About
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Added by Jopie, at 04 July 2018
Description
The story of the Hansa Hotel is a century in the making
Established in 1905 in the romantic town of Swakopmund, we’ve built our reputation on providing luxurious and sophisticated hospitality, complimented by the highest standard of friendly, personalized service. Today, the hotel is as synonymous with the town as the giant sand dunes of the great Namib desert that surrounds it.
The Hotel
This hotel is a place of enchantment where the social and private lives of the guests merge. People arrive, stay and depart to continue their journeys – they eat, drink and sleep… For a 100 years now, Hansa Hotel in Swakopmund – in the middle of the desert – has fascinated and attracted both illustrious and ordinary guests.
What is it about this hotel that has triggered the enthusiasm of so many people over such a long time? “This hotel has a soul,” says Stephan Wacker, the establishment’s manager with conviction.
The hotel – an oasis in the desert: This description is apt in the case of Swakopmund: It is an oasis, since – from whatever direction you approach it – you have to cross kilometers upon kilometers of dust, sand and rocks and you will long for a cheerful welcome at the end of the road. That’s when the Hansa Hotel opens its arms to you.
Historical Background
A 100 years ago on 5 July 1905, the master hairdresser Paul Miersch announced to his valued customers on a large advertising poster that “he would like to bring to the attention of the interested public” that he had moved his business to a new double storey building next to the Woermann Agency in the Schlucht Street opposite to the terminal.”
This new double-storey building turned out to have so many that Paul Miersch gladly rented some of them to travelers. And that’s when Hansa hotel was born. Afterwards the history of the hotel more or less disappears in the mist of time – temporarily.
With the appearance on the stage of the Rummel couple in 1954, the hotel once again emerged out of obscurity. With Sebastian a highly skilled chef and Elisabeth Rummel a talented interior decorator, the couple was responsible for the meteoric rise of its status as a luxury establishment. They created the unique atmosphere that still persists today and its fame spread far beyond the borders of the country. They renovated and expanded the establishment and laid the foundation for the strict standards that staff and management still set themselves today.
When they took over, the Rummels inherited a small hotel based on the “two-storey house” originally built by Paul Miersch. Although it had been expanded to include some neighbouring buildings and had been renovated and remodeled, the present day ‘Hansa Hotel’ was just a glimmer in the eyes of the Rummels. While Sebastian Rummel had planned the expansion and renovation, he died in a plane crash in 1968, just before his dreams could come to fruition.
But his wife Elisabeth realized those dreams for him. From 1970 onwards she ran the hotel together with her second husband Mr. Scheithauer.
With the hotel already a magnet for travelers from all over the world, it now truly reaped general acclaim.
This success story still today rests on two pillars: a carefully selected and professional staff that identifies intimately with the hotel and its guests as well as the excellent cuisine. The staff has remained – quite atypically – faithful to the Hansa Hotel over many years and considers it an honour to be able to work there. Management, in turn, is continuously concerned with training, follow-up training and advanced training.
A forty–year veteran, Reinhold Mertens (“Cheffie”), has placed his indelible stamp on the kitchen and the exquisite dishes it turned out. He has now found a worthy successor in Sven Höritzauer. Then and now, the principles that governed the preparation of the items on the by now famous menu remained the same – fresh and local ingredients.
The ‘soul of the hotel’ is in the final analysis the people that work there, not the furniture (no matter how tastefully selected) and they are the reason that guests from all over the world feel at home. At the ‘Hansa’ great value is placed on individuality and every room has its own décor as a result. Still, the overall ambience is clear: traditional elegance, cosmopolitan charm and classical luxury.
The Name
The name ‘Hansa Hotel’ is derived from the Old High-German word for group or team. It changed to ‘Hansa’ in the middle ages and became the common term after 1358 for a powerful association of German traders who traded with the rest of the world.
When Germany joined the colonial era of the European powers, ‘Hanse’ or ‘Hansa’ began to stand for a meeting place for travelers overseas, like the harbour or Swakopmund in the German colony of ‘German South West Africa’ – the colonial name for present day Namibia.
