One of the newer guest houses in Maputo, Lokal 2896 is also among the lowest-priced lodgings and the best value for the money.
Decor is minimalistic at Lokal, which is located at 2896 Avenue Vladimir Lenine — hence the name. This is a busy Maputo thoroughfare but the gate is guarded by security staff 24/7, like all Maputo hotels and guest lodgings.
The interior of the four-story building is light and bright. You can see into every corner and what you see is modern, comfortable, and clean.
Art by local artists decorates each room and the common areas, with some funky pieces that seem to poke fun at the minimalist vibe, such as a big black-and-white checked dresser in the comfortable living room.
“Displaying local art promotes us and it promote artists,” Lokal Manager Luisa Freitas told me.
The guest house was once a family home built in the ’70s. The owners adapted the space to create the business. There are seven rooms for guests: three have their own bathrooms and four share two common bathrooms.
I was in a room without an en suite bathroom and paid 2300 metical ($74.31). With a bathroom, the rate was 3300 metical ($110).
The location is a short way outside the Maputo city center but there are several restaurants, a pharmacy, bank, ATM and supermarket within walking distance.
Manager Freitas worked for the French hotel group, Accor, and came to Mozambique nine years ago to train staff in setting up a hotel. She stayed in Mozambique and started her own property management company three years ago. She also works with a U.S. relocation company.
The most important thing in a hotel room is a comfortable bed and a quality shower, Freitas said. She asked for my input on Lokal’s facilities. I gave both a thumbs up.
The owners of Lokal hope to open more guest houses. “Hopefully, this will be the first of many,” Freitas said.
Since the guest house opened in January 2014, 95 percent of it customers have been in Maputo on business and 95 percent of them have been male. That wasn’t the intention, Freitas said. It just happened that way.
It was kind of fascinating to realize I may have been only the fourth woman to stay at Lokal in 10 months.
This guest house fills a gap in the market for quality, lower priced lodgings. My room rate included a simple but ample breakfast with eggs made to order, cereal, juice and coffee.
Expert Review
One of the newer guest houses in Maputo, Lokal 2896 is also among the lowest-priced lodgings and the best value...
One of the newer guest houses in Maputo, Lokal 2896 is also among the lowest-priced lodgings and the best value for the money.
Decor is minimalistic at Lokal, which is located at 2896 Avenue Vladimir Lenine — hence the name. This is a busy Maputo thoroughfare but the gate is guarded by security staff 24/7, like all Maputo hotels and guest lodgings.
The interior of the four-story building is light and bright. You can see into every corner and what you see is modern, comfortable, and clean.
Art by local artists decorates each room and the common areas, with some funky pieces that seem to poke fun at the minimalist vibe, such as a big black-and-white checked dresser in the comfortable living room.
“Displaying local art promotes us and it promote artists,” Lokal Manager Luisa Freitas told me.
The guest house was once a family home built in the ’70s. The owners adapted the space to create the business. There are seven rooms for guests: three have their own bathrooms and four share two common bathrooms.
I was in a room without an en suite bathroom and paid 2300 metical ($74.31). With a bathroom, the rate was 3300 metical ($110).
The location is a short way outside the Maputo city center but there are several restaurants, a pharmacy, bank, ATM and supermarket within walking distance.
Manager Freitas worked for the French hotel group, Accor, and came to Mozambique nine years ago to train staff in setting up a hotel. She stayed in Mozambique and started her own property management company three years ago. She also works with a U.S. relocation company.
The most important thing in a hotel room is a comfortable bed and a quality shower, Freitas said. She asked for my input on Lokal’s facilities. I gave both a thumbs up.
The owners of Lokal hope to open more guest houses. “Hopefully, this will be the first of many,” Freitas said.
Since the guest house opened in January 2014, 95 percent of it customers have been in Maputo on business and 95 percent of them have been male. That wasn’t the intention, Freitas said. It just happened that way.
It was kind of fascinating to realize I may have been only the fourth woman to stay at Lokal in 10 months.
This guest house fills a gap in the market for quality, lower priced lodgings. My room rate included a simple but ample breakfast with eggs made to order, cereal, juice and coffee.