Travel Diary – Sala Beach House

Head of Group Marketing & Product of the Ker & Downey® Africa group, Lisa Nel, visited the Sala Beach House recently – a luxurious Ballito hotel offering the ultimate seaside escape on KwaZulu-Natal’s idyllic north coast.

This was her experience:

In the past, we have only been able to book our valued clients at larger hotels along the KwaZulu-Natal coast, so when we heard about the Sala Beach Hotel, we were very excited. We knew this opulent Ballito hotel would be ideal for our discerning guests seeking a more intimate experience.

Sala opened its doors on the 25th August 2022 and is a great new Ballito hotel addition to the accommodation options in KwaZulu-Natal. The slogan for the property, “embrace barefoot elegance”, couldn’t be more apt. It is a relaxing sanctuary that embraces you with warm hospitality and an inviting ambience, with bespoke contemporary decor that provides a real touch of glamor and sophistication.

Sala Beach House is an easy 15 minute drive from the King Shaka International Airport. You can either self drive this short route from the airport, or ask your travel advisor from Ker & Downey® Africa to arrange a private luxury transfer for you. From the N2 (the main highway), you will turn off at the Ballito off ramp and turn right onto Ballito Drive where you will continue straight down to Ocean Drive (approximately 8 minutes). The luxurious seaside property is located within walking distance of Thompsons Bay Beach in Ballito.

The property features 7 guest rooms in the main house, as well as a 3-bedroom family / friends villa. The villa is extremely spacious, with each bedroom boasting an en-suite bathroom. It also comes with a well-stocked, full-size kitchen and separate bar area. I enjoyed my stay in an ocean view room with fully retractable stacking doors leading out onto a large patio with breathtaking Indian Ocean views.

I highly recommend asking your Ker & Downey® Africa travel advisor to book the rooms on the first floor in the main house. These are by far the more spacious of the lot and offer the most phenomenal views.

There is safe parking available for guests who are self driving and the staff at Sala Beach House will wash your vehicle before your departure. A thoughtful touch!

As well as offering access to the warm Indian Ocean, the property has 2 refreshing swimming pools. The larger pool is surrounded by a lush tropical garden and has a large wooden deck with uninterrupted views of the ocean. On the deck, sun loungers and complimentary beach towels are provided, and you can find shade under the large palm trees or umbrellas. A smaller swimming pool is located at the back of the property and caters for those seeking a bit more privacy, or wanting to escape the sea breeze.

There is a well equipped in-house spa with a sauna and 3 separate treatment rooms. I highly recommend you pre-book a beauty treatment before you arrive as I was advised that there are at least 10 sessions being booked every day.

At 5pm, gourmet canapes and a ‘cocktail of the day’ are served at the Mediterranean-inspired bar. All canapes and meals at Sala Beach House are made from fresh local ingredients.

For dinner, I highly recommend dining at Sala for at least 2 of the nights during your stay. It is here that you will experience what true hospitality means. Carefully crafted dishes using seasonal ingredients from both the land and sea burst with flavor. The chefs take all dietary requirements into account and can tailor delicious dishes to suit any needs.

Guests are presented with 2 choices of starters and mains plus 1 dessert option for dinner. We enjoyed our evening meals on the outdoor terrace, surrounded by twinkling lights from the scented, pillar, votive and tea light candles. Soft ambient music in the background made the evening even more special.

After dinner, enjoy a night cap around the fire under the African stars. Here, you will have a chance to bask in your breathtaking surroundings with the gentle sound of waves crashing nearby.

A huge thank you to Craig for hosting me at this luxurious Ballito hotel. A special thanks to the incredible staff on the ground including Shaun and his team. I’ll be back to try out that hammock!

If you are interested in experiencing a seaside escape at Sala Beach House with Ker & Downey® Africa, get in touch with our travel experts who will help curate a unique itinerary just for you.