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16 Reviews
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21 August 2018
We would like to congratulate Janke de Bruijne our trainee chef on doing so well in her final practical exams. Your dishes are brilliantly executed and look delicious. Well done from Hansa Hotel management and team, we wish you all the best for the future.
Wir möchten Janke de Bruijne unsere Praktikantin gratulieren, die sich in ihren letzten praktischen Prüfungen so gut bewährt hat. Ihre Gerichte sind hervorragend verarbeitet und sehen köstlich aus. Wir wünschen Dir alles G...ute für die Zukunft! #traineechef #hansahotel #congratulations
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17 August 2018
Georg our Sous Chef proudly holding our front page article from the Allgemeine Zeitung regarding the penguins that were rescued two weeks ago. Elgin Ritter from Ritter Safari Adventures CC - Thank you again for the 5 boxes of Pillchards donated. We would like to ask/challenge other hospitality and tourism organisations to also donate Pilchards. Contact Maike at Hansa Hotel for details.
Georg unser Sous Chef hält stolz unseren Artikel aus der Allgemeinen Zeitung über die Pi...nguine, die vor zwei Wochen gerettet wurden. Elgin Ritter von Ritter Safari Adventures CC - Nochmal vielen Dank für die 5 Boxen von Pilchards gespendet. Wir möchten andere Hospitality- und Tourismusorganisationen dazu auffordern, auch Pillchards zu spenden. Kontaktieren Sie Maike im Hansa Hotel für Besonderheiten. #savethepenguins #endangeredspecies #helpusdonate
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13 August 2018
A lovely selection of elephant artwork, to appreciate these majestic creatures on Elephant Day! 🐘
Eine schöne Auswahl an Elefantenkunstwerken, um diese majestätischen Kreaturen am Elephant Day zu schätzen!
#Saveourelephants #Namibia #Elephantday
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10 August 2018
4 more penguins have been rescued between Walvis Bay and Sandwich Harbour over the weekend. They are now recouperating at Mr Boorman & Dr. Dantu's residence.
Hansa Hotel is proud to announce that we have donated 10 boxes of Pilchards towards the feeding of the penguins. We would like to challenge other local hospitality businesses to also donate and help support the rehabilitation of the penguins.
...Once the penguins are ready for their release we will need to find transport to Luderitz once again. We will keep you updated on their progress.
Contact Maike Lohmann at Hansa Hotel for details on how you can donate. #savethepenguins #wechallengeyou #endangeredspecies
4 weitere Pinguine wurden am Wochenende zwischen Walvis Bay und Sandwich Harbor gerettet. Sie erholen sich jetzt beim Wohnsitz von Herrn Boorman & Dr. Dantu.
Das Hansa Hotel freut sich bekannt zu geben, dass wir 10 Kisten mit Pilchards für die Fütterung der Pinguine gespendet haben.
Wir möchten andere lokale Hospitality-Unternehmen dazu auffordern, auch die Rehabilitation der Pinguine zu unterstützen und Pilchards spenden. Kontaktieren Sie Maike Lohmann im Hansa Hotel für Besonderheiten zum Spenden.
Sobald die Pinguine fertig sind, müssen die wieder nach Luderitz kommen. Wir werden Sie auf dem Laufenden halten.
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09 August 2018
A couple of great new additions to our wine list...
Spier Chardonnay 2017 - a fruity, creamy and crisp wine with hints of vanilla, grape fruit and lemon on the nose.
Paul Cluver Village Pinot Noir 2016 - Beautiful aromas of red fruits and roasted spices, a silky palate creating an easy drinking wine. ... #newwines #hansahotel #everydayisawineday
Ein paar tolle Neuzugänge auf unserer Weinkarte ...
Spier Chardonnay 2017 - ein fruchtiger, cremiger und knackiger Wein mit einem Hauch von Vanille, Traubenfrucht und Zitrone.
Paul Cluver Village Pinot Noir 2016 - Schöne Aromen von roten Früchten und gerösteten Gewürzen, der einen leichten Trinkwein schafft.
