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About Tanzania Arusha is one of the largest cities in Tanzania, boasting developed infrastructure and a population of over 600,000 people. Nestled at the foot of Mount Meru, it serves as a gateway for many travelers heading off on safari to nearby national parks, visiting coffee plantations, or preparing to climb Kilimanjaro. Arusha is not just a gateway city — it is Tanzania’s business hub and home to art galleries, museums, and cultural landmarks.
Today, we’ve prepared a comprehensive guide to the best hotels in Arusha City, where you can enjoy a comfortable and pleasant stay:
- Legendary Lodge 5* — Cozy cottages set within a coffee plantation.
- Gran Melia Arusha 5* — A luxury hotel located between Serengeti National Park and Kilimanjaro.
- Elewana Arusha Coffee Lodge 5* — A charming boutique hotel on a coffee plantation.
- Four Points by Sheraton Arusha 4*— One of East Africa’s oldest hotels, founded in 1894.
- Ngare Sero Mountain Lodge 4* — A resort nestled in a tropical forest with a lake on its grounds.
- Katambuga House 3* — A small hotel with only eight rooms but equipped with everything necessary for a comfortable stay.
- Mount Meru Hotel 4* — One of the largest hotels in Tanzania, ideal for business trips and conferences.
- Kahawa House 4* — Conveniently located for those planning a safari in Arusha National Park.
- The African Tulip 4* — A boutique hotel in a quiet suburb featuring an outdoor pool, restaurant, and bar.
- Olerai Lodge 4* — A former family home with picturesque views of Mount Meru.
- Arusha Villa Karamu Coffee Estate 3* — A resort complex situated in the heart of a coffee plantation.
- Kibo Palace Hotel Arusha 3* — A modern hotel within walking distance of Arusha’s city center.
- Forest Hill Hotel 3* — A small hotel surrounded by lush greenery, featuring a pool and a children’s playground.
- Serena Arusha Hotel 4* — Set in a historic colonial building on the shores of Lake Duluti.
1. Legendary Lodge 5*
Nestled within a large coffee plantation and comfortably set back from the main road, this hotel is a true oasis of peace and seclusion, where nothing will disturb your relaxation. The complex consists of 12 modern cottages surrounded by lush trees, offering a magnificent view of Mount Meru. The restaurant and swimming pool are located in the resort's main building, and the property also features tennis and squash courts.
The drive from Legendary Lodge to the center of Arusha takes about 20–30 minutes, meaning you can easily complement your tranquil retreat — sipping freshly harvested coffee — with a cultural excursion whenever you wish.
Nearest airport: Arusha Airport, 10 minutes
Accommodation options: 12 cottages, including two- and three-bedroom units
Amenities: Free Wi-Fi, swimming pool, sauna and steam room, tennis court, squash court, sports area, garden, complimentary minibar
2. Gran Melia Arusha 5*
Located in the heart of Arusha, this hotel is a convenient base for travelers looking to embark on a Tanzanian safari or climb Africa’s highest peak. Gran Melia Arusha lives up to its five-star status with elegant interiors, modern technology, high security, and a wide range of premium services that set it apart from many other hotels. The hotel features The Grill restaurant, renowned even beyond the resort, particularly for its authentic charcoal-grilled seafood and meat dishes.
Nearest airport: Arusha Airport, 30 minutes
Accommodation options: 171 rooms with views of the mountains, city, or pool, including honeymoon suites, family rooms, and non-smoking options
Amenities: Free Wi-Fi, fitness center with gym, conference and banquet halls, infinity pool and rooftop bar, sun terrace, wellness spa
3. Elewana Arusha Coffee Lodge 5*
Another luxury lodge set within a vast coffee plantation. The hotel features a swimming pool, comfortable relaxation areas, and open fireplaces. The room interiors are designed in warm coffee tones, and the on-site restaurant is known for its refined menu. The inner courtyard also includes a spacious terrace where guests can unwind after a busy day.
A key highlight is the hotel’s collaboration with a glass recycling project that employs people with disabilities. Broken and unusable glassware is transformed into beautiful decorative items, which can be purchased at the souvenir shop.
Nearest airport: Arusha Airport, 10 minutes
Accommodation options: 30 rooms, including standard single, double, and triple rooms, as well as luxury suites with modern amenities and cozy fireplaces on private terraces
Amenities: Free Wi-Fi, swimming pool, spa center, laundry services, in-room electronic safes, fully stocked minibars, balcony terraces, souvenir shop
4. Four Points by Sheraton Arusha 4*
Located in the very center of the city, this hotel was established back in 1894 and has been welcoming guests ever since, making it one of the oldest resorts not just in Arusha, but in all of East Africa. Despite its long history, guests frequently note the freshly renovated rooms and modern facilities. The property includes a large swimming pool, gym, spacious conference halls, and a lush inner garden.
