I’ve been smitten with Namibia ever since our visit last August. I’ve been so tempted to write about the boutique sustainable lodge we used in the Namib desert. But I’ve been resisting the urge to write about the Sossus Dune eco-lodge. After all, who writes about a hotel! More so, who writes about a government-owned and run lodge! But this one is special. It’s a destination and an experience in its own right. So, here it is for you to decide if it’s worthy of a blog post.
Sossus Dune Eco Lodge in Namibia is a fine example of sustainable tourism in gorgeous Sossusvlei. The architecture of Sossus Dune Lodge is inspired by an African village setting and is built with local materials like wood, thatch, canvas, and stones. Although Sossus Dune Lodge looks like an Afro-village from the outside and it fits naturally in the Namib-Naukluft National Park, it has all modern amenities for a traveler to experience the wonders of Namibia in leisurely comfort. In these ways, its similar to the Alpine Village set in the woods of Jasper in the Canadian Rockies.
This is the entrance to Namib-Naukluft National Park at Sesriem, a gateway to the world’s oldest and tallest red sand dunes.
We stayed in Sossus Dune Lodge as part of our 5-day trip to Namibia which was part of our 14-day trip through Southern Africa. The drive from Windhoek to Namib-Naukluft National Park was long and rough, but the friendly staff at the entrance made us smile. We couldn’t wait to go further into the national park.
Sossus Dune Lodge has 25 units, 13 on one side and 12 on the other side with a common area in the middle. The 25 units fill up months in advance, even in the off-season.
We stayed in one of the units on the far left. In the cold winter nights, it may have been more convenient to be closer to the restaurant. The units farthest from the center are the honeymoon suites with a few special arrangements.
The Sussos Dune Lodge is nestled under the red rocky mountains, sheltered from the winds.
The car parking is a bit far from the lodge. In the picture above, there is a small red hill on the extreme right. The car parking is to the right of that hill, while the lodge is to the left. The National Park staff is always at hand to give a ride (and carry luggage) between the lodge and the parking area. The drive is a good opportunity to chat with the locals.
The lobby or community area of the Sossus Dune Lodge is the place to hang out to talk with the staff and fellow travelers.
The reception desk can answer questions, give directions and arrange for guided private tours in the national park. However, the staff lives outside the national park because there is no housing in the park. I loved the collection of books about Namibia in the little library. I wish I had more time to read them all.
The outdoor seating in Sossus Dune Lodge is perfect for a meal or tea while watching a summer sunset in the desert and warm afternoons in winter.
Our Home in the Namib Desert
Each unit in Sossus Dune lodge has two sections, the bathroom on the left and the bedroom + sitting area on the right.
The Sossus dune lodge is built with utmost care and respect for nature. As you’ve noticed by now, the entire lodge is built on raised wooden platforms to allow for stones, water, animals and plants life to move and grow freely.
The room is designed for guests to immerse in the views while lounging in the comfortable chairs.
I watched the desert for hours as the light and colors changed with the sun.
Don’t be deceived by the exterior village-like setting of Sossus Dune Lodge. The rooms are well furnished with modern amenities, comfortable sleeping arrangements and lots of blankets.The spacious bathroom also has the full view of the desert and modern appointments.The bathroom at Sossue Dune lodge is also made of wood and furnished with eco friendly products.
The heavy doors of Sossus Dune lodge are made of local copper from Namibian miles. I’m not sure if this is unprocessed ore or reclaimed copper.
Each unit in Sossus Dune Lodge has a solar panel to harness the power of clear sunny days of the desert.Each unit in Sossus Dune Lodge has an outdoor sitting area.
The patio in every unit is perfect for soaking the winter sunshine, watching the desert sunset, or stargazing the desert sky. I had read that many monkeys visit the patio and can be a nuisance. We only say a wild dog at a distance and no wildlife came close to the rooms during our stay.
The vast desert planes and dunes are only interrupted by the occasional wild animal, the howling winds or a lodge vehicle.Our home in the desert of Namibia in Namib-Naukluft National Park
Enjoys this short video tour of the Sossue Dune Lodge –
Vegetarian Food in the Desert
Namib-Naukluft National Park as a whole has extremely few dining options, so we planned ahead and carried food from home that supplemented with fresh produce and bread from Windhoek.
At Sesriem entrance of the national park, we checked the few eating places for vegetarian options, but I didn’t see any half decent choices.
Sousse Dune Lodge offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner in the restaurant. The lodge kitchen prepares fresh meals in the structure behind the restaurant on the hill. The kitchen was able to customize our meals to a great extent.
Each morning, the kitchen prepares a full continental breakfast with traditional African additions. The buffet doesn’t have many vegan options but the chef created some hot dishes for me. The kitchen can also pack breakfast-to-go if you’re going for a sunrise hike. Breakfast was included but the other meals were not.
Spiced baked beans
Tomatoes and Mushrooms
We had lunches on our own from the ingredients we carried from home and from Windhoek so we didn’t really check the lunch options.
For dinner, the restaurant served a set-meal with multiple courses for about $35. They do a very good job with the food and the excellent service. They made a delicious vegetarian meal but didn’t have a vegan option for the main course.
