If you can imagine yourself in a fine countryside manor house overlooking orchards and then at the same time imagine you are in an urban chic, modern hotel, then you could see yourself at The Weinberg Windhoek for sure. Cape Town meets Stellenbosch in central residential Windhoek.
Previously named, Am Weinberg Boutique Hotel, this elegant 42-room hotel is built around a heritage building. It offers contemporary amenities with a touch of class and sophistication without being presumptuous. They've perfected the balance between lavish and homely, unpretentious, yet certainly gives you a feeling of being in the presence of the elite.
From colours, textures and materials used, the well thought out décor makes you feel right at home, if the home is that of your wealthy, but down to earth aunt and uncle perhaps. Nothing is out of place and be assured every fine detail has been thought out to ensure a top class stay.
Colonial meets modern, fine country living and 21st century all in one, in harmony. Add great service, multiple dining options, roof–top terrace and world class spa and you find yourself in one of the best up and coming places to stay in Windhoek, without actually feeling as though you are in the capital city at all.
1 Night
Bed and Breakfast
5 Star
Hotel
Spoken Languages: Afrikaans, English, Spanish
No. Rooms: 43
Special Interests: Gourmet, Leisure, Relaxation, Shopping, Wine
The main lodge appears to have been carved out of the desert rather than built atop it so natural are the materials and so sensitive the architecture. At the base of a rocky mountain, Namib Outpost looks out across what must be one of the most spellbinding views on Earth: an uninterrupted panorama so vast it beggars belief, no hint of human habitation and an ever-shifting spectrum of blondes, browns, yellows and reds framed by a mountain range of Martian hues topped with a deep blue sky only the world’s oldest desert can produce.
The rooms are huge stone-walled, thatch-roofed suites that line the mountain base, spaced far apart and angled just right for you to enjoy the view through the floor-to-ceiling windows or your large shaded balcony. The décor is luxurious and elegant, the en suite bathroom is huge with a double-volume shower and twin basins. You have your own lounge area and outside loungers to relax in the heat of the day or watch the night sky. With zero light pollution it does its level best to top the daytime viewing.
The main lodge serves a set menu dinner under those same stars, or indoors beside a towering chiminea on wintry desert nights. Two swimming pools, bar, viewing deck and cool lounge offering whiskey and cigars, cover all the de-stressing bases.
Despite the arid conditions, you will likely see oryx - the national animal of Namibia - ostrich, mountain zebra and springbok dotting the plains below. Keep a pair of binoculars at hand and you might be lucky enough to see cheetah or leopard - a good excuse for another cold drink thank you very much. High above the lodge is an unmissable sunset viewing deck and the Outpost has a well-marked 10km running trail. Another activity you should seriously consider is an overnight horse riding trail, where you spend a night at an open-air camp beneath the stars. Sister lodge, the Desert Homestead is most famous for its desert rides either short outrides or multi-day treks - could there be a better way to experience this magnificent place? A hot-air balloon at sunrise might come close. And did we mention a day trip to Sossusvlei? Don’t forget about Sossusvlei.
2 Nights
Dinner, Bed and Breakfast
4 Star
Lodge
Spoken Languages: Afrikaans, English
No. Rooms: 12
Special Interests: Hiking, Leisure, Nature, Star Gazing
Occupying most of the breakwater responsible for the calm bay, the Strand Hotel is inches from the roaring Atlantic. Rooms, spotless and tasteful, come in a variety of sizes and configurations, most of them sea-facing, and are equipped with the modern hotel's in-house conveniences like wi-fi, flat-screen telly, international plug points, air conditioning and, to be on the safe side you've got a mini-bar and room service. You get the impression they really want you to eat, drink and sleep well at the Strand Hotel. And so you shall.
The Strand includes three dining options not to mention room service.
