A Week from Hell at Umhlanga Sands Resort

A Week from Hell

My recent stay at Umhlanga Sands was nothing short of a nightmare, akin to a week spent in confinement. As a timeshare holder with over 5 rooms booked for my family's annual gathering, I expected a relaxing holiday, but instead, we were treated like prisoners.

The inclement weather and the closure of Durban beaches left us confined to the resort, where we were constantly harassed by security. Despite being a self-catering resort, we were forbidden from eating our own food in public spaces. To add insult to injury, this restriction was especially problematic as none of the resort's restaurants offered Halal options, leaving us with no choice but to dine in our rooms. Due to the large number of family members spread across different rooms, we were unable to dine together in a single room. We got publicly humiliated by Management and Security when we tried to eat our food at the downstairs outdoor area. Even at the pools, we were not allowed to bring our own snacks or treats, and them telling us to purchase non-Halal options from the resort.

Adding to the frustration, we were subjected to a nightly curfew, prohibiting us from enjoying any family game nights outside or even staying downstairs past a certain hour.

We were not allowed to use the outside seating at night, and to our disbelief, the resort staff went as far as switching off all lights, making it impossible for anyone to see anything. This blatant disregard for guest comfort and safety only added to our overall terrible experience.

Overall, our experience at Umhlanga Sands was nothing short of a disaster. We were made to feel like prisoners, confined to our rooms and unable to fully enjoy the amenities of the resort. I would strongly advise against staying here, especially for families looking for a relaxing and accommodating holiday experience.