The Desert Grace, Gondwana Collection Namibia — Hotel in Hardap

This place is amazing!!! Where do I begin!? I spent 2 nights there and left as a revived person.

Staff - incredibly friendly, professional & helpful. They were wonderful! Well trained. The rest of Namibian hospitality could learn a thing or 2 (actually numerous things) from the Gondwana team.

Infrastructure/accommodation - WOW, wow, Wow! I commend the architects, engineers, interior designers, etc. Excellent job creating this beautiful lodge. The attention to detail is... I don't have the words. The rooms are spacious, luxurious and pristine. I loved the pink touches - pink umbrella, pink pool net, pink mugs, pink clothing hangers. The bathroom - I am obsessed with bathrooms - this one exceeded my expectations. A private pool with an amazing view. Tranquility!!! And it's quiet - you don't hear the neighboring rooms' conversation or music or anything.

The food/kitchen/dining - Breakfast buffet with a good selection - they'll prepare your eggs exactly according to your request. For lunch - a la carte - fresh & delicious meals at affordable prices. Dinner buffet also with a great selection - steaks were cooked to perfection according to your preference, and the salad bar was excellent with an extensive assortment of components allowing you to create your own salad. AND they do cater for different dietary requirements - upon arrival they ask if you have dietary requirements that they need to cater for - we didn't have any. ALSO, I loved the frozen strawberry welcome drink - yum!

Wi-Fi - very good. Even in my room. They guarantee good wi-fi at reception / dining / lounge area, but not at the rooms. But I had zero issues with wi-fi in my room.

Location / activities - on this trip we didn't do any activities because we did a whole lot the previous year. But based on previous travels to the Sossusvlei area there is plenty to do and see. On this particular trip we wanted to relax and enjoy the beautiful lodge.

Kids - I don't have kids but I saw other visitors with kids below the age of 5. They really do cater for you - they add a baby cot, baby bathing tub, etc in your room if needed. In the dining room they add high chairs for your babies / toddlers. I don't think kids aged 7 years and older would really enjoy this place unless you do activities. Then again I don't have kids so I'm not the best person to advise. I think this place is well suited for couples.

I will definitely visit this...

A gem situated close to the Namib Desert and the perfect place from which to visit Sossusvlei. The rooms are beautifully designed, with a private pool and classy, authentic design features throughout the rooms. Huge windows in the room look out onto the African wilderness. Showers are inside the room and outside. The outside shower is perfect on hot day with spectacular views.

Service is first class. A special shout out to Marcelino who made our stay perfect. Anything we needed, he arranged. Hopefully next time we go he will be the manager!

There’s a bar and nice restaurant but no other entertainment within the resort and weak WiFi, so be prepared to be immersed in a remote, reflective retreat perfect for someone looking to escape from their regular day-to-day routine. The tours to Sossusvlei, the sundown tour and other organised activities are definitely worth it. Guide Rafael has the eyes of a hawk and can spot animals hidden in the vast landscape.

We spotted multiple birds, some wildebeest, springbok, ostriches and oryxs. Unlike in South Africa, the animals are completely wild and so spotting them is a not guaranteed which makes seeing them more special. Note I have added some drone footage that was allowed after seeking special permission from the hotel owners.

Overall, if your budget allows, this is an absolutely superb lodge and worth every penny. Trust me, you will not be...

To me, a stay is a complete experience hence I cannot give 5 stars, not even 4. If I were to rate only the lodge, would have been different, yet to me it is about the experience; particularly at this price range. Lets start with the good. Luxurious lodge, spectacular design and views; very good wine list. Big rooms. Very nice bar. However, at this price; breakfast and dinner is average. This range, should not be buffet. Excursions; they sent us to Deadvlei in a sand storm. Not ideal, they should have changed the timings as per the weather report. When we were back exhausted and covered in sand, at least they could have welcomed us with cool towels and a cold drinks. At the check out, we are taken from the hotel at 10:30, to wait in another lower rating lodge for 2 to 3 hours?!?! And noone can give an exact timing?!?! Noone knows where the car is coming from?!?! How hard to have a timed plan, so that we could have enjoyed the facilities at the lodge we paid a fortune for? Why are we waiting 3 hours in a different place, when these lodges are only 30 mins apart? So, all nice things, yet you gave a bad experience at the end; your rating will become bad. This is hospitality 101. Hope the hotel management or Gondwana group will read this and improve. In conclusion, spectacular facility, average food, not the greatest experience. I will...