The winter weather is creeping up on you.
The heaters and fireplaces are switched on and lit up. The morning breeze blows around the corners onto your neck, leaving a cold chill through your body. You drink more coffee and tea than usual to keep your body temperature warm.
Winter is beautiful with a cold charm, but cold is never comfortable. The red and orange hues of the winter leave light up in the morning sun. The colours are radiant, fresh and wintery. Winter landscapes are dry and white with frost and snow in some areas. It is dry and crispy, with fog escaping from your words.
Where could you go in winter for a warmer break to split the cold winter in half?
Maybe the North Coast is an ideal getaway for your warm winter escape.
If you ever wondered why people visit Umhlanga on the North coast of South Africa, here are the reasons.
10 Reasons to visit Umhlanga, KwaZulu-Natal
What to do in Umhlanga
Umhlanga Rocks Beach
Umhlanga Rocks are one of the best beaches South Africa has to offer. If you enjoy swimming in the sea, the beach provides a natural rock, tidal pool, Grannies Pool and two areas with lifeguards. The beach is clean and safe and has a fantastic paved promenade for running and walking next to the sea.
Umhlanga Rocks Indian Ocean Water
The warm Indian Ocean flows along the Umhlanga coastline, ideal for snorkelling, diving, surfing, and swimming. The warm Indian ocean is inviting for a sea swim.
Umhlanga Rocks Promenade
Umhlanga’s beachfront promenade is perfect for a morning or afternoon walk, run or stretch all along the beach. You will find coffee and ice-cream kiosks for a coffee, water or ice cream to enjoy throughout the year.
Umhlanga Rocks Weather
Umhlanga Rocks offer you an endless summer with hot summers and comfortable, warm weather in winter. It is the perfect getaway for a warm winter weather break.
Umhlanga Rocks Whalebone Pier
This pier has to be the most beautiful in South Africa, with the lighthouse on the one side and a beautiful beach on the other side. You can sit on the benches and enjoy the spectacular views from the pier. The whalebone Pier resembles the carcass of a giant whale.
Umhlanga Lagoon Nature Reserve
The Umhlanga Lagoon Nature Reserve setting is breathtaking. The 26-hectare reserve sits on the coast of the Indian Ocean. The nature reserve is home to many different bird species, wild animals, and various plants and trees. For the more adventurous, enjoy access to the Umhlanga Lagoon Hiking Trail.
Umhlanga Rocks Shopping
Umhlanga is well known for the Gateway Theatre of Shopping, the largest shopping mall in the Southern Hemisphere. If you want to shop, pop into the Gateway Theatre of shopping.
Umhlanga Rocks Dining
Umhlanga rocks have many hotels, restaurants and coffee shops to visit. Something for everyone’s taste buds.
Dolphins and whale watching
Magnificent southern right whales migrate along the KwaZulu-Natal coast between May and September. The humpback whales arrive around the same time and stay until late November. You will often see the whales from the beach, along with pods of dolphins.
North Star Micro Hotel
The North Star Micro Hotel is a luxurious beachfront intimate hotel catering for day visitors and offers luxury accommodation. The North Star Micro Hotel is superb for romantic getaways and family holidays.
Umhlanga Rocks Seaside Town
Umhlanga KwaZulu-Natal
Umhlanga (Zulu: uMhlanga) is an affluent residential, commercial and holiday town north of Durban on the coast of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
How far is Durban from Umhlanga?
Distance between cities Durban and Umhlanga, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, on public roads is 16 km. Depending on the traffic, the drive will take between ten and twenty minutes from Umhlanga into Durban.
Umhlanga Accommodation
Umhlanga offers many hotels, guest houses, boutique hotels and self-catering homes and apartments to rent.
The North Star Micro Hotel have a couple of rooms, twin rooms and a family room to book. You can enjoy the dining lounge, the patio, the pool and deck chairs and a picnic on the manicured lawn. The beach deck is private, with shade to enjoy the beach view and watch the waves rolling in. In the afternoon, the Belvedere bar serves almost any drink you can think of ordering.
The rooms have spectacular views of the ocean, a spacious open plan layout and a private balcony.
The twin rooms consist of a comfy king-sized bed or convertible twin beds, a private balcony, and fantastic sea views making this the perfect base in Umhlanga. Bring your kids for the ultimate beach vacation. The spacious family room has a bunk bed for your children and a luxurious King size bed for you. Excellent sea views from the private balcony with a private barbecue ensure a magical holiday.
There are various activities available to book through the hotel team.
The property design consists of a communal area with inside and outside lounge areas, a fully stocked bar and a dining area. The ground floor is entirely open, with stack doors to the swimming pool, Jacuzzi and fire pit area. The garden walks out onto the beach.
The North Star Micro Hotel has a reception and concierge service to cater to your needs throughout your stay. All rooms are open plan, with luxurious bathroom layouts.
By day, watch the dolphins in the surf or take in the magnificent sunset over cocktails in the evening from the Belvedere Bar, Firepit area or, if you prefer, your balcony.
The North Star Micro Hotel Wine chat
Scarce South African wine varietals
This week Pinot Gris is on the radar. It is a scarce wine varietal, but you can buy Pinot Gris made in South Africa.
Pinot Gris is a white wine grape variety from France. A mutation of pinot noir, Pinot Gris, originated in Burgundy in the Middle Ages and was rediscovered in 1711 in Germany.
Pinot Gris characteristics are dry, semi-sweet or sweet.
It is a white wine with rose colours on the grape. The white wine is rich and slightly spicy. Pinot Gris dry wine pairs well with creamier cheese varieties. Fresh mozzarella is perfect. Pinot Gris wine can be perfumed or neutral, dry, off-dry or sweet, oaked or unoaked, light, medium or full-bodied.
Medium-bodied Pinot Gris are delicious sipped solo or enjoyed with seared or grilled fish and simple oven-roasted chicken. A complex Pinot Gris pairs well with meaty fish, cream sauces, rich veal, chicken, pork dishes, and lamb.
Pinot Gris is perfect for enjoying on mild summers days on the balcony. You can buy Pinot Gris made by De Grendel wines, Bosman Family Vineyards Pinot Gris, Craven Pinot Gris, Lýsa Pinot Gris and Usana
Runaway Pinot Gris, to name a few.
Specials at the North Star Micro Hotel
Stay three nights and only pay for two nights.
Contact The North Star Micro Hotel team to book and enquire.
t: 076 611 4592
Enquiries:
Room stay@northstar-hotel.com
Venue | info@northstar-hotel.com
26 Eastmoor Crescent, Umhlanga Rocks, Umhlanga, 4320