Experience the dream at Droombos

A flair for the unforgettableWith exquisite cuisine, elegant decor and personalised attention, the Droombos Estate sets a new standard for hospitality in Namibia.Mirinda van der Merwe, Co-owner of the Droombos Estate - “Everything we do at the Droombos Estate is fuelled by passion to see people happy.”Pg 7 MWYochanaan CoetzeeThe Droombos Estate has elevated the capital’s hospitality, conferencing and venue hire offering to new heights, with its beautiful landscaping, stunning décor and top-shelf food and beverage experiences.Co-owner and lead ambience architect Mirinda van der Merwe beams as she makes her way to their main restaurant, greeting staff and guests with a warm smile and graceful enquiry about their experience at the estate.“Everything we do at the Droombos Estate is fuelled by passion to see people happy. We want visitors to experience our passion for hospitality and creating an environment in which they create beautiful memories, whether that is off their wedding day, or simply a delicious meal in an exquisite setting,” she explains as we sit down for a coffee.The Droombos Estate, which comprises of Droombos and the Vineyard, covers over 19 000 square metres of picturesque gardens, luxury lodgings, gourmet eateries and one-of-a-kind venue spaces.Situated just outside Windhoek in the foothills of the Auas mountain range, the estate has become synonymous with luxury and exclusivity, thanks to the team’s incredible attention to detail, décor and an unrivalled food and beverage experience.From a dream to a reality“My husband and I always had the dream to have our own hospitality establishment and when the opportunity came in 2018, we hesitated initially, but could not ignore the beauty, tranquillity and also, possibility of what we could create here,” she said.“Though there were structures and an amazing garden, it really was a blank slate, which gave us the opportunity to make it our own, and give it a distinct sensory appeal,” Van der Merwe added.Among the aesthetic elements that set Droombos apart are the rammed earth or “formocean” walls, which are moulded, rather than built, by enclosing earth within a frame of boards. “Not only are they extremely visually pleasing, but these walls will last for centuries, as they are resistant against rain, wind, and fire, and is superior in solidity to any cement,” she explained.Though an ancient method of construction dating back thousands of years, rammed earth walls remain one the most natural and non-toxic known means of construction and Droombos presents the only large-scale development of this nature in Namibia.When asked about the phenomenally tasteful décor and design inspiration, Van der Merwe admits that it’s years and years of careful collecting, restoration and creatively using materials and décor items.“The Droombos Estate is not about the newest and most expensive furnishings and decor. A lot of what we’ve incorporated in our design and decor comes from what we’ve collected over the years and there are so many personal touches, like many of the headboards and pillows are made with fabric that I had from when I used to make my children’s clothes. So there’s an incredible amount of sentimental value and memories all over the estate and this I think also relates to our guests, as we’ve put a lot of love and passion into creating a homey, yet high-key environment that is not pretentious, but retains a luxurious natural ambience of comfortable exclusivity,” she explained.Natural allure“Among our main themes was to keep the estate fresh and natural. That is why a lot of focus went into maintaining the grounds, growing our herb garden and making sure to preserve our beautiful camelthorn trees, two of which are estimated to be more than 500 years old,” she elaborated.These old ladies anchor and stand guard over the “Old Camelthorn” and “The Sheds Garden”, which are among the stand-out venues located at the estate. The Apple Orchard, the Library, the Asado Braai, the Black Barn and the beautiful De Rooie Gallery are perfectly suited for unforgettable weddings, baby showers, year-end functions, conferences, or any other celebrations, large or small.Guests can also be accommodated in one of their ten exquisite rooms, each with a unique theme, which were painstakingly decorated by Mirinda’s late friend, Marissa Lochner, and have become a sought-after escape from travellers and even Windhoek residents seeking a superior hospitality experience.If you’d like get a first-hand appreciation for the unforgettable ambience and offerings at the Droombos Estate and Vineyard, make sure to visit them for a delicious meal or tour of the grounds and some of Windhoek’s oldest vines. Another highlight on their calendar is their regular Farmer’s Market, where you can support local growers and producers of meat, milk, eggs and the like, while soaking up the beauty at panache of the Droombos Estate.Contact them at reservations@droombos.com.na or phone 061-25 0238 / 083 288 8352 to book your visit.

Experience the dream at Droombos

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Namibian Sun 2022-05-23

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Experience the dream at Droombos

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Namibian Sun 2022-05-23

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