There's no shortage of once-in-a-lifetime experiences on Namibia's Skeleton Coast. Swakopmund and its surroundings afford visitors the chance to venture into the Namib Desert. It can be accomplished on foot, on an ATV, atop a sandboard, by skydive, paraglide or camel ride. Visitors can fish for everything from sharks to pilchards and climb the Spitzkoppe Mountains or see an amazing seal colony at Cape Cross and stir up the massive congregation of bird life at the Walvis Bay Lagoon. After all that activity, you're going to be ready for a big, cozy bed!
The Swakopmund Hotel & Entertainment Centre is built in and around Swakopmund's historic German Station Building and the interior has been fastidiously decorated to match its Victorian architecture. Its traffic-stopping facade is home to an encyclopedia of offerings, from babysitting to tour bookings to an on-call doctor -- even an on-staff reflexologist. Inside, you'll find a hair salon, game room, casino, cinema, gym, swimming pool, conference center and restaurants aplenty. Rooms are fitted with all the five-star trimmings. One of the hotel's most unique offerings is their "Desert Evening," during which the five-star restaurant serves a banquet in the Namib Desert under an endless veil of stars.
The Swakopmund Hotel & Entertainment Centre
2 Theo-Ben Gurirab Ave.
Swakopmund
Namibia
011-264-0-64-410-5200
www.swakopmundhotel.co.za
Much more intimate than its large-scope neighbor, the Swakopmund Boutique Hotel is a small, stylish affair with gorgeous sea views of the Skeleton Coast. Tucked into a neighborhood full of bakeries, shops and coffee houses, as well as first-world medical and banking centers, the hotel is walking distance from any need that night arise. Its 21 rooms are outfitted with four-star amenities, including the latest A/V technology, which business travelers will appreciate. The on-site restaurant serves a classic menu, along with a full wine list, on their rooftop terrace.
Swakopmund Boutique Hotel
4 Sam Nujoma Ave.
Swakopmund
Namibia
011-264-0-64-417-100
www.swkboutiquehotel.com
Nestled right in the center of town, Hansa Hotel isn't just a place to collapse after an adrenalin-fueled day -- it's a destination entirely in and of itself. Built in 1905, the hotel is a Swakopmund classic with a laundry list of hospitality awards to its name. Unique hotel services include a house library; in-house medical facilities; a well-equipped fitness center; conference facilities; a secretarial service and childcare. Its rooms are widely considered to be the most luxurious in Swakopmund, with absolutely all of the expected amenities, plus under-floor heating and fresh cut flowers. The hotel restaurant boasts an encyclopedic menu, as well as a multiple award-winning wine list that represents the best the continent has to offer.
Hansa Hotel
3 Hendrik Witbooi St.
Swakopmund
Namibia
011-264-0-64-414-200
hansahotel.com.na
