Strand Hotel sits on the Mole in Swakopmund. The Mole is a historic sea wall built in 1899. The Atlantic Ocean surrounds the hotel on three sides. This gives you amazing ocean views from many rooms.
The hotel opened in 2015. It replaced the old Strand Hotel that was on the same spot. The new building won the Best Hotel Development award in 2017 from Africa Property Investment. The hotel has 125 rooms and many restaurants.
Where You Will Find It
The hotel is right on the promenade with direct ocean views. You can walk to the beach in just a few minutes. The town center is about 15 minutes away on foot. Palm Beach forms right next to the hotel because of the Mole and sandbar.
Walvis Bay Airport is 45 minutes away by car. Many guests rent cars at the airport and drive to the hotel. The hotel can also arrange shuttle service if you book in advance.
Your Room Choices
The hotel has different room types to pick from:
- 74 Standard Rooms
- 40 Luxury Rooms
- 6 Junior Suites
- 2 Luxury Suites
- 1 Presidential Suite
- 2 Rooms for disabled guests
Inside Your Room
All rooms have air conditioning, minibars, and TV. You get free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel. Each room has a private bathroom with a hair dryer. Tea and coffee supplies are in every room.
Standard rooms have sliding doors with balconies. Most give you partial sea views. Some standard rooms face the garden instead. Luxury rooms and all suites have full sea views from their own balconies.
The suites are bigger with separate living areas. Junior suites feature an open plan design. Luxury and Presidential suites include dining areas too. Recent guests say rooms are spacious and comfortable.
Where to Eat and Drink
The hotel has three main restaurants plus other spots for drinks and snacks.
The Ocean Cellar
This is the high end seafood restaurant. They serve fresh oysters, wine, sushi and sashimi. The Ocean Cellar is one of the more expensive restaurants in Swakopmund but guests say the sushi is excellent.
The Farmhouse Deli
This deli works as a restaurant, coffee house, and bakery all in one. They make fresh pastries and bread daily. The menu includes bistro style food.
Brewer & Butcher
This is a micro brewery, restaurant, and bar combined. They brew craft beer on site through the Swakopmund Brewing Company. The food focuses on Namibian and German meat dishes. Big steaks and various meat options get good reviews. There is a beer garden and sea facing terrace with fire pits.
Other Spots
Welwitschia Lounge sits just off the lobby. You can get cocktails, tea, coffee, and light snacks here. Cafe Mole is outside with a soda fountain. It offers beach takeaway food with stunning ocean views.
The Spa and Fitness
Atlantic Spa has four treatment rooms. You can book deep tissue massages, reflexology, and other treatments. The spa includes a steam room and sauna. There is a rooftop garden with water features where you can relax.
The gym is well equipped and free for hotel guests. It has modern exercise machines and weights. Guest reviews mention the gym meets their workout needs.
What Guests Really Say
The hotel gets an 8.7 rating on Booking com. One guest wrote the property is gorgeous right on the beach. Reception was warm and the room was clean and well decorated.
Another guest loved the great access to the beach and breakfast variety. The individual terrace space gets mentioned often.
Many reviews talk about pristine cleanliness. Rooms and common areas stay meticulously maintained. The spacious comfortable rooms with ocean views are a big hit.
Some guests mention occasional maintenance issues. A few say value perceptions vary. Service is generally friendly and attentive. The stylish decor and atmosphere get consistent praise.
Conference Facilities
The hotel has a state of the art conference and banqueting center. Companies use it for meetings and events. The facilities include modern equipment like projectors and sound systems. Wedding parties also book the venue.
Activities You Can Book
The hotel has an Activity and Adventure Travel Office. Professional travel consultants work there. They help plan trips and book activities around Swakopmund. This service is free for hotel guests.
Popular activities include quad biking, sandboarding, Sandwich Harbour tours, kayaking, and skydiving. The staff know which companies offer the best tours. They handle all bookings for you.
Swimming at Palm Beach
Palm Beach formed next to the hotel thanks to the Mole. The sea wall blocks longshore drift and created this small pleasant beach. On sunny days, locals and tourists gather here. This is one of the best places to swim from Namibia’s coast.
The Mole and sandbar offer protection from big waves. But the water stays very cold year round. Most people find the water too cold for long swims.
What It Costs
Room rates vary by season and room type. Standard rooms cost less than luxury rooms and suites. Peak season prices run higher than off season rates.
Check in time is 2pm. Check out is 10am. The hotel sometimes offers special deals through booking websites. Comparing different sites helps find the best price.
Nearby Places to Visit
Swakopmund Museum sits 0.7 miles from the hotel. It displays local history and wildlife. The Swakopmund Jetty is 0.4 miles away. Snake Park is also 0.4 miles from the hotel.
Walvis Bay is 30 minutes south. You can take catamaran tours there to see dolphins and seals. Between July and November, whale watching tours run from Walvis Bay.
Sandwich Harbour is about 50km from Walvis Bay. Huge sand dunes crash into the Atlantic Ocean there. This makes for spectacular scenery and exciting 4×4 tours.
Parking and Security
Free parking is available for all guests. The parking area is secured. This provides peace of mind if you have a rental car. Security staff monitor the property 24 hours.
Why Choose This Hotel
The location on the Mole makes this hotel unique. Ocean surrounds you on three sides. Views from upper floor rooms are exceptional. The beach access cannot be beat.
The variety of restaurants means you can eat different food without leaving the property. Fresh oysters and craft beer brewed on site add special touches. The spa offers relaxation after desert adventures.
Modern design mixed with historic setting creates interesting contrast. The hotel feels new and fresh but sits on a site with over 100 years of history.
While staying in Swakopmund, you might also check out Hansa Hotel Swakopmund or Alte Brucke Resort Swakopmund for their historic charm and cozy vibes.
