With year round sunshine and the warmest winter days in South Africa, it’s no surprise South Africans plan their annual escape to Durban each year. Here are our top picks for Durban stays this winter.

The Saint James on Venice Hotel, Morningside

The Saint James on Venice Hotel is a quaint hotel in Morningside, Durban, offering 15 luxurious rooms and a delicious farmer’s breakfast each morning.  Expect wooden floors, elevated ceilings, and plush carpets and rugs, paired with facilities like an on-site restaurant, bar, swimming pool, and thatched lapa with braai facilities. That little extra effort is shown in their offering of a complementary car wash, ice tea on arrival, and homemade cookies served with the coffee in your room. Dinner is served Monday to Thursday if pre-booked. Activities in the area include catching a game at King’s Park Stadium or Moses Mabhida Stadium, hitting the greens at Durban Country Club, or strolling along the Durban beachfront. Enquire now.

Essenwood House, Berea

Essenwood House is a 5-star wheelchair-friendly guest house offering exceptional views of the city and Indian Ocean from high up in Berea, where you will wake up to the sounds of the birds chirping and not the honking of car horns. There is a selection of luxury double rooms and rooms with verandas, all offering en-suite bathrooms, as well as a swimming pool on-site. Activities nearby include dining at numerous restaurants, exploring the Durban CBD, shopping, and visiting the aquarium at uShaka Marine World. Enquire now.

Riverside de Charmoy Guest House, Durban North

Riverside de Charmoy Guest House is an elegant home away from home in Durban North, offering polished wooden floors and high ceilings adorned with scintillating chandeliers.  Choose between double and family B&B rooms, and one or two bedroom self-catering units, all splashed with neutral colours, carefully chosen artwork, and graceful ambient lighting. Each room has a private entrance and en-suite bathroom. Facilities include a swimming pool and laundry service. Activities in the area include beach walks, watching sport matches at Moses Mabhida Stadium, shopping at Gateway Theatre of Shopping, and exploring uShaka Marine World. Enquire now.

Cowey’s Corner, Berea

Cowey’s Corner is a cosy guest house in Berea, offering all the comforts of home. Fitted with wooden furnishings, chequered floors, and neutral yet warm colour schemes, it exudes a charming farmhouse feel. Pick from double and twin en-suite rooms, and enjoy a full English breakfast each morning (Continental on request). Activities nearby include attending events at the ICC, dining at various restaurants, exploring botanical gardens, betting at Greyville racecourse, and teeing off at Royal Durban Golf Club. Enquire now.

Terebinte Bed and Breakfast, Glenwood

Terebinte B&B is located in upper Glenwood, and exudes an old world charm with eminent ceilings, glittering chandeliers, and a garden enhanced by mango and banana trees. The 2 rooms sleep 6 people in total and are set in the courtyard of the home of Gerhard and Yuri Duraan; promising eclectic furnishings and artwork, an old fashioned bathroom, and plenty of personality. Activities in the area include boat cruises, health spa visits, shopping, browsing craft markets, and more. Enquire now.

Roseland House, Glenwood

Roseland House is a stylishly old-fashioned 4-star guest house in Glenwood, offering designer accommodation in twin, double, and triple rooms with en-suite bathrooms, tea and coffee trays, complimentary toiletries, and wireless internet. With an emphasis on providing a quiet haven to guests, there is no bar, but as they are fully licensed, they can serve drinks on the patio or in your room.  Facilities include a swimming pool, cosy guest lounge, and two verandas. Activities nearby include dolphin shows at uShaka Marine World, boat trips at Wilson’s Wharf, sky ride at Moses Mabhida Stadium, and personalised tours to a variety of attractions. Enquire now.

Ridgeview Lodge, Berea

Ridgeview Lodge is a 5-star guest house located high up on the Berea Ridge. The cosiness of this guest house cannot be denied, as it’s emphasised with brightly painted walls, ambient lighting, and rugs. There are 7 luxury rooms to choose from, with en-suite bathrooms and wireless internet. A lovely breakfast is served in the garden each morning. Facilities include a swimming pool, bar, guest lounge, as well as laundry and valet services. Activities in the area include golfing, and day trips to the Drakensberg Mountains, Midlands Meander, battlefields, and more. Enquire now.

Which Durban guest house would you pick to escape the winter chill? Tell us why in the comments below!