Four Pillars Lodge — Hotel in Lusaka Province

I have stayed at Four Pillars Lodge three times over the past six months, but unfortunately, my recent stay in Room 5 has been disappointing enough to make me reconsider returning.

On my previous stay, I raised a concern with the chef after being told—for the second time—that breakfast sausages had run out. I was asked if I could settle for just a sandwich. He mentioned that the food had run out because they had an influx of guests attending a training. I found this very disappointing. It gave me the impression that they don’t plan portions according to the number of all their guests. I personally expected to have a full, well-prepared breakfast like everyone else. It just showed a lack of attention to detail especially toward guests not attending a training or workshop. That experience alone made me skip breakfast altogether during my current stay.

Now about Room 5 during this visit: The wardrobe door handle is broken, the curtains are looked stuck on the rod, and they look like they haven’t been opened in a while—which I feel is just not appealing for a lodge. The bedding provided was too light for Lusaka’s cold July weather. Only after I requested for warmer bedding was something brought but it still wasn’t warm enough. For the first two days, I was given two bottles of water per day. Then suddenly only one, with the explanation that the initial two were a mistake. Why set that precedent and then reduce it? So now the guest has to adjust because of your mistake? That was very annoying, especially when I had started operating based on what was initially provided. Only one Five Roses teabag and one coffee sachet were provided—yet there were over five sugar sachets and two Cremora sachets, along with two cups, two saucers, and two spoons. What does that say? If I don’t take coffee, does that mean I can only have one cup of tea? And if I don’t take tea, I only have one cup of coffee—with more than enough sugar and creamer for neither? The setup is inconsistent and doesn’t reflect thoughtful hospitality. The passage and room also consistently smelled of something similar to cockroach spray, which was unpleasant. Please consider air diffusers to improve the overall atmosphere and comfort for guests. As for the bathroom in room 5, the layout is poorly designed. The way the shower is set up looks like an afterthought. The distance between the toilet seat and the shower head is so close that both cannot function at the same time. Something to consider would be the space currently between the wardrobe and the shower wall. Break through that and create enough room to allow someone to actually have a decent showering experience. As it stands, having a shower means not only does the sink get wet, but also the entire toilet area, the bin, and sometimes even the toilet paper, depending on how the water flows. Secondly, there is no proper barrier, so water seeps into the room. One day I wasn’t even given a hand towel (serving as a mat) to absorb it. The floor tiles are slippery, with no grip for your feet or slippers, which feels unsafe. Management should seriously consider reworking the entire bathroom to make it functional and safe for guests.

Each time I return, the service and experience seem to decline further. While the exterior of the lodge is visually appealing and they seem to focus heavily on conferences and workshops, there is clearly very little attention given to the actual lodging experience for overnight guests. I strongly recommend that management invests in room upgrades, hospitality consistency, and proper guest care as their lodge currently seats in such a...

Way over priced for what it is, if I could give this place minus review I would. The place is full of cockroaches, the rooms smells, showers is hardly working and the beds is super bad.

They look for any chance to cheat money out of you just because you white. We booked a airport transfer the night of arrival we were told is going to cost 300 kwacha, somehow by the morning the price gone up to 500 kwacha aka nearly double.

The airport transfer driver turned up half an hour late, no hello or good morning or I am sorry I am late, rather than going straight to airport as you know he already is late, he leisurely pulls up to the petrol station to top up the tank. What the hell?

Moreover he spends the whole of the journey to the airport: either talking on the phone, trying to answer the phone or texting WHILE DRIVING WITH US IN THE CAR. Due to his behaviour we are stopped by police and were fined 300 kwacha and of course he has no money to pay the fine. Again no thank you or sorry etc etc

I come to Zambia quite regularly and often bring loads of people with me, but I am afraid this hotel wont get my business anymore.

P.S. I must point out that the staff on the night of arrival were lovely, they even made us basic dinner even though the kitchen was closed. The evening reception guy was especially lovely as he let us use his phone to try and call local take aways as we were starving after like 16 hour bus trip. Thank you so much mister what ever...

Located in the Four Acres region of uptown Lusaka, Four Pillars is an affordable, clean and convenient hotel. The rooms are large and fitted with AC and have all the required amenities including DSTV. The beds are firm and extra blankets are available in the chilly seasons. They have a small cosy restaurant and swimming pool and a residents bar right next to the pool. Some rooms have fridges but not all (I have stayed in one with and one without). The house keepers are friendly and apart from the tiny Zambian sausages, their breakfast is quite nice. This is my permanent address whenever I visit Zambia. Plenty of business visitors as well so you can make new friends from across...