was cold , there was no remote to switch it off A lot was not good, paying that amount I was expecting something good.
Cleanness
Reception staff gossiping and undermining guests.
The food was delicious, and the suite was very comfortable
10 am, for checkout time was too early for me. I didnt notice my room had no air-conditioning
The outside view
None
Nothing
From staff to the rooms. Poor poor poor
Thandekile was very welcoming and the concierge staff
The rooms were cold as they use centralised air conditioning
I love all the staff. From reception, waiters, to security . Very friendly and willing to assist
The furniture needs some maintenance
The staff is friendly and welcoming.
Nothing
Rooms are clean Elevators are quicker
Taps ( basins, shower,bath) are very old and hard can even break one's wrist. No bottled drinking water Old chairs in the room Tv looses signal throughout
Spacious rooms
Aircon centrally controlled
The staff was nice and welcoming
The toilet was making a noise after flushing
The service is exceptional from all departments
Carpet in the rooms, they should look tiling other rooms.
The size of the rooms and the amazing view!
The general age of the facility is showing with the room service options and breakfast quality in need of improvement.
The cleanliness
It looks old and not maintained well
Perfect location, view, staff, facilities and food. We had great time.
Our room 1137 had bathroom with broken taps that needs to be sorted.
Sea view
Nothing
The service provided by the staff
The outdated design and very old tv on the room
The view
Staff could be on the same page and not give different responses about requests for food and amenities. Place needs to be cleaned - too many staff hanging around and the place needs maintenance (there was poop on the stairs) Staff failed to keep to the cleaning times requested and then lied about it. The food options are awful for a vegetarian eater.
Nothing, the service was terrible
Nothing it’s in a dangerous area.
Location is very good
Room is old and not good at all I ask the double bed only to find that I can't get the double bed I asked for a double duvet or blanket because the one they have is for small bed I didn't get duvet that make my stay horrible
The parking was very convenient, safe at all times and easily accessible.
The bathroom needs renovation, especially the broken sink and basin stuff. We were very cold, there was no remote for the air cone. Hence we wanted to leave after 1 night but we were told there won’t be a refund. There was no water to drink in the fridge. We had to use the one in the kettle. The plug to charge only allows one charger at a time and we had 3 phones to charge, so we had to charge in the car. The room looks too plain as if we got a discounted rate, or maybe because I was with a child. I once booked a room for a couple and the room was so nice. R64 has been debited on my account, I don’t know what’s it’s for.
I like everything about the hotel, especially because of the location. It's peaceful and clean. Staff is very friendly and professional.
The location i guess
A lot of things were not working properly in that hotel especially bathtub and base, the bar fridge looked like it was donated to charity, the only good thing that the housekeeping from Sunday did was to change the towels and bedsheets and removal of trash as for cleaning, she didn't bother her self
Breakfast was perfect except your fruit salad had no banana for 2 days
Parking is a bit complicated
You could see that the hotel is aging
Property was very good even the staff are more supportive and friendly
The breakfast was not good but prices are too high
Loved everything about the hotel.
There were no blankets insight for the cold weather
Everything the staff was exceptional
Nothing
Nothing.
The taps are not working properly,You pay for accommodation believing that breakfast is included,only to find upon your check-in that breakfast is not included and you have to pay.
Efficient check in
- room service is non existent - room phone didn't work - unclear parking details, fear of getting clamped - lack of TV channels, couldn't watch the rugby
I would like to have an aircon, iron ... ,
Poor aircon , no iron.
The whole stuff was very friendly from the security guard at the main entrance to reception
Nothing
The room was clean
I booked a room with ocean view but the gave me a room of the town view
Room wasn't cleaned. Found chicken bones and dirt in the room. They did not arrange my special request and did not inform me that the restaurant will be closed. Very bad service.
The hotel was central so I was able to access everything in town
The key card was not working you needed to request the security everytime when you went out
Affordable and beautiful view
Housekeeping fetching dirt towels while we haven't checked out.
I was disappointed at the fact that I have to pay for Cappuccino/Latte. What is breakfast included when there are hidden costs.
The network was terrible 😑. When requested for assistance, We were told the maintenance guys were not available
The view from my room was amazing
The tv channels needs an upgrade. Also the staff at the bar not very friendly
View
Breakfast staff
The location and the cleanliness
I was a big disappointment, the window was broken so there was a lot of air coming and it made the room cold. I asked them to switch on the heater, they said they don't have. The tv remote was not working so ! had to complain before they fixed it. The toilet was clean but stinking and leaking. I had a bad room experience😟😭
Friendly staff
The is no air ventilation yet rooms have carpet and limited additional blankets, it was super cold
Love the ironing station 😊🤞🏽
@ The breakfast yooh staff is all there it like they watching you while you eat and you dont feel free to eat the way you like .
