Transformed by Africa's life-enhancing beauty

Nearly a century later, The Oyster Lodge, and its overgrown grounds, were sold to the siblings Kay and Ken O’Connor. They opened a tea garden, which later grew into a restaurant.

A beautiful young woman called Bea caught the eye of the distinguished hotelier Stanley Tollman, who was known for wearing a red carnation in his lapel. They shared their first dinner together at The Oyster Box.

After upgrades and expansion, The Oyster Box Hotel opened on a hillside above the famous lighthouse.

The Oyster Box Hotel was put up for sale, with owner Wayne Reed seeking to sell to a family who would continue the hotel’s rich tradition of hospitality. Stanley and Bea Tollman purchased the property, fulfilling a promise they made to each other all those years ago.

A major rebuild began in October. While iconic elements such as the revolving entrance doors and wrought-iron balustrade were retained, the hotel underwent a dramatic transformation.

In September The Oyster Box reopened: reimagined and reinvented, yet retaining the coastal charm and warm hospitality it has long been famous for. The new property delivers a host of new events and dining spaces with spectacular coastal views.