Best hotels in Lilongwe

On the northern edge of bustling Lilongwe, tucked into the leafy ambassadorial district, is the super-stylish Latitude 13. Originally built as a private house, it's now a sleek design hotel and totally different to anything else on offer in Lilongwe - or Malawi for that matter! From the cutting edge design, to the monochrome interiors and the fabulous facilities (including the bistro-style restaurant, funky bar, and outdoor pool), no detail has been overlooked. And at only 30 minutes drive from the airport and 10 from the markets and shops of Lilongwe's old town, it really is a pretty perfect stopover.

Looking for some peace outside thronging Lilongwe? We've found it – at a blissful lodge tucked away on a 650-hectare farm a mere 25 minutes from Lilongwe's International Airport. Accessed via a bumpy dirt road, the Kumbali estate lies between the Capital Hill Dairy Farm and the Nkhoma mountain range. This upmarket country lodge is valued for its privacy, and is just the place to relax and unwind. We appreciated the friendly staff, who do a great job of combining smiling service with discretion (as is the norm in Malawi, a country known for the warmth of its welcome).

Dzalanyama Forest Lodge is a rustic, wooden cabin tucked away in Miombo woodlands on the Makata River, in Malawi's central region. In a country which has seen half its indigenous forest turned into charcoal in the last 35 years, Dzalanyama is an important reserve for wildlife and people alike. It is home to a wide variety of birds and butterflies, baboons and several species of antelope. Even the occasional leopard or hyena gets spotted, but the real drawcard here is the hiking and the serenity of the forest. The lodge is a peaceful getaway for those traveling Malawi's backroads, keen to explore its lesser-known regions.

This tranquil converted home set in a northern suburb of Lilongwe has several grand touches that elevate it above other bed-and-breakfast options. Its contemporary architecture and carefully collected African artworks create a fresh atmosphere. And it's peaceful too – access to and from the city centre is easy, but the house is well away from the fray, making it a perfect stopover for visitors heading to or from Lake Malawi. With extremely helpful staff, loads of easy charm, natural light, spacious common rooms and even a small gym, Africa House has a laid-back feel that's irresistible.

Malawi is known as "the warm heart of Africa" for it's charming, gentle people and ready hospitality. Located in a quiet suburb on the edge of Lilongwe, Heuglins embodies all of these characteristics within its distinct family-run atmosphere. With its friendly staff, comfortable accommodation, good food, and spacious grounds with mature, tranquil gardens, this is the ideal spot for smooth transitions for anyone aiming to explore the country's wilder regions. It's pretty good too if you're a business traveller in need of some home comforts after a day of meetings in the city.

Nestled in Lilongwe's Area 12 is Green Elephant, a boutique guest house offering privacy and exclusivity. Green Elephant is an exclusive boutique guest house offering unparalleled privacy and comfort. With only four luxurious suites, it's an ideal retreat for small groups or individual travelers seeking a peaceful escape. Nestled in serene, beautifully landscaped gardens, this tranquil oasis features a stunning swimming pool, providing the perfect place to unwind. Despite its secluded atmosphere, Green Elephant is conveniently located just minutes from the vibrant energy of the city, offering the best of both worlds: relaxation and accessibility.

Ntchisi Forest Lodge sits on the foot of one of the last remaining indigenous rainforests in an isolated spot near Lilongwe, Malawi’s capital. You can relax whilst enjoying stunning mountain and lake views and experience the warm-hearted hospitality of rural Malawi where tourists are still a rarity. You can also enjoy relaxing and walking in the beautiful scenery. Ntchisi Forest Reserve and the surrounding hills offer some of the best hiking in the country. Come and sleep in style in one of our different sized rooms and enjoy a governor’s experience, or go for the cosy cabin experience. For our outdoor fans, we have different tastes available. There is the opportunity to camp on the lawn or if you want to combine the adventure of camping and the luxury of a bed you can choose to sleep in one of our forest tents.

The Woodlands Lilongwe is a boutique hotel built in a river-fronted nature reserve in the heart of Lilongwe, the capital city of Malawi. The hotel offers luxurious accommodation in a pristine indigenous natural woodland of miombo trees spread over 9 hectares. Individual chalets offer secluded and exclusive accomodation each with its own private veranda and set in a protected wildlife park with a prolific birdlife as well as monkeys, bush pig, buck, porcupines, bush babies and crocodiles. There's also a year-round outdoor pool, playground and sun terrace. A fabulous campsite set apart from the main buildings and the chalets is equipped with excellent ablution, washing and cooking facilities with banks, restaurants, supermarkets and shops located within walking distance making this an ideal location for campers, overlanders and backpackers.