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South Africa, Accommodation

Travel Diary – Sala Beach House

Written by Lisa Nel

Ker & Downey Africa > Journal > 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:

Introduction

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.

Lisa standing at the entrance to Sala Beach House - a popular Ballito hotel.

Lisa at the entrance of Sala Beach House
The slogan for the property, “embrace barefoot elegance”, couldn’t be more apt.

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.

How to get there:

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.

Accommodation:

An ocean view room at the popular Ballito hotel, Sala Beach House.

An ocean view room at Sala Beach House

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.

Property facilities:

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.

The larger pool is surrounded by a lush tropical garden and has a large wooden deck with uninterrupted views of the ocean

The large pool with views of the Indian Ocean at Sala Beach House – a popular Ballito hotel.

The main pool

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.

At 5pm, gourmet canapes and a ‘cocktail of the day’ are served at the Mediterranean-inspired bar.

An outdoor bar and tables and chairs at Sala Beach House - one of the top Ballito hotels.

The outdoor bar is the perfect place to relax and enjoy a sundowner

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.

The fire pit at Sala Beach House – a popular Ballito hotel in South Africa.

The fire pit at Sala Beach House
After dinner, enjoy a night cap around the fire under the African stars.

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.

Who is it suitable for:

Sala Beach House is suitable for couples and definitely for honeymooners who want a beach and bush getaway to celebrate their nuptials. With the close proximity to Thompson’s Bay beach and the main areas of Ballito within walking distance, it is a good fit for clients who want a centrally located beach getaway. The 3-bedroom villa works well for families with children or a group of friends who want to enjoy a holiday together.

Why do I recommend:

  • Sala Beach House is the only five star luxury boutique hotel in the area and is something that really stands out. Our host advised us that it is just what the area needed and I couldn’t agree more.
  • The location is close to Thompson’s Bay, which is considered to be one of the best and most beautiful beaches in the area. Thompson’s has a tidal pool which is 90-meters long – big enough to swim laps. It also boasts the well-known local ‘hole in the wall’ which is a hidden hole in the rocks (not to be confused with its more popular counterpart in Coffee Bay). Standing in the ‘hole’ makes for the perfect Instagram shot. This attraction can only be reached during low tide, so be sure to plan your excursion carefully. Another highlight of Thompson’s Bay are the sunrise (6:30am) beach yoga classes offered three times a week.
  • The property is so thoughtfully laid out that you never feel overwhelmed by other guests. There are many separate areas to kick back and relax in privacy with a good book.
  • There are some unique aspects of the beach house that stand out. One of the highlights for me was the rope hammock that is added to the front of your wooden deck, overlooking the sea. This is something I have never seen before. Another perfect spot to read a good book! Unfortunately I didn’t get to try mine this time around but that just means another reason for me to return.
Another perfect spot to read a good book!

A rope hammock with a view of the ocean at Sala Beach House – a popular Ballito hotel.

A rope hammock overlooking the breathtaking Indian Ocean
  • Another highlight of this Ballito hotel, were all the little extras provided that all added together. This really shows that the owners have thought of everything and really care about their guests’ needs. One that comes to mind was the full yoga set up with fitness equipment provided in each guest’s cupboard including a skipping rope, different size weights and various yoga mats.

Yoga mats and fitness equipment in the cupboard at Sala Beach House – a popular Ballito hotel in South Africa.

Yoga mats and other fitness equipment is provided for each guest
The owners have thought of everything and really care about their guests’ needs.
  • I also loved the lush, landscaped gardens and rolling green lawns that lead out through a private gate to the protected beach.
  • Then, last but not least, the decor. All the furniture and fittings are one-of-a-kind and have been handmade for the beach house. From the rattan and wood furnishings, to the sun loungers around the pool, all furniture comprises custom-made pieces that fit seamlessly into the space with style.
From the rattan and wood furnishings, to the sun loungers around the pool, all furniture comprises custom-made pieces that fit seamlessly into the space with style.

The main lounge at Sala Beach House – a popular Ballito hotel.

The main lounge at Sala Beach House

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.

barrons

Ballito hotel

Ballito hotel

Ballito hotel

Ballito hotel

barrons

Ballito hotel

Ballito hotel

Ballito hotel

Ballito hotel