Red Carnation acquires Oyster Box Hotel

The hotel will remain open and a major refurbishment program will commence in early 2007 which will progress in phases. Expected completion is early 2008. Presently a 72-bedroom establishment, the number of rooms will be increased to between 90 and 100. This refurbishment will align The Oyster Box Hotel with that of the other four and five star hotels that make up the luxury Red Carnation Hotel Collection, which include The Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa, Cape Town, acquired by Red Carnation Hotels in 2002.

Opened in 1954, the Oyster Box Hotel is one of the region’s iconic and cherished Hotels. This landmark Hotel is set on Umhlanga’s prestigious beach front, with tropical landscaped gardens and direct beach access. The Hotel is within easy access to Durban, the Midlands and Drakensberg mountains as well as game parks and historical battlefields of Kwazulu Natal.

The Hotel’s facilities will be upgraded respecting the historical charm and old world ambiance for which the Hotel is so famous for. The legendary Grill Room Restaurant will be renovated to maximize the unique sea views and the conference and banqueting facilities will be upgraded and increased to continue to fulfill the needs and requirements of the local and business community.

The Tollman family’s business interests in South Africa include: The Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa in Cape Town, a Leading Small Hotel of the World; Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Reserve and Retreat; the prestigious Relais and Chateaux property in the Cederberg Mountains; Bouchard Finlayson, the award wining boutique winery in Hermanus; and also control Cullinan Holdings, a public company that owns Thompsons, South Africa’s largest tour operator.

Clive Bennett, in his newly appointed position as Managing Director of Red Carnation Hotels in South Africa, will be responsible for The Oyster Box Hotel, in addition to The Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa and Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Reserve and Retreat in the Cederberg.

“Red Carnation’s acquisition of the Oyster Box Hotel is a strategic move to acquire hotels with a unique location. This icon and landmark hotel of the Kwazulu Natal North Coast will receive the same focus of care and attention that The Twelve Apostles received. The Hotel, with its prime sea frontage location will be carefully restored with a high degree of emphasis on retaining its intrinsic charm to create a Hotel of exceptional hospitality and service for international and domestic travelers to Durban,” commented Bennett.

Jeremy Flowerday has been appointed Hotel Manager of The Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa and Wayne Coetzer who has invaluable experience in the operations of The Oyster Box holds the position of GM.