Sam's Giardino: Our full report

The comfortable Sam's Giardino is set in an attractive garden, just a few minutes' walk from the centre of Swakopmund. Run by its enthusiastic Swiss owner, Sam, and his exuberant dog, Beethoven, it is both welcoming and slightly offbeat.
Many of Sam's helpful staff are women from the nearby township, who he has helped through an innovative programme of training and employment, and who now add their own welcome.

Sam's Giardino's nine spacious rooms are clean and bright with wicker furniture, white walls and linen, with an added splash of green for decoration. One king-sized room is larger than the others, although an extra bed can be added to any room. Rooms are equipped with cupboards, luggage racks, beside tables, lamps and hairdryers. Those downstairs have large glass sliding doors that lead onto the garden, while upstairs rooms have higher ceilings with skylights and views over the garden from the windows. All rooms have heating, useful in wintertime when it can get pretty chilly in Swakopmund.

Each room has an en-suite bathroom with a shower, toilet, basin and mirror, with soaps and toiletries provided.

Downstairs in Sam's main area, a lounge full of books and sofas leads off the reception area. Through the lounge is the breakfast room, which overlooks the garden. To one side of this is a wine enoteca and there's a small reading area upstairs. There's also a lovely leafy garden where guests can relax on sunloungers shaded by palm trees, or play games with Beethoven the dog.

In the morning, an extensive breakfast is served in the bright and sunny breakfast room, but by night the room is transformed into a romantic candlelit setting for dinner, with accompanying classical music. Sam, who speaks English, French and German, likes to create a relaxed atmosphere for the evening meal, chatting to guests and serving the meals himself. The enoteca allows him to indulge one of his passions – wine – and guests are enthusiastically encouraged to participate in wine tastings.

Sam is willing to help with booking any activities in the local area, from boat trips to adrenalin sports and more. He can provide maps and tour leaflets, and will explain the location of attractions and shops.

Our view

Sam's Giardino is a firm favourite amongst our travellers. It offers a warm welcome, good food and comfortable rooms not far from Swakopmund's town centre – and Sam has initiated a particularly good staffing model, which is having a positive impact on some of the poorer people in the community.

Geographics

Location: Swakopmund & Walvis Bay, Namibia

Ideal length of stay: 2–3 nights

Directions: Sam's Giardino is two minutes' drive from Swakopmund town centre, or ten minutes on foot. There is secure parking out the back.

Key personnel

Owner: Sam Eggar – and Beethoven the dog.

Food & drink

Usual board basis: B&B

Food quality: Breakfast involves a wide range of fruit and cereal, breads, yoghurt, home-made Swiss muesli, plus cooked eggs and bacon, which is all very well prepared and served.
Lunch is not served, but Sam can make you a sandwich on request.
Dinner is a five-course set menu that is served at 7.30pm. If there are only a few guests then dinner can be served in the enoteca. Guests can participate in wine tasting before dinner.

Dining style: Group Meals

Dining locations: Indoor Dining

Children

Attitude towards children: Children are welcome at Sam's Giardino.

Equipment: Cots can be provided.

Generally recommended for children: Yes

Central communications

Power supply: Mains Electricity

Communications: WiFi is available in the main areas.

TV & radio: There is a television in the lounge with English and German channels.

Health & safety

Malarial area: No

Medical care: There are doctors and a good hospital in Swakopmund.

Dangerous animals: Low Risk

Security measures: There is a night guard from 11.00pm.

Fire safety: There are fire extinguishers in all rooms.

Extras

Disabled access: On Request

Laundry facilities: Laundry is available for an extra charge.