Escape to Paradise: Protea Hotel Long Beach Walvis Bay Awaits!
ESCAPE TO PARADISE? Hold Your Horses… (Review of Protea Hotel Long Beach, Walvis Bay)
Okay, buckle up buttercups. I've just hauled myself back from a trip to the Protea Hotel Long Beach in Walvis Bay, and honestly, my brain feels like it’s been through a Namibian sandstorm. Let’s break down this "Escape to Paradise" thing, shall we? Because let’s be real, ‘paradise’ is a strong word.
First Impressions & Accessibility: The Good, The Okay, and the "Uh Oh"
Right off the bat, the location is stunning. Seriously, the hotel basically is on the beach. That's a HUGE win. Rolling out of bed and having the Atlantic Ocean practically lapping at your doorstep? Yeah, that's something.
Accessibility: This is where we stumble a bit. While they trumpet "Facilities for disabled guests," I wouldn’t call it fully accessible from what I saw. The main areas like the lobby and restaurant seemed okay, with an elevator available, but the details… well, I didn’t see any specific details on the rooms accessibility. Ask questions before booking, and verify.
Wheelchair Accessible: As mentioned, definitely needs verification.
Check-in/out [Private]: They offer a private check-in/out option, which is a nice touch if you're like me and hate standing in lines.
Internet: A Blessing and a Curse (Wi-Fi, LAN, and the Digital Struggle)
Okay, this is important. They blare "Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!" Which, in this day and age, is a must. And mostly, it works. Mostly. I had moments of glorious streaming, and moments of dial-up-esque frustration. Don't depend on this if you NEED to be connected for important business, but for general browsing and keeping up with the Insta-life? It's fine.
Internet [LAN]: I didn’t even bother with this. Seriously, who uses LAN anymore?
Internet services: See above. It’s there. Ish.
Wi-Fi in public areas: Fine. Same experience, mostly functional.
The Room: Creature Comforts and the Quest for the Perfect Pillow
Available in all rooms: Ah, a list! Let's see…
- Air conditioning: YES. Thank goodness, because Namibia can roast you.
- Alarm clock: Yes. But… does anyone actually use these anymore?
- Bathrobes: Yep! Nice touch.
- Bathroom phone: Okay, are we in the 80s? Why?
- Bathtub: Yes. Sometimes desirable for a soaking session.
- Blackout curtains: YES! Essential for light sleepers like yours truly.
- Carpeting: Ew. Okay, they do help with acoustics but just give me tiles!
- Closet: Solid.
- Coffee/tea maker: Very necessary for a caffeine addict like myself!
- Complimentary tea: Good, good.
- Daily housekeeping: Thank the heavens.
- Desk: Fine. Functional.
- Extra long bed: Yes. But my bed was hard as a rock. I mean, rock. I spent the first night feeling like I was sleeping on a slab of concrete, so I have to bring that up. I eventually got used to it, but it's worth noting. The pillows too! I asked for softer ones, which they managed to find.
- Free bottled water: Always a nice addition.
- Hair dryer: Essential.
- High floor: I didn't care for the floor.
- In-room safe box: Useful for the valuables.
- Interconnecting room(s) available: Great if you’re traveling with a big group of family, but not good for me!
- Internet access – LAN: We already mentioned….
- Internet access – wireless: Okay. We know this.
- Ironing facilities: Good.
- Laptop workspace: The desk does the job.
- Linens: Fine.
- Mini bar: Yup! They actually had a nice selection.
- Mirror: Obvs.
- Non-smoking: Yes. THANK YOU.
- On-demand movies: I didn't care for it.
- Private bathroom: Thank goodness.
- Reading light: Yes.
- Refrigerator: Useful.
- Safety/security feature: Yes.
- Satellite/cable channels: Fine.
- Scale: I didn't even go there. I'm on vacation!
- Seating area: A small little sofa!
- Separate shower/bathtub: YES!
- Shower: Good.
- Slippers: Nice touch.
- Smoke detector: Yes.
- Socket near the bed: Super important!
- Sofa: Yes.
- Soundproofing: I found it all great.
- Telephone: Again, why?
- Toiletries: Fine. Some generic brand.
- Towels: Yep, they are needed.
- Umbrella: I forgot it rained.
- Visual alarm: I did not see it.
- Wake-up service: Fine.
- Wi-Fi [free]: Always a win.
- Window that opens: Airflow, yes!
