The Oyster Box

Overlooking the luscious sub-tropical gardens are the Garden Facing Villa Lofts and the Classic Garden Facing Rooms. These rooms are opulent and comfortable, tastefully decorated and filled with bright light. The Villa Lofts are decorated with a cream and gold palette which is juxtaposed with dark wooden furniture, most noticeably the grand four-poster bed, which is covered in crisp white bed linens and a gold bed runner. The Classic Garden Room boasts a more romantic and classical interior, with mint green walls and tropical print fabrics throughout, these rooms come complete with a small balcony which is a perfect place for guests to relax and unwind while gazing over the colourful gardens.

There are two types of sea facing rooms to choose from at The Oyster Box. Guests can stay in Classic Sea Facing Rooms or Luxury Sea Facing Rooms. Both rooms are bright and spacious, with cosy double beds sitting in the centre of the room covered in plush duvets and pillows, and both come complete with a balcony which overlooks the sparkling ocean and has a magnificent view of the lighthouse. The classic room is decorated in a classical style, with traditional style bed covers and fabrics, and the luxury rooms are more modern, with white walls and feature fabrics.

Families travelling together can stay in one of the Sea Facing Family Rooms, which comes complete with a master bedroom complete with a king-size bed, and a second bedroom suitable for children, with either single beds or bunk beds. The Sea Facing Family Rooms also come with – as suggested in their name – spectacular sea views.

Spacious and bright, the Junior Cabanas and Sea Facing Cabanas at The Oyster Box are modern and luxurious. With polished stone floors, white walls and dark wooden furniture, the rooms are relaxing and contemporary. While the Junior Cabanas don’t come with balconies, they do include sliding doors which open fully to allow fresh breezes and natural light to fill the room. The Sea Facing Cabanas come complete with a private balcony where guests can unwind after a long day and gaze over the sparkling ocean.

The Luxury Sea Facing Suites at The Oyster Box are all individually designed, and are a unique, eclectic blend of bright colours. The suites are spacious and comfortable, and include separate lounge areas where guests can relax after a long day. A large king-size bed sits in the centre of the bedroom and is covered with crisp patterned bed linens and plush cushions. To the side of the bed are sliding glass doors that open onto a private balcony with panoramic views of the sparkling blue sea.

The Deluxe Sea Facing Suites are similar to the luxury suites, they are decorated in a blend of modern and classic decor, filled with bright light which floods the room through sliding glass doors. The suite comes complete with a master bedroom, a separate lounge area and a private and romantic decking, which comes complete with a glistening plunge pool and view of the lighthouse.

Luxurious and opulent, the Superior Garden Villas at The Oyster Box are perfect for honeymooning couples looking for exclusivity. The villas are surrounded by tropical and luscious gardens with classical and eclectic interiors. The villas are spacious and full of bright light, and can be booked in conjunction with one of the Garden Villa Lofts which can act as a second bedroom, making the villa ideal for a family. The villa comes complete with a large living room where the whole family can relax, and a private terrace and plunge pool, where guests can escape from the afternoon’s heat.

The Presidential Suite offers the utmost luxury and opulence to guests of The Oyster Box. Perfect for couples on a romantic break, the suite is private, exclusive, and classy. A large, spacious master bedroom overlooks the ocean, with sweeping sea views which can be seen without leaving the comfort of the bed. A lounge and study area sits adjacent to the master bedroom. A second spacious bedroom is decorated in a modern style and includes a double bed. The suite is split between two floors, and on the ground floor there sits a large living and dining area which has room to entertain up to 8 people. The suite also comes complete with a private terrace area where guests will find the glistening infinity pool which overlooks the ocean and waves lapping against the beach.

Guests can make their way to The Grill Room for a dining experience they will remember for a lifetime. With a decor scheme of old money, the restaurant is renowned for its fine dining, and have been operating for 70 years. The restaurant serves classic favourites and signature dishes which are created by talented chefs. Guests are able to see their food being cooked, as the food will be prepared and presented at your table.

For a more relaxed and casual dining experience, guests can make their way to The Ocean Terrace for mealtimes. Overlooking the wide sparkling ocean guests can enjoy food from a bistro-style menu, as well as stone cooked pizzas, and a curry buffet. All the food is sustainably sourced. English breakfasts are also served here every morning.

A grand restaurant, The Palm Court is a colonial-style building with high ceilings, and filled with bright sunlight. Excellent high teas are served here, with freshly made pastries and finger sandwiches, as well as small sweet cakes. Guests can also make their way here for more of a casual dinner setting.

Guests can head here for an evening of live music, creative cocktails, and light meals. Dark wooden panels line the interior, and inviting leather armchairs lure guests to relax for the evening. Outside guests can enjoy watching the sunset while gazing over the sparkling azure ocean, and can enjoy the outstanding view of the tall red and white lighthouse.

