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Heinitzburg Hotel
Heinitzburg Hotel
Heinitzburg Hotel

Heinitzburg Hotel: Our full report

Affording superb views of Windhoek from its location on top of a hill, the Heinitzburg Hotel is a small converted ...

... castle that was originally built at the turn of the 19th century. Completely refurbished in June 2009, when the restaurant was also enlarged, the hotel continues to offer high quality and refined place to stay. This owner run property has all the facilities of a large luxury hotel but still retains the atmosphere and attention of a small boutique hotel. Situated in a quiet and secluded area, it is still close to the city centre, making the Heinitzburg both convenient, and a good place to indulge yourself during your trip to Namibia.

Porters will carry your luggage to one of the 16 spacious en-suite rooms which are decorated individually, with no two looking exactly the same. However all are well designed, clean and very comfortable, with a wide range of facilities. Numerous mirrors are a common feature of the rooms, which not only makes them feel more spacious, but the reflective surfaces also make the room brighter. The luxurious honeymoon suite is located in one of the castle's turrets. (Read more about a deluxe room at the Heinitzburg Hotel.)

The rooms are all built around a lovely flower-filled garden with statues and fountains, which is also home to a fair number of birds and brightly-coloured lizards. On one side of the garden, next to one of the castle turrets, is a turquoise pool (heated in winter) with an elephant statue at one end that sporadically squirts water into the pool.

Around the back of the reception area is the Garden Terrace, which has fantastic views over the city and the surrounding mountains. This is a popular spot for sundowners or afternoon tea and cakes - breakfast, lunch and dinner can be eaten at the umbrella shaded tables here. For dinners only, try the adjacent Leo's at the Castle restaurant. This offers fine dining in quite a formal setting, with white table cloths, chandeliers and uniformed waiters. The restaurant, overlooking the city which is lit up at night, offers a range of international and French cuisine.

Underneath the Leo's at the Castle restaurant is a large wine cellar, the Felsenkeller, built into the mountain rock. Filled with a wide range of quality South African and European wines that guests can enjoy with their dinner, the wine cellar can also be used to host private dinners and lunches, seating up to 24 people.

The hotel can book guests on a wide selection of day trips and activities, including golf, horse riding and game viewing. Massages can be arranged in your room. The hotel can also book private transfers for guests.


Our view

Although the refined atmosphere and luxury may be too much for those who prefer to keep things simple, if you want to stay somewhere that offers relaxation and a bit of extravagance, while still retaining its character and attention to detail, then the Heinitzburg Hotel would be perfect.

Claire Scott

Claire Scott

Namibia expert

Geographics

Location
Windhoek, Namibia
Ideal length of stay
1-2 nights
Directions
Turn left off Sam Nujoma Drive into Heinitzburg Street. The hotel is at number 22, on the right, up a very steep driveway.
Accessible by
Self-drive or Fly-and-Transfer

Food & drink

Usual board basis
Bed & Breakfast
Food quality
Breakfast is a buffet served every morning between 06:30 and 10:30 in the Knight's Room in the original castle. The buffet has a wide selection on offer, including fresh fruit, homemade jams and freshly baked breads and croissants. There's also pâté, chutney, cheese and meats. Drinks include juices, tea and coffee. Hot breakfast is cooked to order, and consists of anything from eggs cooked any way you like to a full English breakfast.

Lunch is served on the garden terrace. The lunch menu is separate to 'Leo's at the Castle' dinner menu, and consists of lighter meals such as salads.

Dinner is served from 18.30 to 22.00 in the classy Leo's At the Castle 52-seater restaurant overlooking the city. There is both an Ă  la carte and degustation menu, which is based on international, though mainly French cuisine. The gourmet food is of an excellent standard. Examples of dishes available include oysters, pigeon breast and on our last visit we ate Namibian truffles fried in butter and pan-fried sea bream in a crayfish sauce followed by a selection of fruit sorbets. All courses were delicious.

There is a wide selection of international wines and spirits on offer too.

Please note that guests are expected to dress smartly for dinner here.

Food is available at any time of day on the terrace.
Dining style
Individual Tables
Dining locations
Indoor and Outdoor Dining
Further dining info, including room service
Room service is available.

Children

Attitude towards children
Children are welcome and the hotel has some rooms specifically for families.
Property’s age restrictions
No age restrictions
Special activities & services
Activities such as drawing can be arranged for children.
Equipment
Cots and highchairs are available on request.
Generally recommended for children
Children would enjoy splashing around in the pool, but the highly-flavoured cuisine in the restaurant might be too much for some. However guests are welcome to eat at one of the numerous restaurants in town.

Communications

Communications
WiFi (this is an extra charge).
TV & radio
All rooms have satellite TV.

Health & safety

Malarial protection recommended
No
Medical care
There are many doctors located throughout Windhoek, plus very good hospitals
Dangerous animals
Low Risk
Security measures
There is a guard on site 24 hours.
Fire safety
Fire extinguishers are located in all main areas.

Activities

  • Cultural excursion

    Cultural excursion

Extras

Disabled access
On Request
Laundry facilities
Full laundry service availble - extra charge.
Money
Euros and US dollars can be exchanged.
Accepted payment on location
Visa and MasterCard are accepted. The guesthouse accepts payment in South African rand, Namibian Dollars, US dollars and Euros.

Room types at Heinitzburg Hotel

The Heinitzburg has 16 ensuite rooms...
...all decorated individually...
...with added touches of luxury...
...and beautifully designed...
...with no two looking the same.
All have ensuite bathrooms...
...with complimentary toiletries.
1 of

Deluxe room

All bedrooms are stylishly decorated in white with dashes of silver, and reflective surfaces adding some shine. A variety of different coloured bedspreads and pillows brighten the room, which also has black and white photographs of Windhoek in the early 20th century on the walls. Most rooms also have a seating area with a table with fresh flowers on it (on our last visit these were red roses) and a chandelier mounted on a mirror above the table, giving the impression that the room continues beyond the ceiling.

The rooms all have TVs with cable channels, phones and WiFi as well as air conditioning and heating (in winter). Rooms also come equipped with safes and well-stocked minibars.

En-suite bathrooms continue in the style of the room and are decorated mainly in white with silver finishings. All rooms have a large walk-in shower, while superior rooms also have baths. Bath robes and slippers, as well as a selection of bath products are provided in each room.

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