Sunset in Sossus Dune Lodge
The common areas of Sossus Dune Lodge, in the golden light of the setting sun.On the cold winter evening, we settled in our patio to watch the setting sun and feel its golden glow.Every rock and desert shrub lights up in the golden sunlight in the Namib desert.The gorgeous sunset in the desert lights up all of Sossus Dune Lodge.
Here is a short video we took from the deck of our room. The hyperlapse of 1.5min represents the sunset that lasted over 30min.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some questions we had or wish we knew to ask. I’m sure you’ll find them useful.
Is the Namib desert cold?
We visited Namibia during their winter, in early August. It was cold at night but the sunny days were very pleasant. We stayed out in the desert all day and it was wonderful weather. The staff at the lodge said that most of the year is very hot in Namib. They said that visitors generally step out for sunrise and sunset but stay in the lodge between 10 am and 5 pm under the ceiling fans.
Where to stay in Sossusvlei?
There are many beautiful lodges and campsites in Sossusvlei. However, if want to be on the dunes to see the sun rising or late enough to see the sunset, you need to stay inside the Namib-Naukuluft National Park. The only accommodations inside the national park are Sossus Dune lodge and Sesriem campsite at the park entrance.
Is Sossus Dune Lodge worth it?
Sossus Dune Lodge is significantly more expensive than other accommodations near Sossusvlei area. But, if you want to get to the dunes to see the sun rising or stay until after the sun sets, it is only possible if you’re staying in Sossus Dune Lodge or in the Sesriem campsite within the Namib-Naukluft National Park. If you’re in Sossusvlei for the dunes and photography, then its totally worth it.
What’s the best place for stargazing in Namibia?
With the sparse population and few sources of light pollution, Namibia is one the best places on the plant for stargazing. Stargazing is particularly amazing in Sossusvlei because the desert is completely empty. The best place to stargaze are from the comfort of the Sossus Dune Lodge sitting area or in the desert or in Deadvlei.
Are rooms in Sossus Dune lodge heated?
Sossus dune lodge did not have heaters as of August 2019. It was cold during our stay so the staff provided extra blankets and hot packs to warm the bed. The staff said that it was very rare to have such cold weather so they love it when it gets cold.
Are the rooms in Sossus Dune lodge air conditioned?
The rooms in Sossus Dune eco-lodge have ceiling fans and the ceiling is designed to despite the heat at the top.
What are vegetarian food options in Namib-Naukluft National Park
There are limited food options within the Namib-Naukluft National Park. The Sesrium entrance has a few choices and the restaurant in Sossus Dune lodge is nice, but they have few vegan choices. Read above for more details.Resorts outside the national park may have additional options.
What are Sossus Dune lodge contact details?
The lodge contact can be found on the Namibian Wildlife Resorts website. As of 2019, the phone numbers are +264 63 693 258 and +264 63 693 257
Sesriem campsite is located within the Namib-Naukluft National Park
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Its a Wrap
I dont generally tell stories of lodges, but I fell in love with the incredible setting and Sossuse Dune lodge’s support for sustainable tourism. I wish more governments and businesses explore sustainable models.
Have you visited Namibia? What was your experience?
Would you visit Sossus Dune Lodge? Is it worth it for you?
The enormous red sand dunes of Namib-Naukluft National Park touch the soul and leave you with a feeling you will remember for the rest of your life. The red dunes of Sossusvlei area (also known as Wind Cathedral Namibia) are evidence of nature’s artistic genius and a display of its mastery at incorporating colors, textures, and sounds to create masterpieces and fully immersive experiences. The desert exuberates the simplicity and feeling of eternal peace. This is our road trip and itinerary of Naukluft National Park’s Sossusvlei, Big Daddy, Deadvlei, Dune 45, Elim Dune starting from Windhoek.
We went to Namibia with the desire to see the world’s oldest, highest and most beautiful red sand dunes and we were rewarded with so much more. Namibia is the perfect place to witness nature at its most authentic self with pristine red sand dunes, African wildlife, hiking, beaches, arid mountains, history and believe it or not – city life. The 4 days we spent in Namibia as part of our 14-days in Southern Africa, have left me craving for more.
Windhoek, Namibia’s Capital, is a surprisingly modern and beautiful city. As we flew in and then drove to the city, it presented a completely unexpected sight for the capital of a young African country. Windhoek’s modern infrastructure, malls, health clubs, music festivals, and extremely well-marked streets were a welcome surprise. Windhoek had no resemblance to the image of a traumatized African country portrayed by our media.
With Ads like this, it was clear that Namibia is ready for visitors.
Getting ready for the Namibian Road Trip
At the small but full-service Windhoek airport, we rented our large SUV to drive deep into the Namib desert, through 100s of kilometers of dirt and rocky roads. The Hertz staff wasn’t the least bit concerned about the off-road driving. They showed us how to change tires and said to keep the interior clean.
We had dinner at Col’Cacchio Kitchen, in the Grove Namibia mall which is quite trendy and happening. They have a very creative Italian menu with tons of vegetarian and vegan options.
The following morning we shopped for fresh food for the next 4 days at the grocery store in the Largest Mall of Namibia.
