OVERVIEW:
YZ recommends Latitude 15° to guests seeking super-comfortable accommodation before and/or after a safari in Zambia.
ACCESS & LOCATION:
It has a peaceful location within the leafy suburb of Kabulanga, but is also just 20 minutes from the bustling city center of Lusaka.
ACCOMMODATION & FACILITIES AT LATITUDE 15:
The hotel is a contemporary cream building set back from the road and offering ample free parking to guests. The site is surrounded by mature trees. A short flight of steps leads into the airy reception area, in which the front desk is open 24/7. All other communal interiors have a similarly spacious feel. The lounge has lots of comfortable sofas and chairs, poufs, coffee tables, occasional tables, rugs, and wildlife artwork. The palette is a sophisticated blend of greys and blues, and patio doors let in plenty of light. Adjoining this space is the hotel’s bar, well stocked and well-attended! The restaurant features fairly rustic wooden tables and upright chairs with a design inspired by the campaign chair often found in safari lodges – except here, the fabric is bright red. Latitude’s terrace is perfect for al fresco dining or simply relaxing in close proximity to the gardens. The property has a plunge pool too, and a host of other amenities via its private members’ club – these include additional lounging and dining facilities, a network and socializing den, a heated pool, a gym, a spa, and an event space for art, fashion, music, business, and parties!
Guest accommodation at Latitude 15° consists of 32 rooms and 3 suites, all styled similarly to the suave communal spaces. The rooms are found on the ground and first floors of the hotel. Each has a double bed or twin beds, bedside tables and lighting over, a writing desk and chair, a wardrobe, a comfy sofa, and en-suite facilities comprising flush toilet, washbasin, walk-in shower, and bathtub. There’s also a 32-inch flatscreen television, an espresso machine, a mini-bar, and free Wi-Fi. The suite option benefits from all these amenities, and also offers a second bedroom and a kitchen – the hotel recommends its suites for families and long-stay guests. A few of the rooms have a lovely private patio onto the gardens!
ACTIVITIES AT LATITUDE 15:
From this luxurious base, you can head out into Lusaka and check out some of the city’s attractions. There are some interesting monuments, such as the Freedom Statue and Leopard Hills Memorial Park. The city’s political buildings are worth a visit – you could take a tour to see the Zambian National Assembly, the State House, and the High Court. Museums providing intriguing insights include Lusaka National, the Political, and the Zintu Community, while art galleries such as Henry Tayali and Nomwande showcase contemporary paintings and sculptures.
If you like to shop, you’ll happily spend a few hours in any of the nearby malls – Crossroads, Woodlands, and Kabulonga are closest (under 2km from the hotel), with Arcades and Manda Hill farther out (6km and 6.5km respectively). If you have time for an afternoon out, you could consider Kalimba Reptile Park or Munda Wanga Wildlife Park & Sanctuary. Lusaka has a golf club too, as well as a number of bars and restaurants. However, with the hotel offering first-rate cuisine, live music, and club lounge nights, you needn’t travel far for evening entertainments!