The Makokola Retreat

3.0 star property
Lakefront hotel with a full-service spa and a golf course

Choose dates to view prices

Photo gallery for The Makokola Retreat

Snorkeling, water skiing, beach volleyball, sailing
Exterior
Minibar, WiFi
Outdoor pool, open 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM, pool umbrellas, sun loungers
Outdoor pool, open 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM, pool umbrellas, sun loungers

Reviews

8.6 out of 10
Excellent

Popular amenities

  • Gym
  • Bar
  • All inclusive
  • Spa
  • Breakfast included
  • 24/7 front desk

Explore the area

View in a map
Shores of Southern Lake Malawi, P.O. Box 59, Mangochi
  • Place, Nkhudzi Bay Beach
    ‪36 min drive‬
  • Place, Monkey Bay Beach
    ‪42 min drive‬
  • Place, Lake Malawi National Park
    ‪50 min drive‬
  • Airport, Monkey Bay (MYZ)
    ‪50 min drive‬

Room options

Standard Room, Beach View

  • Beach view
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

Superior Room, 1 King Bed, Beach View

  • Beach view
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

Family Room, 2 Bedrooms, Beach View (Superior)

  • 592 sq ft
  • Beach view
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Twin Beds and 1 King Bed

Suite, 1 King Bed, Lake View, Lakeside

  • 753 sq ft
  • Lake view
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

Standard Room, 2 Bedrooms, Beach View

  • 323 sq ft
  • 2 bedrooms
  • Beach view
  • Sleeps 4
  • 1 King Bed and 2 Twin Beds

About the neighborhood

Club Makokola

The Makokola Retreat places you 16.8 mi (27.1 km) from Nkhudzi Bay Beach and 17.2 mi (27.6 km) from Lake Malawi Museum. This 66-room, 3-star hotel has a golf course, a full-service spa, and free breakfast.

What's nearby

  • Nkhudzi Bay Beach - 36 min drive - 20.3 miles
  • Lake Malawi Museum - 38 min drive - 19.4 miles
  • Monkey Bay Beach - 42 min drive - 21.8 miles
  • Lake Malawi National Park - 50 min drive - 30.7 miles

Getting around

  • Monkey Bay (MYZ) - 40 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Zithere Pano Restaurant - ‬8 min drive
  • ‪Ziboliboli - ‬8 min drive

About this property

The Makokola Retreat

Lakefront hotel with a full-service spa and a golf course
Guests of The Makokola Retreat have access to a golf course, a full-service spa, and an outdoor pool. The front desk is staffed 24/7 to help with tours or tickets, and answer any questions about the accommodations. Other amenities at this spa hotel include a gym, outdoor tennis courts, and WiFi in public areas.
Guests can expect to find WiFi. Minibars, coffee makers, and ceiling fans are other standard amenities. Housekeeping is not available.
Guests can play rounds at the 18-hole golf course and enjoy other recreation facilities including 2 outdoor tennis courts. In addition to an outdoor pool, other recreational amenities include a fitness center.

The recreational activities listed below are available either on site or nearby; fees may apply.

The Lake Spa has 4 treatment rooms including rooms for couples. Services include hot stone massages, facials, and body treatments. A variety of treatment therapies are provided, including aromatherapy and reflexology.

The spa is open select days. Guests under 18 years old are not allowed in the spa.

Similar properties

Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: WiFi (MWK 5,000 per day)
  • In-room WiFi has a 1-device limit
  • Available in some public areas: WiFi (MWK 5,000 per stay)
  • WiFi in public areas has a 1-device limit

Food and drink

  • Free full breakfast available daily 7:00 AM to 9:30 AM
  • A poolside bar
  • A restaurant

Things to do

  • 18-hole golf course
  • 2 outdoor tennis courts
  • Beach volleyball
  • Boat tours
  • Full-service spa
  • Gym
  • Kayaking
  • Motor boating
  • Outdoor pool
  • Parasailing
  • Racquetball/squash
  • Sailing
  • Snorkeling
  • Water skiing

Family friendly

  • Laundry facilities
  • Outdoor pool

Conveniences

  • 24-hour front desk
  • Gift shop/newsstand
  • Laundry facilities

Guest services

  • No housekeeping service
  • Tour and ticket assistance
  • Wedding services

Business services

  • 5 meeting rooms
  • Conference center (2,583 square feet of space)

Outdoors

  • Garden
  • On a lake
  • Pool loungers
  • Pool umbrellas

Full-service spa

  • 4 treatment rooms
  • Aromatherapy
  • Couples treatment rooms
  • Facials
  • Hot stone massages
  • Reflexology
  • Spa open select days

More

  • Smoking not allowed

Room amenities

Bathroom

  • Partially-open bathroom
  • Shower
  • Towels provided

Food and drink

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Minibar

More

  • Ceiling fan

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: 2:00 PM; Check-in end time: midnight
Late check-in subject to availability
Minimum check-in age: 18

Check-out

Check-out before 11 AM

Special check-in instructions

Guests must contact the property in advance for check-in instructions; front desk staff will greet guests on arrival at the property
To make arrangements for check-in please contact the property ahead of time using the information on the booking confirmation
If you are planning to arrive after 9:00 PM please contact the property in advance using the information on the booking confirmation

Access methods

Staffed front desk

Pets

  • This property doesn't allow pets

Important information

Optional extras

These fees and deposits will be charged at check-in, check-out, or the time of service.

