Curiocity Backpackers will open Curiocity Durban on October 1.

This new five-star ‘poshtel’ will be housed in the 1930s art deco building, Ambassador House, in Monty Naicker Street near the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre (Durban ICC). It’s located in the Rivertown triangle, an area being developed by Propertuity, founders of Johannesburg’s Maboneng district.

A ‘poshtel’ is a merging of the backpackers/hostel concept with a budget boutique hotel model. It will offer 100 beds comprising 50% dormitory-style accommodation and 50% private and luxury rooms, some with en-suite bathrooms.  It will also have a restaurant, bar, communal spaces, an outdoor yoga facility and outdoor cinema. Free WiFi will also be offered.

Bheki Dube, Curiocity Durban’s owner, says travellers are seeking immersive experiences, which Curiocity Backpackers has been very successful in providing in Johannesburg.

“We will be offering our guests and other curious explorers, public art walkabouts in and around the city, cycling tours that explore interesting facets of Durban and surfing excursions to some of its top surfing hotspots. We will also be partnering with Durban tour operators that offer unusual experiences in the city.”

Bheki adds that the hostel’s prime location near the Durban ICC means that conference organisers will be able to combine conferencing with activities offered at Curiocity Durban, such as yoga classes or team-building experiences.

He says the opening of the Durban ‘poshtel’ is part of the strategy to open 50 Curiocity hostels across Africa and to become the leading five-star hostel chain on the continent. He is currently looking at a second hostel location in Johannesburg and is also exploring potential opportunities in Mozambique.