Thanks to its central location, guests can easily access Arusha’s top attractions, including museums (such as the Arusha Declaration Museum), galleries, shopping, and entertainment centers, as well as the local golf club. The Tanzanite Experience jewelry store, which offers genuine tanzanite gemstones, is also just a short walk away.
Nearest airport: Arusha Airport, 30 minutes
Accommodation options: 114 rooms, including standard rooms, club rooms with pool views, and deluxe rooms with balconies
Amenities: Free Wi-Fi, swimming pool, safes, minibars, and air conditioning in every room, balcony and non-smoking room options available
5. Ngare Sero Mountain Lodge 4*
This resort complex on the slopes of Mount Meru is perfect for a secluded retreat amidst wild nature. In the 20th century, the lodge served as a colonial farmhouse, but today it is a luxurious modern hotel, suitable not only for short stays before or after a safari or Kilimanjaro climb but also for extended relaxation.
The property features a lake where guests can enjoy gondola rides and take in the breathtaking scenery from the water. The lodge is also an excellent spot for birdwatching and horseback riding.
Nearest airport: Arusha or Kilimanjaro International Airport (50-minute drive from either)
Accommodation options: 10 garden-access rooms, two suites in the main house, one three-bedroom cottage, and a newly built Summit Suite
Amenities: Free Wi-Fi, restaurant and bar, outdoor fireplace, breakfast terrace, safari lunch boxes, souvenir shop, outdoor swimming pool, massage services
6. Katambuga House 3*
This small and cozy resort is located within the Endurance Estate, just outside the city. The hotel building is surrounded by lush green gardens, with the air filled with birdsong. With only eight rooms, each featuring a private covered veranda with lounge chairs and views of the tropical garden, Katambuga House offers an intimate and tranquil stay. Guests appreciate not only the high level of service and excellent cuisine in the on-site restaurant but also the comfortable rooms with spacious bathrooms and authentic interiors in soft pastel tones.
Nearby coffee plantations provide an excellent opportunity for an excursion, where guests can learn about coffee cultivation and processing and, of course, taste freshly brewed aromatic coffee.
Nearest airport: Arusha Airport, 10 minutes
Accommodation options: 8 rooms with a total capacity of up to 20 guests, including 4 rooms in the main house and 4 additional bedrooms in family cottages
Amenities: Free Wi-Fi in the main house, lounge with a bar, outdoor dining area, swimming pool, souvenir shop, sun loungers and beach chairs, laundry services, restaurant, bicycle rental
7. Mount Meru Hotel 4*
One of the largest hotels in Tanzania, Mount Meru Hotel is perfect not only for leisure travelers but also for business trips, meetings, and conferences. Located right in front of Mount Meru, some rooms offer breathtaking views of the volcano. The hotel is known for its excellent service and features a spa where guests can relax with expert massage treatments after a long hike or safari.
Mount Meru Hotel offers a wide range of accommodation options, from standard single rooms to presidential suites. For those looking for an exclusive experience, a high-end golf club is located nearby.
Nearest airport: Arusha Airport, 25 minutes
Accommodation options: 108 standard double rooms, 30 twin rooms, 22 superior rooms, 4 classic junior suites, 2 family junior suites, 6 executive suites, and 4 presidential suites with panoramic golf course views
Amenities: Free Wi-Fi, sun terrace, in-room breakfast, restaurant and bar, fitness center, spa, infinity pool, non-smoking rooms, souvenir shop, airport transfer (extra charge)
8. Kahawa House 4*
Situated near the business center of the city and within comfortable proximity to the airport, this lodge is the perfect retreat for travelers seeking privacy while keeping essential amenities close at hand. The hotel features 24 rooms with private bathrooms, making it an excellent choice for visitors planning a safari in Arusha National Park, Tarangire National Park, and other reserves.
The resort includes an outdoor swimming pool with a spacious terrace, offering shaded areas for relaxation, as well as a dining space for meals throughout the day. The rooms are housed in four two-story buildings, each featuring a private balcony.
Nearest airport: Arusha Airport, 10 minutes
Accommodation options: 30 rooms, including standard and family rooms with connecting doors
Amenities: Free Wi-Fi, welcome drink, business meeting and conference rooms, laundry services, airport transfer, swimming pool, restaurant
9. The African Tulip 4*
This boutique hotel is located in a lush green suburb of Arusha, away from the hustle and bustle of the city. The resort is known not only for its high level of comfort and service but also for its renowned Baobab restaurant, offering a diverse menu, and the elegant Serengeti Pool & Bar for relaxation.
