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Zimbali Lodge

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Traveller (377)
Room & Suite (103)
Pool & Beach (64)

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About

#3 of 7 hotels in Ballito
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Value

Zimbali Lodge is an excellent choice for travellers visiting Ballito, offering a luxury environment alongside many helpful amenities designed to enhance your stay.

For those interested in checking out popular landmarks while visiting Ballito, Fairmont Zimbali Hotel is located a short distance from Ndlondlo Reptile Park (1.4 mi) and Cappeny Estate (3.1 mi).

Guest rooms offer a flat screen TV and air conditioning, and Fairmont Zimbali Hotel makes getting online easy as paid wifi is available.

You can also take advantage of some of the amenities offered by the hotel, including a concierge. In addition, guests can enjoy a pool and a poolside bar during their visit. As an added convenience, there is free parking available to guests.

When you’re feeling hungry, be sure to check out Fiamma Grill, Mo-zam-bik Ballito, and The Galley Beach Bar & Grill, which are some seafood restaurants that are popular with locals and out-of-towners alike.

Ballito is also home to Sugar Rush Park, a popular park that is not too far from Zimbali Lodge.

Enjoy your stay in Ballito!

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Property amenities
Free parking
Wifi
Pool
Fitness Centre with Gym / Workout Room
Bar / lounge
Golf course
Tennis court
Airport transportation
Parking
Paid wifi
Infinity pool
Outdoor pool
Restaurant
Breakfast buffet
Poolside bar
Shuttle bus service
Business Centre with Internet Access
Conference facilities
Banquet room
Meeting rooms
Spa
Concierge
Non-smoking hotel
Sun umbrellas
Dry cleaning
Laundry service
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Room features
Air conditioning
Private balcony
Flatscreen TV
Room types
Non-smoking rooms
Suites
Family rooms
Good to know
HOTEL CLASS
5.0 of 5 stars
525Reviews7Q+A100Room tips

