Namibian coast: Beach Lodge

Text and photos by ©Sharri Whiting De Masi – All photographs copyright of the author 

Re-printed with permission of the author

A retreat directly on the beach

This article was written by Sharri Whiting de Masi, who visited Beach Lodge with her husband, Piero de Masi, Namibia’s first Italian ambassador, to gather material for the Italian edition of Travel News Namibia. 

We’ve come to know Swakopmund well in the last two decades and we’ve marvelled at its celebration of German heritage and African roots, and its continuing development of hotels, shops and restaurants. It’s a mix that works, without the commercial impinging on the historical. The only aspect we were wishing for has now come about – a hotel right on the sand, the Beach Lodge.

Built in the emerging residential neighbourhood on the northern side of Swakopmund, only five kilometres from the city centre, this is a seaside jewel that makes the most of the setting. Every room has a panoramic window, offering unsurpassed fish-eye views of the Atlantic. The ocean here is as beautiful as in fabled southern California, but, blissfully, without the crowds.

Our room was at the bow of the boat-shaped structure, and had a fabulous bathroom. Sitting in the bubble bath, with a view from sand to sea, evoked such a feeling of wellbeing that I didn’t want to climb out and go to dinner. The rooms are well designed and very comfortable, with balconies overlooking the manicured lawns, the beach and the ocean.

The lodge offers double rooms, as well as family accommodation that suits groups of friends travelling together, and families with children. Many of the rooms have fireplaces, which are great for cool evenings, and some have small kitchen facilities. Initially, only breakfast was served in the pleasant dining room, but full restaurant facilities were established early in 2008.

Surrounding the lodge are elegant residential properties and condominiums, giving a picture of how life would be if you lived on the Atlantic coast in Namibia. Going along with the neighbourhood atmosphere is the lack of bustle and noise – the crash of the waves on the beach is a lullaby, without the sound of traffic or late-night clubbers.

Since Beach Lodge is only minutes from the centre of Swakopmund, it’s easy to visit the excellent restaurants in the town, the casino and various pubs, and get back quickly to your room in the evening. The lodge has secure parking and an excellent staff.

This article appeared in the Feb/March ‘08 edition of Travel News Namibia.