Clean and welcome friendly staff
May you install USB plugs or twin plugs please
Great location and has great view. Very lovely breakfast buffet.
Poor tv quality, old furniture, needs full renovation.
I liked the whole facility
with the exception of the TV and room telephone that was not working
The staff was very helpful and friendly
Everything was perfect
Housekeeping is just too early especially since check out time is 10 am.
Good bedroom setting Clean rooms
Parking process and location
The rooms are spacious, and the location is perfect. The staff is friendly. We loved the food from the restaurant downstairs.
Nothing much, but I wish the rooms had aircon.
The view
Hotel ,room and the views, food, room service
Upon check in, reception didnt advise me on anything about my stay. Eg. Restaurants and times,bar, amenities. Bar is heavily priced.
The place was clean and the staff was friendly
All was good I wish I can come back
Nothing 😅
Everything except that I was not able to get breakfast from the money that I've paid
Mention online if breakfast is included on not when we do our booking
The location was good.
None
breakfast it was fresh and delicious and the kitchen stuff they are very nice I like their hospitality
Improve your bath towels are too small since you don't have the gowns and the room doesn't have microwaves
The hotel was nice
Breakfast was excellent
TV connection
Everything
Bathroom was nice and clean, breakfast was also excellent.
The rooms need some revamp, they are not pleasant.
Breakfast was excellent. Had choice on what to eat. Also, for two nights I ordered in, and enjoyed the meals. Thank you
1. Had some noisy guests Thursday night. 2. Air con. Aircon. Aircon. Had to request 4 blankets because of the cold.
bed was comfortable. the room was clean.
The bathtub and sink plugs were not working
The cleanliness of the the Hotel is at the other level, the respect from the staff is on the other level, the food 👌
None
Room 743 I had to call the security all the time to open for me cos the key card wasn't working, the urine smell in bathroom I was even scared to use shower🥹
Breakfast was scrumptious
Parking from 12th floor 🤔
Friendly staff
The plumbing system was poor and no air conditioning on the room
Staff, food and place to sleep
Not enough plug points for charging
Receptionists are very friendly.The hotel is clean and the rooms are neat,tidy and clean
You must install airconditioning in your rooms.
Feedback themes are sourced from guest reviews provided by our data provider.
What guests love
Areas to consider
Cleanliness
7.2/10Mixed signals: several guests praised clean rooms and bathrooms, but multiple reports of dirty towels, a stinking/leaking toilet, and occasional housekeeping issues lowered the score.
Service
8/10Generally friendly and helpful staff noted frequently (receptionists, restaurant staff), but issues with maintenance availability, early housekeeping, key-card problems and some unfriendly bar staff created inconsistencies.
Location
9.4/10Consistently praised: central location, great views and easy access to town cited by many reviewers — a standout strength for the property.
Room Quality
6.8/10Mixed to negative: comfortable beds and spacious rooms reported, but recurring problems with old furniture, poor TV quality, broken windows, non-working remotes/door mechanisms and ventilation issues indicate need for refurbishment.
Amenities
7/10Some appreciated amenities (ironing station, spa), but many rooms lacked air-conditioning/adequate heating, USB plugs, microwaves or working room phones — inconsistent amenity provision.
Value for Money
7.2/10Mixed: breakfast and room value praised by several guests, but confusion about what is included (paid cappuccino/latte, unclear breakfast inclusion) and an expensive bar affected perceived value.
Food and Beverage
9.1/10Strong positive sentiment: multiple guests described breakfast as excellent, fresh and delicious; restaurant hospitality was highlighted, with only occasional remarks about staff behavior or high bar prices.
Overall Experience
8.5/10Overall positive with caveats: many guests reported enjoyable or excellent stays thanks to location, views, breakfast and friendly staff, while some notable negatives (rooms, TV, maintenance) prevented a perfect score.
Wake to panoramic Durban vistas from select rooms, offering a charming backdrop of the CBD and harbour.
Savour culinary creations at Royal Hotel’s two restaurants, recognized for their flavors and presentation.
Relax by the exclusive top-floor pool, with city skyline sights as your backdrop.