Cleanliness and Safety: Covid Considerations
Anti-viral cleaning products: Appreciated. Daily disinfection in common areas: Good. Hand sanitizer: Available, but take your own. Hygiene certification: I didn't find. Rooms sanitized between stays: Hopefully true. Safe dining setup: Reasonable. Sanitized kitchen and tableware items: Probably. Staff trained in safety protocol: Probably. Important: The hotel seems to be covering the basic safety protocols, but it's still important for guests to be mindful of safety.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: The Foodie's Perspective (Or Lack Thereof)
Restaurants: There's a restaurant. The food? Honestly, it ranged from "meh" to "surprisingly good" depending on the day.
Breakfast [buffet]: The breakfast buffet was the usual hotel fare. Decent selection, but nothing to write home about. The scrambled eggs were sad.
Coffee/tea in restaurant: Okay. Coffee shop: No. Poolside bar: Yes! And it's a great spot for a sundowner. Room service [24-hour]: I did not care for it, but it's good there.
Things to Do, Ways to Relax: The Spa and the Great Outdoors
Things to do: The main attraction is WALVIS BAY. Pool with view: The pool is amazing! Sauna: I didn't find it. Spa/sauna: I didn't find it. Swimming pool: The pool is great. Swimming pool [outdoor]: Yes! It overlooks the ocean, it's beautiful and it's heated - a total win!
The Rest of the Grist: Services, Conveniences, and the Extras
- Business facilities: There are meetings rooms.
- Cash withdrawal: Yes.
- Concierge: Helpful.
- Currency exchange: Yes.
- Daily housekeeping: Yes.
- Dry cleaning: Yes
- Elevator: Yes.
- Facilities for disabled guests: Needs verification.
- Food delivery: No.
- Gift/souvenir shop: Yes.
- Indoor venue for special events: Yes.
- Ironing service: Yes.
- Laundry service: Yes.
- Luggage storage: Yes.
- Meeting/banquet facilities: Yes.
- Outdoor venue for special events: Yes
- Safety deposit boxes: Yes.
- Smoking area: Yes.
- Terrace: Yes.
- Taxi service: Yes.
- Car park [free of charge]: Yes.
For the Kids: Family Friendly?
Babysitting service: I didn't ask. Family/child friendly: Yes.
Getting Around:
Airport transfer: Yes. Car park [free of charge]: Yes.
The Quirk Factor: Where the Hotel Gets Real
This hotel has a certain… character. It’s not a sterile, cookie-cutter experience. It's got a bit of wear and tear, some slightly odd design choices (a bathroom phone?!), and the staff, while friendly, aren’t always the most on-the-ball. But that's part of the charm, right? The staff are friendly and willing.
The Emotional Verdict: Paradise? Maybe Not. A Good Time? Probably.
Look, if you're expecting flawless perfection, you're probably in the wrong part of the world. The Protea Hotel Long Beach isn't quite paradise. But the
Unbelievable Athens Luxury: Art Suites Hotel - Your Dream Greek Getaway!
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because this isn't your grandma's perfectly-planned itinerary. This is my Protea Hotel Long Beach, Walvis Bay, Namibia, adventure… or misadventure, we'll see. And trust me, it’s going to be a wild ride.
Day 1: Arrival and Sand-Dune Shenanigans (Expectation: Calm & Collected, Reality: Sand in Everything)
- Morning (like, REALLY early): The flight was a red-eye. I'm not a morning person, but apparently, the Namibian sun gives zero craps about my sleep schedule. I swear, I spent half the flight trying to convince my window shade to stay down. Arrived at Hosea Kutako International Airport feeling simultaneously exhilarated and like a walking zombie.
- Mid-Morning: Picked up the rental car (a trusty 4x4, thank goodness). Driving on the "wrong" side of the road is always a thrill, especially after barely sleeping. My first "oh crap" moment came about 10 minutes in when I nearly sideswiped a donkey. Namibia, you’re already keeping me on my toes! Thankfully the car (and the donkey) survived.
- Lunch: Arrived at Protea Hotel Long Beach. The lobby is nice, the staff are friendly, the view of the beach is… breathtaking. Seriously, the ocean! And the sand is so white! Oh, and the lunch? Well… let’s just say I should have probably asked what "biltong" was before ordering it. It’s… salty. Like, really salty. I need a drink.
- Afternoon: SANDBOARDING! This was the only thing I was truly excited for, and the dunes did not disappoint. Climbing up was brutal. I was huffing and puffing like a dying walrus, but the view from the top was worth it. Pure, unadulterated desert beauty. Actually riding down was… well, let's just say I spent more time eating sand than boarding. I ended up with sand everywhere. In my hair, in my ears, probably in my lungs. I'm pretty sure I saw a sand flea. But oh man, was it fun! I may or may not have screamed like a small child on the way down.
- Evening: Dinner at the hotel restaurant. I'm starving (and still sandy). Tried the seafood. It was good, but I think I might still taste the biltong… A quick walk on the beach to try to get the sand out of my shoes, and crashed in the bed, falling asleep at once.
