Protea Hotel By Marriott Durban Umhlanga, Durban

I had a fantastic stay at the hotel. The staff was incredibly helpful and friendly, the breakfast was delicious, and the service was top-notch. The room had a lovely view of the village and the ocean, but the smell of cigarette smoke was a drawback despite requesting feather pillows to be removed. The location was perfect, close to the beach and restaurants.

I couldn't have asked for a better location; just a stroll away from the beach and surrounded by wonderful restaurants. The rooms were impeccable, spacious, and those beds were a dream come true for a tall person like me. However, a bit of noise from the aircon vents bothered me a bit. Overall, a clean and inviting space.

The hotel rooms were spacious and very comfy with a nautical feel, but the layout of the bathroom was a bit off. Despite the taxis hooting outside, my stay was pleasant. The check-in experience was a bit disappointing as there was no hot water, but once settled, the room was cozy.

The hotel has a great central location in Umshlanga, on a vibrant restaurant and bar street. The rooms, although pricey, were allocated near the service elevators, which could be noisy. Service was overall polite and friendly, except for a few individuals in the dining hall. The dining experience could be improved, especially for longer stays. The hotel offers convenient access to Umhlanga village and is close to the airport for ease of travel.