NAMIBIA’s only city, Windhoek, is known for its ... Actually, I’m not sure Windhoek is known for anything. But it certainly isn’t known for its boutique hotels, unprecedented use of photography in interior design, or fine dining. This could change, though, with the recent opening of the Olive Exclusive, the city’s first ultra-luxurious, seven-suite boutique hotel, which features the talents of Cape Town photographer Micky Hoyle and Cape Town chef Jacques Erasmus.
Blue Sky had, for some years before embarking on the project, owned and operated the neighbouring Olive Guesthouse. Having observed the high demand for the guesthouse’s luxury Garden Suite, Fussell and Van den Bosch saw the value of adding an über-deluxe property to the mix. They bought the property next door and invited former business partner Mike Warren to oversee the project.
Hoyle’s photography of Namibia features prominently throughout. His prints are not only stretched across walls in communal areas, but also in each of the seven suites, which are themed according to various Namibian destinations, including Etosha, Kunene, the Namib Desert, Erongo, Otavi, Caprivi and the coast.
The photographer doubled as chief designer. Tasked with including as many natural Namibian products in the project as possible, he and Warren reassembled a tree in the restaurant and transported two three-ton slabs of white granite from Karibib. The taller slab of granite serves as the hotel’s reception desk and the other as a coffee table.
Erasmus developed the menu for the restaurant, which seats 24 inside and 12 on the outside terrace that overlooks the olive grove.
As a single, you’ll pay R3080 a night for a premier suite; this includes a four-course dinner with wine, breakfast, full use of the hotel and private access to a luxurious suite with all comforts and mod-cons, and your own plunge pool. In other words, you’ll probably leave the city knowing Windhoek for something rather exceptional.
• www.theolive-namibia.com
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