Specialising in champagne and oysters, guests can head here for a classy evening with live music and delicious cocktails, enjoyed with a view over the glistening Indian Ocean.

With its authentic old-world charm and atmosphere, there is a reason that Chukka Bar is a firm favourite with the locals. Serving hearty snacks, it also has an impressive collection of whiskeys, beers and cigars.

The local sandy beach is a short walk from The Oyster Box. Guests can head down here after breakfast to enjoy a day spent on the beach, walking along the fine sand, sunbathing or swimming in the warm shallows of the Indian Ocean.

There are various culinary experiences available to be arranged by guests of The Oyster Box. Enjoy an evening at The Chef’s Table; beginning with drinks in The Oyster Bar and finishing with a tour and sit down meal in the main kitchen, with the executive chef. Guests can also enjoy an evening dining in the wine cellar, pairing their delicious food with some of the finest wines in South Africa.

Children from the ages 4-12 can spend their days with the Holiday Club, enjoying days filled with story-telling, face-painting, pizza-making, arts and crafts, and movies.

There are plenty of ways to keep busy and stay entertained without even having to leave the hotel. For guests who enjoy working out, there is a fully-equipped 24-hour gym, bookworms will be happy with the old-fashioned library with high ceilings and filled with books, and a cinema room screens films in the evenings for guests who wish to attend.

If guests find they have some work to attend to whilst they are staying at The Oyster Box then they can make their way to the business centre, where they will find desks, computers, and printers.

Head to the spa for an afternoon of self-indulgence. Enjoy a stress-relieving massage or facial treatment with natural and sustainable oils and fragrances. Reset your mind, body, and soul under the hands of skilled and professional therapists, and leave feeling refreshed and ready for the day.

The Oyster Box is part of The Red Carnation Hotel Collection which in turn is a part of the Treadright Foundation. This foundation is focused on sustainable business practices, and has a five-year sustainability strategy, with a series of targets to reach by 2025. These targets are set in relation to their impact on the planet, the people, and the wildlife. Through their initiatives, they target climate change, promote sustainable food consumption and production, measure their carbon footprint, use renewable energy, reduce their waste, and are eliminating single-use plastics.

The local community is also supported, and their cultures are protected through The Red Carnations strategy which targets over-tourism and encourages greater diversity at their hotels, as well as their ‘global give-back efforts.’ TreadRight Foundation works to conserve and protect local wildlife by following an animal welfare policy.

Their goals include such points as achieving a carbon-neutral footprint by 2025, reducing the amount they print, as well as reducing food waste. They are aiming to increase their supply of local and organic food products by 2025, as well as increase their employee diversity and work with charities. All wildlife experiences offered by their hotels already adhere to their animal welfare policy.

Ever under threat, Rhinos are still being poached frequently for their horns. The Oyster Box supports Rhinos Without Borders, a project which works to relocate rhinos from poaching ‘hotspots’ in South Africa to protected conservancies in Botswana, to create new source populations. The Oyster Box supports this charity by making a donation for every key card returned to reception at the end of guests’ stay.

The Oyster Box is partnered with Pack for a Purpose, which is a charity which contributes to the upliftment of local communities. Guests are encouraged to save a small amount of room in their suitcase and fill it with supplies which the local community will benefit from. Supplies such as school notebooks, pens and pencils, toys, sports equipment and medical supplies. The supplies guests bring to The Oyster Box will be greatly received at the local orphanage.

Another charity which the Oyster Box supports is The Amy Foundation. This non-for-profit organisation works to empower and protect vulnerable children and young adults in South Africa. They have many projects and initiatives such as a Youth Skills Development programme which helps young adults prepare for work and employment.

An inventive and unique way to promote environmental awareness in their guests, The Oyster Box provides a bucket to guests who wish to collect some litter from the beach. An incentive for this is the complimentary drink guests will receive when they return with a full bucket of litter.

Red Carnation Hotels are a champion of using elements of sustainability and eco-friendliness in the design and building of their hotels. Their hotels throughout the world have modern and inventive design features, such as green roofs which are layered with soil and vegetation to help regulate temperature control and living walls. With interior sustainability as important as exterior sustainability, Red Carnation Hotels use LED light bulbs to conserve energy, as they last 25 times longer than incandescent bulbs. They regulate water usage by using smart technology which can pour measured amounts of water, and flow regulators have also been installed which minimises excessive water usage. Smart technology efficiently heats their hotel rooms from low-carbon emitting heaters.

South Africa is historically water-scarce, which means the need to conserve water is ever more important. At The Oyster Box, their water is separated, they recycle greywater in their flushing systems, and harvest rainwater which they then use to water their gardens. Partnerships with local charities help Red Carnation to recycle the waste they cannot, and also make positive impacts on local communities.