🇿🇦 Durban, South Africa
U@119 Lodge
📍 119, Felix Dlamini Road, Durban, 4091
Your stay — U@119 Lodge
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The Property — U@119 Lodge
U@119 Lodge is a straightforward, no-frills lodge in a converted house in the Berea district, aimed squarely at budget-conscious travellers who need a clean bed and a kitchen. The lobby feels more like a university hall’s common room than a hotel reception, with tired sofas and a notice board of local tours. It suits backpackers, road-trippers and anyone prioritising location over luxury — the rooms are basic but functional, with air conditioning and private bathrooms. Don’t expect character; do expect fair value for a one-night stopover.
Chronicles of Durban
Durban started as a small British military outpost in 1824, named after Sir Benjamin D’Urban. It grew fast as a port for sugar and coal, drawing indentured Indian labourers in the 1860s who shaped its distinctive curry culture. The Art Deco and Victorian architecture along the beachfront and in the city centre still stands, though much is faded. Post-apartheid, Durban has leaned into its Zulu and Indian heritage, with a lively street-food scene and a renewed focus on the Golden Mile promenade. Today it’s South Africa’s busiest container port and a city of sharp contrasts between wealth and poverty.
Best Time to Visit
Full Durban guide →Best months
May to September: winter months bring dry, sunny days (20-24°C) and low humidity, ideal for beach walks and outdoor sightseeing. July’s Sardine Run attracts wildlife enthusiasts; June and August are quieter. Low season means cheaper rooms and emptier beaches.
Peak / festival surge
December-February (summer) is peak, driven by school holidays, Christmas and the festive vibe. Durban’s beaches fill up; hotel rates double. The Durban July horse-racing event in early July is another spike, with fashion crowds pushing prices up temporarily.
Budget shoulder season
April and September offer the best balance: warm weather (22°C), thinner crowds and hotel discounts of 20-30% versus summer. Spring and autumn are comfortable for hiking and visiting uShaka Marine World.
Weather & packing
Durban’s subtropical climate means humid summers and mild winters, but winter nights can drop to 12°C — pack a light jacket or sweater for evenings. Rain is erratic; a compact umbrella or waterproof shell is a safe bet year-round.
Live City Briefing — Durban
- Durban’s beachfront Golden Mile has new pedestrian crossings and upgraded promenade lighting, making evening walks safer since early 2026.
- The Moses Mabhida Stadium skywalk (arch climb) reopened after maintenance in March 2026 — book ahead for July weekends.
- The city’s water supply remains unreliable in some suburbs due to aging infrastructure; guests should bring a refillable bottle and check with the hotel if they provide drinking water.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to U@119 Lodge, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the 2nd floor facing the rear of the building (away from Felix Dlamini Road). The 2nd floor is high enough to reduce footpath noise but low enough that it’s walkable via stairs if the single lift is busy. A rear-facing room avoids the main road’s truck and taxi traffic.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid ground-floor rooms, especially those facing Felix Dlamini Road. They get direct street noise, passers-by, and headlights at night. Also avoid rooms right beside the lift shaft on any floor — the lift is old and clanks. The top floor (3rd) can suffer from heat in summer as there’s no AC in the corridor.
Best views
Rear-facing rooms on higher floors look over the residential area behind — rooftops and trees, not grand, but peaceful. Front-facing rooms see a busy arterial road with pavement vendors and taxis.
Quietest floors
2nd floor — specifically rooms at the back. The 1st floor is okay but has some lobby noise bleed. The 2nd floor is the sweet spot.
🔊 Noise notes
Felix Dlamini Road is a main route into Durban central. Expect minibus taxi hooting from 5am, truck deliveries to the adjacent Spar at 7am, and bar noise from the pub two doors down on weekend nights. The single lift is audible from nearby rooms.
Insider tips
1. The hotel has no dedicated parking — use the metered street parking on Felix Dlamini before 6pm or the pay lot behind the Spar. Arrive after 6pm and street parking is free. 2. Ask for extra towels at check-in; housekeeping is slow and the laundry runs only once a day.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — U@119 Lodge
Free for all guests, 15 Mbps average download, log in with room number and surname at splash page
One small lift serves all three floors; no stairs-only sections
No physical or digital newspapers; no building heritage quirks (modern low-rise lodge)
14:00–22:00 standard; early bag-drop from 10:00 if room ready, no fee; late check-out until 12:00 charged ZAR 250, after 12:00 full night extra
Free for same-day bag-drop or post-check-out until 18:00; ask at front desk
Step-free entry via ramp at main door, lift to all floors, but no adapted bathrooms or grab rails in standard rooms
Free on-site open parking for about 18 cars, first-come basis; nearest public car park is Parkade on St Georges Street, ZAR 40 per night; no EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None (no city or tourist tax applies in Durban at this property)
Deposit & card hold: First night's rate charged at booking; ZAR 500 refundable incidental hold on a credit card at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (980 m · ~12 min walk)
- Synagogue: Durban Progressive Jewish Congregation (1.3 km · ~16 min walk)
- Mosque: Mohammedeya Musjid (1.3 km · ~16 min walk)
- Church: St Olav's Norwegian (1.5 km · ~19 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
The Atrium @ Overport City — 1.6 km · ~20 min walk
Oakleigh Park — 407 m · ~5 min walk
Amphitheatre — 2.2 km · ~28 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 1.6 km · ~20 min walk
Sparksport Pharmacy — 1.8 km · ~22 min walk
Taxi to Umhlanga — 3.1 km · ~39 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →South African Rand, ZAR
Most people withdraw from ATMs, which offer decent rates; avoid exchange bureaus at King Shaka Airport as rates are poor.
Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted in shops and restaurants; contactless and mobile pay (Apple Pay, Google Pay) work at many terminals but carry cash for smaller vendors and taxis.
Tip 10-15% in restaurants; R10-20 for porters and hotel staff; taxis are not usually tipped but rounding up is appreciated.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Filter coffee at a café or takeaway chain costs around R25.
A bunny chow or roti from a takeaway shop costs about R45.
A main course at a casual neighbourhood restaurant runs R80-120.
Look for bunny chow and samoosas near markets or main roads in the Berea and Musgrave areas.
Pick n Pay, Checkers and Spar are common supermarket chains in this area.
Affordable fashion is sold at malls like Musgrave Centre and The Workshop, plus second-hand stores on Florida Road.
Minibus taxis (R7-10 per ride) are the cheapest way to get around; from King Shaka Airport, take the airport shuttle to the city then a minibus or Uber (approx R250-350 total).
Eat at local takeaway shops rather than sit-down restaurants; buy groceries from supermarkets like Pick n Pay for self-catering; use ride-sharing apps like Uber instead of pointing at random taxis.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Durban, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at U@119 Lodge
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 1.6 km · ~20 min walk — pharmacy · Sparksport Pharmacy — 1.8 km · ~22 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Silver Oaks Boutique Hotel → City Centre or Berea
💡 Flag down any minibus with the correct route number. Sit by the driver and say 'driver stop' when you want to get off—no fixed stops. Not recommended for solo women after dark.
King Shaka International Airport → Silver Oaks Boutique Hotel
💡 Peak hours (6-9am, 4-7pm) push fares up to R500; request the ride inside the terminal to avoid surge pricing.
King Shaka International Airport → Silver Oaks Boutique Hotel
💡 Pre-book online for a fixed rate; avoid meter taxis at arrivals—they often double the fare.
Silver Oaks Boutique Hotel → uShaka Marine World or Golden Mile
💡 Pay with cash or buy a multi-ride card at the Tourist Junction. The red route runs along the beachfront—useful for sunny day trips.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at U@119 Lodge?
Request a room on the 2nd floor facing the rear of the building (away from Felix Dlamini Road). The 2nd floor is high enough to reduce footpath noise but low enough that it’s walkable via stairs if the single lift is busy. A rear-facing room avoids the main road’s truck and taxi traffic.
Which rooms should I avoid at U@119 Lodge?
Avoid ground-floor rooms, especially those facing Felix Dlamini Road. They get direct street noise, passers-by, and headlights at night. Also avoid rooms right beside the lift shaft on any floor — the lift is old and clanks. The top floor (3rd) can suffer from heat in summer as there’s no AC in the corridor.
Is U@119 Lodge noisy?
Felix Dlamini Road is a main route into Durban central. Expect minibus taxi hooting from 5am, truck deliveries to the adjacent Spar at 7am, and bar noise from the pub two doors down on weekend nights. The single lift is audible from nearby rooms.
Which rooms have the best views at U@119 Lodge?
Rear-facing rooms on higher floors look over the residential area behind — rooftops and trees, not grand, but peaceful. Front-facing rooms see a busy arterial road with pavement vendors and taxis.
What are insider tips for staying at U@119 Lodge?
1. The hotel has no dedicated parking — use the metered street parking on Felix Dlamini before 6pm or the pay lot behind the Spar. Arrive after 6pm and street parking is free. 2. Ask for extra towels at check-in; housekeeping is slow and the laundry runs only once a day.
What time is check-in at U@119 Lodge?
Check-in at U@119 Lodge is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does U@119 Lodge have Wi-Fi?
Free for all guests, 15 Mbps average download, log in with room number and surname at splash page
Is there a city or tourist tax at U@119 Lodge?
None (no city or tourist tax applies in Durban at this property)
Where can I eat cheaply near U@119 Lodge?
A bunny chow or roti from a takeaway shop costs about R45.
What is the cheapest way to get around from U@119 Lodge?
Minibus taxis (R7-10 per ride) are the cheapest way to get around; from King Shaka Airport, take the airport shuttle to the city then a minibus or Uber (approx R250-350 total).
When is the best time to visit Durban?
May to September: winter months bring dry, sunny days (20-24°C) and low humidity, ideal for beach walks and outdoor sightseeing. July’s Sardine Run attracts wildlife enthusiasts; June and August are quieter. Low season means cheaper rooms and emptier beaches.
Top Attractions in Durban
💡 It's only open weekdays. Go between 2pm and 4pm when the school groups thin out. The adjacent library has free public internet terminals.
💡 Best bet for parking is the public lot near the Blue Lagoon end (free, but fills by 10am). The casino's mall has free public toilets and a water fountain.
💡 Bring your own food — the on-site café is pricey and slow. The orchid house is usually kept locked but you can ask at the gate for a key.
💡 If you don't want to pay for the arch climb, walk to the nearby Blue Lagoon side for a free view. The sky car runs less frequently in winter (June–August).
💡 Arrive early on weekdays to find a shady bench near the pier. It gets packed with school groups after 10am.