Villa Margherita

Boutique at its snazziest and jazziest in one of Swakopmund's oldest colonial houses

Sandwiched between the vast emptiness of the Namib desert and the cold currents of the Atlantic ocean, Swakopmund remains one of Africa's most unique and quirky colonial creations: Bavarian church spires alternate with palm trees whilst cool ocean mists cloak the town and surrounding dunes in a blanket that feels almost surreal in its other-worldliness.

Amelio and Claudine fell under the spell of the place and revamped one of its most flamboyant townhouses to create an intimate guesthouse full of art and colour. Many of Villa Margherita's original features remain - elegant staircases, fireplaces, cornicing, panelling - but these now serve as backdrop to big canvases of pop art, eye-catching designer lamps and an eclectic mix of sculpture, masks and photography. There's a big dash of deco and a mood that is both lighthearted and sybaritic: count on a big comfortable room, great food and kindly care from your hosts and their staff.

Highs

• The food, much of it inspired by Amelio's native Italy, is as good as anywhere in town
• This is a place with an instant feel-good factor, much of it to do with the striking use of colour throughout the Villa
• Off street parking is a big plus if you're trundling around Namibia in a loaded-up 4x4
• You're within an easy stroll of all of Swakopmund's most interesting sights
• You can expect masses of TLC from your young, charming and ever-friendly hosts

Lows

• Be prepared for the town to be bathed in cool mists for a large part of the year
• Villa Margherita's corner plot means that a fair amount of traffic passes: you'll hear it from the garden