I think we would all agree that the Oyster Box is one of the nicer places to spend a day in Umhlanga, but most people I know keep it as a special occasion venue. Birthdays, high days and holidays are celebrated here, but keep your ear to the ground and your eye on their events page and you might change your mind!
Tonight Peter Finlayson is holding a vertical tasting in their Shell Room, where for a modest R75 you can taste Finlayson’s delicious range of Chardonnays, meet the winemaker and learn from him. If you consider how much expertise like that costs when you are paying for a wine education course, I know where I would rather be!
Every Wednesday evening in the Wine Cellar for the same price there is an intimate wine tasting for a maximum of ten, and you can finish off your evening with a bite to eat. Fabulous.
Even the Oyster Box Spa which most of my friends shy away from as they consider it very pricey has some amazing specials. I recently went to their Dermalogica breakfast which went on from 8.30am till 11am and was a lovely way to start the day.
After changing into a robe and slippers, my skin was analysed, I had a pampering cleanse and mini facial, Oyster Box breakfast and a glass of Champagne, then sat in the Hamman and steamed myself, jumped in the plunge pool went home. For R150 I can’t think of many nicer ways to spend a morning.
So if you need cheering up and a bit of pampering, add them on Facebook, or pick up their Events guide, the Oyster Box belongs to Durban, and we should all pop in there a bit more! You can even watch the rugby in the Lighthouse Bar, where the view and surroundings are sublime. If you look carefully, you will find luxury on a budget!