BEVERLY HILLS HOTEL Luxurious hotel near Durban Magnificent KwaZulu-Natal coastline Unspoiled beaches and azure ocean Outdoor pool terrace and fine dining

Nestling alongside a glorious golden beach and the warm waters of the Indian Ocean, and only twenty minutes' drive from the great port city of Durban, lies Umhlanga Rocks, one of South Africa's premier coastal locations. With miles of sandy beaches and near perfect subtropical weather, this idyllic playground offers sun, sea and style in abundance, and attracts sophisticated visitors from around the globe.

A mere step away from the beach and offering breathtaking views, is the Beverly Hills Hotel, one of Umhlanga's most distinctive landmarks. The hotel exudes glamour and timeless elegance, and, as its name suggests, evokes the panache and impeccable taste of the celebrated Hollywood screen legends. Service is discreet, yet warm and personal. The superb finishes hark back to an earlier, more gracious era, with sweeping banisters, luxurious "contemporary classic" cuisine has been created to satisfy the most fastidious international tastes.

The hotel's magnificent location affords the ultimate seaside getaway. A sun-drenched pool deck overlooks the ocean. Personal loungers are set up on the beach directly in front of the hotel, and poolside service is always discreetly on hand. The beach itself is perfect for long, romantic strolls, while more energetic guests will find the fully equipped fitness centre ideal for a workout.

Beverly Hills Hotel offers a sublime combination of refinement and relaxation. This is luxury and beauty that is truly soul-restoring.

Another first for the Beverly Hills Hotel is a Gold Award of Excellence for its gardens in the 2005 South African Landscape Institute National awards. The gardens were also awarded the South African Landscape Institute National awards for the best Landscape Maintenance Project in 2005.

HOTEL SERVICES & FEATURES.
A wide variety of luxurious rooms and suites, all with breathtaking ocean views. Appointments include en-suite bathrooms, satellite television, refreshment centre, digital safes, direct dial telephone and fax /internet modem lines as well as high speed internet acces via Maginet services.

One specially equipped guestroom -for physically challenged guests

A magnificent terrace and outdoor swimming pool, as well as a fully-equipped fitness centre.

Access to the beautiful Umhlanga beach right in front of the hotel. The beach enjoys "Blue Flag" status, ensuring high standards of safety and cleanliness. Loungers are set up daily on the beach as well as on the hotel pooldeck.

Two superior restaurants: The Sugar Club, elegant and intimate, is a member of the Chaines de Rotisseurs and offers gourmet cuisine as well as stunning ocean views; The elements Cafe Bar, an informal trendy, café, is located on the lower pool terrace, and offers a coffee and cocktail bar which is open daily to early evening. It is the perfect place to relax and enjoy a light snack while enjoying the ocean views.

24-hour in-room dining.

Telkom T-Zone "hot spots" wireless internet access areas are available in public areas

Excellent business facilities including internet connectivity, accommodating delegates for smaller executive boardroom meetings.

Car rental and luxury chauffeur service.

An Internet Cafe is available and sports the highest level of comfort and efficiency available for browsing at leisure or for business needs.

ROOMS AND SUITES:
Guests have a choice of accommodation from standard guestrooms, to ultra luxurious suites, which offer the ultimate in style and luxury. The eclectic Natal Plantation theme has been carried through to the suites, which incorporate beautiful deep-buttoned leather ottomans and very comfortable sofas. A sense of luxury has been created by the designers, with special attention to the smallest detail. The lounge area is intimate and luxurious and guests will appreciate the spacious bathroom, with its beautiful, timber sliding doors, beautiful bathrobes and array of special body products.

A king-sized bed... crisp cotton sheets... your own fully stocked refreshment centre... are all standard, and all guest rooms are equipped with technology friendly extras such as modem points, in-room internet access, satellite TV, and a digital safe.

Full 24-hour in-room dining adds to the magic and romance of your accommodation... Enjoy a delicious seafood lunch on your private balcony with the endless blue Indian Ocean spread out below you. Or sip cocktails at sunset while watching the sun ease below the horizon and the lights of distant Durban harbour begin to twinkle.

DINING:
The fresh tang of sea air... the pleasure of bathing in Umhlanga's magnificent surf... the strolls along the endless beach... it's small wonder indeed that one's appetite is sharpened. And few people are better equipped to satisfy it than Gerard van Staaden, award-winning Executive Chef at the Beverly Hills. Gerard has introduced a superb new menu of contemporary classic dishes inspired by both international and local trends, and featuring renowned South African seafood.

Gerard's gourmet menu is served in The Sugar Club, the hotel's signature restaurant, is both elegant and intimate. Bamboo blinds, raffia and wickerwork carry through the nostalgic "Natal plantations" theme seen in the foyer and lounge. Raffia screens and small table settings create a sense of romance which is enhanced by the superb ocean views.

