Selborne Golf Estate Hotel & Spa
Durban · South Africa · 99 Old Main Road
About Selborne Golf Estate Hotel & Spa — Luxury Boutique Hotel in Durban
Selborne Golf Estate Hotel & Spa is an exceptional 4-star hotel in Durban, South Africa. Guests enjoy a distinctive experience combining world-class facilities including kids club, bar, beach club, and more with the personalised warmth that defines great boutique hospitality.
Guest Reviews 4.4 / 5
Selborne Golf Estate, Hotel & Spa provides a peaceful and luxurious retreat. Surrounded by lush gardens and a picturesque golf course, the estate is impeccably maintained, creating a truly relaxing setting. We rented a house for the weekend, which was spacious, clean, and well-equipped with all the essentials for cooking and cleaning. Originally built in 1954, the Selborne Hotel has preserved much of its historic charm while seamlessly incorporating modern comforts. With dedicated facilities for conferences and weddings, the hotel caters to both leisure guests and business travellers.
Selborne Golf Estate is a hidden gem nestled in a quiet section of the South Coast, offering a completely different atmosphere from what you experience driving in from the freeway. From the moment we arrived, the reception staff were incredibly warm and welcoming, setting the tone for a relaxing stay. One small but delightful touch was the luggage trolley—something I haven’t used in years, especially for just two bags! It added to the sense of being well taken care of. The estate itself exudes peace and serenity, even in the afternoon when you might expect more activity and noise from guests. While the overall experience was fantastic, the room could benefit from a bit of fresh air, as it had a slightly stuffy, detergent-like smell. A small improvement there would make an already wonderful stay even better. Overall, Selborne Golf Estate is a fantastic escape for those looking for tranquility, great service, and a beautiful setting. Would definitely return!
Not the 4-Star Experience It Claims to Be I recently stayed at Selborne Golf Estate Hotel and Spa, which is listed as a 4-star property, but based on my experience, I would rate it closer to a 2 out of 5. I know some guests may have had better experiences, but I have a very high attention to detail, especially the kind most people tend to overlook. When I say it felt more like a 2-star stay, it’s because the quality simply didn’t match what you would reasonably expect from a 4-star establishment.Ive experienced 3 star hotels at a higher level than this. The arrival experience was promising. The entrance is grand and the reception area is beautifully designed, which creates a strong first impression. However, once you get to the rooms, that impression starts to fade. We stayed in a garden room, which appeared fine at first glance. But opening the door took forever, and as someone who is 2 meters tall, I found the door oddly small. I had to bend down awkwardly just to find the keyhole. Inside the room, it looked neat on the surface, but there were several issues. The dark wooden furniture helped hide the dirt, but there were cobwebs in the corners of the ceiling, some lights were not working, and there was visible dust behind the mirrors and picture frames. It was clear the room had only been cleaned where it was most visible. There was also no hairdryer in the room, which we had to request, even though this should be a basic feature in a 4-star room. The WiFi worked fine. The bathroom was another major letdown. It was in poor condition, with mould on the walls, dirty shower grouting, and an extractor fan that was coated with thick brown dirt. There were no hand towels or a shower mat either, and we had to request both. The bathroom looked like it belonged in a completely different, much lower-rated hotel. It felt neglected and unpleasant to use. Breakfast was disappointing too. The variety was very limited, and there was barely any space for guests waiting for eggs and omelettes to be made. The queue was slow and frustrating. I ended up having toast and sausages because there really wasn’t much else available. Our table’s cutlery was dirty, and my fork had dried egg yolk on it, which was unhygienic and unacceptable. The gardens were beautiful, and the price of the stay was reasonable. But even with those positives, the overall experience was below average. This is not the kind of service or quality you expect from a hotel that presents itself as a premium destination. I would not return, and I would advise others to look more carefully before booking. Sometimes the surface looks good, but the details tell another story.