Reviews of Sam's Giardino
Wildlife sightings and reviews
173 independent comments and wildlife information from our travellers who have visited Sam's Giardino and kindly agreed to share their thoughts. They do not necessarily represent the views of Expert Africa
Miss M
Margate
"Sam's Giardino review"
1 night Arrived 15 Oct 2016
"Although a little more basic that the places we'd stayed at previously, Sam was very welcoming and knowledgeable - he was always on hand to answer questions or sit and have a chat - the room itself was clean and very comfortable.
Also a great location to walk into central Swakopmund for dinner etc. And he has the biggest dog I've ever seen..." See all these reviews: 15n in Namibia
Also a great location to walk into central Swakopmund for dinner etc. And he has the biggest dog I've ever seen..." See all these reviews: 15n in Namibia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Good
Dr and Ms R
Bristol
"Sam's Giardino review"
2 nights Arrived 14 Oct 2016
"Sam was extremely helpful when we had car problems.
The location is not great - a long walk or a taxi drive to restaurants/sea. the staff were very nice and the garden is lovely, but overall the place seems rather old fashioned and cold. We had one really nice meal and one not so good - not great for the price." See all these reviews: 15n in Namibia
The location is not great - a long walk or a taxi drive to restaurants/sea. the staff were very nice and the garden is lovely, but overall the place seems rather old fashioned and cold. We had one really nice meal and one not so good - not great for the price." See all these reviews: 15n in Namibia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Poor
Service:
Good
Rooms:
Average
Food:
Average
Mr & Mrs SG
Cambridge
"Sam's is comfortable"
1 night Arrived 20 Sep 2016
"Our room was very comfortable and Sam was extremely helpful with maps and direction's to Wallis Bay for our kayaking trip.
We had a lovely dinner at The Tug (pre-booked by email) with a view of the Atlantic.
However, we did not particularly like Swakopmund and after our trip to Walvis Bay, we felt we would have preferred to have stayed there." See all these reviews: 14n in Namibia
We had a lovely dinner at The Tug (pre-booked by email) with a view of the Atlantic.
However, we did not particularly like Swakopmund and after our trip to Walvis Bay, we felt we would have preferred to have stayed there." See all these reviews: 14n in Namibia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location:
Average
Service:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Ms M
dublin 22
"Ideal for a few days in Swakopmund"
2 nights Arrived 14 Sep 2016
"Sam was very welcoming and was a font of information not just about Swakopmund but also about Namibia in general.
Breakfast was great and the free Wifi after days without was welcome.
We really enjoyed our stay here." See all these reviews: 13n in Namibia
Breakfast was great and the free Wifi after days without was welcome.
We really enjoyed our stay here." See all these reviews: 13n in Namibia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
G & H
London
"Friendly stay in Swakopmund"
1 night Arrived 1 Sep 2016
"Spent one night here en route from Sossusvlei to Damaraland.
The rooms are comfortable and clean if a little dated decor-wise.
We booked in for dinner - making sure we did not sign-up for all 5 courses - the food and wine was very good... as was breakfast the following morning.
We walked into town, taking about 15 minutes to reach the historic centre. If you are wanting to be close to the seafront or centre of town for other dining options then this may not be for you.
Overall we enjoyed our brief stay." See all these reviews: 7n in Namibia; 6n in Zambia; 3n in Botswana
The rooms are comfortable and clean if a little dated decor-wise.
We booked in for dinner - making sure we did not sign-up for all 5 courses - the food and wine was very good... as was breakfast the following morning.
We walked into town, taking about 15 minutes to reach the historic centre. If you are wanting to be close to the seafront or centre of town for other dining options then this may not be for you.
Overall we enjoyed our brief stay." See all these reviews: 7n in Namibia; 6n in Zambia; 3n in Botswana
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location:
Good
Service:
Good
Rooms:
Average
Food:
Good
Ms R
Rotherhithe
"Tranquil haven in the heart of Swakopmund"
2 nights Arrived 6 Aug 2016
"Had a great time, with a very European feel in the heart of Namibia's coast and dunes!
