Vistas from Beach Hotel

By Marita van Rooyen 

Beach Hotel Swakopmund is officially Swakopmund’s tallest accommodation facility. It is located right on the edge of the beach, and offers amazing panoramic views from its cosy roof terrace.

So next time you visit Swakopmund, treat yourself to a sundowner from the fourth-floor lounge and make your way up to the splash pool on the roof, from where you can see the majestic Atlantic spread out far and wide. The lights from the Jetty add colour to the night skies and allow time for romance while sipping your drink of choice. Co-owner and manager Peter Weichhart is a man who knows his wines. You can take his word when he recommends an option to wet the palate. “I developed my interest in wines through a love of consuming it myself!” Expanding on this passion, wine tastings at the Beach Hotel are in the pipeline, as is a traveller’s gym in the basement of the hotel.

Peter and wife Julie are also caretakers of Swakop’s three historical anchor points, two being located just behind the hotel. Fittingly, the on-site restaurant is named after one of these landmarks, and offers a wide range of meals for hungry travellers. Try the Ham Platter ‘The Anchor’, a plate of Parma and German Black Forest ham served with root vegetables, or slices of smoked Namibian game as a starter. Then opt for one of the house specialities – which range from Austrian Pepper Steak to Prawns La Lolita – as your main course. For dessert, the Chocolate Mousse and Peach Melba are popular choices

The Beach Hotel offers a selection of accommodation options to suit any traveller’s needs, ranging from luxury apartments, comfort apartments, comfort rooms, standard rooms and family rooms. All units are furnished with solid wooden pieces imported from Indonesia, with reconstructed Persian carpets adding colour to the classical look. The walls are decorated with images taken by Peter himself all across Namibia.

All rooms have lockable wardrobes and a room safe, a modern tea-and-coffee station, heating and air-conditioning, free Internet access, TV with 16 channels and a USB connection (if you’re travelling with a PlayStation, you’ll be happy to know that the television sets can accommodate one of these machines as well), room service, hairdryer and the ever-present sound of the waves crashing down on the beach below.

Plus points include an express check-out system, 24-hour reception, free and abundant parking at the hotel, a booking service, and the focus on ecofriendly operations. Peter says Beach Hotel is one of the most ecofriendly hotels in the country, if not the friendliest! “All our lights are fitted with LED bulbs, we make use of a circulatory boiler system, have a recycling system, and our rooms are fitted with the lowest eco-consumption mini-fridges.”

As proof of Beach Hotel continually expanding its family-friendly facilities, a kiddies’ play park is scheduled for completion by December. www.beach.na