Reviews
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Judy W wrote a review 2 Mar
2 contributions
Beautiful surrounds and comfortable room. Bedding and towels look tired and need to be replaced. The service is terrible. Staff not trained, makes no eye contact and is not friendly with guests. Reception very abrupt and unwelcoming. Received friendly service at the spa and also from Mark the driver. No room service available. Can't compare it to our previous stay when it was the Fairmont Hotel. You can do so much more with this beautiful hotel. If you do not upgrade the service this hotel will be out of business soon. Very disappointed.
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Date of stay: March 2024
Value
Location
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Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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SafariKZN-Mark wrote a review Feb 2024
Northampton, United Kingdom3586 contributions104 helpful votes
+1
The warm Agulhas Current flows southward down the eastern coast of South Africa creating sub-tropical paradises. Just back from the Indian Ocean, which can feel like bath water to some of us northern hemisphere travellers, beyond the beach, tucked into the coastal forest, you will find one such paradise. There are very few, if any resort style hotels in KwaZulu Natal, like those found in Europe where the grounds run to the beach. Well, here at Zimbali Lodge the hotel grounds do run to the beach and on the beach, you will find sun loungers, tables & chairs complete with parasols to offer shade from the heat of the sun. And if you do not want to feel the warm sand between your toes or the ocean waves splashing against you, then just stop at the bar. Yes, there is even a bar with restaurant, café, and swimming pool. And yes, here too there are plenty of sun loungers and places to sit and just take it easy. On arrival at the lodge, after checking in, we were chauffeured to our room in a golf cart. There was always a cart and driver available if you needed a lift or wanted to be dropped off at the beach ensuring complete relaxation. Our room was stylish, luxurious, well-appointed and big, like the bed it contained, with ensuite bathroom including both a bath & shower. The patio doors led to the balcony where you really feel engulfed by greenery, bird song, and the occasional call of a vervet monkey. Zimbali, in Zulu, translates to “Valley of flowers”. And dotted among the various shades of green there are flowers, flashes of colour, providing nectar to a huge variety of butterflies. The main lodge is a grand building spanning two floors with views over the greenery down to the warm Indian Ocean. The focal point is the palm tree lined infinity pool surrounded by walkways and patio. There is a main restaurant, dining area, where we ate a great buffet breakfast, and a smaller bar and restaurant where we dined in the evening. The quality of food was exceptional. The spicy chicken livers and lamb chops and seafood linguine we would highly recommend. There is also something very special about dining here outside on the patio in the warm night air complete with all the sub-tropical sounds that accompany it. I must also add that the service was exceptional and in true KwaZulu Natal style, everything came with a beaming smile from those that looked after us. For complete relaxation take advantage of the spa and book yourself some pampering on the spa deck. For those more energetic you can follow a forest trail, you might be lucky like us and spot a bushbuck (antelope) or walk the beach. There are tennis courts and an excellent golf course where clubs can be hired. The lodge is ideally located only twenty minutes from King Shaka International Airport and just over thirty minutes from the city of Durban. The town of Ballito is a few minutes’ drive from the lodge entrance gates. Ballito is a busy seaside town with great facilities and plenty going on. This is truly a resort in all senses of the word where you can spend some quality time. It is far from a stop off point between other places. You have everything here you need for a great holiday. And if you get the urge to explore then you have the option to, knowing that your base with all its amenities and comfort awaits you on your return.
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Date of stay: January 2024
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled with friends
Room Tip: Spend a few nights here...
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anne l wrote a review Feb 2024
23 contributions26 helpful votes
We love Zimbali it’s so relaxing with beautiful views, friendly staff and incredible spa/ beauty room. We managed to navigate the entrance and exit security eventually! It’s an outstanding resort in a wonderful location. However……….few points to consider The wooden steps from the Spa to the pool are precarious and need upgrading before someone has a nasty fall on first two steps. The pool loungers need replacing as tatty and stained I feel ball games and kiddies pool parties should be avoided in fairness to everyone trying to enjoy the pool amenities . I think a bus drop off from hotel to the Balito lifestyle centre would be an added bonus to guests. The above points are constructive criticism and not meant to be negative. It’s a wonderful spot and cannot commend staff poolside and girls in the spa enough, very professional .
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Date of stay: January 2024Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Nomad38661006194 wrote a review Mar 2023
1 contribution
When I got to this place the same apartment was rented out to someone else, after I have paid for it I was left stranded with my friends worst experience ever, I did not know that booking.com scams people.
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Date of stay: March 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Colin N wrote a review Mar 2023
Palma de Mallorca, Spain9 contributions3 helpful votes
This hotel may have been 5 star 30 years ago but, not in this day and age. It looks tired and has seen better days. Lots of wooden interior beams styled not unlike a hotel you may see inThailand. Externally the brown wood is in dire need of repair and cleaning anf a few coats of varnish. Public areas need new carpets and the breakfast was just a badly presented low quality buffet. We had to change rooms because ours was dark and set low in the jungle foliage. We were movef to a top floor with see view which was much better. The room was spacious but again old style and tired. Floors were grey painted concrete showing damage and scrapes. The use of carpets was very limited. I guess the hotel only retains its 5 star status because of where it is and the facilities it has eg. Spa, pool etc. I would not go back again unless the hotel was totally reformed and upgraded.
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Date of stay: March 2023Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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james t wrote a review Feb 2023
London, United Kingdom15 contributions9 helpful votes
