Le Mirage Resort and Spa

The castle standing in the middle of the desert is stunning, and the overall surroundings are excellent. It's also not far from Deadvlei. The service was quite good. Wi-Fi coverage was weak, but that makes sense given how remote the place is.

My husband and I are pescatarian, and the team went out of their way to work around our dietary needs. I asked for fish and chips for a light lunch even though it wasn't on the menu, and they made it. It was the best fish and chips I've had. What a place, perfect for a celebration destination.

One piece of advice before going to Sossusvlei or Sesriem: book a decent car, a Toyota Hilux or better, for the drive, and CDW is mandatory. Passing the haphazardly constructed lodges near the park entrance, La Mirage first looked like a gloomy rock fortress from 'Lord of the Rings'. As we got closer, it started to feel like a wonderful oasis. Remember, when you enjoy the food and drinks in the restaurant, they had to be transported in the same way. I have real respect for everyone working on-site, who generally provide excellent service. The rooms are very spacious, though at this price I expected a wardrobe. The food and the massage, which costs extra, were good. The building seems solid, but conversations from the next room carry clearly. If you have some spare change, book a hot air balloon ride with Namib Sky Balloon Safaris, 1.6 km away. You won't regret it. The AC couldn't be changed from Fahrenheit to Celsius despite repeated requests, and it wasn't adequate for hot days. If mobile coverage were good, the lack of Wi-Fi in the rooms would be fine, but the guest Wi-Fi at the pool and reception also failed, leaving you completely cut off. My room also had no smoke detector. Those last three issues are why I deducted a star. Please don't feed the wild animals begging around the resort. Their buffet is the desert, not the restaurant.

A breathtaking sunset, friendly staff, and a warm welcome made this feel like a wonderful oasis in the middle of nowhere. The rooms were luxurious, with crisp white linen, and there was a good variety of cocktails. Dinner was a scrumptious five courses.