Sam was a great host, regularly checking up on us as well as introducing us to his (massive) dog Beethoven. This was without doubt one of the best breakfast sets we had in Namibia - particularly the game salami and cheese selection. Staff were attentive and professional, while our room was big and specious. The wifi was a bonus too - something you don't always get in your Namibian accommodation.
Though we only really discovered it on our last morning, Sam's garden is beautiful - sun loungers, a nice pond and a really relaxed feel. Another bonus is they don't cater for groups, something any independent traveller in Namibia will appreciate and understand!" See all these reviews: 13n in Namibia
Sam was a great host, regularly checking up on us as well as introducing us to his (massive) dog Beethoven. This was without doubt one of the best breakfast sets we had in Namibia - particularly the game salami and cheese selection. Staff were attentive and professional, while our room was big and specious. The wifi was a bonus too - something you don't always get in your Namibian accommodation.
Though we only really discovered it on our last morning, Sam's garden is beautiful - sun loungers, a nice pond and a really relaxed feel. Another bonus is they don't cater for groups, something any independent traveller in Namibia will appreciate and understand!" See all these reviews: 13n in Namibia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Good
Service:
Excellent
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Mrs W
Ontario
"Sam's Giardino review"
3 nights Arrived 2 Aug 2016
"This is a great place to use as a base while in the area.
Whilst in Swakopmund this traveller did a sea kayaking excursion. Here's what she said about it:
Fantastic!
And sandboarding:
Great fun
And a day trip into the coastal desert and Sandwich Harbour:
Great day trip!" See all these reviews: 13n in Namibia; 2n in Rwanda; 1n in South Africa
Whilst in Swakopmund this traveller did a sea kayaking excursion. Here's what she said about it:
Fantastic!
And sandboarding:
Great fun
And a day trip into the coastal desert and Sandwich Harbour:
Great day trip!" See all these reviews: 13n in Namibia; 2n in Rwanda; 1n in South Africa
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Good
Ms M
Ontario
"Sam's"
3 nights Arrived 2 Aug 2016
"Sam was helpful, especially in giving us a bit of history of the area. His garden is beautiful!
We were not crazy about the dinner, but breakfast was wonderful!
Whilst in Swakopmund this traveller did a sea kayaking excursion, here's what she said about it:
Jeanne was an absolutely spectacular guide! She even sent us videos of our kayaking experience that evening. It is clear that she loves the seals and she knows so much about them. Her stories were engrossing and very informative. This excursion was one of the highlights of our whole trip!
She also tried sandboarding:
So much fun!
And a day trip into the coastal desert and Sandwich Harbour:
Our guide was very experienced and new so much of the history and nature in the region. He was a masterful driver, careening around and over the dunes! We loved this tour!" See all these reviews: 13n in Namibia; 2n in Rwanda; 1n in South Africa
We were not crazy about the dinner, but breakfast was wonderful!
Whilst in Swakopmund this traveller did a sea kayaking excursion, here's what she said about it:
Jeanne was an absolutely spectacular guide! She even sent us videos of our kayaking experience that evening. It is clear that she loves the seals and she knows so much about them. Her stories were engrossing and very informative. This excursion was one of the highlights of our whole trip!
She also tried sandboarding:
So much fun!
And a day trip into the coastal desert and Sandwich Harbour:
Our guide was very experienced and new so much of the history and nature in the region. He was a masterful driver, careening around and over the dunes! We loved this tour!" See all these reviews: 13n in Namibia; 2n in Rwanda; 1n in South Africa
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Good
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Good
Mr & Mrs C
Romsey
"Sam's Giardino review"
2 nights Arrived 23 Jul 2016
"Sam was very willing to help and offer advice, which we found useful. Especially on how much we should be tipping the people looking after our car - about 6 namibian dollars, maybe a bit more if at night. His dog is also very friendly.