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06 August 2018
Scenic Flights, just one of the many activities you can enjoy here in Swakopmund. We can help you book your activities here at reception, enabling you to experience the wonders of Namibia,Swakopmund. #Swakopmund #AdventurecapitalofNamibia #Experience
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04 August 2018
We have some delicious new specials on both our lunch and dinner menu's. Here is a sneak peak of what we have to offer! #Hansakitchen #Delicious #Restaurant
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01 August 2018
Fantastic rescue effort of the Humpback Whale off Walvis Bay. The Humpback Whale was entangled in ropes under the water at one of the oyster farms. Luckily a team of individuals were able to carry out the rescue and cut the Whale free. A fantastic team effort and a huge well done to all involved in the rescue! 🐳 #humpbackwhale #marinerescue #teameffort
Fantastische Rettungsaktion eines Buckelwals vor Walvis Bay. Der Buckelwal war verwickelt in Seilen unter Wasser an der Aust...ernfarm. Glücklicherweise konnte Samaritaner die Rettung durchführen und den Wal frei schneiden. Eine fantastische Teamleistung und ein großer Erfolg für alle Beteiligten!
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30 July 2018
Our handcrafted Hansa Hotel Key rings have arrived ... They will be available to purchase at reception | only N$50.00 per key ring - a lovely souvenir gift for friends or family.
Unsere handgefertigten Hansa Hotel Schlüsselringe sind angekommen ... Sie können an der Rezeption für nur N $ 50.00 pro Schlüsselring kaufen - ein schönes Souvenir Geschenk für Freunde oder Familie.
#HansaHotel #Keyrings #Souveniridea
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26 July 2018
At Hansa Hotel we are proud to support the fight against cancer and do our bit to help The Cancer Association as they continue to fundraise. Their latest campaign - The Bank Windhoek Cancer Apple Project. The apples we purchased are being used both in the kitchen and being displayed at our reception desk alongside a collection box for donations. #HansaHotel #cancerapples #cancerawareness
Im Hansa Hotel sind wir stolz darauf, den Kampf gegen Krebs zu unterstützen und unseren ...Teil beizutragen. Der Krebsvereinigung zu helfen, während sie weiterhin Spenden sammeln für "The Bank Windhoek Cancer Apple Project".
Die Äpfel, die wir gekauft haben, werden in der Küche gebraucht und sind auch erhaltlich bei der Rezeption für eine Spende.
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22 July 2018
Save the Desert Elephants! A local fundraising art show here in Swakopmund - why not pass by and enjoy the artwork and support this great cause.
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21 July 2018
Joseph our Waste Management Officer was super excited to start recycling here at Hansa yesterday when our new orange recycling bins were delivered, thanks to Rent a Drum - Glad to join others in saving our planet. #doingourbit #Hansa #Rentadrum
Joseph, unser Abfallbeauftragter, war sehr aufgeregt gestern bei Hansa mit dem Recycling zu beginnen, als unsere neuen Orangenbehälter geliefert wurden Vielen Dank an Rent-a-Drum
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17 July 2018
A huge congratulations to the ladies of Pole Dance Fitness Swakopmund, Namibia on their multiple wins at the Championship of Performing Art in Los Angeles, USA from us here at Hansa Hotel. #goingforgold #swakopmund #namibia
Herzlichen Glückwunsch an die Damen von Pole Dance Fitness Swakopmund, Namibia, die bei der Meisterschaft der darstellenden Kunst in Los Angeles, Amerika mehrere Preise gewonnen haben
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15 July 2018
Swakopmund, a stunning travel destination where the atlantic ocean meets the rolling sand dunes of the Namib Desert. Come and explore first hand.
Plan your stay with us here at Hansa, contact us direct for availability and rates. Email | reservations@hansahotel.com.na
...#namibiaoutdoors #hansahotel #swakopmund
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12 July 2018
Its today - the Swakopmund Pop-up Festival is finally here! What a great excuse to visit Swakopmund and get out and about! #swakopmund #festival #rugby #funforall
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11 July 2018
You're in for a treat ... We have some delicious lunch specials on today ! #terracerestaurant #swakopmund #deliciousdishes
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