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Summary of reviewsThe Riverside Hotel is widely praised across various categories, making it a strong choice for travelers visiting Durban. Its prime location is a standout feature, nestled in a serene neighborhood yet offering convenient access to the heart of the city and the beach. Guests enjoy the stunning views from certain rooms, which showcase the lagoon, ocean and cityscape of Durban. Safety and accessible on-site facilities, including secure parking and diverse dining options, further enhance the overall experience.
The breakfast offerings at The Riverside Hotel receive high marks for variety and flavor with an excellent buffet setup that includes delicious omelets and well-organized service. While vegetarians and non-pork eaters may find options limited and tour groups can sometimes monopolize the buffet, the breakfast is generally well-regarded and considered worth the price.
Rooms at the hotel are described as spacious, clean and comfortable, featuring modern amenities suitable for families. Many guests appreciate the daily cleaning and the peaceful ambiance of the accommodations. However, there are occasional maintenance issues such as old beds and minor repairs needed, which some guests have noted.
Cleanliness is a mixed area with many guests commending the spotless and well-maintained state of their rooms and the premises. However, there are also reports of inconsistencies, particularly regarding bathroom hygiene and daily housekeeping standards.
The hotel's staff consistently earns high praise for their friendliness, helpfulness and professionalism. Guests often highlight the exceptional service provided by individuals like Mannie in the restaurant and Cyril the bartender. While some guests felt that certain reception staff could improve their attitude, the overall impression of the staff is overwhelmingly positive.
The family-friendly environment of The Riverside Hotel is another notable aspect with dedicated amenities such as a kids-friendly pool and play area. Families find the hotel accommodating, though some suggest the family rooms could be larger. Beds receive mixed reviews with most guests finding them spacious and comfortable, despite occasional issues with older or harder mattresses.
In summary, The Riverside Hotel offers a blend of centrality, comfort, beautiful views and excellent service, making it a highly recommended destination for travelers seeking to experience the best of Durban. With some attention to maintenance and housekeeping, the hotel could further enhance its already strong reputation. Show more
Read review summaries for all categories
Categories
Hotel near Golf Courses
Close to the Royal Durban Golf Club, making it convenient for golfers. It also offers easy access to other attractions and amenities in Durban.
Family Friendly Hotel
The Riverside Hotel offers family rooms with one double and two single beds, and a kids playground. Rooms have DSTV, air-conditioning, mini bar fridge, kitchenette facilities, complimentary tea/coffee making facilities, microwave, and free WiFi.
Business Hotel
The Riverside Hotel offers conference facilities that can accommodate up to 250 delegates, with the option of 3 smaller venues for boardroom meetings. The Riverside Business Centre offers 5 venues for conferences, business meetings and functions. The hotel has a generator ensuring uninterrupted power supply.
Accessible Hotel
This hotel has 2 wheelchair-accessible units among its rooms. Key areas such as the restaurant, pool, and bar have ramped access, and there are two elevators for accessing all floors. It is noted as handicapped accessible.
Hotel with Gym
Includes a fitness center. It provides essential equipment for a basic yet effective workout.
Hotel with Outdoor Pool
The Riverside Hotel features an outdoor swimming pool, offering guests a place to cool off and relax while enjoying the hotel's amenities and location.
Hotel for Honeymoon
Romantic Hotel
Hotel with Swimming Pool
Outdoor Pool
4-Star Hotel
Room Types
Suite with River ViewThis room type features a separate lounge area.
Standard Double or Twin RoomFeaturing free toiletries, this twin/double room includes a private bathroom with a bath, a shower and a hairdryer. The twin/double room's kitchenette, which has a microwave, is available for cooking and storing food. The twin/double room features air conditioning, a tea and coffee maker, a wardrobe, a safe deposit box, as well as a flat-screen TV with satellite channels.
Triple RoomProviding free toiletries, this triple room includes a private bathroom with a bath, a shower and a hairdryer. The triple room's kitchenette, which features a microwave, is available for cooking and storing food. The air-conditioned triple room provides a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, a wardrobe, a safe deposit box, an electric kettle as well as garden views. The unit offers 2 beds.
Deluxe Double RoomThis air-conditioned double room has tea-and-coffee-making facilities and a microwave. The en suite bathroom has a shower-over-bath combo.
Family RoomFeaturing free toiletries, this family room includes a private bathroom with a bath, a shower and a hairdryer. The family room features air conditioning, a wardrobe, a safe deposit box, an electric kettle and a flat-screen TV. The unit has 3 beds.
Double or Twin Room - Disability AccessThis air-conditioned twin/double room includes a flat-screen TV with satellite channels and a private bathroom. The unit offers 1 bed.
Deluxe Double or Twin Room with River View
Deluxe Double or Twin RoomThe unit has 1 bed.
Deluxe Double or Twin Room
Family Room with Lake ViewThe unit offers 3 beds.
SuiteThe unit has 3 beds.
Family SuiteThe unit offers 5 beds.