Day 2: Pelican Point and Whale Watching (Expectation: Majestic Wildlife, Reality: Seasickness & Seagulls)
- Morning: Woke up feeling like I'd been run over by a sand dune. The sun is still a jerk, by the way. Breakfast was… edible. Coffee, bless it, was strong. We're going to do the Pelican Point tour today, and I'm excited! And a little nervous, the sea is a scary place!
- Mid-Morning: Pelican Point. Oh. My. Goodness. This place is WILD. We saw seals! Hundreds of seals! They were barking, frolicking, and generally being adorable little stinkers. We also spotted dolphins playing in the waves. It was incredible! I took, like, a thousand pictures.
- Lunch: On the Pelican Point tour. Fish and chips that were very welcome after the fresh air and sea breeze.
- Afternoon: Okay, this is where things got… interesting. We went whale watching. Now, I love whales. But the ocean? The ocean and I do not have a good relationship. The waves were choppy. I got seasick. Horribly, embarrassingly seasick. Let’s just say the railing of the boat and I became very well acquainted. Thankfully, I did see a whale! A Humpback, breach. Totally worth it! But still… no thanks. I'm still a bit green around the gills.
- Evening: Back at the hotel. Immediately made a beeline for the shower. Tried to watch the sunset from my balcony, but I was still feeling a bit queasy, so I just grabbed a meal and went to bed early.
Day 3: Swakopmund Exploration and Desert Drama (Expectation: Culture and Adventure, Reality: Lost in Translation and a Flat Tire)
- Morning: Drove to Swakopmund. Nice scenic drive, but I couldn't stop thinking about the whales. The landscape is so diverse, so dramatic. The desert just stretches on forever.
- Mid-Morning: Arrived in Swakopmund. The architecture is so European, I was surprised! Felt like I'd been transported to Germany! Walked around, browsed the shops, bought a few souvenirs. Tried to order coffee at a café, but the "s" in the German wasn't like the English "s". I think I accidentally ordered something involving a giant sausage.
- Lunch: Found a cute little café. Ate a prego - which I did have to ask about - and it was delicious. So simple, so tasty.
- Afternoon: Okay, this is where the adventure really kicked in. We were driving through the desert to a place that looked amazing. And then… BANG! Flat tire. In the middle of nowhere. Now, I'm not exactly mechanically inclined, but the guide was super helpful and we got it changed.
- Late Afternoon: More drama! We’re trying to get back. The dirt road got really bumpy. I’m starting to feel like I'm stuck in a bad action movie. Decided to play some music, and my phone died. On top of that there was a herd of springboks just chilling on the road. We were stranded. (Dramatic sigh). Turns out we weren't completely stranded, the guide was just having us stop to get a good photograph. He's a cool dude.
- Evening: Back at the Protea. Exhausted. Wounded, but in a good way. Had a huge, delicious burger at the hotel restaurant.
Day 4: Salt Pan Sunrise and Departure (Expectation: A Farewell to Remember, Reality: Existential Dread and a Last-Minute Souvenir Dash)
- Morning: Woke up before the alarm! The sunrise over the salt pans was the single most beautiful thing I’ve seen in my life. The colors were incredible, the silence was deafening. It was a moment of pure, unadulterated awe. Everything felt a little bit magical, in a way.
- Mid-Morning: Last-minute souvenir shopping. Scrambled to find something worthy of taking home for the folks. Everything was overpriced. Finally found a beautiful piece of jewelry. Fingers crossed they like it.
- Lunch: Just a quick snack, and then it was time to go.
- Afternoon: The drive to the airport was quiet. I had time to reflect on everything. I'm kind of sad to leave, but I’m also kind of relieved. Namibia, you were amazing. But you were also… a lot. Sand, salt, sea sickness, donkeys, and flat tires be damned, I’ll never forget this trip.
- Evening: Flight home. The plane is bumpy. I'm tired, sunburnt, and still have sand between my toes. But the memories… the memories are worth it. I'll take them with me.
This wasn’t just a trip; it was an experience. Protea Hotel Long Beach was a great place to be based, but it was Namibia that really stole my heart. Would I go back? In a heartbeat. Maybe next time I'll learn how to pronounce "biltong." And maybe, just maybe, I’ll be able to stand on a sand dune without swallowing half of it. Until next time, Walvis Bay!
Kase Hotel Yeongju: Korea's BEST Kept Secret? (Luxury Awaits!)
Escape to Paradise: Protea Hotel Long Beach Walvis Bay Awaits! (…But is it really paradise?)
(Look, I'm trying to be objective, but seriously, it's Walvis Bay... let's be honest.)
