Business meets Leisure, in the Capital | Sunbird Capital Hotel

If you are a business/corporate person in the Capital City, I doubt a week passes without you having some sort of meeting at the Capital Hotel.

Characterised by its excellent location, tranquil setting and world class amenities, Sunbird Capital is an elegant 4-star hotel balancing executive facilities with a friendly atmosphere and its staff to offer a memorably personalised service.

With conference facilities and several boardrooms available for meetings, conference and banqueting events, the hotel also has a stylish first class restaurant, two newly refurbished modern bars, a gym, and swimming pool.

The hospitality

I spend a lot of my time in hotels, but the hospitality at Sunbird always beats! The staff are so warm, caring, attentive and kind. They make you feel right at home. The feel of Sunbird Capital, contrary to most of the Sunbird Hotels is fast, yet calming.

The people who regular the hotel are business people – and as such you would expect people that are in a hurry to get things done, in a place nice.

Sunbird Capital has become a personal favorite of mine, due to its very central location that makes it so convenient for nearly any business meeting.

This landmark hotel is a favourite destination for travellers, offering the best in conference and leisure facilities, while within easy walking distance of the city centre, corporate head offices and diplomatic missions.

Sunbird Capital is 500m away from the Government Headquarters on Capitol Hill, and has two restaurants, two bars, gym facilities, a squash court, swimming pool and a massage therapy centre among other top-class facilities.

The Rooms

Sunbird Capital has a total of 170 rooms offering choice and comfort to our guests. All rooms are en suite with air-conditioning, digital satellite television, international direct dialling, Wi-Fi internet and 220v power points (British Standard).

Room categories

The rooms come in 4 categories – the have 58 Superior rooms, 53 Deluxe, 43 Executive Deluxe, 5 Studios, 7 Suites and 4 Presidential Suites.

I stayed in a studio, which is quite pretty.

The Restaurants, and the Bars

Vincent’s Restaurant

Vincent’s is Sunbird’s flagship fine dining restaurant and is the best in Lilongwe. Distinctively decorated to honour the famed artist Vincent Van Gosh, this restaurant offers unique culinary delights prepared by some of the best talented chefs in the city.

Vincent’s Restaurant is a most times go-to for me, because it is very executive, and as such only frequented by classy people. I had my birthday dinner there recently, and we had such an amazing time!

With an open grill kitchen and inspiring décor, Vincent’s presents a pleasant and memorable setting for a unique fine dining experience.

The restaurant is open for lunch on Monday through Friday from 12.00 – 14.00, dinner from Monday through Saturday from 18.00 – 20.00. Mimosa Restaurant Mimosa is an open brasserie-style restaurant spilling on to a picturesque courtyard with a large ornamental fish pond. Along with buffet breakfast and lunch, an a la carte menu is served throughout the day, and an open-air traditional pizza oven completes the extensive choice of menus.

Vincent’s Bar Lounge

When you are done having dinner at the restaurant, just next door is the Vincent’s Executive Bar and Lounge, which is also frequented by a similar callibre of people.

Vincent’s Bar Lounge is a modern, cosy and executive lounge bar offering cocktails and beverages in a professional atmosphere and very private setting.

At the bar, you can order a variety of drinks and cocktails (alcoholic and non-alcoholic), and some snacks.

Kachere Bar

Kachere is a sports bar with a more relaxed atmosphere with satellite television. It serves local snacks.

I frequent the Kachere bar for some Mang’ina, and they make some of the best Mang’ina in Lilongwe.

The Main Restaurant

This is situated downstairs, and has such a diverse menu for you to pick from. They have local cuisines offered on Wednesdays and Fridays.

Breakfasts

I was feeling adventurous this particular morning, and put out a social media competition for a Sunbird lover to guess where I had been. Thenjie won, and she alerted me that her baby’s second birthday was coming up!

I invited them for breakfast, and we had such an amazing breakfast over good chats.

The Poolside

It would not be a By Ntha travel review without some views of the pool.

I wrapped up my visit with a swim with Berna at the pool.

Sunbird Capital Hotel has two swimming pools – one for the kiddies and another for everyone else; which are situated side by side.

The Conference Facilities

Sunbird Capital offers the fullest range of conferencing and banqueting facilities including weddings, meetings, conferences, public events and more. Each room or hall is furnished with its own equipment including audiovisual equipment, LCD projector, public address system, and flip charts.

They also have a Marquee which can take up to 1000 individuals for different types of functions.

EXCURSIONS & ACTIVITIES

Dedza Pottery

An hour south of Lilongwe, on the M1, is the towering Dedza Mountain (2000m). In Dedza itself, the famed Dedza pottery creates and exports its wares worldwide from this, their only show room. On your way, there are unimpeded views from the mountain across Lake Malawi to the East, and far into Mozambique to the West. The pleasant climate and reliable rainfall means the area is the source of much of Lilongwe’s fruit and vegetables.

Widlife & Lakeside trip

Kuti Game ranch, just outside Salima, is also within an hour’s drive from Sunbird Capital. It covers 3000ha and is a haven for wildlife, from big mammals to hundreds of species of birds. Minutes further you can easily add a visit to Africa’s third largest lake and enjoy the fresh waters of Lake Malawi at Sunbird Livingstonia Beach.

OTHER FACILITIES

Sunbird Capital offers many other facilities and services to complement your stay including:

• 24-hour concierge service
• 24-hour room service
• Executive Lounge
• Laundry/dry cleaning
• Free open car parking
• Designated non-smoking
rooms
• Hospitality bars
• Wellness Centre
• Spa
• Hair salon
• Car hire desk
• Business Centre
• Baby sitter (by prior
arrangement)
• Swimming Pool
• In-room mini bar
• Room safes
• Wi-Fi
• Squash Court