Background:
Road Lodge was opened in September 2009 and is one of four City Lodge Hotels in Durban. Other City Lodge hotels in the area include: City Lodge Durban, City Lodge Umhlanga, Road Lodge Durban and Road Lodge Umhlanga. Upmarket Umhlanga Ridge is situated outside Durban with spectacular views of the city and east coast.
One-star Road Lodge is the little brother of the group offering no thrills or spills, but when one considers that it is the best value-for-money hotel in Umhlanga, it is not surprising it is so popular. The decor is modern. Staff is helpful and friendly and the place is a-buzz with foreign tourists of all ages. There is safe and secure underground parking.
Where is it?
Situated on the corner of Hospital and Medigate Roads, Umhlanga Ridge, the Lodge is within walking distance of Gateway Shopping Centre, a two-kilometre drive from the ocean, and 20 km from King Shaka Airport.
Room facilities:
Road Lodge Umhlanga has 125 small but comfortable air-conditioned rooms, with double, twin or a family option. Each room is furnished with a basic but functional shower, a tiny TV with SABC, Mnet, and Supersport channels. Being a one-star facility the rooms are Spartan but clean with no tea or coffee-making facilities. There is a same-day laundry service for those who need to air out their suitcase.
Restaurants & Bars:
Gateway Shopping Centre is on the doorstep with enough shopping, restaurants and bars to satisfy even the most the discerning of guests. If a sea breeze is the order of the day, watch the sunset while sipping a cocktail at one of many bars on the beachfront in Umhlanga only two kilometres away. The Lodge does offer a hearty breakfast and there is a vending machine to satisfy any late-night cravings while you are in the building.
Business & Meeting Facilities:
Road Lodge Umhlanga does not provide business or meeting facilities but does offer a wireless service throughout the Lodge, and has an Internet station available to guests for travel information or bookings for those without laptops, and the friendly staff will happily oblige with any fax or printing emergency.
Leisure Facilities:
Road Lodge is not geared for in-house leisure, but does boast a small splash pool and entertainment area if shopping, dining, or the lure of the Indian Ocean does not appeal to guests.
Verdict:
The Lodge is the best value for money in Umhlanga, situated in the heart of Durban’s upmarket shopping and leisure centres. It is a one-minute walk from what is known to Durbanites as Africa’s biggest mall, and only two kilometres from the sea. The Lodge gets full marks for location and affordability.
FACT FILE:
Telephone: +27 31 580 7250
Fax: +27 31 580 7200
Ian Carbutt