SanDiego1K

We will be taking a self drive trip from Windhoek to Sossuvlei, then flying from Walvis Bay. We will have two nights after our stay in Sossuvlei. One day will be consumed by the drive to Swakopmund/Walvis Bay. Where should we stay those two nights? Should we spend one night a bit further north on the Skeleton Coast? Our flight is mid afternoon from Walvis Bay, so we would have time to return should we be a couple hours north.

Forrest Bump

In a such tight time I would not drive further north.
Probably you may want to base in Swakopmund/Walvis and enjoy a daytrip until Cape Cross (giant seals colony) and more, if you're keen to drive.
That road is all paved, so theoretically you can drive until Skeleton Park.

Accomodation options tend to be dottd in and around Swapo/Walvis.
Enjoy Namibia, a truly fantastic gem.

SanDiego1K

Cape Cross sounds great. Thank you.

It seems as though the properties in Walvis Bay and Swakopmund are all in the 2/3 star range, a bit surprising given the luxe lodges to the south. It was really tough to read all the reviews and find anything to discriminate between modest properties. Cleanliness and A/C are important to me. In the end, we contacted Hotel Deutsches Haus directly. fwiw, this was listed as the top hotel by TripAdvisor. Their online booking system showed them as booked out, but they weren't. I was already in discussion with them when I realized there was a coupon on TripAdvisor for a 2 night weekend stay that included breakfast each morning, dinner one night. The offer suited our dates perfectly. They extended it to us, bringing our price down by perhaps 30%.

Forrest Bump

Don't have to worry about quality of properties in Namibia and, by extension, in southern Africa.
They tend to be up level, for the kind of quality tourism going there. The western concept of "stars" doesn't say it all.

In Swakopmund we spent 2 nights at "Cornerstone Guesthouse", and can say was a flawless stay, pampered with luxuries in Europe we hardly would get for 5 times that price.
Cleanliness was out of discussion, and the breakfast awesome.

Adam1222

Curious if anyone has updated recommendations for hotels in Swakopmund. Thanks!

Mwenenzi

Have you looked? Swakopmund is small to very small. But is an interesting area, as as Nambia.

SanDiego1K

Don't stay where we did. (See post above.) Rooms were dire. There is a Protea hotel nearby that I'd check out if I were you. It can be very affordable to use Marriott points at Protea properties.

Adam1222

Yes, I'll actually be there one night, after a safari before flying from Walvis Bay to JNB the next afternoon. There seem to be about a dozen or so places that all look fine and was just curious if anyone had particular insight. Thanks!

RockyMntFlyer

We are heading to Namibia at the end of September. I did a bit of research a while back and heard great things about The Stiltz in Swakopmund. No availability for the time we are there, but it would have been my choice. http://thestiltz.com/

We ended up booking at The Strand Hotel in Swakopmund. Newer, probably a more typical hotel experience, but it's on the water and was well reviewed.

Enjoy your trip! I know we are looking forward to Namibia.

Adam1222

Somehow the Strand is already sold out for my night in March! I'll take a look at Stiltz. Thanks!

roadwarrier

Years ago, I used to stay at either the Swakopmund Hotel (a converted railway station property with a casino), or the Hansa hotel.

Avoid Walvis Bay - on days when the wind direction is off, you get to smell the fish processing plant. Not pleasant at breakfast time.

Also, pack something warm - when the fog rolls in - even when it is summer, it does get cold.

montrealer

If you're not dead set into actual hotels, the standard at b&bs in Namibia can be quite high. We just stayed for 2 nights at Cornerstone Cottage, walking distance to central Swakop. Checked all the boxes.

Stay in Walwis Bay only if you're a keen birder (proximity to lagoon) or you have an ocean tour ex Walvis Bay itself the next morning.