Durban loses its Hilton Hotel as owner severs ties with global hospitality group

The Hilton Hotel in Durban. The owner of the hotel has severed ties with the Hilton group ending their management agreement. Durban will no longer play host to a Hilton Hotel, a premier name in hospitality and business travel, after the company that owns the CBD hotel cut ties with the Hilton group.

The owners of the property, African American Properties Hotel Pty, cut management ties with the Hilton group this month. The development has shocked the tourism sector, which said it was still grappling with the decision as it had been sudden. The Hilton Hotel had been closed for several years following the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and it only recently started operating again.

An email seen byThe Mercuryfrom the hotel owner, addressed to a customer, stated that the management agreement with Hilton had ended and that the “hotel will no longer be managed by Hilton or be part of the Hilton portfolio.” The Mercury emailed the hotel owner on the available email but had not heard back at the time of publication. However the Hilton group confirmed the announcement. A Hilton spokesperson said: “As of 5 February 2026, African American Properties Hotel Pty, the owning company of Hilton Durban, has unilaterally terminated its management agreement with Hilton.

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This means the hotel is no longer part of the Hilton portfolio and is not available to book via Hilton. We are proud of the legacy of hospitality the hotel has delivered for nearly three decades. Across South Africa, our four properties continue to welcome guests – and we remain committed to the country with another three hotels in the pipeline.” Brett Tungay, national chairperson of the Federated Hospitality Association of Southern Africa said the association is concerned about the impact this situation would have on the hosting of the Tourism Indaba which takes place in May.

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