Chakalaka, a traditional Namibian bread stuffed with mushrooms, bell peppers and onions at the Grove Mall in Windehoek.
Arebbusch Hotel in Windhoek
We stayed in Arebbusch hotel, but it was really more like a gated community with each pair of rooms set up as a duplex. Each room had a kitchen, outdoor barbecue, sitting area, front, and backyard. Along with shared ‘square’ with common rooms, pools, restaurant and other entertainment.
A guest room in Arebbusch hotel in Namibia.
The Square in Arebbusch hotel, Namibia. In the cool winter morning, no one dared enter the pool.
Day 2: Drive from Windhoek to Sossusvlei via Rehoboth and Sesriem
The drive from Windhoek to Sossus Dune Lodge is 5 hours. So we left Windhoek early in the morning. That we were sure to reach Namib-Naukluft National Park before sunset. Here is a map our the sites we stopped at on this road trip through Namibia.
The first half of the drive (from Windhoek to Rehoboth) was on the excellent black tar road and no traffic.
Namibia is one of the world’s most sparsely populated countries, as was apparent very quickly after leaving Windhoek. Much of the Namibian population was killed in wars eventually leading to Namibia’s freedom from South Africa.
This was just the beginning of our drive from Windhoek to Namib-Naukluft National Park.
Windhoek to Rehoboth
Rehoboth is the only big town on the way from Windhoek to Sossusvlei. It took us about an hour to get from Windhoek to Rehoboth. The tar road ends in Rehoboth and the unpaved road begins.
The town of Rehoboth looked pretty well off. As we learned later, much of Namibia is doing quite well with good family income, plenty of jobs and a high standard of living. The houses along the main road were quite large and well kept.
A typical house on the drive through the town of Rehoboth, Namibia
The striking observation was the red school uniform in the town. I’ve seen school uniforms that are white, gray, blue, pink and others but never red school uniform! I would think that some psychologists or color specialists will have an opinion on the choice of color.
Recess time in Ruimte Primary School in Rehoboth, Namibia.
Looking at their Facebook page, Ruimte Primary School looks like a really good school. The Facebook page says “Ruimte Primary School opened its doors in January 1974 with its mission to provide quality education to the community, especially young children.”
Recess time in Ruimte Primary School in Rehoboth, Namibia.
Rehoboth to Namib-Naukluft National Park
After Rehoboth, we went on the dirt roads for the rest of the trip to Sossusvlei – which is a little over 4 hours.
Driving on unpaved roads from Rehoboth to Namib-Naukluft National Park, through the vast open lands of Namibia.
Our drives through Namibia presented some of the most striking landscapes. The long drives went through a vast expanse of open land with almost no towns, no villages and an occasional tourist SUV. The never ending, vast arid plains and mountains of Namibia made me fill with the awe for nature and its wonders, especially when we encountered amazing wildlife that has adapted to this land of extremes.
We wondered why there were piles of hay on electric poles in the arid deserts of Namibia.
We had decided to use Google maps instead of signs or written maps (Apple maps didn’t work at all in Namibia). However, Google Maps took us through a route where the roads were bumpier and longer. During our return, we used the road signs (confirmed with locals) and that worked much better.
As we approached the Namib desert, visions of red dunes started appearing on the base of otherwise rocky hills.
Entering Namib-Naukluft National Park at Sesriem
The Sesriem entrance is a gateway to the enormous and most ancient red sand dunes of Namib-Naukluft national park, also known at Sossusvlei area.
The entrance to the Namib-Naukluft National Park at Sesriem.
The entrance to Namib-Naukluft National Park has a campsite, a small restaurant and gift shop. The staff checks the reservation printout to allow entrance. Once in the parking area, we registered to enter the national park and paid the park fees for the number of days we planned to stay.
Namib-Naukluft National Park Campsite at Sesriem.
Sossus Dune Lodge
Other than camping, Sossus Dune Lodge is the only accommodation in the Namib-Naukluft National Park. The residents of Sossus Dune Eco-Lodge and park camping are allowed to be on the dunes any time. Everyone else can only visit during the designated park hours that start after sunrise and end before sunrise. So, if you’re interested in being on the dunes during the magical hours and enjoy the dunes, Deadvlei, Big Daddy and Dune 45 all to yourself, you’ll need to pay the hefty price tag for Sossus Dune resort or rough it in the campsite. Staying at Soussue Dune Lodge will be more than worth it.
Watching the desert from the comfort of our room in Sossus Dune Lodge, Namib-Naukluft National Park, Namibia.
Sossusvlei, Namibia is a huge salt pan in Namib-Naukluft national park but many people refer to the entire region as Sossusvlei that includes Dune 45, Big Daddy dune, Dead Vlei etc.
Sunset on Dune 45
Standing on top of Dune 45 all by myself felt unreal. There I was, a tiny speck amongst the enormous red sand dunes that stretched for miles. There I was with no sound on top of Dune 45, except easy winds that were effortlessly sculpting waves on the dunes, just like they have done for thousands of years.
