Villa Margherita is a small luxury boutique hotel in the heart of Swakopmund. The property consists of four stylish buildings all located close to each other on the same grounds. This creates a unique mix of contemporary art and historic colonial buildings.
The building was called Dr Schwietering Haus at the beginning of the last century. It served as the private residence of Swakopmund’s first doctor, Mr and Mrs Schwietering. The Cottages were formerly the stables for Dr Schwietering’s horses.
The house was constructed between 1908 and 1913. It got completely renovated and refurbished by owners Claudine and Amelio. The hotel opened for guests in March 2008.
The name Margherita means daisy in Italian. It represents Love, Beauty, Transformation and New Beginnings. These are the very foundations of Villa Margherita itself.
Your Room Choices
When it came to creating the guest bedrooms, owner Claudine thought big and opted to slot in just 7 generously sized doubles. Only eight double rooms with fifteen well trained staff members ensure that each guest’s needs are serviced in a friendly, prompt, and professional manner.
Each room has its own name and theme:
- The King
- The Queen
- Romeo and Juliet
- Eden
- Lady Hamilton
- Lord Nelson
- The Cottage
- Adam and Eve (features twin beds and both shower and bath)
Room Features
Many of Villa Margherita’s original features remain including elegant staircases, fireplaces, cornicing, and panelling. These now serve as backdrop to big canvases of pop art, eye catching designer lamps and an eclectic mix of sculpture, masks and photography.
Every room includes:
- En suite bathroom with shower
- Flat screen TV
- Electronic safe
- Free WiFi
- Tea and coffee making station
- Hair dryer
- Work desk
- Seating area
Most rooms are spacious enough to provide a private lounge area. Some rooms feature garden views. Guest reviews consistently call the rooms huge, very clean, and very comfortable.
There is a big dash of deco and a mood that is both lighthearted. Count on a big comfortable room, great food and kindly care from a team of excellent staff.
Il Tulipano Restaurant
The in house restaurant Il Tulipano offers guests a wonderful array of Namibian specialities prepared the Italian way or vice versa. This restaurant is only available to guests staying at Villa Margherita.
Il Tulipano is not only the Italian word for tulip but also means I am here in Oshiwambo. The fare is truly Italian prepared with Namibian ingredients.
What Guests Say About the Food
The chance to dine in Villa Margherita’s restaurant Il Tulipano is one of the best reasons for booking a stay here. The culinary aim is to combine the best of local ingredients with recipes from Italy.
A starter of beef carpaccio with flaked parmesan was followed by homemade fusilli with fresh salmon and a rich tarragon sauce. The fillet of beef was served with fresh pesto sauce, polenta and pan grilled peppers and aubergine. The homemade sorbet was the perfect way to end the meal.
Guest reviews say the food is absolutely incredible. Multiple people mention the coffee is better than in any restaurant in Swakopmund.
You must inform staff at reception as soon as possible if you wish to eat in house. The restaurant needs to be pre booked because of limited seating.
The Breakfast Experience
You are guaranteed a great breakfast at Villa Margherita which will be accompanied like dinner by some kind of uplifting music of the jazz or classical kind. Guests are individually served by Villa M’s uniformed waiting staff.
After a fruit salad, juice, a basket of fresh bread and rolls, butter and jams and the very best coffee are brought to your table a cooked breakfast order is taken. It could be a variant on the English theme or if you prefer smoked salmon with creamy scrambled eggs.
Sumptuous breakfasts are individually served from 7am. During summer, breakfast is served in the beautiful gardens.
Other Services
The hotel offers full licensed bar service up to 9pm, a bouquet of professional massages from 2pm to 8pm and laundry service.
The Bar and Lounge
There is a small bar with a selection of beers. They stock South African and Italian wines to go with your meals. The bar area includes a comfortable lounge where you can relax.
Off the lounge sits a formal sitting room. It features stone floors and a large marble fireplace. The original wooden staircase leads to upstairs bedrooms. Deep red walls and dark furniture get lightened by white panelling and bright modern artwork.
Massage Services
Professional massages are available from 2pm to 8pm daily. This is perfect after a day of desert adventures or beach activities. The massage services add to the relaxation factor of your stay.
Gardens and Outdoor Areas
Villa Margherita is surrounded by beautifully manicured gardens. The property features a sun terrace and outdoor seating area. There is also a picnic area where you can sit.
The inner yard is great for relaxing in the evening according to guest reviews. The gardens provide peaceful views and create a calm atmosphere in the middle of town.
Parking and Security
Free parking is possible on site when you book in advance. The parking area is secured. This is important if you are driving around Namibia in a loaded up 4×4. The secure parking provides peace of mind.
Nearby Attractions
Nearby attractions include Kristall Galerie at 0.2 miles, Bar Zonder Naam at 0.3 miles, and Hohenzollernhaus at 0.2 miles.
The Swakopmund Jetty Pier is 12 minutes walk from the hotel. National Marine Aquarium of Namibia sits at a moderate distance. All of Swakopmund’s most interesting sights are within easy stroll.
Activities you can book include sailing, sandboarding, dolphin tours, kayak trips with dolphins, quad biking, horse riding, camel riding, sightseeing flights, paragliding, fishing, and boat trips. Ask at reception about any of these activities.
Booking Details
Please inform Villa Margherita of your expected arrival time in advance. You can use the Special Requests box when booking or contact the property directly.
This property does not accommodate bachelor or similar parties. Quiet hours are between 22:00 and 07:00. Guests under the age of 18 can only check in with a parent or official guardian.
The hotel offers 9.3 rating on Booking.com. This shows consistent quality and satisfied guests.
Activities from Villa Margherita
The hotel staff help arrange all activities. This free service saves time and ensures quality tour operators.
Popular day trips include:
- Sandwich Harbour tours where dunes meet ocean
- Walvis Bay catamaran cruises to see dolphins and seals
- Whale watching from July to October
- Dune 7 visits for sandboarding
- Desert tours to see Welwitschia plants
- Cape Cross seal colony visits
- Kayaking at Pelican Point
Staff at reception know which companies offer the best experiences. They make all bookings and provide local recommendations.
Best For Which Travelers
Villa Margherita suits specific traveler types:
- Couples wanting romantic boutique experience
- Food lovers interested in excellent cuisine
- Travelers who appreciate art and design
- People seeking personalized service
- Guests who value central walking location
- Anyone wanting authentic historic building
The property might not suit travelers needing pool facilities or those wanting large hotel amenities. But for intimate boutique experience with character, Villa Margherita delivers.
Final Thoughts
Villa Margherita stands out from standard Swakopmund hotels. The historic building tells stories from over 100 years ago. Modern renovations respect this history while adding contemporary comfort.
The food quality exceeds expectations. Il Tulipano restaurant alone justifies booking here. Combined with spacious rooms, beautiful gardens, and helpful staff, you get complete package.
The small size means limited availability. Book well in advance especially for peak season. Request your preferred room when making reservation as each one differs.
For travelers seeking boutique charm, excellent food, and personal service in central Swakopmund, Villa Margherita hits all the marks. This is where unwinding is taken seriously.
