Hotel Helmeringhausen: Our full report

Hotel Helmeringhausen lies in the small town of Helmeringhausen in southern Namibia.

It is an eccentric hotel which forms part of the 100km² Farm Helmeringhausen. Founded during the German colonial era as a farm this land became famous for breeding Karakul sheep.

Helmeringhausen is a tiny town made up of the hotel and a small store selling basic provisions and fuel.

None of the Expert Africa team have visited Hotel Helmeringhausen recently - although several of us have been over the years. We don't expect that it's changed enormously, but here is the most up-to-date description of it:

Hotel Helmeringhausen has 22 en-suite rooms. Each is basic and fairly sparsely decorated but clean and comfortable. Furnishings include twin beds covered in fresh white linen and mosquito nets. Towels are also provided.

Hotel Helmeringhausen has a restaurant where 3-course meals are served and a tea/coffee station is available. At the back of the hotel there is a small swimming pool with a few tables and chairs set around a barbeque area. The hotel also has a cosy lounge with comfortable sofas and a fireplace. Given its remote location, expect to meet a mixture of independent travellers and local farmers when visiting the bar for a drink!

To the front of Helmeringhausen Hotel is a lush garden with tables and chairs where visitors can relax. Tea/coffee, cakes, cold drinks and light lunches are served throughout the day and can be enjoyed here.

Nature drives and hiking trails can be arranged on request but as most travellers just use the hotel for an overnight stop these activities are not regular. Hotel Helmeringhausen would make an economic, if slightly unusual, stop-over when travelling between Fish River Canyon or Lüderitz and Sossusvlei.

Our view

This hotel from a bygone era has more of a lodge feel and makes for a convenient overnight stop to break the long drive between the Namib Naukluft National Park and Luderitz or the Fish River Canyon. It has been a few years since any of our team stayed here, so we are not sure what their service standards are currently.

Sabina Hekandjo

Namibia expert

Geographics

Location: Southern Namibia, Namibia
Ideal length of stay: Hotel Helmeringhausen is most often used as a one night stopover.
Directions: Helmeringhausen Hotel is situated in the tiny hamlet of Helmeringhausen.
Accessible by: Self-drive

Food & drink

Usual board basis: Half Board
Dining style: Individual Tables
Dining locations: Indoor Dining
Further dining info, including room service: No

Children

Attitude towards children: Children of all ages are welcome, although the hotel has limited appear for most children - with no special activities laid on for them.