End of an era for iconic South African hotel opened by Nelson Mandela

The Hilton group has officially terminated its management agreement with the Hilton Durban, leaving the iconic South African hotel building’s future up in the air.

“As of 5 February 2026, African American Properties Hotel Pty, the owning company of Hilton Durban, has unilaterally terminated its management agreement with Hilton,” a Hilton spokesperson told Daily Investor.

“This means the hotel is no longer part of the Hilton portfolio and is not available to book via Hilton. We are proud of the legacy of hospitality the hotel has delivered for nearly three decades.”

However, the Hilton group will retain its presence in South Africa through the Hampton by Hilton in Sandton, the Hilton Garden Inn in Umhlanga Arch, the Double Tree by Hilton and the Canopy by Hilton in Cape Town.

“Across South Africa, our four properties continue to welcome guests – and we remain committed to the country with another three hotels in the pipeline,” the spokesperson said.

“Any further questions regarding existing bookings or the future of the hotel should be redirected to the owner, African American Properties Hotel Pty.”

Hilton Durban is a well-established four-star hotel located in Durban’s central business district, approximately 2 km from the beachfront and within walking distance of the Durban International Convention Centre (ICC).

The Hilton has a long history in South Africa, dating back over 25 years to its official opening by Nelson Mandela in 1997.

The Hilton Hotel forms part of the Durban ICC precinct, which was the reason this project was one of the fastest-constructed Hilton Hotels. To coincide with the opening of the adjacent ICC, the hotel was built in just 19 months.

The Hilton Durban

The hotel was positioned to serve both business and leisure travellers, with convenient access to major transport routes, corporate offices, retail centres and cultural attractions.

King Shaka International Airport is around 35 km away, with road transfers taking approximately 40 to 45 minutes.

The hotel offered a range of modern accommodation options, including standard guest rooms, executive rooms, suites and family-friendly configurations.

Rooms were designed for comfort and functionality and include air conditioning, work desks, televisions with satellite channels, Wi-Fi access, minibars, safes and tea- and coffee-making facilities.

Executive-level guests had access to a dedicated lounge offering additional workspace and refreshments.

Hilton Durban also offered a selection of on-site amenities to support extended stays and business travel.

These include an outdoor swimming pool, a fully equipped fitness centre, a restaurant serving buffet and à la carte meals, a bar, and 24-hour room service.

The hotel also offered extensive conference and event facilities, making it a popular venue for meetings, exhibitions and corporate functions in the city.

Additional services included daily housekeeping, laundry and dry cleaning, concierge assistance, luggage storage, and secure on-site parking. Complimentary Wi-Fi was available throughout the hotel, including in public areas and guest rooms.

The hotel was also home to the Big Easy, its in-house bistro-style grillhouse, which was the brainchild of local golfing legend Ernie Els.

The Hilton Durban was beloved by the public in South Africa and was voted the best building in the province in 2005 by Visi Magazine in a nationwide survey.