Woodlands Lilongwe

Food is good 5* Accommodations 2* Problems with accommodation. Sink has two taps for hot and cold. Need 1 tap so can mix hot and cold. Unable to use two taps because the hot water will burn you. No soap, shampoo, etc caddy in shower stall, all placed near sink, need soap shampoo etc when using shower not sink. No heater, need this in winter nights. You advertise balconies, what's the point if no chairs on balcony. Waited 10 mins for receptionist to arrive to front desk to check us in. Breakfast tables not ready at 8am, they were still setting up, again delays. Only choice for breakfast is English breakfast, can't eat same dish every morning, gets boring. Have a few more choices for b-fast. No internet password given at check in, however paid internet access is advertised through skyband. Not good for a property that is located close to Embassies, which means business travellers, think about how necessary internet is. The relaxed way this property runs is suitable for Mangochi, not capital city where people come for business. Staff are good once you get their attention, and its difficult to get their attention because they seem to be daydreaming, experienced this when 3 tables occupied and 6 wait staff working. Presentation of breakfast lay out not too appealing, seems like setup is just for the sake of it. Ample parking and garden area. I normally stay at Sunbird and eat at woodlands, thought to try accommodation but not catered for persons on business trip, so will go back to staying at Sunbird and eat at woodlands, best of both worlds. It's the small things/improvements that are inexpensive to do but would make a world of difference. Note: I did not ask for my car to be washed. My car is coated with ceramic paint, which is showing many circular scratches, because person who washed it used a pail of water and kept dipping cloth in dirty pail picking up dirt in cloth and rubbing on car paint while wiping. Ask permission at checkin if guests want car washed. Worst thing, person who washed it is waiting at car to solicit tip.

The restaurant in the hotel is worth a try. It is located within the boundaries of the hotel, surrounded by a magical atmosphere that makes you feel like you’re in the jungle. The unique experience includes monkeys playfully leaping from tree to tree right in front of you. The restaurant offers different types of African, Chinese, and Indian food. While the service might be a bit slow, the food is delicious, and the prices are very affordable.

On December 20th, my wife and I, went to Woodland for dinner. We come often because we like the atmosphere. Yesterday we had an experience that didn't excite me. I ordered a pepper steak with chips. When I was served the food, I saw that it wasn't a pepper steak but a thin slice of beef. This had nothing whatsoever to do with a pepper steak. The meat was so tough and hard that I had difficulty cutting it and eating it. I asked for the cook and asked him what it was supposed to be. He said a pepper steak, I informed him that this is not a pepper steak and not worth the price of 21000 MK. He tells me he doesn't have any other meat in the kitchen, to which I said he can't offer pepper steak. I recommended that he has to buy the meat from Chipiku, they have good quality and also steaks that live up to the name. He said he was buying there, I said, but probably the cheapest thing there is and then it is sold in the restaurant for expensive money and is different from a pepper steak. We bought 2 juicy Sirloin steaks days ago for 6837 MK for our own. I showed him example pictures from the internet of what an pepper steak looks like. That’s a Peppersteak ! Also asked to inform the manager that he would come to our table to take the complaint. No manager came. I wrote an E-Mail to managers address, till today no reply I advise the manager to consider compensation for me, the best thing would be to serve me a steak at your expense on my next visit, which deserves the name and not a slice of meat as thin as a slice of sausage at breakfast. I send pichtures into my mail what shows a filet steak served by Vincent’s at Capitol Hotel Lilongwe. That’s the different, the price in Vincent’s is even not much higher than yours. But the quality is worlds apart. Im waiting still of an answer form the mangement of Woodlands.

A 10 chalet place (but expanding) run by a Malawi British man. Each chalet set alone in nice grounds and a central building with restaurant and a nice pool. They have an extensive menu and employ 4 Indian chefs. A lot of people choosing to come and eat her and they offer take away. A very nice atmosphere, helpful staff And the pool was great We really enjoyed our stay here.

I went to the restaurant after over 6 years and one obvious improvement is a bigger bar in an open area unlike the old one which was like hidden in a dark corner. With my two colleagues we thoroughly enjoyed our birthday lunch and happy to have noticed that one colleague liked his veggie dish. The service was excellent and we enjoyed the red wine. The wine menu is perhaps one of the best in Lilongwe. Lots of parking.

I was rather shocked about the filthy bathroom. Mould on the tiles. Towels which might have been white some time ago. The rooms per se are completely outdated. Chairs are worn out. Pavement to the rooms broken and no light (can gmharm yourself during night). Choice at breakfast very limited.