The Brewer & Butcher is clearly building on the Brauhaus and Kucki's success stories. A lively place to enjoy traditional Namibian food which is, by turn, influenced by German food so expect jolly portions of Eisbein sidestepping trays of cascading bierkröge held aloft. The Farmhouse Deli is where the buffet breakfast is served offers a more informal cafe feel. The Ocean Cellar is The Strand's signature restaurant and presents an exciting and much-needed quality seafood restaurant to balance out Swakopmund's meat-heavy palate. The sushi is excellent as are the oysters and, like all the eating options, you can see, hear, smell and even taste the sea. Or you can turn and face the show kitchen and enjoy that oh-so-soothing experience of watching a team of experts at work.
2 Nights
Bed and Breakfast
4 Star
Hotel
Spoken Languages: Afrikaans, English, German
No. Rooms: 125
Special Interests: Adventure, Beach / Coastal, Birding, Cycling, Fishing, Flora, Golf, Gourmet, Hiking, History & Culture, Leisure, Nature, Relaxation, Shopping, Sports, Watersports, Wildlife
Mowani Mountain Camp offers luxury accommodation, a relaxed atmosphere and what could be one of the best views in Namibia. The vast landscape of true Damaraland as far as the eye can see.
Just short of 20 kilometres from the sights that make the area of Twyfelfontein famous, on an outcrop, above the desert landscape below, you'll find Mowani Mountain Camp built on wooden platforms, hidden amongst granite boulders.
The camp's 12 tented rooms (4 Superior View, 3 View and 5 Standard), are fit for a queen with plush beds, luxurious en suite bathrooms with an exhilarating roofless section, and a private balcony with superb views of the Abu Huab River valley and Damaraland all around. If you're upping the ante and staying in the Luxury Room, Mini Suite or Mountain Suite, enjoy that view from your very own splash pool.
A refined mix of luxury and comfort, chic modern accents with touches of Africa and a stillness that brings inner peace. The perfect place to unwind and take in all the "nothingness" that surrounds you.
The private suite stops at nothing in the luxury department with a sublime setting high on a granite outcrop. A private butler will tend to your every need and the lounge, bedroom and open-air bathroom all share the same fantastic view.
2 Nights
Dinner, Bed and Breakfast
Lodge
Ongava Game Lodge has a rustic overcoat that fails to conceal its underbelly of luxury and elegance. The 14 enormous thatched chalets each have an en suite bathroom - with a view - and a large verandah looking out over the reserve.
You are perched on top of a hill here, so the views out from the main deck are well grand but this also means it's a trundle down to your room and back up again. The main lodge is open-sided under a canopy of timber and thatch and has a split-level living area, a dining room and a bar. The swimming pool looks out over a floodlit waterhole. There's a hide at the waterhole too. Splendid.
Ongava is a 30,000ha private game reserve on the southern edge of Etosha. There are three other lodges in the reserve - Little Ongava Lodge and Anderssons @ Ongava, for complete luxury and Ongava Tented Camp for an elegant sufficiency. The reserve has all of Namibia's wildlife and is the biggest custodian of black rhinos in Namibia. A highlight of the private reserve is a walking safari in which you track both black and white rhino or you can do white rhino approaching- with an armed ranger of course.
1 Night
Dinner, Bed and Breakfast
Safari Lodge
Spoken Languages: Afrikaans, English
No. Rooms: 14
Special Interests: Birding, Flora, Hiking, Leisure, Nature, Relaxation, Wildlife
Sophisticated and elegant, Mushara Outpost is a luxury addition to the Mushara collection of lodges on the eastern side of Etosha National Park.
Accommodation at Mushara Outpost is paired down luxury with eight chalets built on elevated decks with canvas roofing, floor-to-ceiling glass doors, en suite bathrooms with enclosed toilet and an open-plan shower with a cheeky private view of the Namibian bush.
The main living area is a charming farmstead house with a massive wrap-around verandah providing cool shade from the blazing sun and cooling the airy interior even further.
A large swimming pool invites an afternoon doze and the evening campfire, wine cellar and fancy food complete the picture of delightful relaxation.
The lodge is in a private game reserve with several small antelope and hundreds of birds setting the stage for your safari proper into Etosha, which is just 10km from your piece of paradise.
2 Nights
Dinner, Bed and Breakfast
Lodge
Spoken Languages: English
No. Rooms: 8
Special Interests: Adventure, Nature, Wildlife