Double or Twin Room with View
Guest Reviews
8.1
Very Good
Location
The Riverside Hotel boasts a prime location that is frequently praised by guests for its centrality and convenience. Nestled in a quiet neighborhood, it offers a peaceful retreat while being close to the heart of Durban. Guests appreciate the hotel's easy access to the city and proximity to the beach, making it an ideal choice for both relaxation and exploration.
Many reviews highlight the hotel's stunning views with some rooms offering picturesque vistas of the lagoon, ocean and even the cityscape of Durban. The convenience of its location is further enhanced by its closeness to the Riverside Sports Fields, adding an extra layer of convenience for sports enthusiasts.
Safety is a recurring theme in the reviews with guests feeling secure during their stay. The hotel also provides excellent on-site facilities, including secure parking and a variety of dining options, ensuring that everything guests might need is within reach.
In summary, The Riverside Hotel's blend of centrality, comfort and beautiful views, combined with its secure and serene environment, make it a highly recommended destination for travelers looking to experience the best of Durban.
Breakfast
The breakfast experience at The Riverside Hotel is generally well-received, offering a delicious variety that caters to diverse tastes. Many guests have highlighted the great selection and excellent buffet setup, finding the food to be flavorful and enjoyable. The omelets, in particular, have been praised for their quality. Diners have appreciated the restaurant's offerings, describing the food as "delicious" and the "best in terms of choice and quality." However, some reviews mention limited options for vegetarians and those who avoid pork. There were also concerns about the buffet being monopolized by tour groups and a lack of certain items like flapjacks and waffles. Despite these drawbacks, the overall sentiment is positive with many finding the breakfast to be well-organized and worth the price.
Rooms
At The Riverside Hotel, guests can expect a generally positive experience regarding their accommodations. The rooms are consistently described as spacious, clean and very comfortable, catering well to families with thoughtful amenities like microwaves and sinks. Many guests noted the cleanliness and modern feel of the rooms, highlighting how they were cleaned daily and kept in neat condition.
The hotel offers beautiful views, which adds to the appeal of staying in one of the well-maintained rooms. The overall ambiance is peaceful, contributing to the comfort and relaxation of guests. However, there were occasional concerns — some beds appeared old and sunken and issues like loose chairs, dirty kitchen utensils, non-functional bathrooms and puddles of water were mentioned, suggesting some room for improvement in maintenance.
Despite these minor hiccups, the accommodation quality, premium feel and cleanliness largely contribute to a positive stay at The Riverside Hotel.
Beds
Guest reviews of The Riverside Hotel reveal varying opinions about the beds. Many guests found them to be comfortable with particular praise for spacious, super comfy King size beds. There is a consensus that the beds are generally large, offering plenty of space. However, some reviews indicated inconsistencies, noting issues with old or sunken beds, beds being too hard or even reports of bed bugs. Despite these occasional negative comments, the majority of guests seem to appreciate the comfort and roominess the beds provide, contributing to an overall comfortable stay at the hotel.
Cleanliness
The Riverside Hotel has garnered mixed reviews regarding its cleanliness. Many guests have highlighted positives such as very clean facilities and well-maintained premises. Rooms are often described as clean and modern with some guests noting they were spotless. The location and security of the hotel also received praise.
However, there are significant drawbacks mentioned by multiple reviewers. Several guests experienced issues with room cleaning, stating that housekeeping standards have dropped and, in some instances, their rooms were not cleaned daily. Bathrooms were particularly noted as needing improvement with mentions of mould, insufficient cleaning and dirty floors. Additional complaints included stained towels and unemptied bins.
In summary, while the Riverside Hotel manages to maintain a clean and modern appearance in many areas, consistent and thorough cleanliness, particularly in bathrooms, seems to be an area with opportunity for improvement.
Staff
The staff at The Riverside Hotel consistently receive high praise from guests. Reviews highlight their friendliness, helpfulness and professionalism. Guests frequently describe the staff as amazing, welcoming and extremely good at their jobs. Special mentions go to the manager and specific individuals like Mannie in the restaurant and Cyril the bartender, both noted for their exceptional hospitality and care. While the majority of feedback about the staff is glowing, a few guests noted areas for improvement, such as the attitude of some reception staff and a sense that some staff seemed strained. Overall, the general sentiment reflects a team that is pleasant, well-mannered and committed to providing excellent service.
Family
The Riverside Hotel receives high praise for its family-friendly atmosphere and amenities. Guests consistently find the hotel very accommodating for families with specific mention of the kids-friendly pool and play area being a highlight. Families appreciate the dedicated family rooms, although some note the size could be larger. Overall, the hotel offers a welcoming environment for family stays, despite occasional issues with room allocations and placement near noisy events.
Yes, The Riverside Hotel has pool(s) that belong to one or more of the following categories: Outdoor Pool.
No, a spa isn't available at The Riverside Hotel.
No, The Riverside Hotel doesn't allow dogs.
No, parking facilities aren't available at The Riverside Hotel.