Swakopmund Sands Hotel: Our full report
Set back from the beach in a tranquil part of town, Swakopmund Sands is a relatively new hotel.
With 25 rooms and suites, it’s a fairly substantial property, built and finished to a high standard, and is within walking distance of Swakopmund’s restaurants, cafés and attractions.We have yet to visit Swakopmund Sands Hotel, but the Expert Africa team has worked for many years with its sister lodges, the Olive Grove and Toshari Lodge, south of Etosha, and would anticipate their Swakopmund venture to have similarly high standards.
While the hotel looks smart and contemporary, panels of vivid turquoise enliven the feel, aided by a few palms and tree ferns and some monster pottery jars. Despite that, the availability of conference facilities for up to 45 guests gives an indication of the clientele who might appreciate Swakopmund Sands.
The 25 rooms and suites are of varying sizes and styles, from “classic” to “luxury”, together with those in the adjacent Swakopmund Sands Cottage. Wooden floors throughout are topped with neutral rugs beneath wicker hanging shades, while furniture is largely contemporary - with the odd wing-backed chair breaking the mould in the suites. Décor is a blend of neutrals and blues/greys, broken up by partially patterned headboards.
Panel heating is welcome for Swakopmund’s chilly evenings, while rooms also have room fans, a fridge and tea/coffee-making facilities, and a TV with Netflix.
An en-suite bathroom with a shower is common to all bedrooms, complete with toiletries and soft towels. Some rooms may also boast a bath, while sea views are the prerogative of the cottage and the suites.
- 17 “classic” rooms can sleep either two, three or four people.
- 3 “luxury” rooms, one suiting a family of four, feature queen-sized beds and a comfortable sofa.
- 2 “luxury” suites take things up a notch, each with a king-sized bed and underfloor heating.
- Swakopmund Sands Cottage, adjacent to the main hotel and sharing its amenities, has two cottage rooms – one of them sleeping four people – and a cottage suite, all with a balcony or verandah and sea view.
After a busy day, the option of on-site massage treatments to soothe away the long hours of driving or exploring is a welcome addition.
Our view
Although we have yet to visit Swakopmund Sands, we have in-depth knowledge of the town, and are very familiar with this relatively quiet area, near the beach. We are confident that this new venture will meet the high standards that we already experience at its sister properties.
Country manager: Namibia
Geographics
- Location
- Swakopmund & Walvis Bay, Namibia
- Ideal length of stay
- 2–3 days, depending on activities planned in Swakopmund
- Directions
- Swakopmund Sands is just back from the beach in the south of the town, about ten minutes’ drive from the junction of the C28 and the B2.
- Accessible by
- Self-drive or Fly-and-Transfer
Food & drink
- Usual board basis
- Bed & Breakfast
- Food quality
- The hotel’s restaurant serves breakfast daily, incorporating both a cold buffet and cooked dishes, with vegetarians catered for too. Breakfast packs are available on request.
Light snacks are available until 7.00pm daily from the on-site bar. - Dining style
- Individual Tables
- Dining locations
- Indoor Dining
- Drinks included
- Drinking water is provided free of charge in each of the bedrooms.
Children
- Attitude towards children
- Swakopmund Sands welcomes children of any age.
- Special activities & services
- None
- Equipment
- Several rooms and suites can sleep one or two children in addition to their parents. The separate cottage may be a more comfortable setting for a family, especially if it is a group travelling together who would thus have exclusive use.
- Generally recommended for children
- We consider that the style of the hotel is fairly adult, and not geared to younger children.
Communications
- Communications
- The hotel has free WiFi and cellphone access.
- Water supply
- Mains
Health & safety
- Malarial protection recommended
- No
- Medical care
- There are doctors and hospitals in Swakopmund.
Quadbike warning: quad-biking is sometimes available as an activity in this area. As with any potentially dangerous activity, it’s vital that you take responsibility for ensuring that you have adequate travel insurance prior to getting involved. Be aware that some insurances cover quad-bike activities only for bikes with lower engine ratings: check such clauses particularly carefully before you get on a bike. - Dangerous animals
- Low Risk
- Fire safety
Activities
4WD Safari
Birdwatching
Boat trip
Dune-boarding
Fishing
Kayaking
Mountain biking
Private activities
Quad-biking
Extras
- Disabled access
- On Request
- Laundry facilities
- Laundry services are available.
- Money
- Each room and suite has a small safe.
- Accepted payment on location
- Payment may be made in Namibian dollars or South African rand, as well as with Visa or Mastercard.
Other lodges in Swakopmund & Walvis Bay
Alternative places to stay in this same area.
Cornerstone Guesthouse
Cornerstone Guesthouse is a small friendly B&B in a peaceful residential area. It's just a short walk from Swkopmund's waterfront & amenities.
Sam's Giardino
Welcoming, professionally run, and mildly eccentric, Sam’s Giardino lifts the level of hospitality in Swakopmund to unusual heights.
Strand Hotel
One of the larger hotels in Swakopmund, the Strand is well-placed on the seafront with good access to restaurants and the centre of town.
The Stiltz
Not your typical guesthouse, The Stiltz occupies a glorious location over the Swakop River on the edge of Swakopmund.
Villa Margherita
Villa Margherita is a beautifully renovated B&B in the heart of Swakopmund, with comfortable, well-appointed rooms, and friendly and attentive staff.
Beach Lodge
Right on the sea front, Beach Lodge offers good standard accommodation and its own restaurant, 15 minutes’ drive from Swakopmund.
Lagoon Lodge
Lagoon Lodge is a quirky little guesthouse located right on the edge of Walvis Bay Lagoon, a good spot for watching the flamingoes that frequent the area.
The Delight
Colourful and contemporary in style, The Delight is a relatively large hotel within a short walk of Swakopmund's waterfront, restaurants and main attractions.
Swakopmund Guesthouse
Swakopmund Guesthouse is a family-run B&B, boasting comfortable and high-quality rooms with a maritime touch.
Brigadoon
In a quiet residential location, Brigadoon is conveniently located for the Swakopmund waterfront and amenities.
Hansa Hotel
With a very central location in Swakopmund, the traditional Hansa Hotel is reliably good, though it is quite formal.
Secret Garden
Secret Garden Guesthouse is well located in the centre of Swakopmund not far from the sea. With a seaside feel, it has its own small restaurant and bar.
Sea Breeze
Just north of Swakopmund, the delightful Sea Breeze Guesthouse is bright and well-looked after with welcoming and helpful owners.
Desert Breeze
Not your typical Swakopmund guesthouse, Desert Breeze occupies a glorious location overlooking the Swakop River and the desert beyond.
Cornerstone Apartments
Cornerstone Guesthouse’s three self-catering apartments, each in its own unique location, work well for families or groups of travellers seeking space & privacy within a comfortable, contemporary setting.
Pelican Point Lodge
Pelican Point Lodge sits on a remote peninsula offering panoramic views of the ocean and is only accessible by 4WD or boat.
Namib Guesthouse
The Namib Guesthouse is a small, modern B&B, set in Swakopmund's peaceful Kramersdorf area. It's just a short walk from the coast and many amenities.
Oyster Box Guesthouse
Oyster Box Guesthouse is a small, modern and comfortable B&B, overlooking Walvis Bay Lagoon.
Pearls Beach Pods
With a beachfront location, superb sea views and easy access to the amenities of Swakopmund, The Pearls Beach Pods combine privacy with a high standard of luxury.
