Latitude 15: Our full report

Named after its latitude co-ordinates, Latitude 15 is a small boutique hotel in a quiet residential suburb of Lusaka.

It was opened in 2014, a relatively short drive from the airport, and is popular with travellers who are staying in the Zambian capital for a single night before continuing their travels or heading home.

Latitude 15 is part of a small chain of hotels that include Latitude 13 in Lilongwe, Malawi. Although these hotels are similar in style, the focus at Latitude 15 is slightly more on conservative furnishings and African decoration than on the cutting-edge design of its siblings.

Positioned on the ground and first floors around the edge of Latitude 15 are 32 en-suite double or twin bedrooms. All follow the same design and style – they were all fully refurbished in 2017.

Luxurious and spacious, each air-conditioned room differs slightly in terms of size and décor, but all are tastefully decorated in cream and neutral colours, with several colourful paintings on the walls. Each has the same furnishings and amenities: comfortable king-size or twin beds, TV, desk and chair, wardrobe, sofa, minibar and espresso machine. The configuration of the en-suite bathrooms vary from room to room, but each has a flush toilet, basin, bath and a separate shower, some of which have a small step up into the cubicle. Some of the rooms overlooking the gardens have a small patio.

The gardens are extensive and, at the heart of Latitude 15, the main lounge area is very modern and stylish. Comfy seating in a range of leather, wicker and fabric sofas and armchairs, mainly in soft neutral tones or African prints, sit around rustic wooden coffee tables, some created from old Zanzibar-style doors. It’s a large area, with space for plenty of guests, but even though the area was bustling on our last visit, the spacing of the furniture and placing of internal wall columns gives an air of privacy to each individual seating area.

African artwork – both contemporary and more traditional – lend the hotel much more character than some of the larger international hotels, as do the myriad of sculptures, vases and lampshades throughout. Alluring coffee table books are scattered around, and a big central fireplace is sometimes lit for warmth and atmosphere during the colder winter nights.

Large glass doors to one side of the lounge open onto a reasonably sized patio and garden. Here you'll find several shaded areas with soft seats and sun loungers, and a very refreshing swimming pool.

To the other side is the restaurant, which seats up to 60 people on colourful canvas directors' chairs around wooden tables. Diners may eat inside, or outside in a small garden. Napkins matching the bright chair colours complement the rustic wooden tables and contrast well with the crisp white crockery.

We had a very enjoyable meal here on our last visit in October 2023, when the restaurant was buzzing with expats and business travellers, giving it a very social atmosphere. On previous visits, when the hotel was newly opened, we found the service slightly on the slow side, but our last visit the service was slick and friendly; we were impressed with the level of service from the staff.
Dinner can be popular with expats, especially on the weekends; so do reserve your table on arrival.

In the corner of the lounge area is a very well-stocked bar, a great place to grab a drink before dinner and chat to expats and Lusaka's more affluent residents, who often head to Latitude 15 for dinner and an evening drink. The hotel hosts live music nights on Wednesdays, whilst you’ll find Fridays are club lounge nights.

The hotel also has a spa, with a range of treatments available at extra cost.

Our view

Latitude 15 is very modern and stylish, balanced by comfortable furnishings and tasteful artwork, making it as comfortable as the larger international hotels but with much more character. With friendly staff, comfortable beds, good food and a sociable atmosphere, we consider Latitude 15 to be one of the best options for travellers overnighting in Lusaka.

Amanda Bond

Country manager: Zambia

Geographics

Location: Lusaka area, Zambia
Ideal length of stay: Latitude 15 is ideal for a one-night stopover in Lusaka, although it’s one of the city’s better options for a longer stay.
Directions: Latitude 15 is about 30–35 minutes’ drive from Lusaka Airport, depending on the traffic.
Accessible by: Fly-and-Transfer

Food & drink

Usual board basis: Bed & Breakfast
Food quality: The restaurant at Latitude 15 serves a mixture of world cuisines, but mostly European and Thai dishes. It is open for guests and local residents for:

Breakfast: 7.00–10.00am (though an earlier breakfast can be requested for those on a early morning flight)
Lunch: 12.00–3.00pm
Dinner: 6.00–9.30pm

Various dietary requirements can be catered for, and the menu has a good selection of vegetarian options.

Breakfast is a selection of cereals, yoghurt and fresh fruit, and a variety of hot dishes cooked to order including full cooked breakfasts, omelettes, eggs benedict and porridge - on our last visit in September 2017 we chose poached eggs, with spinach and halloumi on grilled soda bread, and it was delicious.

For dinner we enjoyed a delicious mezze platter, with hummus and olives to start, followed by baked aubergine and artichoke, parma ham, polenta and bacon jam - all exceptionally tasty. We didn’t have room for dessert, but on offer were a decadent looking chocolate tart, blueberry cheesecake or a mojito fruit salad.

The cost for dinner on our last visit was approximately US$10-15 for a starter, and US$18-22 for a main. For the quality of the food we found this to be very good value.
Dining style: Individual Tables
Dining locations: Indoor and Outdoor Dining
Further dining info, including room service: Room service is available within dining hours.
Drinks included: Bottled water, tea and coffee are provided in the room. Soft and alcoholic drinks are not included. In October 2023, a local beer cost around US$3, a soft drink US$2, and a bottle of house wine US$25.

Special interests

Luxury: Appointed with a heated pool, a gym and a spa, this boutique hotel offers quite a luxurious stay in a quiet part of Lusaka. Simple yet tasteful décor includes colourful African prints, which create vibrant details and remind you that you are indeed in Africa.; See ideas for Luxury in Zambia

Children

Attitude towards children: Latitude 15 welcomes children of all ages.
Property’s age restrictions: None.
Special activities & services: None.
Equipment: Latitude 15 can provide baby cots on request, and highchairs are available in the restaurant.
Generally recommended for children: We feel that Latitude 15 is fine for children of all ages.
Notes: Parents should be aware that there is an unfenced swimming pool with a deep end, and children should be supervised at all times around this area.

Communications

Power supply notes: Power points, along with international adaptors, are found in the rooms.
Communications: There are phones in each room and at reception. There is strong cellphone reception throughout the hotel. Free, fast and reliable WiFi is available in all areas of the hotel.
TV & radio: There is a satellite television in each room showing DSTV channels.
Water supply: Mains
Water supply notes: All rooms have plumbed flush toilets, plus a hot and cold shower and bath.

Health & safety

Malarial protection recommended: Yes
Medical care: First aid kits are located at reception, and several management staff are first aid trained. Appointments with a local doctor can be arranged, just ask at reception. For any medical emergencies, Lusaka has several private clinics of international standard.
Dangerous animals: Low Risk
Security measures: Security guards are on site 24 hours a day, linked to a rapid-response unit. Parking for guests is within a secure, gated area.
Fire safety: There are fire extinguishers in the central corridors and staff are trained in their use.

Extras

Disabled access: On Request
Laundry facilities: There is a full, complimentary laundry service available.
Money: There is a small electronic safe in each room.
Accepted payment on location: Visa and Mastercard are accepted with no surcharge. Amex is not currently accepted, but the hotel is working on changing this. Cash payments may be made in Zambian kwacha, US dollars, South African rand and other major world currencies.