Dune 45 in Namibia’s red desert in Namib Naukluft National Park
I felt minuscule in size and in time spectrum. What have these dunes seen? Who else has set foot on this beauty only with their footsteps being erased the same day by the continuously sculpting wind, creating wind cathedrals of Namibia? Just like the people before me, I leave nothing but I take with me the feeling of awe.
I leave the dunes with poetry in my heart.
Dune 45 in Namibia’s red desert in Namib Naukluft National Park
Day 3: Sossusvlei – Big Daddy, Deadvlei, Elim Dune
Dune 45 is large but not as huge as Big Daddy or the dunes further out. The amazing sunset on Dune 45 was just what we needed on our first evening in Sossusvlei Namibia. The sights were enough to melt every bit of fatigue from the 4 hours of driving on the bumpy dirt roads.
Gorgeous sunsets of Sossusvlei, Namib Naukluft National Park, near Dune 45
Gorgeous sunsets of Sossusvlei, Namib Naukluft National Park, near Dune 45
Dune 45 was well marked and quite easy to find. As the name says, it is located 45 km from Sesriem entrance. Be sure to take instructions from the hotel and watch for wildlife along the drive. Wildlife is easy to spot if you’re driving at the speed limit and looking around. The vast desert has very little vegetation to hide the animals.
Sunrise on Big Daddy Dune
The Big Daddy dune is the place to enjoy the most beautiful desert sunrise. It is definitely a once in a lifetime experience. So gear up for a 325-meter climb up to the peak of Big Daddy over soft, fluid sand dunes. Bring your comfortable shoes.
We left our room well before sunrise on the frigid winter morning. We were the first car to reach the 2×4 parking, where the sand road begins and 2WDs must park and take the national park shuttle which starts later.
Driving on sand from the 2×4 Parking to Bid Daddy dune in Sossusvlei, in the red desert.
We weren’t really sure if we could drive ourselves or if we should take the massive national park trucks on the sand road. Looking at others, gave us the confidence to drive and get to the dune in time for sunrise.
This is the foot of Big Daddy Dune in Sossusvlei, as seen from the parking lot. Check the tiny people climbing the red sand dune.
From the first section of Big Daddy Dune in Sossusvlei, we’re looking at the parking lot on the top right section of the view.
Hikers on Big Daddy Dune in Sossusvlei, Namibia.
Hikers on Big Daddy Dune in Sossusvlei, Namibia. Notice the colors changed with the sun’s lighting.
This is a view from the top of Big Daddy Dune in Sossusvlei, Namibia. Notice the tiny specks in black. Those are people climbing down to Deadvlei.
I heard that people staying outside the Namib-Naukluft national park wait at the park entrance until after it opens and then everyone enters in a hurry to get up to Big Daddy and see Deadvlei. It’s definitely worth staying in the park to enjoy the sunset and sunrise.
Here’s a video of our 8-hour day trip from 6 am to about 2 pm.
Sliding or walking down from Big Daddy to Deadvlei, on soft red sand that flows like a liquid.
We had planned to spend the morning on Big Daddy but we didn’t really plan to climb all the way up. So we didn’t bring much water or food with us. The desert generally gets too hot to stay after 9 am, but that winter morning was so pleasant that we kept going. It was totally amazing to be all the way at the top of the world and watch tiny people in Deadvlei.
The clean crisp desert air can be felt by every pixel on your skin. I couldn’t possibly explain how amazing it felt, even if I tried my best.
Mid-Day in Deadvlei
Dead Vlei or Dead Valley is the huge salt and clay pan with petrified acacia trees that are standing in place for about 700 years.
Deadvlei is a salt and clay pan with petrified acacia trees standing in place for about 700 years. The markings are left behind by water streams that filled the lake.
Some of the lakes fill with water if there is sufficient rainfall on the dunes. It’s a rare but amazing sight when that happens.
The patterns on the ground were once the lake bed of Deadvlei, in the Namib desert.
A long time ago Deadvlei was an oasis with many acacia trees. It was a lake filled by a river and rainwater flow from the dunes. As the river changed direction, the white sand & salt hardened and created beautiful patterns. The streams left their signature on the lake bed and the trees froze in time.
Trees in Deadvlei now form out-of-this-world shots. They are featured in many movies.
Deadvlei is nature’s incredible art created with dried lake and dead trees. Each tree is a masterpiece with three color background – white ground, red dunes, and clear blue sky. No wonder it’s showcased in many movies and it’s all the rage on Instagram and all social media.
Trees in Deadvlei make gorgeous picture props.
Afternoon Walk on Elim Dune
After an amazing morning on Big Daddy, we got some lunch in the room with warm noodle soup, avocado toast, bhujia, and snacks.
After lounging around for a while we headed to the Elim Dune. The Elim Dunes are part of an older dune system, so there is more vegetation on and around the dunes as compared to Big Daddy. The trees, shrubs, flowers, and grasses, attract more wildlife to Elim Dunes.
The national park staff recommends Elim Rock as the best place for sunset photography in Sossusvlei but it was getting chilly that evening.
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Beautiful flowers bloom in Elim dune in Sossusvlei.
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It was a lovely surprise to see beautiful Acacia tree and seed pods were in full bloom. The pods make for great food for the animals in the desert.
