Exploring Lakowe Lakes, Where Greenery, Serenity, and Hospitality Meet

As Lagosians gear up for another unforgettable ‘Detty December’, the search for serene yet stylish escapes is already underway. Nestled on the tranquil outskirts of the city, Lakowe Lakes Golf and Country Estate offer far more than manicured greens and luxury cottages; it is a sanctuary where nature, serenity, and world-class hospitality intertwine. In this report, Sunday Ehigiator recounts his three-day staycation, capturing the essence of Lakowe’s charm through its lush landscapes, warm people, and unforgettable experiences.

The drive to Lakowe was like a gentle peeling away of layers of noise. Each kilometre put more distance between me and the restless pulse of the city of Lagos, its blaring horns, the hurried footsteps, and the constant hum of commerce. By the time my car turned off the main expressway and glided into the manicured entrance of Lakowe Lakes Golf & Country Estate, I felt as though I had stepped through a portal.

Here, the air was different; cleaner, sharper, touched with the faint scent of wet grass and pine. The gates swung open with an almost ceremonial calm, and the security detail greeted me with warm smiles, professional yet friendly, as if to say: “Welcome to a different Lagos”.

Check-in was seamless, almost suspiciously so for someone used to the occasional chaos of Nigerian hospitality. Within minutes, I was ushered into a world where nature, luxury, and thoughtfulness danced together. But the real magic began when I unlocked the door to my two-bedroom lakefront cottage and found a simple but powerful message waiting for me:

“Dear Sunday Ehigiator, It is our pleasure to welcome you to Lakowe Lakes. We are delighted to have you with us. May your stay be filled with relaxation, comfort, and memorable experiences, surrounded by the beauty of nature.

“Should there be anything you require, please do not hesitate to let us know. We wish you a truly exceptional stay, with warm regards from the Lakowe Lakes Hospitality Team.”

It felt personal, as though Lakowe had not just prepared a room, but prepared an embrace. That’s when I knew; I wasn’t here to merely stay, I was here to experience.

Cottage by the Lake

The cottage was a storybook come alive. Balinese-inspired in design, it stood like a quiet guardian of serenity by the bank of an artificial lake spanning 54 hectares, its waters so still that they mirrored the sky.

Through the sliding glass doors in both the living room and the bedrooms, the lake was not just a view; it was a companion. Even from my bed, I could see its silvery shimmer, hear the faint ripple of water, and watch the choreography of birds cutting across the horizon.

There’s a difference between quiet and serenity. Quiet is the absence of noise, but serenity is the presence of peace; Lakowe had mastered serenity. The songs of birds pierced through the stillness, not as interruptions but as soft notes in an orchestra directed by nature itself.

At night, when I slid the balcony door open, the air came alive with cricket chirps and the gentle lap of water against the bank. It was in these moments, lying in bed with nothing but moonlight spilling across the room, that I felt how deliberately Lakowe had been designed; not just as accommodation, but as a sanctuary.

Flavours at ‘The Restaurant on 18’

If the cottage was the soul of my stay, then food was its heartbeat. ‘The Restaurant on 18’ was where every day began, peaked, and ended.

Imagine waking to a breakfast spread that moved seamlessly between continents: the fluffiest pancakes that could rival an American diner, steaming jollof rice that carried the signature spice of home, and omelettes that could be folded into Parisian café culture without anyone raising a brow.

Lunch was an even greater indulgence, a buffet that felt less like dining and more like a culinary festival. There was efo-riro, and egusi, thick and hearty, laced with snail, shaki, and abo-idi, sitting proudly beside pepper-chicken, goat-meat, and some creamy pastas; pepper soup that warmed the throat with each sip, beside a delicate platter of sushi that seemed to wink mischievously at its West African neighbour.

Dinner was no less magical: tender steaks, fresh seafood, vegetable medleys, and desserts that demanded to be photographed before being devoured.

But what elevated the dining was not just the food; it was the hospitality. Staff moved with the ease of people who had been trained to serve but who had also been gifted with natural warmth. Joy, Samson, and Bunmi broke no sweat as they tend to visitors’ stomach infrastructure with delight, while also helping with pictures.

Plates never sat empty for long, glasses were filled before you realised they were half gone, and every meal felt like a carefully choreographed performance where the guest was the star.

Sports & Recreation: Where Energy Meets Serenity

Lakowe is not just about stillness; it is also about motion. At the Revivo Sports Centre, I discovered that play here is not a child’s business, but an adult’s path to joy.

