Villa Margherita

OVERVIEW:

This upmarket old colonial house is a fantastic base from which to explore bustling Swakopmund and engage in the many sites and activities in the surrounding region. Villa Margherita is close to the windswept dune coast where water sports abound, while also being wonderfully central for access to shops and great restaurants. The rooms at this historic house are very comfortable, and each has its own style and charm. Il Tulipano, the on-site restaurant, is so good it needs to be pre-booked! Set amid tranquil gardens but in the centre of town, the property has everything you need to make the most of your time on the desert coast. Just along the coastline is Walvis Bay, a slightly sleepier town with a lovely lagoon where you can see dolphins, and home to Pelican Point, which is fantastic for kayaking. It’s a wonderful part of Namibia and there is so much to do here, with activities on both the dunes and at sea – you can even see the Ocean Big Five if you time it right.

ACCESS & LOCATION:

Villa Margherita is on the corner of Daniel Tjongarero Avenue and Otavi Street, right in the heart of central Swakopmund. With Walvis Bay a 30-minute drive down the road, this is a part of the Atlantic coastline that has so much going on! To get here you would generally self-drive as part of a longer African trip, staying here for two or three nights.

ACCOMMODATION & FACILITIES AT VILLA MARGHERITA:

When you enter Villa Margherita, you’ll be taken by the fine detail of the colonial design – the owners have maintained an air of elegance throughout the property. In the communal living room there is a small library and fireplace, lovely for resting up with a book and keeping warm during the cooler months, or after a long day on the ocean wave! The restaurant is one of the best in town, and there are beautiful gardens with a decking area – in summer, breakfast is served here, making for a great start to the day. There’s also a first-rate laundry service, which is great if you’re on a longer adventure. The villa will feel like a relaxing and homely part of your trip, and there’s a great massage service if you fancy some pampering too. The staff are very pleasant, full of charm.

There are ten luxurious suites, each with its own unique décor. Some offer a comfy king- or queen-sized bed (there’s even one four-poster!), with twin rooms available too. All are elegantly furnished with a mixture of antique and modern artworks and some striking black-and-white photos. They are spacious, boasting an en-suite bathroom, a separate seating area, flatscreen television, free Wi-Fi, hairdryer, and tea-and-coffee station. Other amenities include a DVD player and a library of films on request should the weather be inclement or you’d like a late-night movie! Every suite and bedroom is different from the next, as a personalised approach is the priority at Villa Margherita. Some options are great for families as they have interconnecting rooms, others have their own balcony (the Romeo and Juliet suite, naturally!), still others have larger lounge areas… but all are private and offer intimacy in abundance. The honeymoon suite almost feels like a private boutique hotel, with private parking, terrace and lounge area, and a different location opposite the rest of the villa. It’s well worth chatting with one of our consultants who has been here, as they can give you the lowdown on each room and you can choose which is best for you!

ACTIVITIES AT VILLA MARGHERITA:

With its prime location on the Atlantic coast of Namibia, Villa Margherita is the ideal place for you to enjoy the sandy beaches and a multitude of activities both on the dunes and at sea. Please note, the majority of activities are bookable and payable locally. The villa staff are very helpful when it comes to booking guests on their excursions.

• High octane

  - Adrenaline junkies come from all over the world to enjoy this town, with skydiving (needs to be pre-booked), dune-boarding, and quad biking all available for you to get out into the wild and enjoy some extreme sports through the Namib Desert dunes!

• Local tours, bikes, and birdwatching

  - There are great opportunities for you to see more of a local and authentic side to Namibia through guided tours that feature local conservation ventures and take you into local habitats. Mountain bikes can also be rented, and this is a lovely way to check out the town.

• Hot air balloons

  - You can glide over the desert in a hot air balloon. Seeing the rolling coastal dunes from the air is a breathtaking experience (needs to be pre-booked).

• The ocean wave

  - Stunning boat trips, kayaking from Pelican Point, deep sea fishing… there are many options to enjoy, both for families looking for adventure and honeymooners searching for something a little calmer, such as a romantic sunset cruise.

• Game driving

  - You can do a 4x4 safari to one of the local national parks, but this area is best for water and dune activities. We would recommend fitting in ‘big game’ experiences elsewhere on your itinerary. However, on your way down to Walvis Bay, you can do a little light safari and meet the insects and lizards that populate the dunes!

*This property is unfenced and located in a wildlife area, so large and potentially dangerous animals do pass through. If you opt to stay here, always be alert when walking around the camp and request for a member of staff to escort you if you have any concerns. Any guest is escorted after dark as a matter of course.