Royal Cashrise lodge

When load shedding hits at night, their backup power doesn’t work. If you’ve got work to do then, ninshi wanya!

My last visit to Kabwe was a while ago, and I was surprised by the price at Royal Cashrise for its cheapest room. Then I remembered our currency was about 33% stronger the last time I stayed in a lodge, and the place down the street charged the same for its cheapest room. At the time of writing, it came to $12.30 USD, or K350. The woman at check-in said this was actually a hotel, though they hadn’t updated Google Maps yet. It still felt like a lodge, but I appreciated what I got for the price. They also had more rooms than most places, which might explain it. The chipped paint in my room and exposed electrical fixtures added to that lodge feel. Reception could use more space and better seats. Staff were friendly, and it was considerably better than the lodge down the street. Load Shedding was a problem, but they did run a generator for a few hours at a time. Without power for half my stay, I couldn’t watch TV, charge my phone, or keep drinks cool, which made the room feel overpriced. Breakfast was a complimentary continental one: two slices of bread, condiments to choose from, and a fried egg. A full English breakfast was available for an extra charge, but I didn’t try it. I’d give Royal Cashrise 3.5/5 and wouldn’t mind returning. Check the pics for more.

Getting around is convenient from here. It’s in town, a short walk from Shoprite and within walking distance of town. The hospitality and management were great, better than at most places. I loved the full English breakfast, and the generator worked well during load shedding, so I never had power problems. I could run the aircon and boil water, which mostly helped with the shower pressure. The bathrooms need attention, though. Water pressure drops when the power goes out, and the showers need glass screens because water leaks out. I slipped a few times. The sewer system by the front rooms also needs maintenance before it becomes a bigger issue, though the newer rooms don’t have that problem. In the old rooms, the aircons need cleaning and the sockets need replacing.

I don't know about others, but this is the best hotel ever 🥹❤️🕊