Within staggering distance of the Ilala ferry, this low-slung cream building with art-deco aspirations is quirky to say the least, incorporating old boat materials, car doors and nautical motifs. Despite the faint hint of decline, rooms are mostly neat, pleasantly decorated and houseproud. There are also two basic four-bed dorms and a slightly tacky suite.
Up top is a beautiful open rooftop bar overlooking the lake, and the restaurant (mains MK3500) serves cannelloni, chicken schnitzel, Thai stir-fry, steaks and English breakfasts.
Built by a local politician in 1964, the inn sits in isolation gazing across the sand flats at the lake. To find it, turn off the main road by the Puma garage in Nkhotakota and continue for 3km.