A trip into the interior with my friend Charlie took us to the derelict Hotel Mandalay in Umlaas Road.
The site, at the highest point between Durban and Pietermaritzburg has an interesting history. Originally it was the third night outspan for transport riders from Durban, after Winklespruit and Eston. The current hotel was built around 1940 by the Horner family and became a popular establishment. It was also close to Killarney Station on the old Umlaas – Illovo 2ft. gauge rail line (now lifted). Sadly the property is in a bad state of disrepair.
According to the current owner the Hotel declined and became a house of ill repute for a while. The new owner has plans to restore the Hotel in the future.