  • Fee for in-room wireless internet: MWK 5000 per day (1-device limit, rates may vary)
  • Fee for wireless internet in public areas: MWK 5000 per stay (1-device limit, rates may vary)

This list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits might not include tax and are subject to change.

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
  • Check-in: 2:00 PM—-midnight
  • Check-out: 11 AM
  • Minimum check-in age: 18
The front desk is open 24 hours a day.

We should mention

Details about charges, deposits, or other important information:

  • This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business, or profession.
  • Charges for extra guests may apply and vary depending on the property's policy.
  • A cash deposit, credit card, or debit card for incidental charges, as well as a government-issued photo ID, may be required at check-in.
  • Special requests are subject to availability at the time of check-in and can't be guaranteed. Certain requests may come with additional charges.

Additional information about polices, regulations, and more:

  • Pool access available from 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
  • Reservations need to be made in advance for massage services and spa treatments. Contact the hotel at the phone number listed on your booking confirmation.
  • Registered guests are the only ones allowed in guestrooms.
  • No rollaway or extra beds are available.

Property is also known as

Makokola Retreat Hotel Mangochi
Makokola Retreat Hotel
Makokola Retreat Mangochi
Makokola Retreat
The Makokola Retreat Hotel
The Makokola Retreat Mangochi
The Makokola Retreat Hotel Mangochi

Frequently asked questions

Is free cancellation available at The Makokola Retreat?

The Makokola Retreat offers free cancellation on certain room rates. For specific requirements, look at the cancellation policy on Orbitz.

What's there to do close to The Makokola Retreat?

This hotel is located in Mangochi, just steps from Lake Malawi.

Is there parking available at The Makokola Retreat?

No, there isn't parking available at the hotel.

Is a spa located at The Makokola Retreat?

The Lake Spa is the hotel's spa and services include hot stone massages, couples treatments, and reflexology. The spa is not open daily but only on select days.

Does The Makokola Retreat feature a casino?

No, The Makokola Retreat doesn't have a casino.

Is there an indoor pool at The Makokola Retreat?

No, this hotel doesn't have an indoor pool; however, there is an outdoor pool. Guests have pool access between 7:00 AM and 6:00 PM.

Is The Makokola Retreat a good place to stay for couples?

This lakeside hotel offers plenty of amenities for couples including an outdoor pool, a poolside bar, and a restaurant.

Does The Makokola Retreat have a hot tub?

No, there isn't a spa tub at this hotel.

Does The Makokola Retreat have a restaurant that serves breakfast?

Yes, The Makokola Retreat serves free full breakfasts each morning from its restaurant.

Does The Makokola Retreat allow pets to stay for free?

No, pets aren't allowed at The Makokola Retreat.

Are there connecting rooms at The Makokola Retreat?

No, there aren't connecting guestrooms at this hotel.

How close is the airport from The Makokola Retreat?

The closest major airport to The Makokola Retreat is Monkey Bay (MYZ), which is 25.1 mi away (40 minutes by car).

Are there rooms with balconies that I can book at The Makokola Retreat?

Yes, some guestrooms at The Makokola Retreat offer a balcony and may feature beach views.

Does The Makokola Retreat offer wedding services?

Take advantage of the wedding venue at The Makokola Retreat if you plan to say "I do" during your trip.

Reviews

The Makokola Retreat Reviews

8.6

Excellent

7.6/10

Cleanliness

7.6/10

Staff & service

7.0/10

Property conditions & facilities
Rating 10 - Excellent. 2 out of 4 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 1 out of 4 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 4 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 4 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 4 reviews

Reviews

6/10 Okay

Verified traveler

Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

2 star hotel in a 5 star location.

Many small things can be done to make the living quarters better. Eg cockroach prevention, clean sheets, fix the fans. Beautiful location and the staff were lovely but over priced unless you are going as a group and can share the cost.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2018

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Nice room, good food and excellent service

3 awesome relaxing nights at Club Mak. The homemade gelado is to die for. Amazing views over Lake Malawi

8/10 Good

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities

Definitely needs air conditioning...

Lovely setting on a lovely stretch of beach. Good food. Front desk service okay, all others really wonderful. The main thing missing here is air conditioning. It is stifling in the rooms, even in the middle of the night. Also, there are major power outages constantly (as is the case throughout the country), but with the cost of a room here I would hope for a generator to run anytime the power is down.

10/10 Excellent

Jeff, Vienna, Virginia

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities

A very peaceful retreat!

A quiet and peaceful retreat with open spaces, great food, and quality service by friendly staff. Hotel could provide small face cloth/towel option. Long hand towels - an old English and wasteful tradition - are hard to use (especially with the mini-soap provided); they're also terrible for the environment as they require more water to wash, and more detergent! Cold shower can be uncomfortable especially morning and evening. Should provide warm water option - even if climate is warm. Overall we were greatly impressed by this world-class hotel, and would come again!