Sossusvlei Mountain Lodge

The split-level main lodge is a dramatic structure of glass and stone curves. Walls have become windows, or fold away completely, engaging the vast desert vistas. The swimming pool is fed by an underground spring, emerging from deep within the desert. There is something deliciously contradictory about floating in a pool in the middle of the world's oldest desert.

Ten stone and glass desert suites combine unprecedented sophistication with the stark beauty of the desert landscape. The air-conditioned and spacious rooms are designed to capture the splendour and solitude of the desert. Spaced well apart, each suite is a private haven with a shaded deck overlooking the far horizons of the Namib Desert.

The split-level suites are located at the foot of a mountain overlooking an expansive Namib grass plain leading into a sea of orange sand dunes. Each suite is equipped for the climatic extremes of the desert. There is a fireplace in the split-level lounge for winter evenings. For the hot desert days, there are showers in the en suite, glass-encased bathroom. There are also outdoor showers for starlit bathing.

Cradled against ancient mountains, Sossuvlei Mountain lodge's décor embraces muted hues of ochre, umber and ivory. An expansive star-viewing window above the bed is every child-at-heart's dream come true. The rooms are equipped with personal compact telescopes for game- or star-spotting, a service-intercom to the main lodge and a CD system.