The elements Cafe Bar, located on the lower terrace can best be described as relaxed, vibey and trendy. This exciting Café has been created to provide an upmarket, yet casual environment, with the use of predominately white decor and an eclectic mix of aluminium and marble with large glass sliding doors opening to panoramic views of the Indian Ocean. Open seven days a week, the focus is on providing light cafe food with a selection of gourmet baguettes, exotic salads and fabulous finger foods, complemented by the best coffee in town.

It boasts a fun and trendy lounge offering oodles of space to curl up with your favourite magazine or book - an idyllic venue to relax and unwind with friends over a glass of champagne or cappuccino. And, with its marvellous position, on the lower pool terrace, guests have a choice of either dining indoors or outdoors.

Another favourite venue is the upstairs lounge and terrace, both offering glorious ocean views. After indulging in afternoon tea and delectable patisseries, many guests linger for a cocktail as the sun sets.

The hotel has also become renowned for its superb Sunday brunches - the perfect way to round off the weekend.

CONFERENCES:
Beverly Hills is ideally situated for small executive meetings and corporate dining. Far enough away from big-city bustle to feel relaxing, it is only fifteen minutes by motorway from Durban. Virginia Airport, just off the same motorway, is even closer, permitting convenient charter flights.

But it is not only location that makes the hotel perfect for business get-togethers - it's the fact that each event is customised down to the last detail. Our professional staff are available to discuss and plan each event carefully beforehand. Thereafter, presentation equipment is provided exactly according to specifications, rooms are fastidiously decorated to enhance the event, and the executive chef prepares a menu precisely appropriate for the occasion. This care and attention gaurantees the success of every event.

In addition to elegant meeting and boardroom facilities, the hotel offers comprehensive business support services. These include 24-hour complimentary Internet access, and on request, the latest AV and audio equipment, a digital projector, a satellite link, ISDN lines and 3-phase power are also available. Experienced staff are on hand to ensure the smooth running of meetings.

Countless leisure and sports activities add to the attraction of the hotel as a business breakaway destination. The magnificent beach is a shell's throw away, with a fully equipped fitness centre, tennis, golf, dolphin-viewing and much more are all nearby.

Car rental and luxury chauffeur service can be organised through reception.

SPORT AND LEISURE:
Located a few steps from one of KwaZulu-Natal's most beautiful beaches, the Beverly Hills offers the discerning traveller the ultimate sun-soaked seaside experience. Idyllic hours may be spent relaxing on the golden sands (staff place loungers on the beach for guests) or on the exquisite pool deck overlooking the ocean. The more energetic will wish to explore the entrancing subtropical beauty of the area. The almost endless beach invites a long, romantic walk leading to mangrove swamps and a nature reserve alive with birdsong.

For the more adventurous, Umhlanga and its environs is a holiday playground par excellence. Thrilling water sports include deep-sea fishing, diving, aqua-sailing and dolphin-viewing. Alternatively, the entire glorious scene can be admired from 500 feet up - on an exhilarating microlight flight. Those who prefer to keep their feet both dry and on the ground can take in a game of tennis or choose from several first-class golf courses nearby.

The hotel itself offers a fully equipped, on-site fitness centre, which allows one to work out at any time of the day or night. For visitors attracted to the delights of shopping, the sophisticated Gateway Centre a few minutes' drive away will prove a magnet. Here is a shopping experience second to none, with exciting South African curios of every description, stunning locally designed fashions, elegant boutiques featuring big name brands, superb restaurants, and much more.

South Africa has a proud record in the conservation of wildlife, and is a world leader in the study and protection of sharks. From pioneering shark nets in the fifties to protect bathers, marine biologists have shifted to a balanced ecological approach. Today as much work is being done to keep sharks safe from people as people safe from sharks. For a fascinating glimpse into the leading-edge science being conducted, a visit to the Sharks Board nearby is a must.

The hotel staff will be pleased to give advice on the numerous activities available.

LOCAL ATTRACTIONS:
It is hardly surprising that KwaZulu-Natal is South Africa's holiday mecca.

A balmy subtropical climate, the warm waters of the Indian Ocean, thrilling watersports, stunning wildlife and much else combine to make it an irresistible destination. Durban now boasts the world's fifth largest aquarium, the new uShaka Marine World, with breathtaking fishtanks integrated into a full-sized "shipwreck".

A short drive away, the glittering Sun Coast Casino offers an exciting evening out and the chance to meet Lady Luck. Umhlanga itself offers the enormous new Gateway Centre as well as the Sharks Board.

Further afield, there is even more to see and do. KwaZulu-Natal's lush game reserves, for example, make ideal stopovers before or after visiting Umhlanga. These teem with animals, including the Big Five, and the entire area is a birdwatchers' paradise, with many areas recording well over 400 species.

And for those interested in its fascinating history, KwaZulu-Natal offers several beautifully preserved battlefields, including the legendary Isandhlwana and Rorke's Drift.