Latitude 13: Our full report
Latitude 13 is a very smart boutique guest house located in a leafy ambassadorial suburb of Lilongwe.
It’s about 30 minutes from Lilongwe Airport and about 10 minutes into the city. Conservative furnishings, African artifacts and decoration have been done away with – Latitude is all about being contemporary and modern cutting edge design.Originally built as a private house, Latitude has been converted into a smart, contemporary guesthouse, quite different from anything else on offer in Lilongwe. There are 9 suites – three in the main house and six in the gardens. The suites in the gardens are all decorated with a black and white theme. The walls and floors are black, with black and white framed prints on the walls and the large double beds are surrounded by a black mosquito net. The bedding is white as is the seating in the sunken lounge area. Behind the built-in bed is an open plan bathroom with a double basin against the back of the wall separating the bed, and a sunken bath in the middle of the room. A large rain shower and a toilet are located each in their own cubicle. Each room has a flat screen TV on the wall as well as air-conditioning. Each of the garden suites has a private terrace overlooking the garden.
In the main house at Latitude you will find three large en-suite rooms on the first floor, two of which have private balconies overlooking the garden.
The restaurant and bar, as well as a very modern lounge are all located on the ground floor of the main house. A spacious outdoor veranda leads out of the lounge and restaurant creating a lovely outdoor area to enjoy meals, overlooking the tranquility of the garden. There is also a black swimming pool, to continue the theme, which is floodlit at night.
The food at Latitude is a mixture of African, Asian and Mediterranean and there are over 60 wines, mainly South African, on their extensive wine list to choose from. The restaurant is very popular with local residents who come here for a special night out. Latitude has the same owner as Kaya Mawa, and the food is very similar in style. The chef from Kaya Mawa often pops over for a week or so to oversee the kitchen at Latitude.
Our view
Latitude 13 is a very comfortable contemporary guesthouse in Lilongwe and is a great place to either start or end a trip to Malawi.
Malawi expert
Geographics
- Location
- Lilongwe, Malawi
- Ideal length of stay
- One or two nights at the beginning or end of a Malawi trip
- Accessible by
- Fly-and-Transfer
Food & drink
- Usual board basis
- Bed & Breakfast
- Food quality
- The food at Latitude 13 is of a good standard. On our recent visit there in November 2013, we had dinner and breakfast.
Dinner is served either in the restaurant or outside on the terrace. There is an extensive a la carte menu with a choice of 8 fish, meat or vegetarian starters, followed by a selection of 8 main course dishes. At the time of our visit the choice was a vegetarian halloumi burger, pork fillet, chicken breast, two different types of steak, Oriental style smoked haddock, red Thai curry and a toasted nut and cranberry loaf. Desert was a selection of cheeses, limoncello and lime granita, chocolate fondant with ice cream, banoffi pie, Irish toffee cheesecake and a frozen white chocolate and strawberry crème brulee. This is finished off with tea or coffee of your choice.
Breakfast is served outside on the terrace with a buffet of fresh fruit, cereals, fresh pastries and fruit juice. A cooked breakfast is available to order. - Dining style
- Individual Tables
- Dining locations
- Indoor and Outdoor Dining
- Further dining info, including room service
- Room service available on request
Special interests
- Luxury
- Lilongwe’s most luxurious hotel, Latitude 13, isn’t The Ritz, but each modern room includes a lounge furnished with cosy plush sofas, a flat screen TV and efficient air conditioning. A small gym plus a pool in the lovely garden complete Latitude 13’s relatively opulent offering.
- See ideas for Luxury in Malawi
Children
- Attitude towards children
Communications
- Power supply notes
- Latitude 13 is on mains electricity however there is also a generator in case of power failure
- Communications
- Free WiFi throughout the guest house. A business centre offers PC access plus fax, photocopying and scanning facilities
- TV & radio
- Each room has a satellite TV
- Water supply
- Mains
Health & safety
- Malarial protection recommended
- Yes
- Medical care
- There is a hospital nearby.
- Dangerous animals
- High Risk
- Security measures
- 24 hour security and the property is surrounded by a wall with security gates.
- Fire safety
Activities
Cultural excursion
Extras
- Disabled access
- Money
- Latitude 13 does not have a currency exchange. Cash is accepted in U$, pounds sterling, SA rands, euros and Malawi Kwacha
- Accepted payment on location
- Visa and Mastercard are accepted
Other lodges in Lilongwe
Alternative places to stay in this same area.
Heuglins Guest House
Heuglins Guest House, located in the northern suburbs of Malawi's capital Lilongwe, is ideal for overnight stops, and offers the possibility to visit Lilongwe's bustling old town market.