An Onyx herd roamed the flat grasslands by Elim Dune in Namib-Naukluft National Park.
We climbed some of the dunes but then decided to spend more time on the ground and watch the Oryx grazing around. We returned to the resort to film the desert sunset from our room.
Sunset in Sossus Dune Lodge
Given the colder weather that evening, we decide to stay in Sossus Dune Lodge and film the sunset in timelapse. Our room had a spacious outdoor patio, to place the iPhones and watch the sunset. The bonus was watching the occasional wildlife heading home or vehicles driving to the lodge for the night.
Sunset from Souss Dune Lodge
Day 4: Drive from Sossusvlei to Windhoek via Solitaire and Mountains
On the return drive, we abandoned Google Maps and instead followed the directions locals gave us. It was a more scenic route with much better roads, particularly the section we drove over the mountains.
Driving back from Namib-Naukluft National Park to Windhoek, after a most humbling and energizing trip to the majestic red sand dunes of Namibia.
Solitaire, an Instagrammer Favorite
The settlement of Solitaire is the only “town” between Windhoek and Sesriem. It consists of a gas station, a restaurant, two houses, a bakery, and a few old cars.
Before the British arrived, Germans in large numbers lived in Namibia. Solitaire is an old German village with many signs of German presence here. The bakery and restaurant are said to be the best German pastries and pies although we were too full to try.
Old German cars and farm trucks are highly photographed. The old cars have put the little town on Instagrammers radar.
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Mountain Roads of Namibia
On our return drive, we drove through a Namibian mountain pass. Its a drive through a movie or a different planet.
Drive through a Namibian mountain pass.
Our best friend, the SUV that served us well through the trip.
Namibian Wildlife Encounters
Ostrich
Being the shy creatures that they are we couldn’t get ostriches very clearly on camera.
A lone Ostrich in Namib desert.
On the drive back from Sossusvlei to Rehoboth, we encountered some ostrich.
NKB_9015 Namibia Ostrich
Oryx
Oryx is a unique antelope species only found in very arid desert regions of Africa and one sub-species in the Middle East.
We saw them at distance on our drive from the resort to the dunes. As we saw them walking towards us, we stopped to watch their behavior.
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Wildebeest
Along the roads inside the Namib-Nukuluft national park, we just happened to spot a wildebeest. He got up to look at us for a min. He must have felt safe so he sat down again and continued sunbathing.
A wildebeest gets up to take a look at us in the Namib desert.
Springbuck
Springbucks are quite easy to find in Namib-Naukluft National Park by the main road.
Springbuck (like Impalas) are such beautiful and dainty creatures.
Bugs
Although the desert sand looks pristine with no vegetation or animals, there is a thriving life right under the surface.
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Wild dog
Wild dogs and other animals (we’re told) roam around the resort. All the rooms are raised a meter above the ground so animals and rolling mountain rocks don’t bother guests.
We did see some wild dog-like creature as we filmed the desert sunset. Thankfully it didn’t come close or we’d have to stop the camera and rush into the room.
Sociable Weaver
We saw enormous haystacks on trees and poles. Thankfully we stopped to look and discovered the most fascinating and unique desert creatures, the sociable weaver birds. I wrote another article on Sociable Weavers and their enormous communal nests and there is a good video in this Wired article.
Karoo Korhaan Bird
Little Karoo Korhaan birds are easy to miss because their colors match the desert browns.
Itinerary for Windhoek and Namib-Naukluft National Park
Day 1: Fly into Windhoek
Day 2: Drive from Windhoek Namib-Naukluft National Park
Check-in to the resort, hotel or campsite.
Climb Dune 45 and watch the sunset.
Dinner at the Lodge.
Day 3: Namib-Naukluft National Park
Sunrise hike on Big Daddy
Deadvlei
Sunset on Elim Dune
Day 4: Return to Windhoek
Visit the Canyon or other parts of the National Park
Drive back to Windhoek
Day 5: Leave Windhoek
Sightseeing in Windhoek
Fly out of Windhoek
More things to do in Namib-Naukluft National Park
Zebra river lodge for mountain zebra safari
Visit Himba tribal village. They still live with their ancient cultures, costumes, and food.
Wildlife safari. We saw a lot of wildlife just by chance. There are more to be if you venture into areas with some water.
Finding and booking accommodations for Jasper and Banff can be fun and challenging. You won’t see the large chain hotels in Banff or Jasper, with the exception of the Fairmont. Most hotels, inns, chalets, and cabins are privately owned, many operated by the owning family. The lack of familiar names can be unnerving for some because its hard to decide where to stay in Jasper, Banff, Lake Louise or other places in the Canadian Rockies.
When we started putting together our Canadian Rockies itinerary for 7 days, we spent much time figuring out places to stay in Jasper and Banff. As part of the research, we asked several close friends for recommendations. Most friends and family had stayed at the Fairmonts in Jasper, Banff, and Lake Louise within our comfort zones. But we also got recommendations for independent places to stay for different experiences.
