Fodor's Expert Review Okiep Country Hotel

About 8 km (5 miles) from Springbok, in South Africa's oldest mining town, this hotel is one of the finest places to stay in Namaqualand, not only for the above-average accommodations and dining, but also for the friendly owner, Malcolm Mostert, who has created a homey atmosphere and who is a great source of information about what to see and do in the area. Interiors are done in a pleasing palette of tan, brown and white and decorated with photographs detailing the area's mining history. Guest rooms are simple, tidy, and comfortable. You can lounge in pleasant outdoor areas or beside the pool, a real boon in summer. Homemade curries, stews, and meat dishes such as spareribs and steaks are popular and recommended at the hotel's restaurant, where breakfast is also served. Next door is the Cornish Pumphouse, a fully intact steam-pump engine that's a landmark on Okiep's main road and the only one of its kind remaining in the Southern Hemisphere. Malcolm also offers several self-catering rooms and houses across from the hotel.