The garden looked lovely although we only walked through it once. Unfortunately the room could do with updating. We would have appreciated two glasses/cups in the room, and also a label or some information informing us what product it was in the shower (shampoo/shower gel). In shutting the curtains on the day we arrived the pole fell down and hit me as there was no stopper on the end of it. We also had the end room which did not get wifi signal - but then you are on holiday and who needs the internet! However this was meant to be the honeymoon/kingsize room and it did not feel like one.
However, Sam was very willing to do us breakfast early which I understand not all the B&Bs will. Breakfast was ok. It did however enable us to get to Jeanne Pelican Point Kayaking on time.
The kayaking was absolutely amazing. There were so many seals - it is hard to describe how many there are and what it is like without doing it. But as keen kayakers it was nice to get so close to nature. We managed to touch the seals and play with them with the paddles, and they loved us paddling fast and sideways. Something we won't forget! The buns Jeanne provided where great too, and so was the knowledge she passed on about the birds etc on the drive to and from the kayaking point.
We also did Quad Biking with dare devil adventures. My husband enjoyed this, and it was nice to get right into the dunes and to see them. However, I have previously (not here may I add) suffered a quad biking accident and when I got stuck because I wasn't going fast enough up a dune at the start, the instructor got annoyed with me or got annoyed with the fact he had to come back. We felt the instructors needed to show a bit more compassion - and reminding us to tip them at the end, not something we liked... However he did do a good thing with the black sand and magnet, which made a good photo, and it was nice to get into the dunes. But by the end of 30 minutes my husband felt we were just driving around to fill the time." See all these reviews: 12n in Namibia
The garden looked lovely although we only walked through it once. Unfortunately the room could do with updating. We would have appreciated two glasses/cups in the room, and also a label or some information informing us what product it was in the shower (shampoo/shower gel). In shutting the curtains on the day we arrived the pole fell down and hit me as there was no stopper on the end of it. We also had the end room which did not get wifi signal - but then you are on holiday and who needs the internet! However this was meant to be the honeymoon/kingsize room and it did not feel like one.
However, Sam was very willing to do us breakfast early which I understand not all the B&Bs will. Breakfast was ok. It did however enable us to get to Jeanne Pelican Point Kayaking on time.
The kayaking was absolutely amazing. There were so many seals - it is hard to describe how many there are and what it is like without doing it. But as keen kayakers it was nice to get so close to nature. We managed to touch the seals and play with them with the paddles, and they loved us paddling fast and sideways. Something we won't forget! The buns Jeanne provided where great too, and so was the knowledge she passed on about the birds etc on the drive to and from the kayaking point.
We also did Quad Biking with dare devil adventures. My husband enjoyed this, and it was nice to get right into the dunes and to see them. However, I have previously (not here may I add) suffered a quad biking accident and when I got stuck because I wasn't going fast enough up a dune at the start, the instructor got annoyed with me or got annoyed with the fact he had to come back. We felt the instructors needed to show a bit more compassion - and reminding us to tip them at the end, not something we liked... However he did do a good thing with the black sand and magnet, which made a good photo, and it was nice to get into the dunes. But by the end of 30 minutes my husband felt we were just driving around to fill the time." See all these reviews: 12n in Namibia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Average
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Good
Rooms:
Average
Food:
Average
Facilities:
Average
Mrs V
Boulder
"Nice and quiet at Sam's Giardino"
2 nights Arrived 20 Jul 2016
"We had a great stay at Sam's Giardino. Sam is a very pleasant man and he has a bit of a oasis in the city.
The only thing that would have been nicer is if we were about 5 minutes closer, walking distance, from the heart of town." See all these reviews: 9n in Namibia; 3n in Zambia; 1n in South Africa
The only thing that would have been nicer is if we were about 5 minutes closer, walking distance, from the heart of town." See all these reviews: 9n in Namibia; 3n in Zambia; 1n in South Africa
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Good
Service:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
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