Olive Grove

Rooms

The 11 rooms and suites are big, functional spaces and each profits from having its own sweep of terrace. Forget the Standard Double rooms as these lead directly out to the main dining terrace and are noisier and very much in the public domain. Instead, go for the first-floor Luxury Doubles, which are much nicer with intimate terraces and views out to the wooded hillsides of Eros. Two of these rooms are in an independent annexe next to the pool and would make an ideal choice for light sleepers. Hoisted atop Olive Grove's Wellness is the 1 Executive Suite which has the best views as well as an enormous bed and bath, and a DVD player with a selection of DVDs. The Standard or Luxury Doubles can also be transformed into a Standard Triple and Luxury Triple for larger groups.

Most of the standard and luxury rooms have queensized beds, whilst the twin beds of the remainder can be ziplinked to create enormous doubles. Expect fine cotton linen, down duvets and a fabulously comfortable mattress. If grey polished concrete floors coupled with dark olive colour schemes feel a little dark then throw open your room's high French windows to instantly lighten the mood.

There's no shortage of mod cons: all rooms come with TVs and full range of movie and music channels, hot and cold air con, kettles, filter coffee, telephones, hairdryers and safes as well as a loaded fridge where in addition to all kind of cold drinks you'll find the Olive Grove's homemade biscuits and a choice of special chocolates.

Bathrooms score points for their size: many have both bath and shower in addition to double sinks and big mirrors. As well as a big pile of fluffy towels you're provided with light cotton dressing gowns, waffle-weave slippers and loads of bath products in heavy glass bottles. It was nice to be given scented candles, but the absence of doors in some rooms between your sleeping space and bathrooms (and occasionally the toilet) wouldn't be to everyone's taste. Expect turndown whilst you dine and a chocolate awaiting on your pillow. During the colder months a hot water bottle will be slipped in between your sheets.

Features include:

• Bathrobes
• Hairdryer
• Minibar
• Safe box

Eating

Olive Grove's popularity is due in part to the consistently good food prepared by its small team of cooks: it was fun to chat with them whilst they worked in the open-plan kitchen.

Breakfasts get going from around 7am onwards: if you have an earlier start a tray can be delivered to your room. After you've grazed the buffet - it will include cereals, fruit salads, yoghurts and cheeses, cold meats, muffins, rusks and homemade breads - you're offered a choice of hot breakfasts: English, Italian, French, Scottish, Canadian, Norwegian or Namibian. After so much early indulgence you may skip lunch although light snacks can be ordered throughout the day.

If you fancy eating dinner at Olive Grove be sure to let one of the staff know before 4pm. You're guaranteed a delicious meal for far less than it would cost in one of city's better restaurants. Our meal began with two salad courses: we were then offered a choice between chicken prepared with sun-dried tomatoes and an olive sauce, and ostrich steak served with a pepper sauce, scalloped potatoes and carrots. Things ended on a sweet note with ice cream and chocolates, and an excellent South African pinotage added to the sense of occasion. It was a nice touch to find a detailed description of all of the wine menu's bottles including its origin, grape variety and soil as well as a bit of folklore.

If you want to eat out then try Joe's Beerhouse which is close by and specialises in native wild meat, or Am Weinberg in the south of the town.

Features include:

• Bar
• Breakfast
• Coffee maker
• Dinner by arrangement
• Lunch by arrangement
• Restaurants nearby
• Room service

Activities

• Dip into the pool then kick back on one of the many loungers dotted around the garden and terraces
  
  
• Indulge in O.G.'s Wellness, where An-Lu Botes, the resident therapist, offers a diverse range of massages, manicures, facials and waxing: you could even treat yourself to a lash and brow tint
  
  
• Take a 10-minute stroll down to the city centre to visit the Lutheran Christus Kirche, the National Art Gallery or to pick up ethnic prezzies at the Namibian Craft Centre
  
  
• Take a township tour to Katutura to see how the less fortunate of Namibia live their lives
  
  
• Escape the heat and the dust at the National Botanical Gardens, a huge slice of greenery at the heart of the city: you could take a picnic from Olive Grove along with you

Activities on site or nearby include:

• Historical sites
• Museums / galleries
• Plantlife / flora
• Shopping / markets
• Swimming
• Traditional cultures
• Well being

Kids

Kids of all ages are welcome at Olive Grove and there are cots and extra beds, high chairs and babysitting can be arranged.

Family friendly accommodation:

Cots Available, Extra Beds Available

For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection

Location

Olive Grove is in the leafy suburb of Eros in the capital Windhoek, Namibia.

By Air:
Fly to Windhoek (Hosea Kutako). Click on the links below for a list of airlines serving the airport.

From the Airport
The Olive Grove can arrange a transfer (see Rates). It takes just 5 minutes to get to Olive Grove from the city centre whilst if you're coming in from the airport you should allow a little under an hour. There's a second domestic airport, Eros, much closer to the guest house where most domestic flights arrive and depart.

By Car or 4x4:
If you want to hire a vehicle in Namibia, see our car rental recommendations; or ask our Tailormade Safari Operator who can give you a wider range of options.

By Train/Coach:
The luxurious Desert Express train links the capital with Walvis Bay, Swakopmund and Etosha and there are frequent coach connections with all of the country's major towns as well as to Cape Town: the journey takes a little under 24 hours.

Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.com.

More on getting to Namibia and getting around