Easter Weekend 2024

After our weekend of diving (read hear and here) and beach walking at Sodwana Bay (read here) came to an end, it was time to return home. However, there were only two flights a week with the local airline FlySafair from Durban to East London and we had to stay close to the airport to catch the last flight of the week back home.

While looking at accommodation near King Shaka International Airport, Berto suggested that we treat ourselves to a night in a 5-star hotel. Now, as our regular readers know, staying in 5-star hotels isn’t exactly on our list of ‘things to do’. But an exception every now and then probably won’t hurt anyone (well, that’s now except for your bank account).

We decided on the popular The Capital Zimbali Resort near Ballito (and only a 10-minute drive from the airport). And I have to admit, this hotel is definitely a step (or ten) above our normal accommodation options. The Capital Zimbali is undeniable 5-star quality.

Front entrance of The Capital Zimbali Resort

We had barely parked when a friendly man in a suit opened our car doors and welcomed us with a big smile. He even had a shiny trolley (which looked a lot like it was gold plated) on which he loaded our luggage.

As we checked in, the same friendly man brought us glasses of sparkling juice and white cloths to wipe our hands. Berto and I glanced at each other (and thought how nice something like this would be when we set up our tent on camping weekends).

In the shining corridors of The Capital Zimbali Resort

Accompanied by the concierge (I believe this is what they’re called in 5-star hotels), we went to our room on the 5th floor. As he explained how everything worked in our room, I had to make sure not to ‘ooh and aah’. The friendly man brought our bags into the room (and for a fleeting moment I thought he was even going to offer to unpack them for us). But luckily, he quietly left the room while I was still standing next to the amazing bath.

Our luxurious room

What a bed and bath

Berto called me to our large window from where we had a breathtaking view of the hotel’s swimming pool and the blue Indian Ocean. I told Berto that we should definitely go for a cocktail by the pool – surely that’s what regular guests at such hotels do, right?

The view from our room

On our way to the pool

The main pool

Cocktail time

We were quite hungry, but after seeing how much the cocktails cost, we decided to only order two small bowls with crispy chicken strips and mini ribs.

A snack next to the pool

There were a lot of people at the pool and we wondered if it would be quieter at the beach. We could hear the waves breaking, but it wasn’t that easy to find the beach. The hotel grounds are quite large and after walking past some breathtaking villas, into cul-de-sacs and (yet) another swimming pool, we finally found a path between the trees that led to the beach.

Where is the beach?

Another pool

Path under trees leading to the beach

The beach was beautiful and to our surprise also deserted. We couldn’t believe that no one was at this lovely beach. The reason for this is probably the warning sign on the beach which indicated that swimming is not allowed due to dangerous currents. We sat here for quite a while watching the waves while talking about our wonderful weekend on the North Coast.

Zimbali Long Beach

We wondered what we could do before dinner later that evening. I said to Berto that if we were camping, we would make a fire, pull our camp chairs closer and sit there enjoying the beauty of nature.

But Berto didn’t think the hotel staff would appreciate it if we made a fire somewhere on their premises and so we strolled back to our room. On the way, we walked past the outdoor Wellness Spa – that might have been an option, but then again … there is that amazing bath and bed waiting for us in our lovely room!

Lovely pathways and outdoor Wellness Spa

I made coffee and tea in our room. Berto switched on the television and we had a good laugh when we saw what was on the screen – ‘Spiced Pumpkin Cheesecake Pie’. The earlier snack we enjoyed at the pool was definitely not enough to fill our tummies. Fortunately, I remembered of a packet of cookies in our suitcase which was enough to keep us from fainting until dinner time came.

A program on TV reminded us of how hungry we were. Coffee and tea (and cookies in our suitcase) 

After I enjoyed a long bath, we got ready for dinner. (I have to admit, if we were camping I definitely wouldn’t be able to soak in a bubble bath – definitely one of the biggest pros of hotel stays for me).

The sun has set and it’s finally time for dinner

Dining room

While we waited for our main courses, we shared a salad plate. There was potato salad and roasted butternut for Berto and a prawn and mussel for me. Berto’s steak and chips were delicious and I enjoyed my plate from the buffet just as much.

Shared starter plate

Main courses

With a view over the illuminated pool, we enjoyed our dessert. Berto ordered a chocolate cheesecake with berries and ice cream and I was very pleased with my crème brulée.

Illuminated pool

Dessert

We slept well on the big and comfy bed and woke up at sunrise for the first time. It was time to pack our bags for the last time and fly home. But first, there was breakfast.

Sunrise over the Indian Ocean

In the dining room I stood in front of the most beautiful and colourful breakfast table I had ever seen. However, a waiter softly whispered behind me: “Excuse me Ma’am, this table is for the kids. Your wonderful choices are over on the other side of the room”. Oh well, I certainly wouldn’t have minded being a kid this morning!

Kids’ breakfast buffet table

Rainbow cake and cookies for breakfast

In the end I settled for a healthy breakfast (but I didn’t miss the opportunity to include a hot waffle with golden syrup – that’s probably the kid in me).

Adult’s breakfast

When we checked out, the concierge walked out with us and loaded our luggage into the car. He held the car door open for me while he complimented me on my pretty dress. He waved at us with a big smile as we drove away.

On the way to the airport, Berto asked me: “If you could choose – camp or hotel – which one would it be?”. “Camp of course” I said “but can we get a concierge?”

Goodbye Capital Zimbali