The African Tulip features conference halls for business meetings, souvenir shops, and a large outdoor swimming pool with a lounge area. The rooms are equipped with modern furnishings, air conditioning, minibars, and electronic safes to ensure maximum comfort and security for guests.
Nearest airport: Arusha Airport, 30 minutes
Accommodation options: 31 rooms, including 22 deluxe rooms with queen-size beds and twin beds, as well as 9 suites
Amenities: Free Wi-Fi, pool with bar, conference rooms, massage services, souvenir shops, laundry services, banquet hall, restaurant, buffet breakfast, sun terrace
10. Olerai Lodge 4*
Until 2019, before the building was converted into a hotel, Olerai Lodge was a cozy family home, and its warm, welcoming atmosphere still greets guests today. Now, this modern lodge offers stunning views of Mount Meru, surrounded by lush vegetation and diverse wildlife. Monkeys and a variety of bird species frequently visit the property, making it an ideal retreat for nature lovers.
Olerai Lodge features a swimming pool with a spacious veranda and fireplace, a restaurant, a fitness center, and even a spa. On warm evenings, guests can take a bike ride on the nearby trails or enjoy a cocktail at the poolside lounge.
Nearest airport: Arusha Airport, 20 minutes
Accommodation options: 8 rooms
Amenities: Free Wi-Fi, outdoor pool, fitness center with gym, restaurant, buffet breakfast, welcome drink, outdoor dining area, massage services, manicure, 24-hour security, laundry service, lounge with bar, souvenir shop, outdoor fireplace
11. Arusha Villa Karamu Coffee Estate 3*
A luxurious villa in the heart of a coffee plantation, Arusha Villa Karamu Coffee Estate offers spacious rooms with terraces and breathtaking views of the lush garden and endless green valley. The property features an outdoor pool, surrounded by tall trees, where playful monkeys often make an appearance.
The hotel provides breakfast, lunch, and dinner, as well as lunch boxes for safari excursions. The only drawback is that Wi-Fi is only available in the lounge area by the pool.
Nearest airport: Arusha Airport, 1 hour
Accommodation options: 12 rooms — 8 in the main villa, including 2 large family rooms for up to 5 people each. The farmhouse has 4 more rooms with garden views and private verandas.
Amenities: Free Wi-Fi (only on the terrace by the pool, no internet in rooms), lounge with bar, laundry service, restaurant, dry cleaning
12. Kibo Palace Hotel Arusha 3*
Located within walking distance from the lively city center, Kibo Palace Hotel Arusha maintains a peaceful and tranquil atmosphere within its gated property. This hotel is a popular choice for business meetings, corporate events, and conferences.
The clean, spacious rooms feature modern bathrooms, free Wi-Fi, and 24-hour room service. Luxury suites even include private jacuzzis.
The hotel houses the Kilimanjaro restaurant and a lounge bar, where guests can unwind with wine, champagne, or a signature cocktail from the bartender.
Nearest airport: Arusha Airport, 25 minutes
Accommodation options: 77 rooms, including executive, deluxe, classic, family, and presidential suites
Amenities: Free Wi-Fi, fitness center with gym, outdoor pool, restaurant and bar, banquet hall, spa, steam bath and sauna, laundry and dry cleaning services, buffet breakfast, massage services
13. Forest Hill Hotel 3*
A cozy boutique hotel tucked away in lush greenery, Forest Hill Hotel is home to small wildlife and a variety of bird species. The hotel features a scenic outdoor pool, a barbecue area, and a local restaurant serving Tanzanian and continental cuisine. This is a great family-friendly choice, with dedicated play areas for children to enjoy.
Nearest airport: Arusha Airport, 15 minutes
Accommodation options: 32 rooms, including single, double, and triple rooms
Amenities: Free Wi-Fi, outdoor pool, children’s playground, restaurant, buffet breakfast, conference rooms, laundry service, lounge bar, BBQ facilities
14. Serena Arusha Hotel 4*
Located on the shores of Lake Duluti, Serena Arusha Hotel is a colonial-era farmhouse turned into a luxury retreat for international travelers. The expansive property features manicured lawns, flowering shrubs, and lush trees.
Inside the main building, guests can enjoy a library, a large restaurant with a fireplace, and garden views. Staying at Serena Arusha Hotel allows for excursions to the Maasai market, local museums, and Arusha Cultural Center. The hotel is also a great base for visiting Arusha National Park (1-hour drive) or Tarangire National Park (2.5-hour drive).
Nearest airport: Arusha Airport, 45 minutes
Accommodation options: 42 cottages with TVs and tropical rain showers
Amenities: Free Wi-Fi, restaurant and bar, banquet hall, shared lounge, souvenir shop, tour desk, library, game room, currency exchange, room service
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