Beverly Hills uMhlanga Rocks

Set directly on the beachfront, there isn't a bad perspective from the Beverly. Lounge on the lawn chairs for a front-row seat of the ocean and enjoy a fancy cocktail (or two) or alfresco massage. Just in front, the swimming pool is positively dreamy. The Sugar Club Restaurant offers excellent views from its elegant dining room that serves superb refined cuisine whilst Elements Cafe is the place to go for fresh salads and seafood, pastas and burgers, all amid a swanky white decor.

The 89 rooms here reiterate the hotel's timeless luxury. Even the Standard Room has sea views, exudes elegance and is outfitted with superior mod-cons. Deluxe Rooms also face the sea and are exceptionally spacious with a recessed lounge. There are a handful of more premium rooms with distinctive touches and luxuries that spoil uniquely. The tip-top is Cabana 10, which sits on the upper terrace with an expansive private patio and interior that incorporates a lounge and an extra special en-suite bathroom.

The north-east coast of South Africa is known for its bathtub-temperature ocean and fabulous beaches. Closer to cosmopolitan Durban, you'll find a busy, resort-like atmosphere where people shop, play and walk on the promenade with ice-cream cones. The beaches may be busier but they're still lovely and excellent for swimming and surfing and general beach-going. North and south of the city, you'll find a much more tranquil atmosphere where diving and snorkelling or peacing-out for a while is a perfectly respectable pastime.