Feel the Love

The UmhlangaFebruary 13, 2024

I’m so over the pink and red Valentine’s Day gifts that decorate stores this time of year. Love is not about subpar chocolates, a teddy bear you’ll forget about, and flowers that wither away within the week. This year, celebrate by making memories with your partner with the help of these spots and businesses.

As soon as 1 January rolls around, pink hearts and red roses adorn the shelves of shops in preparation for V-Day. This Love Month, we’re skipping out on the over-commercialised concept of Valentine’s Day and sticking to the root ideals of the day – appreciating and spending time with your loved one. Ditch the cheesy gifts for local, unforgettable experiences that you and your partner can both enjoy. Whatever ‘type’ of couple you are, there are lots of fun things to do in Umhlanga!

We start with the luxe couple – those who love the finer things in life and fabulous experiences – and The Oyster Box Hotel is just the place. Instead of glamorous gifts, spoil each other by opting to book a night, a dinner or a relaxing treatment at this iconic spot and create memories of your own, for years to come.

Take your pick from a selection of incredible specials and events for Love Month at The Oyster Box. At The Spa, pamper yourself and your partner with an ELEMIS Deep Tissue Back Massage (30 minutes) and ELEMIS Speciality Facial (60 minutes).

Complement your romantic night away or treat your special someone to a fine-dining Valentine’s Dinner & Dance treat in The Grill Room, with a complimentary glass of bubbly and macarons before dinner, a four-course plated menu and top entertainment. If you want a stunning view while you gaze into each other’s eyes, the Valentine’s Dinner at The Ocean Terrace is the ideal choice. Celebrate with a glass of bubbly on arrival, followed by a plated starter, buffet main course and plated dessert, with live entertainment.

The ultimate experience, the hotel’s Overnight Dinner & Movie deal is the perfect night out. This includes a one-night stay, a three-course set menu at The Ocean Terrace, a movie in the intimate cinema and a fabulous breakfast the next morning. Whatever you decide, a Valentine’s experience at The Oyster Box, with gorgeous sea views and delicious dining options, will have you falling in love all over again.

If you and your partner are more active and enjoy trying something new, why not roll into each other’s hearts in retro style at the Roller Rink? Kicking it back old school, this is Umhlanga’s first roller rink, situated within The Pearls Mall parking.

The disco theme, flashing lights, bright colours and upbeat music ensures great vibes and lots of laughs with your Valentine. It’s a unique, nostalgic and exciting date idea! Take it up a notch by dressing up for the occasion in disco fashion and neon colours. The best part is you get in a bit of physical activity and can hold hands as you have fun on four wheels. So cute!

If you and your special someone are more of the intellectual type, put your minds to the test at Mindgame Escape. This hidden gem provides a thrilling Valentine’s Day adventure with their Escape Room Experience, a romantic journey filled with mystery and teamwork.

As you enter the specially designed room, the ambience sets the stage, with dim lighting and a hint of suspense in the air. Your hearts will race as you and your partner discover a series of clues, each unlocking the next piece of the puzzle. Navigate through the intricately decorated chambers, where brain-teasing riddles await.

You will also strengthen your connection as you work hand-in-hand to decipher cryptic codes and unlock hidden compartments, and feel the adrenaline surge as the clock ticks down, adding an extra layer of urgency to your quest. This exciting experience will have you reminiscing with your loved one for a long time!

For the foodie couple who love to indulge in decadent meals together, we have the renowned The Hussar Grill. From speciality steaks wet aged for no less than 28 days to an award-winning wine list carefully curated to complement every dish, this restaurant is a culinary experience from start to finish, living up to its outstanding reputation and always delivering excellence.

Their romantic offerings ideal for treating you and your partner include the famous Date Night Tuesday – an evening worth celebrating with two delectable courses for only R450 per couple or three courses for R550 per couple, including a complimentary bottle of The Hussar Grill 50th Red and Chocolate Vodka Martinis. If you would rather feast on a love-filled lunch, from Mondays to Saturdays (12 till 4 p.m.), you can enjoy their Seasonal Lunch – a two-course midday meal of specially selected dishes for only R185 per person.

The Hussar Grill encompasses the entire dining experience, not just with their delicious food, but in every moment in between – the exceptional service, beautifully refined decor and distinguished atmosphere. Every meal is an unforgettable occasion where scrumptious memories can be made.

A great way to bond and celebrate V-Day is to do something creative together, where you can leave with something special to represent your love. Arts is IN is the local solution for you and your artistic other half. After seeing the idea overseas, Kale decided to bring the concept of casual paint parties to the East Coast in 2016 and has been creating fun, new experiences that gives others an outlet to give art a try ever since.

They aim to give couples a fun, comfortable and care-free approach to painting which lets any inhibitions they may have melt away while discovering their inner artist. For February, they will be offering public and private paint sessions for couples and groups looking to fall in love with art while falling more in love with each other! Keep an eye on their Instagram for their Love Month events.