Challenges in Finding Banff and Jasper Accommodations
Finding places to stay in the Canadian Rockies can be challenging for several reasons but none too daunting in themselves
Hotels, resorts, cabins, cottages, bungalows, and other accommodations in Jasper and Banff are not very familiar chain hotels. Familiar hotels provide familiar services and serve as a baseline for evaluating other hotels in most destinations. If it’s your first time visiting the Canadian Rockies, it’s hard to figure out the baseline and how to compare the places to stay in the Canadian Rockies.
The process for booking hotels or cabins in Jasper and Banff almost certainly requires calling the reception or booking person. For the most part, bookings aren’t done on the web.
Several accommodations in Jasper and Banff have pictures but they’re not too professional. So the actual accommodation may be nicer than the pictures advertised online or maybe not.
In 2019 and probably in most years, summer is extremely busy for the Banff and Jasper hotels. It can be very difficult to find the accommodation you like. They fill up months in advance. Additionally, in peak season and based on when you book, prices can be 2x to 3x of the non-peak rates.
In this article, I’ve shared our pictures from some of the hotels where we stayed or our friends stayed. I’ve also listed some hotels I had shortlisted but not able to find bookings for our travel dates. These are included in the itinerary outlines.
NOTE: We have no affiliation with any of the accommodations mentioned here.
Jasper Accommodations
Alpine Village Jasper
As we arrived in Jasper, we instantly fell in love with the Alpine village. The little cottages at the entrance looked like the quintessential Jasper log cabins, perfectly fitting in the woods that surrounded the property.
Alpine village street viewLobby and main entranceWelcome sign in the lobby, with hand-carved black bears.The lobby of Alpine village looks inviting and cozy especially because of the drizzle outside.We walked by some cute little cabins as we headed all the way back to ours.Our cabin in Jasper was tucked in all the way at the back of the Alpine village property. It was brand new and seemed like one of the largest cabins.Our home away from home, a perfect place to stay in Jasper.
Alpine village has been welcoming guests to the lovely cottages by the Athabasca river in Jasper for the last 70 years (since 1946). Over the decades, several new cabins for guests, owners, crew, and maintenance have been built and updated.
There is a beautiful red book in the cabin with answers to all the questions one could possibly have. I enjoyed reading every page of it. Especially the following on one with the story of the lodge.
The story of Alpine Village in Jasper.
Allow me to take you through a tour of our cabin in the woods.
Our living room with a mountain cabin feel.Cool mountain cabin decor at Alpine village in JasperView from the living room into the bedroom.Cute mountain cabin bedroom.Looking out from the bedroom.A fully equipped modern kitchen in the Alpine village mountain cabin in Jasper
Jasper town has excellent grocery stores with organic produce. The reception also had a pantry with the basics for sale, making it very convenient to make snacks or meals in the cabin.
A cozy dining area.Bathroom with modern fixtures in a mountain cabin, a perfect combination.Shower areasLogs in the backyard.
A fun family activity to do in log cabins is to make a fireplace with fresh logs from the woods. We thought the logs in the backyard were for that purpose. It turns out, one could either buy logs from the reception or even better, borrow an ax and chop your own firewood. There was a covered area with dry logs at the other end of the property. I have to confess, it sounds so much fun but we didn’t get to try it out. I have a hunch that it’ll be harder than it looks.
The owner’s house.
Like many places to stay in Jasper and Banff, Alpine village is owned and operated by the Allin family that has their house on the property. The current and fourth owners, Chris and Rena of Edmonton bought the property in 1986 and have made many updates and built new cabins.
The cabins are outside of town but close enough to do all activities around Jasper.
After checking in to the Alpine village we took a walk along the Athabasca River. Even though it was drizzling and cool, the walk was a great way to stretch our legs after the flight and long drive from Calgary to Jasper.
A lovely walk along the gushing Athabasca riverThe mighty Athabasca river.A squirrel nibbling away.Wildflowers in Jasper along Athabasca river walkWildflowers in Jasper along Athabasca river walkWildflowers along Athabasca river walk
Jasper House Bungalows
As I mentioned earlier, its quite difficult to get accommodation in Jasper, especially for multiple consecutive nights at the same place. To add to the challenge, we made our vacation plans just a few weeks before the trip. We could get Alpine Village for only 2 nights. For our third night, we luckily got Jasper House Bungalows.
Relatively speaking, it was simplistic but functional and beautiful. The bungalows had two bedrooms (one small one), a living room, a kitchen, plus the Athabasca river in our backyard. The staff was friendly and gave us many ideas on things to do in Jasper, including wildlife viewing spots and the secret hike to the most incredible viewpoint in Jasper.
Jasper house bungalows
Jasper House Bungalows on the inside
Our backyard in Jasper house bungalows overlooking the Athabasca River.
Our bungalow for a night in Jasper
Becker’s Chalets
Our friend Ruchira and her family stayed at Becker’s Chalets, a cluster of cabins in the woods along the Athabasca River. They visited a few weeks before us and highly recommend we stay there for our trip to the Rockies. However, we could not find reservations for our dates.
Jasper downtown has numerous hotels on the main street, some of which look pretty cool with rustic mountain chalet style. Others look like regular hotels and motels. I would check TripAdvisor if I wanted to stay in downtown Jasper and be close to the restaurants and activity. None of our friends mentioned staying there.
