It's been a long day. I've been at the Producers' Forum at the first Durban Film Mart and it was intense. Exhausted I drive down Umhlanga Rocks Drive looking for the Umhlanga Ridge Hotel, desperate for a hot bath and a warm drink. It's not hard to find the hotel as it breaches a whole block of the promenade outside Gateway's Theatre of Shopping.
Wearily I get out of the car and enter the reception area. It's large and airy with an open-plan feel to it. The 130-seater restaurant leads out from the centre court where reception is situated.
There is also a trendy Muffin Bar filled with delicious baked goodies in this area. I steer myself purposefully towards reception instead of being diverted by the smell of good coffee. I'm greeted with warmth and then directed to my room on the seventh floor.
Within seconds the smooth lift whisks me up towards the loft apartment I've been given for two nights. I move out of the hotel's central passage into a small haven of browns and creams. My first thought is regret. What a pity I don't have anyone to share this place with tonight, I think. The loft apartment is an exquisite two-storey affair with a spacious lounge/office/kitchenette with full shower room and loo downstairs.
Up a flight of solid wooden stairs nestles a loft bedroom, surrounded by cream sheets and net curtains. To top it all, Leanka Fourie, the rooms division manager, has spelt out my name with chocolates in large letters on the bed cover. The frustrations of the day disappear as I smile, touched by this thoughtful gesture.
I have to confess to making an immediate cup of coffee at the kitchenette and soon eating my way through "J" and "V" while watching one of the two flat-screen plasma televisions in the apartment. Stress? What's stress?
My view from the apartment overlooks the beautiful Chris Saunders Park on the Ridge through floor-to-ceiling windows. The sea is just a few kilometres away but the room is so cosy I have no desire to leave it just yet. The loft apartment is one of the hotel's speciality rooms and I really wish I could show it off to someone else. Instead, I text my family and friends and tell them what a delightful place I've found for the night.
I especially like the design of the lights throughout the hotel. Wispy metal "branches" have been fashioned around each low-slung shade and little lights glisten inside.
After a blissful night of sleep in my hideaway bed in the sky, I go down to the large restaurant which is open from 6.30am to 10.30pm. The buffet is elaborate and I'm spoilt for choice. There is the traditional English breakfast on offer with bacon and eggs, bangers and beans, boerewors and even hot vegetables for those who like to start lunch early.
There is also a selection of cold meats and fish of all kinds. A very tempting display of pastries, from Danish to English muffins, includes freshly baked hot crumpets with cream and honey and other delicious treats. I have to exercise extreme will power to stick with healthy fruit and yoghurt, followed by scrambled eggs on rye bread.
Later in the day I'm taken on a tour by one of the hotel managers, Bodin Camminga. He shows me a variety of double rooms which range from the fairly simple, with just two double beds, bathroom and kitchenette, to larger ones with more space, a small office facility and a few extra internet features.
The hotel also offers seven conference venues. With the hotel situated just 20 minutes from Durban's CBD, 15 minutes from the new King Shaka Airport and with Umhlanga Ridge Business Park five minutes away, this must be one of the most convenient conference venues in KwaZulu-Natal.
The recreational facilities are exceptional. A large roof-level swimming pool glistens invitingly and I'm just sorry that it's too cold to try it out.
Umhlanga Ridge is a four-star Protea Hotel which has been in operation for little more than a year. It's situated a walk away from Gateway's mall where all manner of recreational facilities are available, from Cinema Nouveau to the Wave House for children or rock climbing. Golf courses and other sports facilities are close by too.
- The writer was hosted by Protea Hotels. For info: visit www.proteahotels.com/umhlangaridge