Villa Margherita: Our full report
Villa Margherita – also know as 'The Charming House' – is an upmarket colonial-style boutique guest house, ...
... set in the heart of Swakopmund, on Namibia's Atlantic coast. It is located within walking distance of many shops and restaurants as well as the beachfront. Constructed between 1908 and 1913, it’s a lovely old house. It was, completely renovated and refurbished by owners Claudine and Amelio, and opened for guests in March 2008.Central to Villa Margherita is a formal lounge, which features stone floors and a large marble fireplace, and the original wooden staircase that leads to the upstairs bedrooms. Deep red walls and dark furniture are lightened by white panelling and bright modern artwork on the walls, and guests are free to browse the magazines and books on Namibia that are set on the coffee table.
Off the lounge, the dining room is bright and inviting, with wooden floors and yellow walls. This is where guests are served breakfast, and lunch and dinner are also available on request.
Villa Margherita has 10 smart bedrooms and suites of varying configurations. All are individual in their décor and stylishly furnished with a mix of antique and modern pieces. The walls are hung with both black-and-white photos of Namibia and modern artwork.
Most of the rooms have comfortable king- or queen-size beds, although some are twins, and every room has an en-suite bathroom with a shower or a bath, a seating area, flat-screen TV, WiFi connection, hairdryer, heater and electric blankets, with complimentary tea and coffee provided. DVD players and films are available on request.
Five of the rooms are located in the manor house, with the others in individual buildings at the side of the property.
Upstairs in the manor house are:
- The light and airy Queen Room, set in the attic space, which has a large double bed and a spacious bathroom. Double doors lead onto a Juliet balcony.
- The slightly granderKing Room, which consists of two en-suite bedrooms linked by a comfortable lounge, making it suitable for families.
- The romantic Romeo & Juliet Room, which has a double bed and bathroom, and is decorated in pale green and red. It has its own balcony with views over the rooftops of Swakopmund.
- The Adam & Eve Room, which has twin Art Deco-style beds and a matching wardrobe, as well as a spacious bathroom with separate bath. It also has its own small but separate lounge with a door leading into the garden.
- The Eden Room, which has a modern four-poster double bed and is decorated in pale green. It has a small bathroom with a shower.
- The Cottage, with two double bedrooms, is ideal for families as they can be interlinked. Both rooms have access to a paved patio area and the garden.
- The Lady Hamilton Room has a separate lounge and small bathroom with shower.
- The Lord Nelson Room also has a separate lounge, and the bathroom has a bath.
- The Nest is a small cottage with a white picket fence and pretty garden. This, too, would work well for families as it has two bedrooms – one double and one twin – with a shared bathroom and a large lounge area.
- The Villa is a spacious, renovated house with wooden floors throughout. Along with two en-suite rooms there is a large lounge, dining room and separate kitchen, so The Villa can also be used on a self-catering basis.
- Tristano is a spacious twin bedroom decorated in pink, green and red, with an en-suite bathroom with shower.
- Isotta has a four-poster double bed and a small lounge area and is decorated in more neutral tones. It also has a small en-suite bathroom with shower.
Villa Margherita's hosts will also help to arrange all kinds of activities for guests, although they prefer to focus on the less commercial tours, and those that support conservation of local habitats – such as the day trip to Sandwich Harbour, or the half day trip kayaking with seals. Other options include sky-diving, and dune-boarding or quadbiking through the Namib Desert dunes. (NB: It's essential that you read the Quadbike warning in the 'Health & Safety' section below for our comments on insurance issues regarding this activity.) If you need a break after an exciting day outdoors, Villa Margherita also offers massage treatments in their small spa room.
Our view
Villa Margherita is a good upmarket choice for two or three nights in Swakopmund during a Namibia self-drive safari. With its cosy fireplaces and elegant staircases, it displays the unique charm of an old house – but tastefully peppered with modern furniture and artwork. Staff are exceptionally attentive and helpful, and spacious family rooms make it a good option for families.
Namibia expert
Geographics
- Location
- Swakopmund & Walvis Bay, Namibia
- Ideal length of stay
- A stay of 2–3 nights is ideal to explore Swakopmund and partake in some of the many activities available.
- Directions
- Villa Margherita is set on the corner of Daniel Tjongarero Avenue and Otavi Street, in Swakopmund.
- Accessible by
- Self-drive
Food & drink
- Usual board basis
- Bed & Breakfast
- Food quality
- Breakfast is served at individual tables in Villa Margherita's dining room or in the garden during summer. Expect fruit salad, fresh breads and rolls with butter and jams, juices and coffee, as well as smoked salmon, scrambled eggs and English breakfasts.
Villa Margherita also serves lunch and dinner solely for its guests, focusing on local ingredients. From smoked salmon to oryx carpaccio to homemade pasta dishes, as well as fillet steak – gourmets are spoilt for choice. The restaurant's small bar offers a selection of beers, as well as South African and Italian wines to go with your meal. - Dining style
- Individual Tables
- Dining locations
- Indoor and Outdoor Dining
- Further dining info, including room service
- Yes
- Drinks included
- Drinks are not included except for tea and coffee.
Children
- Attitude towards children
- Children are welcome at Villa Margherita.
- Property’s age restrictions
- Children of all ages are welcome as long as they are kept under parental supervision.
- Special activities & services
- Babysitting can be arranged but note that babysitters are members of staff and not professionally trained childminders.
- Equipment
- None
- Generally recommended for children
- Yes
- Notes
- The Nest and The Cottage are ideal for families and extra beds can be added on request.
Communications
- Communications
- WiFi access is available throughout the property. Personal laptops are available on request. There is also good cellphone reception in Swakopmund.
- TV & radio
- Each suite is equipped with a flat-screen TV.
- Water supply
- Mains
- Water supply notes
- The tap water is suitable for drinking
Health & safety
- Malarial protection recommended
- No
- Medical care
- There are doctors and hospitals in Swakopmund.
Quadbike warning: Quadbiking 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 taking part. Be aware that some insurances cover quadbike activities only for bikes with lower engine ratings; check such clauses particularly carefully before you get on a bike. - Dangerous animals
- Low Risk
- Security measures
- There's a safe for personal belongings in every room. Off-street and on-street parking for guests is available, and there is a security guard who keeps an eye on the parking area at night.
- Fire safety
- Fire extinguishers are available in all the main areas, as well as smoke detectors.
Activities
4WD Safari
Birdwatching
Boat trip
Dune-boarding
Fishing
Kayaking
Mountain biking
Quad-biking
Extras
- Disabled access
- On Request
- Laundry facilities
- Full Laundry Service available at an additional charge
- Money
- There is a safe in each room. Currency exchange is available in emergencies only.
- Accepted payment on location
- Cash payments may be made in Namibian dollars and South African rand. Most major credit cards are also accepted.
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.
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 G'house
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.
Organic Square
Organic Square is a modern guesthouse across two properties in the centre of Swakopmund.
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.
Desert Breeze
Not your typical Swakopmund guesthouse, Desert Breeze occupies a glorious location overlooking the Swakop River and the desert beyond.
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.
