Four Pillars Lodge

The bathroom in Room 5 was the biggest problem this time. The shower feels squeezed in as an afterthought, with the toilet so close that both can't be used at once. Water gets onto the sink, toilet area, bin, and sometimes the toilet paper. There's no proper barrier, so it also seeps into the room. One day there wasn't even a hand towel to use as a mat, and the slippery floor tiles have no grip for feet or slippers. Management should rework the bathroom so it's safe and usable. The space between the wardrobe and shower wall might be used to make more room. There were other frustrating inconsistencies in Room 5. I was given two bottles of water a day for the first two days, then only one, with staff saying the first two had been a mistake. It was annoying to have to adjust after I'd started relying on what they'd supplied. The tea and coffee setup didn't make sense either: one Five Roses teabag and one coffee sachet, but more than five sugar sachets, two Cremora sachets, and two cups, saucers, and spoons. If I don't drink coffee, I can only have one tea, and if I don't drink tea, I get one coffee with extra sugar and creamer. The wardrobe handle was broken, and the curtains looked stuck on the rod, as if they hadn't been opened in a while. The bedding was too light for Lusaka's cold July weather. Warmer bedding arrived only after I asked, and it still wasn't warm enough. The passage and room also had a persistent smell like cockroach spray. Air diffusers might make the place more comfortable. I've stayed at Four Pillars Lodge three times in the past six months, and this visit in Room 5 has made me reconsider coming back. On my previous stay, I complained to the chef after being told for the second time that breakfast sausages had run out. I was asked to have just a sandwich instead, and told the food had run out because many guests were there for a training. I expected a full, properly prepared breakfast like everyone else. It gave me the impression that portions aren't planned for all guests, especially those not attending a training or workshop, and showed little attention to detail. Because of that, I skipped breakfast altogether this time. Each visit seems to bring worse service and a worse experience. The lodge exterior looks appealing and they seem focused on conferences and workshops, but overnight guests don't get much attention. The lodge is in such a great location, so management should invest in room upgrades, consistent hospitality, and proper care for guests.