Cornerstone Guesthouse

This charming Mediterranean-style homestead faces out across a stone veranda under a pitched roof, with paved pathways into the surrounding gardens. The main house has a spacious and cheerfully decorated sunny breakfast room with individual tables and large windows overlooking the beautifully maintained grounds. Outdoor breakfasts are served on the shady veranda when weather conditions are good. There is also a small guest lounge with satellite television, and a quiet reading area stocked with a selection of books about Namibia.

Each of the seven guest rooms has a private entrance and a neat patio with outdoor seating. Five rooms are double or twin, and two larger family rooms with a lounge area and pull-out beds can accommodate four people. Each is en-suite, with powerful solar-heated showers. Décor is pleasingly simple, with a lavender theme in soft whites, blues and lilacs giving a relaxed beach cottage ambience. Modern touches include WiFi, flat-screen satellite television, a fridge, and tea and coffee facilities.

The colonial town of Swakopmund is a fascinating spot to explore, with intriguing German-style architecture and an old-fashioned feel. A short walk brings you into the heart of town, with shopping facilities, art galleries, craft markets and some excellent beachfront restaurants and bars. Activities include tours of the surrounding desert and Skeleton Coast, with a vast choice of land- and water-based adventures.