A Feel of Home at Villa Wiese – Swakopmund Namibia
The area of Namib Desert around Swakopmund is named the West Coast Recreational Area. And recreation is the towns number one draw card. Although a new generation have woken up to the tourist potential of the area, Swakopmund still creates a feeling of timelessness. Early mornings and evenings in Swakopmund can be cold throughout the year, as the Atlantic Ocean meeting the Namib Desert creates a fog bank. This coolness is often a relief from the heat of the rest of Namibia.
There is lots to do here. For those interested in adventure activities Swakopmund offers sandboarding, quad biking, dune carting, parachuting, hot air ballooning, shark fishing, deep sea fishing and beach angling to name but a few. For others there are restaurants, cafes, art galleries, museums, a snake park and aquarium.
Then there is much to see: a visit to the Cape Cross Eal Colony is worth a visit as it offers a taste of the Skeleton Coast and the seals are worth a visit. The Welwitschia drive is also interesting way to spend a few hours and introduces you to some of the fauna and flora of the Namib Desert. Bird lovers can pay a visit to the Swakopmund Salt Works or the Walvis Bay Lagoon, which in season is frequented by thousands of flamingos.
Swakopmund offers a variety of accommodation for all tastes and budges. Owned by Tinkie and Johan Cornelissen, Villa Wiese is a guest lodge with a difference. Multi-colored walls take up most of a block and house of Villa Wiese, but once inside enormous wooden beams support the gothic ceilings of the dining room, where one can enjoy a tasty breakfast ain the mornings.
Tinkie Cornelissen welcome to the interview.
A brief about yourself:
My husband and I – Tinkie & Johan Cornelissen – are the owners of Villa Wiese. We moved to Swakopmund ten years ago. It seems as if work is our hobby and this is what we do most of the time. If there isn`t any, we create some. Johan loves reading any good book, I’m a keen photographer, take note – keen – not professional! We love any music, as we have teenagers in the house. Gardening is another of our hobbies, especially Johan loves the garden.
Our vision is to establish a good future for our children, and a home where they always would want to come back. And keep doing what we do for as long as we can.
Who is welcome in Villa Wiese?
Every one who likes traveling enjoys meeting people, those travelers who are seeking homeliness far from their own home or those who just want to relax and feel at home, all are welcome at Villa Wiese.
The hospitality concept of Villa Wiese:
Being in the hospitality industry literally means you take people into your house as guests. For the short time they stay at your place which becomes their home, and sometimes became members of the family. You host all types of people from different countries, cultures etc. If you are not a people friendly person or if you are not patient, then this is not for you.
The most rewarding thing is how grateful people can be for the most basic attention they get from you.
How it all begun, can you reflect on your experience so far?
We bought the premises in 1999 from a local church in order to match our love for the old and antique. We bought this old building built in 1905. We renovated and restored it and converted it into a backpackers lodge/guest house.
At first we thought we’d start a small bed & breakfast establishment, and next – we end up with this huge place. It just so happened. Travelers just came to us and it changed our original plans.
We like to work with our hands, to be creative. We did most of the work ourselves. I think people sense the hard work and love in build in the walls and furniture – may that’s the secret why they like it and keep coming back. .
Can you give us a first hand tour of the Villa Wiese:
Part of the building is more than hundred years old. We added lots of wood and other natural materials. Our furniture is a combination of antique and rustic, tables are made of railway sleepers. An old piano invites everyone who wants, to play. There are no TV’s in the rooms. We believe you don’t come to Africa to watch TV. In our bar is a big screen TV, so you won’t miss a sport event or news.
Villa Wiese is a backpackers lodge with difference. All the rooms are en suite, linen provided and a tasty breakfast included. There are double/twin rooms, single rooms and 4 bed dorms. All neat and very clean.
What sets you apart from others?
Clean, comfortable, homely and affordable – are our most important features, and we try to keep that standard high.
This is a family owned business so the whole family is involved. We have raised the kids here for the past 10 years, as our house is part of the lodge.
What kind of atmosphere offers Villa Wiese?
Relaxed, friendly, homely. Then there is that “something” that makes people coming back all the time.
What kind of facilities and extras does it offer?
A cozy bar open until 23h in the evenings. Those who want an early night can have a peace full rest, and the young at heart can enjoy the nightlife of Swakopmund.
We offer a daily laundry facility that collects and returns the laundry the same day.
A friendly advice or word.
Who are your guests (both local and foreign – from which countries)?
Mainly form Europe, England, Australia, New Zealand, United States, the East and actually all other parts of the world. We also have local guests from Namibia and South Africa and the rest of Africa.
What is the food experience like, what sort of food one can choose from?
We serve only breakfast at Villa Wiese. Guests can choose between a tasty cooked breakfast, bacon & eggs or the healthy choice, home made muffin, muesli, yogurt and fruit salad. We have a self-catering kitchen and braai area where guests can prepare there own meals. Within a walking distance are loads of restaurants.
Do you organize sightseeing tours, what is there to see?
In Swakopmund are a few touring and adventure companies which arrange tours and activities in and around the town and also to the rest of the country. We assist our guest in travel arrangements.
What innovative approach or novelties do you plan for the 2008?
Business as usual!
What is your welcoming message for the guests?
Make yourself at home!
Your future projects:
We’ve started a project “knitted squares for blankets for welfare”. Completed squares are send off to welfare organizations that stitch them together for blankets. Guests can partake by knitting a square while waiting or relaxing in the lounge. And a “Go Green project” – vermiculture with earthworms to recycle our kitchen scrubs.
Any last comments and wishes
It would be great having you as guests at Villa Wiese.