I grew up in Durban in the 60s, when the Edward was considered the best hotel on the beach, if not in all of Durban. Then I lived abroad for more than 30 years, and have made three trips back only in the past three years. For the first two trips I didn't really consider the Edward because I assumed it would be run down and past its former glory. Instead I stayed at a couple of the newer, high rise hotels on the beach. I found them impersonal and inefficient, with badly trained staff, so this time I tried the Edward. I'm glad I did.
The hotel has been renovated recently. The original architecture and detailing -- tropical deco -- have been retained. The public rooms and guest rooms are beautifully furnished. Every room has a terrrace facing the ocean. The staff were friendly, competent, thoughtful, and went out of their way to help. The restuarants were excellent. I found the Edward gracious and comfortable and will definitely stay there again. It makes quite a change from those anonymous and predictable Hiltons, Hyatts, Intercontinentals, etc.
I notice that earlier reviewers were concerned about crime in the beachfront area, and one reported begging children. The area has been cleaned up in the past year and there were certainly no begging children, or any obviously theatening people hanging around. However street crime is a fact of life anywhere in South Africa and one needs to be alert at all times. The crime in the beach area is no more dangerous than any other area in Durban -- and probably less so, because it is a tourist area and is more heavily policed.

Stayed 2 nights here during February 06. Staff very helpful, especially the concierge. The room was clean but the bathroom was very shabby/grubby and in need of reburbishment. The restaurant was adequate. I have stayed in better Protea hotels than this one.

My stay at the Hotel Edward was a disappointment. I checked in from the airport and wanted to change some money at the counter. "Sorry we don't keep cash here, its not safe. We can have someone go with you to a bank." Not at all what I expected from a supposedly classy hotel.

The rooms were adequate, the surroundings (other than the beach itself) quite dingy and run down. I was travelling on business and glad that my wife and daughter were not with me.

The hotel itself is very nice. The rooms are spacious and well equiped. However we would not recommend this hotel as it is in a dangerous area. We were repeatedly warned not to go out at night and even when we visited the restaurants next door to the hotel we were pestered by glue sniffing children. If you intend to visit Durban you are better off staying outside of the city and travelling in to visit any places of interest to you.