Durban is well known for successfully hosting major local and international events. This vibrant city also has ideal venues for smaller corporates. Here are the top 10 venues, according to Business Traveller.
1. International Convention Centre Durban
The convention complex incorporatesSouth Africa’s first purpose-built convention centre, an indoor arena and an exhibition centre. Its state-of-the-art design offers flexibility, versatility and advanced technology. Together with the adjacent Exhibition Centre and the Arena, the ICC offers 33 000m² of flat floor space.
Location: OnBram Fischer Road, in the centre ofDurban’s central business district, the venue is just minutes from hotels and beaches. It is about 15 minutes from theInternationalAirport.
Facilities: The ICC comprises six halls and up to 23 meetings rooms. The auditoria seat between 1 800 and 5 000 people, while the arena can accommodate an audience of up to 10 000. The smaller venues and meetings rooms are suitable for groups of five to 400. There are also three outdoor courtyard venues. An extensive range of equipment including pads, flipcharts, video recorders, video screens, video cameras, portable microphones, lectern microphones, telephones, computer sockets, computer monitors, slide projectors, data projectors, and translation equipment is provided.
Perfect for: Seminars, presentations, functions, cocktail parties, conferences, exhibitions, indoor sports and concerts.
Contact details:
+27 31 360 1000, icc.co.za
2. Durban Spa Conference Centre
With vast experience and extensive knowledge of handling all logistics for conferences and events, the Durban Spa Conference Centre is furnished in a warm, African-colonial style, and is ideally located on the Golden Mile.
Location: The Durban Spa Conference Centre is on OR Tambo Parade at the south ofDurban’s Golden Mile.
Facilities: The conference centre comprises five rooms with the largest accommodating 300 people in theatre-style. The smallest rooms accommodate up to 12 people boardroom-style. The business centre offers e-mail, PC and printer access, as well as fax facilities. Secretarial services, photocopying and transparencies are also available.
Perfect for: conferences, launches, functions, and gala evenings.
Contact details:
+ 27 31 337 0402, dbnspaconf.co.za
3. Albany Hotel
The Albany Hotel offers the businessman or sports group a full range of business conference and function facilities. Over the years, the hotel has earned an excellent reputation for conference and functions due to its efficient and reliable service that ensures value for money.
Location: The hotel is in the city centre opposite the City Hall and Museum, next to the Natal Playhouse, at225 Anton Lembede Street,Durban.
Facilities: There are three venues, seating from 10 to 120 delegates. The conference equipment available includes a PA system, TV/VCR, data projector, flipchart and pens, overhead projector, writing pads and pens.
Perfect for: Conferences, weddings and functions.
Contact details:
+27 31 304 4381, albanyhotel.co.za
- Suncoast Conference Centre
Opened in July 2003, Suncoast Conference Centre has hosted many local and international events. It is on the first floor of Suncoast Casino & Entertainment World. The conference centre has been awarded the Tourism Grading Council five-star award for five years consecutively.
Location: Suncoast is onDurban’sNorthBeach. It is within 2 km of the Moses Mabhida Stadium and 20 minutes fromDurbanInternationalAirport.
Facilities: There are two specifically designed conference rooms: the Colony Room which seats between 100 and 120 people, and theDelano room which seats 200 to 240 people. The Nu Metro SuperNova Theatre seats 495 in auditorium-style. The conference centre features acoustic panels on the wall, a built-in sound system with microphones, a five-range lighting system and a data projector. Other equipment on offer includes a podium, dance floor, and drop-down screen.
Perfect for: Day conferences and meetings, product launches, press conferences, banquet dinners and awards functions. The Nu Metro SuperNova Theatre is ideal for hi-tech business presentations, meetings, and product launches as it has a 170m² screen, and writing desks attached to the chairs.
Contact details:
+27 31 328 3000/ (031) 328 3358/9, suncoastcasino.co.za
- Royal Hotel
Considered by some to be one of the finest city hotels inDurban, the Royal Hotel has been around for more than 160 years. The hotel offers 271 bedrooms, four themed restaurants, and extensive conference facilities.
Location: The hotel is in the Durban CBD, approximately 1,5km from the ICC, 5 km fromDurban’s north beaches and 25 km fromDurbanInternationalAirport. It can be found at267 Anton Lembede Street.
Facilities: There are five conference and banqueting venues which can accommodate from 30 to 150 people. There is also a business centre on-site. Standard equipment includes a lectern, flipchart and pens, overhead projector and screen. Additional equipment, including a PA system, microphone, carousel slide projector, TV and VCR and data projectors, is available for hire.
