Zum Sperrgebiet Seaview Hotel: Our full report

Zum Sperrgebiet Seaview Hotel is a fairly modern hotel built of brick, with orange iron railings. (Many of the buildings in Luderitz are painted with bright colours!) It offers comfortable accommodation overlooking the harbour/bay and is just a short 10-minute walk away from the town centre.

(Don't confuse this hotel with the old 'Zum Sperrgebiet' hotel in town – which has now closed down; this is totally different and much nicer!)

All 22 twin rooms at the Zum Sperrgebiet Seaview are the same – complete with a bright, pastel colour scheme of blue and green. These bedrooms are comfortable and tidy; each has twin beds pushed together, which share a wooden headboard. Attached to this are small bedside tables with a reading lamp suspended above them. There are two comfortable arm chairs made of whicker and bamboo with a small glass top table, wardrobe and a vanity table and stool. There is a small color television, tea/coffee making facilities and a direct dial telephone line in each of the rooms. A nice touch is that each room also has a small balcony overlooking the town and the harbour below. Some interleading rooms are used for families.

Each room has an en-suite bathroom containing a flush toilet, a shower, and a wash basin with some essential toiletries. There's a hairdryer also provided in the bathroom. None of the rooms has a bath, but each of the hotel's two floors has two rooms, with a bath in each.

The Zum Sperrgebiet Seaview Hotel doesn't have air-conditioning – but then this isn't often needed in Luderitz! It does have plug-in electric fan heaters and additional blankets, which are provided in winter on request.

You enter the Zum Sperrgebiet Seaview via large glass doors that lead into the cool, bright reception area where you will be greeted by friendly staff. Beyond the reception you will find the bar area and a comfortable lounge, with the restaurant leading off this. The small guest lounge has plenty of armchairs and small tables, where you can relax and chat, watch the TV or read some of the information provided about the local area and news. There is also a small display case with a few curios on show.

The bar area has cushioned bar stools and there is usually a staff member on duty throughout the day. The restaurant is simply decorated and has individual dining tables. The lights are kept dim and there is usually some classical back-ground music being played during dinner.

Zum Sperrgebiet Seaview also has a lovely, relaxing sauna to unwind in or alternatively you can just take a swim in their indoor heated pool. The pool is in an atrium with high glass windows letting in plenty of light, making it feel airy. It is surrounded by ferns and palms which give it a wonderful sub-tropical feel. There are a few loungers and chairs around the pool, and on a balcony overlooking the pool are dining tables where guests can enjoy a snack.

The hotel offers safe parking for its guests in the front of the hotel, as well as parking within the hotel grounds – it has a security guard on duty 24 hours. However, when we where last there we found that it was easier to park outside, as the secure parking area can be a little cramped. Consequently there is always the possibility of getting boxed in by other residents.

Our view

The Zum Sperrgebiet Seaview offers clean and comfortable standard-hotel accommodation in Luderitz and so makes a good base for exploring the town and the surrounding area.

Geographics

Location: Luderitz, Namibia

Ideal length of stay: 2 nights – few people will want to spend much lot longer visiting Luderitz; unless you plan on doing a lot of activities.

Directions: For self drive guest arriving from Aus, take your first right turn into Stauch Street and this will then join onto Woermann Street, take your first left turn and the Sea-view Zum Sperrgebiet hotel is situated at the corner of Goring and Stettiner Road. Please note that many of the streets in Luderitz are not tarred and this adds to the charm and old feel of this lovely harbour town.

Key personnel

Owner: Property Chain - Protea Hotels

Staff: Hotel Manager: Ingrid Morgan Chef: Naomi

Food & drink

Usual board basis: B&B

Food quality: The hotel's restaurant usually offers an a la carte menu, although when they have a large group staying there you will find a set menu served in the evening. The food is perfectly adequate, but largely uninspiring; as there are several interesting restaurants in Luderitz, we'd expect most visitors to eat out.

Dining style: Individual Tables

Dining locations: Indoor Dining

Drinks included: Drinks are not included.

Special interests

Photographic: Luderitz is a good spot for photographers who can visit the breeding colony of African penguins on Halifax Island, on one of the Sedina's boat trips – which are also good for spotting heavy-side dolphins and cape fur seals. Don't miss the fascinating deserted mining town at Kolmanskop, which is being swallowed up by the desert.

See more ideas for Photographic in Namibia

Children

Attitude towards children: Children of all ages are welcome.

Equipment: Yes, both cots and highchairs are available.

Generally recommended for children: Yes

Notes: Children must be supervised at all times.

Central communications

Power supply: Mains Electricity

Communications: There are telephones in each room, and good mobile reception here. There is an internet connection in the manager's office, and also fax at reception desk.

TV & radio: There's a TV in each room, although the reception was a bit fuzzy when we last visited; it can be used to listen to some radio stations.

Health & safety

Malarial area: No

Medical care: There is a medical doctor in town

Dangerous animals: Low Risk

Security measures: 24 hours security guard on duty

Fire safety: There are fire extinguishers on each floor.

Extras

Disabled access: On Request

Laundry facilities: A laundry service can be done on request for an extra charge.

Money: No currency exchange and travellers cheques can be exchanged only if they are in South Africa Rand.