The Capital Zimbali
Luxury
₤ 76 (Pps)
Luxury
₤ 76 (Pps)
The Fairmont Zimbali Resort is one of only a handful of beach resorts in South Africa. It has a stunning setting with the unspoilt beach in front and rolling hills and forest reserve behind. The resort's exquisite natural beauty is enhanced by the soft contemporary architecture of the hotel which reflects the rich Zulu heritage of the area.
The 154 spacious and well-appointed rooms at Fairmont Zimbali Resort offer views of the gardens and Indian Ocean, decent sized verandas and decadent bathrooms which can be opened up, or closed off, with screens. The Deluxe rooms face the sea but predominantly have a garden view whereas the deluxe sea view rooms offer ocean views.
There's plenty of choice for dining from fine dining to casual and beach club. Enjoy cocktails at the beach club bar or South African wines at its tapas bar. Other facilities include the Willow Stream Spa and gym, two swimming pools and a kids club.
Other facilities on the Zimbali Estate (ie not right at the hotel but closeby) include tennis & squash courts, mountain biking, guided nature walks, horse-riding and the magnificent Tom Weiskopf-designed 18 hole golf course and country club.
Between the two Fairmont hotels on the Zimbali Estate, the Fairmont Zimbali Resort appeals to people seeking an active beach holiday with the beach adjacent to one of the hotel pools, pool bar and restaurant.
The Fairmont Zimbali Resort is perfect for kids with family suites, interleading rooms and a Kids Club for 6 to 12 year olds. There are lots of excursions available from Zimbali including trips to Shakaland cultural village, Crocodile Creek, the Zulu Battlefields, Shaka's Rock and Tugela River Adventures.
Note: Service is noticeable slow at Fairmont Zimbali Resort and this is a little bit of an Achilles heel. However we feel that the hotel offers excellent value for money especially for families, as children stay for free and so the hotel offers an enjoyable holiday nevertheless.
The superb Tom Weiskopf course descends from the hotel down the valley to the Indian Ocean. It has two distinct sides, with some holes in open former sugar cane fields and many others cutting through the indigenous forest and coastal wetlands.