A national treasure
South Africa’s most cherished hotel stands majestically on Umhlanga’s beachfront, overlooking the Indian Ocean & the iconic lighthouse.
The Oyster Box
Umhlanga Rocks, KwaZulu-Natal
A timeless icon
Occupying a majestic location on the Umhlanga beachfront in KwaZulu-Natal province, The Oyster Box is one of South Africa’s most celebrated hotels, as famous for its remarkable coastal views as the understated luxury and gracious hospitality that have become the hallmarks of this cherished seaside destination.
Set just 15 minutes’ drive from King Shaka International Airport, The Oyster Box offers an array of individually decorated rooms and suites, an award-winning spa set amid tropical gardens, and a mouth-watering menu of restaurants and bars.
With South Africa’s Covid-19 recovery well underway, we are delighted to once again welcome international travellers back to The Oyster Box.
Discover the rich history of Summer Lodge
1798
Built in 1798 as a dower house by the 2nd Earl of Ilchester.
Take a tour...
Expect warm smiles at every turn, a host of thoughtful touches, sumptuous rooms and suites, and delicious cuisine, all set within the rolling hills of Dorset.
The birthplace of Thomas Hardy
Thomas Hardy was born in Dorset and our village of Evershot is commonly referred to as Evershed in Hardy's novels. Few people know that Hardy was also an accomplished architect... The Drawing Room at Summer Lodge was designed by Thomas Hardy.
The Evershot experience
With our sister pub The Acorn Inn just across the village, we are delighted to offer the best of all worlds... An elegant fine dining restaurant as well as a relaxed gastro pub; a world-class sommelier and amazing real ales; a luxurious drawing room and a cosy bar; croquet and tennis as well as skittles and darts.
Meet our team
Every one of our team members is empowered to make a real difference, offering remarkably considerate service and discrete attention to detail. From freshly-cut flowers in the suites to personalised gifts for special occasions, it is no surprise that guests often remember the names of our staff and ask after them when they return.
Our differences
Exceeding expectations at every turn, our historic hotel has a team who take genuine pride in delivering impeccable service. Set within the enchanting village of Evershot, enjoy delicious cuisine in the Restaurant, a traditional Dorset Afternoon Tea in the Drawing Room, and relaxing moments of rejuvenation in the Spa.
Discover more about Summer Lodge
Extraordinary experiences
We pride ourselves on our carefully designed and memorable experiences for guests to enjoy. From outdoor pursuits to healing therapies, our knowledgeable team ensures every stay is as seamless and personalised as possible.
Delicious dining
Delicious dining
From mouth-watering seasonal flavours developed by Executive Chef Steven Titman, to carefully selected wines from renowned sommelier Eric Zwiebel, our dining experiences deliver on gastronomic standards.
The power of passion
"It is our pleasure to introduce you to Evershot in beautiful West Dorset and to Summer Lodge, which has welcomed guests since 1980, when Nigel and Margaret Corbett bought an old dower house and converted it into a hotel. We have been proud members of the Red Carnation family since 2002, when Mr and Mrs Tollman fell in love with the hotel.
Alex and I met while working at Summer Lodge in 2003 and, now married, have been General Managers since 2017. We are delighted to have retained such exceptionally talented and dedicated members of the team for such a long period of time. So many have over 15 years of service and they are what makes the hotel such a special place to visit.
We are especially proud of our efforts to reduce our impact on the environment around us. We exist in such a beautiful part of the world, and we believe we should tread as lightly as possible by using only local suppliers, reducing waste, growing our own, eliminating plastics and husbanding our beehives.
While you are here, take time to enjoy the walks around the area, sample some of the delicious wines from the local vineyards, experience the amazing Jurassic coast, consider a balloon tour above the Dorset landscape, and enjoy the fabulous regional produce in the restaurant.
We wish you the most fantastic time with us and we look forward to making your stay a very special one."
- Alex and Jack Mackenzie, General Managers