Okay, so... what *is* the Protea Hotel Long Beach, Walvis Bay? Like, a hotel, duh, but WHAT KIND of hotel?
Alright, alright. Real talk. Think of it as... a solid mid-range hotel. It's *right* on the beach, which is a HUGE plus, especially after being cooped up in a conference all day (which is what I was there for, don't judge!). Modern-ish. Clean-ish. Rooms are decent, but don’t go expecting the Ritz-Carlton. Think more... comfortable Hampton Inn with a killer ocean view. Well, *sometimes* killer. Some days, it's just a grey, foggy Namibian expanse. But when the sun hits? Magnificent. I had a room with a balcony, which, honestly, was the best part. Fresh air, the sound of the waves... pure bliss when you *finally* got a break from emails.
Is the location actually *good*? I've heard rumors about Walvis Bay... they're mostly unflattering rumors.
Okay, let's address the elephant seal in the room: Walvis Bay. It's… unique. It's *not* your Instagram-ready paradise. It's industrial. It smells a little fishy (literally, from the fishing port!). But BUT! The Protea Hotel? Perfect location *for Walvis Bay*. You're right on the beach, easy access to the dunes (which, surprisingly, are beautiful!), and close enough to town for basics.
I was really nervous, I swear. My friend, let's call him Greg, kept going on and on and ON about the "seagull situation." He seemed convinced they were going to steal his sandwich right off the plate. Well, it was a seagull situation, it's true. They would fly around the breakfast buffet like hungry vultures. It was fascinating, though!
What's the food situation? Crucial question. I, uh, like to eat.
Okay, food. The hotel restaurant, The Deck, is… fine. Breakfast buffet: standard continental with some hot options. Eggs were okay, bacon could be crisper. Fresh fruit was a lifesaver, really.
Lunch/Dinner: They have a menu, generally pretty safe choices. I remember a decent fish dish, a bit overcooked (am I being nitpicky?). The prices weren't horrific, which is always a plus in a hotel.
Honestly, though? Get out and explore! There are some decent restaurants in town. I had a *fantastic* meal at The Raft Restaurant (a bit touristy, but the seafood was top-notch and the view was amazing). Oh, and one time, I accidentally ordered a HUGE plate of prawns. I couldn't finish it, but the taste... oh my god. I think I'm still drooling thinking about it.
What about the rooms? Clean? Comfy? Do they have decent Wi-Fi, for the love of all that is holy?
Rooms: Generally okay. Definitely ask for a room with a balcony/ocean view. It's *worth* it. Mine was clean, the bed was comfy enough (I slept like the dead after those conference sessions), and the bathroom was functional. No complaints, really.
Wi-Fi: ...hit or miss. Let's just say it was unreliable enough to inspire an existential crisis or to. Good for browsing, okay for emails, absolutely abysmal for video calls. I swear, I spent one entire afternoon trying to download a presentation, and it just. wouldn't. budge. It was a test of patience. Eventually, I gave up and staring out the window with a glass of wine in my hand, admiring the ocean. Not the worst tradeoff.
Is there anything to *do* in Walvis Bay? Or am I just stuck in a hotel room staring at the ocean?
Okay, this is where things get interesting. Yes, surprisingly, there's stuff to do! Most of the time, it's the excursions that come highly recommended.
Dune driving tour: Worth the trip. Just hold on tight!
Birdwatching: Apparently, Walvis Bay is a birdwatcher's paradise. I am not a birdwatcher, but the flamingos were pretty cool.
Boat trips to see seals: Smelly, noisy, but unforgettable! You get to see seals up close and personal. Just watch out for the spray.
My personal highlight? The Sandwich Harbour tour. Absolutely breathtaking. The dunes meeting the sea... mind-blowing. This is the main reason I'd go back.
Okay, give it to me straight. Would you go back?
Honestly? Yeah, I probably would. It’s not a perfect resort. It’s in Walvis Bay (you know, the seagull place). It's not going to blow you away with luxury. But the location right on the beach is gorgeous, the staff were friendly, and the food (especially the seafood!) was pretty solid. Plus, those dunes… and the tour, oh my god, that tour...
Would I recommend it? It depends. If you're looking for a chill, no-frills beach getaway with some cool excursions on the side, then yes. If you're a luxury snob who can't handle a slightly fishy breeze, maybe not. But, really, the smell of the sea eventually becomes something you get used to. And those sunsets... those are something else.
What are the common complaints?
The Wi-Fi: I cannot emphasize this enough. Pray it works. Download things before you go. Have a book ready for downtime.
The Service speed: It's Africa. Things move at their own pace. Try not to be in too big a hurry.
The seagulls: Yes. They are a thing, and they are relentless. Try not to be too bothered.
The wind: It can be pretty strong. Bring a jacket.
