The Best Hotels to Book in Lusaka, Zambia

Neelkanth Sarovar Premiere is a top place to stay in Lusaka | Courtesy of Neelkanth Sarovar Premiere / Booking.com

8 November 2021

View

A national museum, sprawling markets and independence monuments make any stay a rewarding one in Lusaka, the capital of Zambia. With its numerous game reserves and proximity to national and environmental parks such as Blue Lagoon, the city makes a great base from which to explore. Read on to discover the best hotels in Lusaka, all bookable now with Culture Trip.

Latitude 15 Degrees, for reinvented tradition

A double bed in a wooden-floored Latitude 15 Degrees suite

Courtesy of / Booking.com

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.

Neelkanth Sarovar Premiere, for subtle suites

A room overlooking Lusaka in Neelkanth Sarovar Premiere, with a large bed facing a flat-screen TV

Neelkanth Sarovar Premiere is a top place to stay in Lusaka | Courtesy of Neelkanth Sarovar Premiere / Booking.com

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.

Taj Pamodzi Hotel, for greenery near the National Museum

A view from the double bed of a large room at Taj Pamodzi Lusaka, with a TV ahead and a treetop-filled view through the balcony window on the right

Courtesy of Taj Pamodzi Lusaka / Booking.com

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.

InterContinental Lusaka, an IHG Hotel, for a dependable brand

A large bed faces a TV on a desk in a curtain-shaded room at InterContinental Lusaka, an IHG Hotel

Courtesy of InterContinental Lusaka, an IHG Hotel / Booking.com

If you’re seeking an international brand, the InterContinental Lusaka is a worthy addition to the chain’s portfolio. Traditional Zambian art is displayed throughout the hotel, in homage to the country’s creative souls. Tones of ochre and pale green in the rooms maintain the connection between this modern property and the ancient land, while suites have jacuzzi baths for the perfect way to unwind after a busy day.

Lilayi Lodge, for a remarkable game reserve

The spacious interior of a luxury chalet at Lilayi Lodge, with two floors, a fireplace and abundant seating

Courtesy of Lilayi Lodge / Booking.com

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.

Southern Sun Ridgeway, for nature by design

A double bed in a mostly monochrome Southern Sun Ridgeway Lusaka room

Courtesy of Southern Sun Ridgeway Lusaka / Booking.com

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.

Twangale Park Hotel, for work, rest and play

A double bed in a large, black-and-cream Twangale Park Hotel room

Courtesy of Twangale Park Hotel / Booking.com

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.

The Quorum, for business the boutique way

A double bed and long blue couch in a wooden-floored room at the Quorum; tall trees fill the balcony window view

Courtesy of The Quorum / Booking.com

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.

Ciêla, Lusaka, a Tribute Portfolio Resort and Spa, for all you need near the airport

A double bed faces a wall-mounted TV in a room at Ciêla, Lusaka, a Tribute Portfolio Resort and Spa; grassland can be seen through the floor-to-ceiling window

Courtesy of Ciêla, Lusaka / Booking.com

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.

Give us feedback