Desert Homestead Lodge

Dinner was a fantastic surprise. It was included in the price and was some of the best food we ate during our three weeks in Africa. We also loved seeing the horses on the property, especially the kind, passionate man who worked with them. The hotel itself was beautiful and we had a great stay. My one complaint was the two women at the front desk, who came across as rude and annoyed. The rest of the staff were lovely, and I'd still give the hotel five stars.

The evening dining team made a big impression. The food was fantastic, and they were happy to suggest dishes and wines. Ask them about the walking trails around the property too. We felt welcome from the moment we arrived. The rooms are incredible, and the two small pools are lovely spots to relax. What a paradise of a place.

The setting is one of the best we stayed in, with wide views, nearby hills to climb, wildlife visible from the rooms, and a great pool, though the water was very cold. We booked hot air ballooning directly while we were there, and it was awesome. Getting here is tougher, as the roads around this area are some of the worst in Namibia. We had a twin room and a double. The double they gave us was half the size of the twin our sons had, which was disappointing. Also, the toilet in our room had no sink, so at night you had to walk around the bed to reach the bathroom sink. A little odd. The first night's meal was awesome, but the second was the worst we had in Namibia. We noticed the chefs were different. Main course choices were limited, and asking to swap rice for chips for one of our children became a big deal because he was over 12, even though chips were on the children's menu. Great lodge, but it needs a few tweaks.

I was really disappointed by how the horseback ride was handled. I told people as soon as I checked in that I wanted to ride, and asked four different staff members, including twice at the front desk. They said it might be full from advance bookings or there might be a storm, and that someone would check and come find me. If it couldn't happen that afternoon, they said tomorrow would work for sure. I said even an hour-long ride the next afternoon would be fine. Nobody followed up. The next morning I asked again and was told to sign up when I returned from the desert. I got back at 1pm and asked straight away. They booked me for the sundowner ride, knowing storms were possible, but didn't mention an afternoon option. I waited around all afternoon in perfect weather, then a storm came just in time to cancel it. Over two days there were plenty of chances to sort this out, and I'm confident nobody ever checked. I don't know what else I could have done. Staff need to communicate with each other. The food was another problem. The salmon and cream cheese starter upset my stomach, the sauce with the chicken was cold, and lunch was limited to sandwiches and two overcooked pasta dishes. Dinner had only one option, so good luck if you don't like it.