Probably once a good hotel and some of the rooms were considerably smarter than others even in the same block, Ours was dark and rather cluttered, everything you needed but lacking in style or thought, just a jumble. Next door had been given a make over and was much nicer and less gloomy but none have a view except of close up tree trunks. The actual center of the hotel was understaffed except at breakfast which was good, lunch at the pool bar took over an hour and half - only salads or sandwiches. Very empty with no atmosphere. Getting in or out was a nightmare, I forgot my personalised piece of paper and they just refused to do anything but just stood there, until I borrowed one from the car behind - friends - wrong name , wrong car - not bothered and let us out! So why they couldn’t have accepted my car licence and checked with reception! Minutes after we had paid on our arrival we noticed a mistake in the number of nights we were staying but they couldn’t refund us as we had to see a manager who never appeared during out stay. Could have been lovely but sadly missed on every level, with the exception of some of the staff who tried hard to make it less dreary.
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Date of stay: February 2023Trip type: Travelled with friends
Room Tip: Don’t ever forget your paperwork to get in/out and be nice to the staff, they really try: find...
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AnthonyMLeeds wrote a review Feb 2023
Leeds, United Kingdom172 contributions60 helpful votes
I didn't stay specifically at the lodge as I lived in the estate, I did however spend many a day around the pool in summer. The vibe is chilled and food is great. The team that work there are super amazing and always happy to accommodate anything you may need. The pool is clean and warm in summer with great views across the estate to the VOP. If in the estate and you want something less commercial (like the Capital) then head here for good service, quality engagements and a relaxing time
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Date of stay: December 2022
Value
Location
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Trip type: Travelled with friends
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Judy W wrote a review Feb 2023
23 contributions15 helpful votes
The resort facilities are beautiful and its cleanliness highly impressive. The units are comfortable and well equipped with all that you would need. Lovely touches with bath robes and bedroom slippers and really divine coffee. The breakfast area is well ventilated and the breakfast spread is varied and delicious. My only complaint would be the lack of black out curtains in the units as the sun peeps in very early and disturbs your sleep which is not conducive for a restful and relaxed stay. We also found the security guards at the main gate to be quite aggressive and impatient with us as visitors. The resort needs to inform their visitors that data or a roaming phone is needed in order to access the premises due to the gate codes you receive on check in. None of this was made clear to us and so the process to access the property was challenging and quite an unpleasant experience. I would also advise visitors to be careful in the parking and the walkways between units during wet days as the floors are extremely slippery when you walk.
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Date of stay: February 2023
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FabrizioMambrini wrote a review Feb 2022
Johannesburg, South Africa15 contributions5 helpful votes
Been here 10 years ago, when it was managed by Fairmont resorts. Now on my return, I noticed sadly how a great location experience can be destroyed by incompetent management. People here at resort are very kind andocation still amazing, with roaring sea in front of tropical forest, and personnel are very kind, and trying to make up for continuous inconvenience created by rules designed probably by a drunk weasel. Examples: 1. Place has nice restaurant, BUT you cannot charge on the room. Even for a coffee (70 rands, or 5 euros) we were asked to settle immsdiately, and had to go back to room (300m away) to fetch my credit card. 2. On arrival, we were stopped by security at the gate, who asked a 'code' to enter (they did not accept copy of reservation) which was never provided because (as we were explained later) they cannot send to international mobile numbers. Result: after travelling 7 hours we had to wait I. Front of the gate 20 minutes. 3. They provide towels upon excha ge with bracelets (typical of low-end all-inclusive big resorts), but only at reception, and you can use only at the small pool there. If you go to the beach or beach pool, (20 mins walk away from reception) they will not provide, although they have facilities there. 4. At the beach, internet con e tion is non existant. On the positive side, room was very nice. Probably the new management team did not focus on this, yet😊
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Date of stay: February 2022Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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NatDunlop wrote a review Feb 2022
London, United Kingdom65 contributions24 helpful votes
+1
Third time staying at the lodge over a few years and it's views and setting remain special. However the rooms and blocks are in need of a refurb as starting to look grubby in parts. One of the staff mentioned work has started- block by block so hopefully this takes pace. Breakfast was of good quality though with limited options. Good menu at the restaurant and bar however service can be slow at times. If in the Dolphin Coast and you have not been here would recommend a night or two due to the unique setting. Also no slippers or gowns which was disappointing for a hotel marketed as 'luxury'.
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Date of stay: February 2022Trip type: Travelled with family
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PRICE RANGE
£85 - £126 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
ALSO KNOWN AS
fairmont zimbali hotel ballito, zimbali hotel, zimbali lodge
LOCATION
South AfricaKwaZulu-NatalBallito
NUMBER OF ROOMS
76
Prices are provided by our partners, and reflect nightly room rates, including all taxes and fees known to our partners. Please see our partners for more details.
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ZIMBALI LODGE - Updated 2024 Reviews (Ballito, South Africa)

Frequently Asked Questions about Zimbali Lodge
What are some of the property amenities at Zimbali Lodge?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include a pool, an on-site restaurant, and a lounge.
What food & drink options are available at Zimbali Lodge?
Guests can enjoy an on-site restaurant, a lounge, and a poolside bar during their stay.
Is parking available at Zimbali Lodge?
Yes, free parking is available to guests.
Are there opportunities to exercise at Zimbali Lodge?
Yes, guests have access to a pool and a fitness centre during their stay.
Does Zimbali Lodge have airport transportation?
Yes, Zimbali Lodge offers airport transportation for guests. We recommend calling ahead to confirm details.
Are any cleaning services offered at Zimbali Lodge?
Yes, dry cleaning and laundry service are offered to guests.
Does Zimbali Lodge offer any business services?
Yes, it conveniently offers a business centre, meeting rooms, and a banquet room.
Does Zimbali Lodge have any great views?
Yes, guests often enjoy the park view available here.
Is Zimbali Lodge accessible?
Yes, it offers wheelchair access and facilities for disabled guests. For specific enquiries, we recommend calling ahead to confirm.