Sundowner Bar & Terrace at Hotel Thule

Hotel Thule sits high on a hill overlooking Windhoek, and its Sundowner Bar & Terrace makes the most of the position. As the name suggests, this is a place to come in the late afternoon, when the city spreads out below and the light changes over the surrounding hills. It is open to non-residents, so you do not need to be staying at the hotel to eat or drink here.

The terrace runs on a simple timetable. From Monday to Saturday a bistro menu is served from 12:00 to 17:00, followed by an à la carte dinner menu from 17:00 to 21:30. On Sundays and public holidays the terrace does not serve lunch; instead the bistro menu is available from 17:00 to 20:30. The hotel describes the bar's offer as Namibian-style sundowners alongside light finger food and full meals, so you can treat it either as a drinks stop or as a dinner destination. In summer, lunch and dinner can also be taken outdoors on the terrace of the hotel's On the Edge restaurant, which serves breakfast daily from 07:00 to 10:30.

Table reservations are recommended, particularly for sunset on Fridays and Saturdays, when the best tables fill up. Reservations are taken on +264 83 372 0600. Ask for an outside table if you want the view, and bring a light jacket in winter, as evenings on the hill can be cool once the sun goes down.

Because the hotel is on a hilltop, you will need a car or taxi to get there; arrange your return trip in advance if you are staying in the centre. The terrace suits couples, small groups of friends and travellers on their first or last night in Namibia who want a relaxed meal with a view. It is a calmer alternative to the busier rooftop bars of the city-centre hotels.

The hotel itself is a small property with single, double, twin and family rooms and a pool for residents, so if you enjoy the setting it is also an option for a night's stay. Check-in at the hotel is from 14:00 and check-out by 10:00. Prices are mid-range for Windhoek.