Here is a list of recommendations, tried by us or friends –
Alpine Village Jasper
Jasper House Bungalow
Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge
Becker’s Chalets
Jasper downtown has many places to stay in Jasper.
Banff Accommodations
Charltons Banff
Over the last couple of decades, Banff has grown into a large tourist town. Entire streets are lined with hotels to stay in Banff. We stayed at Charltons, one such hotel in Banff. Unlike cabins in Jasper, this one didn’t have a kitchen but had breakfast included. The on-site parking and proximity to town were very convenient.
One of the sections of Charltons Banff
Some reviews on TripAdvisor talked about old and aging rooms. We didn’t see any such issues. The room was brand new and well maintained.
A new room with a modern contemporary setting.
Places to Stay in Banff
Here is a list of recommendations, tried by us or friends –
Canmore is located between Calgary and Banff. It is more economical and it’s easy to cover the southern part of the Canadian Rockies. There are many wonderful hikes in Canmore. I got recommendations for the following for Canmore.
The Crossing Resort is one of the few hotels located almost midway between Banff and Jasper, on Highway 93. We stayed there ago in 1996. It is still owned and operated by the same family.
The Crossing, a hotel on Highway 93 nestled in the mountains
We took this picture on a quick stop during our Jasper to Banff drive but didn’t have the time to stop and see how much it has changed.
Finding a place to stay in Jasper or Banff can be hard so here are a few tips to make it a bit earlier.
Check reviews in TripAdvisor and other sites to find accommodations. But not knowing the reviewers, pay additional attention to what they have to say – positive or negative and how it applies to you.
Go through the TripAdvisor forum for the Canadian Rockies and ask specific questions. The travelers on the forum are exceptionally helpful.
Book several months in advance to get availability and reasonable price for Banff and Jasper hotels, cabins, hostels, etc.
Call the accommodation and talk with them about the booking, location and more.
We like to stay in traditional resorts, hotels, Airbnbs, and the like. But where possible we love to stay in unique accommodations most authentic to the places we visit. For example, in Namibia, the most authentic experience is staying in the national park in houses fashioned with local material and designed in local styles like Sousse Dune Lodge. Likewise in Jasper, nothing screams authentic experiences more than a cabin in the woods.
Travel is meant to be indulgent and luxurious. For most travelers, hotels are a safe haven where we can leave behind guilt of over-consumption and enjoy plentifulness without care. Concepts like eco travels, sustainability in hospitality, responsible tourism, minimalist hotel, soulfulness, and community aren’t associated with luxury and travel. But why not? That’s precisely the reason someone needs to disrupt the industry and make it more sustainable.
SCP Hotel is taking a step in that direction. I spoke with Jordan at SCP and she explained their guiding principles with compelling examples that any hotel can implement to support sustainable tourism. In fact, she says, they like it if other hotels and resorts copy their ideas and spread the goodwill towards the planet.
Disclaimer: Colorado Springs tourism board and SCP Hotel provided my stay. But all opinions are my own.
I sat down with Jordan, from the SCP team to understand how SCP is embracing responsible tourism, but I learned so much more. She had tons to share about their concept of Soul, Community, and Planet. She spoke about all the things they do, which then promotes sustainability in hospitality. This article is an attempt to capture my conversation with Jordan and my observations during my visit to Colorado.
The first (and sometimes the last) person we meet at any hotel is at the reception desk. They are the friendly face and our host for the stay. But, as Jordan explained, at SCP they take the interaction to the next level, beyond getting the best room, best view, or upgrade. Looking past the physical aspect, they strive to connect with the soul of the guest. They try to understand where is the guest at – is the guest visiting Colorado Springs for their first trip, graduation, reunion, wedding, funeral or something else… Their goal is to meet the person where they are and serve to that need. To her, this is the most important aspect of what they do.
Jordan believes that this sense of compassion and connection draws people back to SCP as the place to stay in Colorado Springs and to share their stories with the community.
A vibrant community.
Jordan, always helping.
Community Engagement
I wouldn’t have expected any hotel to be a place for local community engagement. I had expected SCP to be a great place to stay in Colorado Springs as a traveler. But Jordan explained, with examples, why SCP is a place for the community – for locals and travelers.
SCP Hotel buys all the food and drinks from local vendors. Jordan is constantly working with the locals to add foods that their guests would like to have while bringing in eco-friendly innovations from the community.
A well stocked pantry, microwave and dishes.A wholesome snack.
In the evenings they bring in local singers, musicians, and visiting artists. Locals come in to SCP for the music and to socialize.
Local Musicians
and Singers at SCP, Colorado Springs
Visitors, locals, and musicians mingle in SCP
They buy local furniture and decorations for the hotel, adding to responsible tourism.
Modern, fun and functional local furnishings in the kitchen, lobby and commons
SCP Commons
The thing that first caught my eye in the community area was groups of kids and adults playing the many games placed all around the common areas.
Guests playing and hanging out in the reception area
Community at SCP Commons
Place to Stay and Play
SCP provides co-working space called SCP Commons, that anyone can rent for a small monthly fee. They get access to office space, the commons, the SCP Fit.