Ping Pong matches echoed with laughter and competitive cheers, swimming sessions were punctuated with splashes of delight, and lawn tennis courts throbbed with the rhythm of rackets meeting balls in the evening glow.

The Bonfire Arena added a communal flavour to it all, hosting games of volleyball under skies painted pink and orange at sunset. For cycling enthusiasts like me, Lakowe offered smooth trails that wound through its 308-hectare expanse, so well planned they felt like they were designed by artists rather than engineers.

Each ride was a moving gallery of greenery, trees whispering overhead, lakes shimmering beside the path, and cottages peeking from between lush foliage.

For quieter moments, there were indoor board games that rekindled the simple joys of childhood. But the crown jewel of recreation was the golf experience; a course spread across 90 hectares, designed by PGA professional Robert O’Friel. Even if you’re not a golfer like me, walking the expanse is therapy in itself; if you are, then it is nothing short of a dreamscape for swings and putts.

Fishing, Boating & Reflection

Water has a way of stilling the heart, of whispering to the restless parts of the soul that they can take a seat and breathe. At Lakowe, the lakes were not merely ornamental; they were living, breathing characters in the story of my stay.

One afternoon, fishing rod in hand, I found myself perched at the edge of the dock, eyes scanning the lake’s glassy surface for a ripple. At this juncture, I must place a caveat, ‘fishing is not a sport of impatience; it is one of communion with the water, with silence, with one’s own thoughts’.

For me, even though I failed to catch the game, it became a meditation exercise. The sun was gentle warmth on my skin, the breeze a quiet kiss across my face, and the occasional splash of fish breaking the water’s surface reminded me that life teemed beneath the calm.

Then came the pontoon boat ride, gliding across the lake as though on silk, under the professional sailing of Captain Alaba. The boat cut through the water with such gentleness that ripples expanded like lazy rings on a drum.

Sitting back with the wind in my face, and chilling sounds of Omalay, and Jonny Drill blazing from the speakers, I realised Lakowe had designed every experience not to rush you but to slow you down, to unspool the knots wound tightly by city life.

It was not about speed, but presence. Every turn of the lake revealed new shades of green-palms swaying, flowering shrubs nodding politely at the water, and herons darting overhead like ballet dancers. By the time the ride was over, I understood why people describe Lakowe as “an escape.” It is not an escape from, but an escape into.

In-room Spa & Wine Bar Moments

No true retreat is complete without a touch of indulgence, and at Lakowe, this language is spoken with effortless fluency. One evening, after hours of cycling through leafy trails and gliding across the lake, a gentle chime at my door announced the spa team, led by the gifted hands of Masseuse Mercy, ready to transform my evening into pure relaxation.

The deep-tissue massage that followed was not just treatment, it was ritual. As the therapist’s hands worked across my back, kneading away stress I didn’t even know I was carrying, I melted into the bed.

Outside, I could faintly hear birds’ trading songs and the occasional splash of water, but inside, my body was being taught the meaning of surrender. Every knot untied, every muscle released, until I was nothing but breath and gratitude.

Later that night, I found myself at the Wine Bar, glass in hand, sipping something that lingered with notes of oak and fruit. The bar had the kind of lighting that made conversations easier and silences comfortable. It was intimate without being intimidating, lively without being loud. Here, I met other guests; strangers who quickly became companions in laughter. It struck me how Lakowe created not only spaces for solitude but also for connection.

Olamide: The Heart of Hospitality

Great destinations are defined by great people. And for me, Lakowe’s spirit was embodied in one person: Olamide, my concierge. From the moment she greeted me with a smile wide enough to rival the morning sun, I knew my stay was in good hands.

Hospitality is not about reciting scripted lines; it is about anticipating needs, about carrying warmth in your voice and grace in your actions. Olamide had this in abundance. She curated my activities with the precision of a conductor, ensuring that no moment was wasted yet no moment felt rushed.

Whether arranging my fishing trip, guiding me to the golf course, or checking in to ask, “Sir, have you had lunch? She made me feel less like a guest and more like a valued friend.

By the end of my stay, Olamide had become more than a concierge; she had become part of the memory itself. And it reminded me that while architecture and scenery build the bones of a place, people are the heartbeat.

The Emerald Luxe Weekend Pass

In my ‘aproko’ nature, I scooped around during my stay in the cottage and found that Lakowe Lakes is gearing up to host what promises to be one of the most exclusive lifestyle escapes of the year: ‘The Emerald Luxe Weekend Pass’.