Perfect for: Small to medium conferences, meetings and banquets.
Contact details:
+27 31 333 6000, threecities.co.za
- Garden Court Marine Parade
Offering a convenient location and modern style, the Garden Court Marine Parade provides easy access to the city’s business hub, as well as the beachfront. The hotel offers wireless Internet in all public areas and suitable meeting and conference venues.
Location: The hotel is onDurban’s Golden Mile at 167 OR Tambo Parade. It is about 20 km fromDurbanInternationalAirport and 1 km from the Durban International Convention Centre.
Facilities: There are five conference venues that accommodate from 14 to 350 delegates. The rooms are equipped with screens, flipcharts and pens, TVs with VCR/DVD players, conference notepads and pencils, and overhead projectors.
Perfect for: Meetings, conferences and functions.
Contact details:
(031) 337 3341, southernsun.com
- Beach Hotel
Overlooking theIndian Ocean, the Beach Hotel offers en-suite rooms, two restaurants, a bar, and fully furnished conference venues. The setting and facilities are sure to leave delegates feeling inspired and refreshed.
Location: The hotel is ideally located onDurban’s Golden Mile at 107 OR Tambo Parade. It is only 18 km fromDurbanInternationalAirport and about 5 km from the International Convention Centre.
Facilities: There are two, well-equipped conference venues which seat from 10 to 120 delegates. Wi-Fi Internet connectivity is available at the hotel. Well-trained staff is on hand to ensure smooth running of all events.
Perfect for: Business getaways, conferences and private functions.
What’s new? The Beach Hotel has upgraded 12 of its rooms to fully-furnished self-catering units. They feature fully equipped kitchens and king-sized beds in the main bedrooms. Both six- and four-sleepers are available.
Contact details:
+27 31 337 4222, goodersonleisure.co.za
- Blue Waters Hotel
Established in the late 1960s, the art deco hotel offers a number of facilities including undercover parking, squash court, sauna, indoor swimming pool, business lounge, cocktail bar, and private balconies in the rooms.
Location: Blue Waters Hotel is on the beachfront, only a five-minute walk from the SunCoast Casino. The International Convention Centre is less than a five-minute drive from the hotel, while the airport is about 25 minutes away. It can be found at 175 Snell Parade.
Facilities: There are ten conference venues available at the hotel, accommodating between eight and 250 delegates. The hotel can also provide audio and visual equipment for conferences and functions.
Perfect for: Small to medium-sized conferences and brainstorming sessions, small exhibitions and/or large conferences.
What’s new? All the guest rooms are currently being revamped and will have marble bathrooms, HD flat screen TVs, private sea-facing balconies, and wireless Internet.
Contact details:
+ 2731 327 7000, bluewatershotel.co.za
- Hilton Durban
Hilton Meetings’ venues are built and designed to enhance productivity and efficiency. The venues are easy to book via the hotel or online at Hilton.com – there is a dedicated meeting specialist on hand and a flexible creative food service is available.
Location: Situated at12-14 Walnut Road, the Hilton Durban is 20 minutes fromDurbanInternationalAirport, and five minutes from the City Centre. It is right next to the International Convention Centre.
Facilities: Ten rooms are available at the hotel, all fitted with superior lighting. Some of the rooms can be used separately or linked together in various configurations. The Boardroom is equipped with the latest high-tech office facilities, and all rooms offer Wi-Fi connectivity and data point access. There is also a business centre available.
Perfect for: Workshops, brainstorming sessions, committee meetings.
Added value: The Personalised Online Groups (POG) pages are customised web pages that allow group attendees to book their group reservations online, 24 hours a day. The Guest List Manager (GLM) is a free online tool that helps organisers monitor and manage accommodation for groups.
Contact details:
+27 31 336 8100, hilton.com
- Coastlands Holiday Apartments
Coastlands Holiday Apartments and Convention Centre is a 24-storey tower block situated in the heart ofDurban’s Southern Promenade. It offers hotel suites, self-catering apartments, and extensive conferencing facilities.
Location: At 47 Dr Pixley Kaseme Street (previouslyWest Street). It is a block away from the International Convention Centre, a stone’s throw fromDurban’s beaches and a ten-minute walk from the city centre.
Facilities: The venue can host anything from a meeting of four to a full conference of 1000 delegates. There are five spacious and well-lit conference venues. There is also a banquet hall, private bar, restaurant and breakfast room.
Perfect for: Government conferences, gala dinners, cocktail parties, corporate conferences, and meetings.
Contact details:
+27 31 335 5000, coastlands.co.za