For as long as I can remember, our Durban holidays used to be spent at Umhlanga Sands Resort. We would play in the games room every single night, trying to get as many tickets as possible. We would attend every kids activity downstairs at the pool – whether it was bracelet making or walks on the beach. We would buy scoops of ice cream every day and at the end of it all, we would go home completely sunburnt. 

This year, we stayed at Umhlanga Sands for a week to escape the cold in Johannesburg and to spend Eid with our family in Port Shepstone. 

I can confidently say that the Umhlanga Sands Resort still gives me the same amount of happiness as it did when I was a kid. For me, it’s home away from home. 

The rooms are spacious, there’s always entertainment downstairs and there’s loads of halal food options in the area.

Highlights of the resort:

1. They have popcorn and slush ready for you at check-in – I’m a sucker for popcorn always 

2. Braais on Sunday night and Tuesday night – there’s a separate halal braai stand and the Sands staff are there to assist if you don’t want to braai yourself 

3. There is all day activities for kids 

4. There’s a halal Milky Lane that still serves the iconic savoury waffles

5. The family pool is heated and there’s an Astro turf to play soccer on

6. The vibe in general – everyone being on holiday mode just means loads of serotonin everywhere 

7. Safety – there’s secure parking available for your car so that just adds to your peace of mind

8. The room we had was on a lower level and we ended up with a huge balcony that just gave the best ocean and sunrise views

9. Bingo games at the pool – I don’t ever win but they’re still fun 

Umhlanga Sands is ideally situated on the Umhlanga promenade which makes it much easier to become a walker/runner and you’re motivated because the views are so worth it. I absolutely loved walking on the promenade after fajr/sunrise (those of you may be surprised because I am definitely not a morning person). Durban sunrises are also something else.

Umhlanga Sands is my comfort place and I feel very nostalgic about it. Being there always makes me reminisce about the memories I made with my family, especially with my grandfather counting the ships that looked like they were on the edge of the ocean.