Framed as an Emerald Invitational to escape, unwind, and celebrate in style, the three-day affair is designed to blend luxury, leisure, and world-class entertainment into one unforgettable experience.

The package includes two nights of luxury accommodation, all meals, and selected alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks flowing throughout the weekend. But beyond these essentials, it is the carefully curated schedule of events that has already stirred excitement among lifestyle enthusiasts.

The festivities, which arguably should signal the beginning of ‘Detty December’ activities in Lagos, kick off on Friday night, September 26, 2025, with Verse & Vibe, a soulful blend of spoken word and live music headlined by IBQUAKE.

The following day, Saturday, September 27, raises the tempo with the Poolside Pulse Party featuring Folagade Banks and Layi Wasabi, an energetic mix of comedy, music, and Lagos flair. The evening culminates in a glittering Royale Gala Dinner, hosted by Kie Kie, where fine dining and A-list entertainment converge spectacularly.

On Sunday, September 28, the mood softens with a Laid-back Brunch, a relaxed and indulgent close to the weekend’s celebrations.

Guests will also have access to an exciting menu of creative and recreational activities, including Sip & Paint, Caricature Drawing, Pottery & Candy Making, Pontoon Boat Rides, Knock-Around Tennis, and Archery; together valued at over ₦400,000 per person.

For anyone seeking a rare blend of greenery, serenity, and indulgence, the Emerald Luxe Weekend Pass is shaping up not just as an event but as the lifestyle highlight of 2025.

The Architecture of Excellence

Lakowe is not a place that happened; it is a place that was intentionally crafted. At every corner, you feel the planning, the precision, and the pursuit of excellence.

The roads are wide, smooth, and tree-lined; they are not just thoroughfares but experiences in themselves. Cycling or driving along them is like moving through a curated postcard.

Also is the ‘Driving Range’; before stepping onto the grand course, the driving range is where you practice your swing, where beginners flirt with the sport, and veterans refine their art.

More than a building, the Lakowe is a community hub. Perfect for team bonding, it combines lodging, meeting spaces, and an event centre into one harmonious design. Here, corporate meets leisure in ways that are not forced but fluid.

For me, the cottages are my personal favourite. Inspired by Balinese architecture, they combine modern luxury with natural intimacy. Every line, every finish screams attention to detail.

Lakowe might not call itself a resort in the strictest sense, but its resort-like character is undeniable. From recreation to architecture, it is a place where excellence isn’t an accident; it is the culture.

Golf: The Beating Heart of Lakowe Lakes

At the centre of it all lies golf; the sport that birthed this estate, the rhythm around which everything else orbits. Spread across 90 hectares, the course designed by Robert O’Friel is a masterpiece of undulating greens, strategic bunkers, and fairways framed by shimmering lakes.

Even for a novice, walking the course is awe-inspiring. Each hole feels like a chapter, each swing a sentence, each putt a punctuation mark. The grass is manicured with such precision that it could rival carpets in five-star hotels. Golfers spoke of it not just as a course but as a pilgrimage. And standing there, watching the sun set behind the trees while the final balls rolled across the green, I understood.

The City Beyond a City

What makes Lakowe remarkable is not just what it offers but how it feels: a city within a city. Spread across 308 hectares, it holds within it worlds; forests, lakes, cottages, lodges, sports arenas, restaurants, bars, and pathways that weave them together. It is Lagos reimagined; planned, intentional, serene.

Yet, beyond the luxury, there is an ethos of simplicity. It is not about overwhelming grandeur but about thoughtful excellence. Every flower planted, every path curved, every building positioned feels like part of a deliberate choreography.

Lakowe whispers a truth that is rare in Lagos: life can be unhurried, yet fulfilling.

Why Lakowe Stays With You

As I packed my bags on the final morning, sliding the balcony door open one last time to watch the lake breathe under the sunrise, I realised something: Lakowe is not a destination you simply visit; it is a place you carry with you.

It lingers in the taste of buffet meals shared with laughter. It hums in the rhythm of a bicycle wheel rolling down smooth paths. It rests in the warmth of Olamide’s ever-ready smile.

Lakowe Lakes is more than greenery, more than serenity, more than hospitality; it is a reminder that even within the restless chaos of Lagos, there can be a place where peace is not an illusion but a daily reality.

And as I left, one thought comforted me: this was not goodbye. With the Emerald Luxe Weekend Pass coming up later in September, there is already a perfect excuse to return; to rediscover Lakowe’s magic, to celebrate, and to live the luxe life all over again.