The suicide car bomb exploded at the Banadir Beach Club and Restaurant on the Lido beach, Xinhua quoted witnesses as saying.
There was no immediate word on casualties.
Police sources said security forces were exchanging fire with Al-Shabaab militants who were still inside the hotel.
No group has claimed responsibility for the attack but the Al-Shabaab Islamist group frequently carries out attacks in Somalia, moslty in Mogadishu, in its fight against the government.
This website uses cookies.