The Best Hotels to Book in Lusaka, Zambia

Latitude 15 Degrees epitomises the new Africa, where cosmopolitan design looks towards a sustainable future without losing sight of its traditional roots. The interiors – particularly the common spaces – are a triumph of eclectic chic. This blend of patterns, materials and textures is exemplified by the hotel’s private members’ club, the Other Side, which guests can access. The copper bar in its lounge area is overlooked by modern Zambian art, making it a stimulating place to stop.

Representing India’s Sarovar hotel chain is the Neelkanth, all-suite accommodation with a flair for contemporary design. Carved wood panels behind the beds, symmetrical zig-zagged carpets and feather motif curtains are all presented in earthy tones, creating an inviting and gentle environment. Beyond the rooms, the rooftop grill restaurant, modest gym and pastry shop all enhance the sensory experience of a stay here.

Just 1.4km (0.9mi) from Lusaka National Museum is the Taj Pamodzi Hotel, a solid wedge of hospitality surrounded by leafy gardens and a beautifully backlit pool that’s almost effervescent at night. During the day, the pleasant terrace is a great place to pass the time. Indoors, there’s an all-day restaurant, an evening-only steak and grill, and a cocktail bar. Rooms have floor-to-ceiling windows and a private balcony.

If you’re visiting Zambia for its natural riches, there are a few great game reserves around the fringes of Lusaka, but none are as classy and well-run as Lilayi. The hotel sits on a 650ha (1,606-acre) plot of land, which was rewilded after serving as a cattle farm until 1975. Its luxury chalets have thatched roofs, comfortable beds with overhanging mosquito nets, and a terrace with seating from which you can look out into the bush. Game drives cost extra, but there are also three excellent running and walking trails of varying distances.

Back in central Lusaka, the Southern Sun Ridgeway is a calm and tranquil place where trickling fountains and flowering shrubs surround a hotel with a penchant for nature-inspired modern design. This includes large artworks of a baobab tree at sunset and leaf-pattern carpets, while bright blue cushions add pops of colour. Beside the beds, lanterns offer a rustic touch of warm lighting alongside USB charging ports.

Are you travelling to Lusaka for business? If so, the conference and meetings facilities of Twangale Park are among the best of any hotel in the city. There’s space for hundreds of guests, and for multinational conferences there are translation facilities covering four languages. But it shouldn’t be forgotten that Twangale translates from the Bemba language to “let’s play” – the meandering outdoor pool allows guests to do just that.

As the name suggests, the Quorum is more than a hotel. It offers a modern workspace, called the Hub, to bring people together and conduct their business. There are a number of communal workstations and meeting rooms here, including the Atrium, a space for award shows and conferences. Above it all are this boutique hotel’s 26 impressive rooms, featuring ottomans, stunning wildlife photography and plush furnishings. There’s even a small work desk, if you want to keep going after hours.

North of Lusaka, within easy reach of Kenneth Kaunda International Airport, is Ciêla, a resort where you’ll find an event centre, an 18-hole golf course and a spa offering a variety of treatments, massages and a steam room. This Marriott subsidiary property opened in 2020, so everything is modern, fresh and constructed to optimal standards. Rooms are elegantly upholstered in earthy tones, with creative strip lighting and nature-themed murals. Bathrooms have rainfall showers, where tile and glass blend crisply.