A workspace for the local community and guests to use in SCP.
Planet – Sustainability in Hospitality
For me, the biggest draw was their commitment to sustainable tourism. As you know, we travel a lot and travel has a high footprint on the plant, which is always bothersome for me. Last year we stayed at the Sousse eco-lodge in Namibia to promote responsible tourism. Earlier this year I wrote about sustainable cork products made in Portugal.
While in Colorado wanted to see what SCP Hotel is doing differently to promote eco-travels. Luckily, I found so much more than I expected. Preservation, conservation, and sustainability in hospitality are in their DNA and in everything they do. Here are a few practical applications I learned about –
SCP Hotel provides recycling and trash bins in each room. Its such a simple idea and yet no hotels do it!
The little toiletries bottles are so cute but also, unfortunately, they are so wasteful. On average, we throw away 3 bottles every day for each person on the trip. All of that will never decompose. At SCP, they partner with someone who recycles oil to make the soap and shampoo, which they put in large bottles by the sink and the shower. No more fumbling to open little bottles with wet hands, while generating a fraction of the waste. It’s a small change but a huge step in responsible tourism.
The easy to use bottles are so much more sustainable than the little toiletry bottles in hotels.
I found the story of the keycard sleeve the most telling of the team’s way of thinking. Jordan was so excited to tell me the story – one day they ran out of keycard sleeves and the vendor couldn’t make more fast enough. The team huddled together to brainstorm a quick solution. They came up with the idea of using printouts heading to the recycling bin. They cut up the paper and created a few cute sleeves. Its a great example of the team’s resourcefulness and quick action.
A Handmade keycard holder, promoting responsible tourism from the moment you walk into SCP, Colorado Springs
Essentially the idea is to reduce, reuse, refuge (compost), recycle and minimize landfill. Now, I would like to see these in all places to stay in Colorado Springs and around the world.
Wall art from paint cans
Modern art from reusing objects.
Minimalist Hotel! Really?
With The Minimalists and Marie Kondo’s KonMari shows on Netflix, minimalism is all the rage today. It’s a great thing because people are finding out that too much stuff contributes to stress and unhappiness. Jains and Buddhists have always believed in less possession (aparigrah).
Having only a few things that matter is freeing to the mind and the soul. Plus it’s less wasteful and more eco-friendly.
I love how the rooms at SCP have a minimalist feel. My room had everything I needed plus a lot of space which would have typically been occupied by unnecessary furniture. The wooden floor goes with the minimalist hotel concept and it also means there is no place for dust and dirt to hide. It’s a win-win!
A minimalist hotel room at SCP
The minimalist hotel concept doesn’t mean deprivation. SCP provides a list of amenities they’ll be happy to provide if you ask. If they don’t have something you need, they do anything they can to get it for you.
Hiring, Ownership and Decision Making
The first thing I noticed is that the staff has no uniform! They seemed to be part of the community and super friendly. But I was surprised to hear from Jordan that, they are encouraged to “do the right thing” for the customer. In the worst case, it would be a small wrong decision, which would be a great coaching moment. Decision making is simpler without the “let me ask my manager” mentality. She says that the founders encourage the team to think “what experience would I have wanted if I were in the customer’s shoes” and “own the decision”.
In order to disrupt the standard hotel thinking, the founders decided to deliberately hire the team from outside the hotel industry, with individuals that believe in the values. The team brings unconventional thinking for eco-travels and responsible tourism. They’ve added diversity in thought, race, state, and background. Together they bring fresh ideas and outside-the-box thinking.
Fair Price – Pay what you think is right!
When I looked for places to stay in Colorado Springs, I had not heard of ‘Fair Price’ for hotel stay – The customer has a say in picking the right price for their stay at SCP Hotel! It doesn’t sound financially prudent, but apparently, it’s working. It aligns with the guiding principle of “don’t let money affect the customer experience”.
Kombucha drink at SCP
Vision for SCP
I asked Jordan, what’s the vision for SCP? Where do they want to take the concepts of Soul, Community, Planet next? What is their vision for growth in sustainable hospitality? She had many ideas. I wish them all the best.
The gym and yoga rooms were fully functional during my visit. Soon their outdoor & indoor swimming pools will be open too.
Gym at SCP
Yoga Room
The outdoor swimming pool was almost ready when I visited.
Her hope is to inspire sustainability in hospitality and influence other hotels to adopt their innovation in responsible tourism. As she described, “the planet is bigger than all of us”. I can see honoring the planet through responsible tourism has so much potential, even if it’s by touching one soul at a time. With the broader adoption of the concepts, we can do so much more.
Inspiring Responsible Tourism at Home
The team as SCP hopes that people leave feeling inspired to have a more sustainable lifestyle. The hope is that responsible tourism will go the full circle and influence how people think at home, not just in a hotel they stayed in Colorado Springs.
Here’s a short video of my stay in SCP, a cool place to stay in Colorado Springs.
A short video of my SCP experience
I was there only for a short time, but I’m hopeful that if SCP and others really embrace the Soul, Community and Planet mindset, we will see more adoption of concepts of a minimalist hotel, responsible tourism, and eco-travels around the world.
