Choosing the best hotels in Arusha gives you a great start to your safari trip in the northern parks today. These places provide warm service and very good food for every guest who visits. You can find luxury rooms or simple beds that meet your travel needs and budget perfectly.
A nice room helps you rest before you drive to the Serengeti or the Ngorongoro Crater. Arusha is a busy city but these top hotels offer a quiet escape for you.
These are the Best Hotels in Arusha, Tanzania
Arusha is the safari capital of the country and has many high quality places to stay. You will find that these hotels offer modern amenities like swimming pools and free internet. Many of them sit in large gardens where you can see colorful birds and flowers. Here is a detailed list of the top places to stay in the city right now.
1. Gran Meliá Arusha
Gran Melia is often called the best hotel in Arusha for luxury travelers today. This hotel sits in the middle of beautiful coffee and tea plantations near the city center. You can see the huge peak of Mount Meru right from your balcony every morning. The rooms are very modern and use colors that feel like the African earth. You will enjoy the rooftop bar where they serve cold drinks and small snacks. The swimming pool is very large and looks over the green gardens. Most guests love the breakfast because it has a lot of fresh fruit and local bread. It is a very safe place with many security guards at the main gate. The staff here speak very good English and help with your heavy bags quickly. You will find that everything in this building is very clean and shiny.
2. Mount Meru Hotel
Mount Meru Hotel is one of Tanzania's best hotels for people who want a classic feel. This place has been in the city for many years and is very famous. It sits on a huge piece of land with a very big golf course nearby. The garden is a great place to walk and see the small monkeys playing in trees. You will like the large pool area which has many beds for relaxing in the sun. The rooms are quite big and have very soft pillows for a good sleep. Their Sunday brunch is very popular and many local people visit for the food. You can find a gift shop inside that sells local beads and bright cloths. The hotel is very close to the Arusha International Conference Centre today. It is a good choice for business travelers who need to work during their stay.
3. Arusha Coffee Lodge
Arusha Coffee Lodge offers a very unique experience among the best hotels in Arusha today. You will sleep in a small house that sits right inside a coffee farm. The air smells like fresh coffee beans and flowers every single day. Each room has a small fireplace to keep you warm during the cold nights. The design uses a lot of wood and brick to feel very cozy and natural. You can take a tour of the farm to see how coffee grows. The hotel has a very nice area called Traders Walk with many small shops. You can buy hand made glass and local art right on the property. Their garden buffet is very famous for its fresh salads and grilled meats. It is a very romantic place for couples who are on their honeymoon. The staff are very friendly and treat you like a special friend.
4. Four Points by Sheraton Arusha
Four Points by Sheraton is a very historic hotel in Arusha option for many visitors. It was built a long time ago and was once known as the New Arusha Hotel. It sits right at the famous clock tower which is the center of the city. You can walk to many local markets and banks from the main front door. The hotel has a very beautiful garden with a bar that serves local beer. The rooms have a mix of old style and modern luxury that feels very nice. You will enjoy the gym if you like to stay fit during your holiday. The internet is very fast which is good for checking your travel photos. Most people love the history of this place and the high ceilings in the lobby. The service is very professional and follows international standards for all the guests today.
5. Kibo Palace Hotel
Kibo Palace Hotel is a very reliable choice for travelers who want a good price and quality. This hotel is named after the highest peak on Mount Kilimanjaro which you can see sometimes. The swimming pool is shaped like a kidney and is surrounded by many green palm trees. You will find that the rooms are very clean and have large televisions for your rest. The restaurant serves very good Indian food and local Tanzanian dishes like grilled fish. It is located in a quiet area that is not too far from the city center. You can use their spa to get a massage after a long day of walking. The staff are very welcoming and always smile when they see you in the hall. It is a very good place for families because the rooms are quite large. You will feel very safe and comfortable during your entire stay at this site.
6. Onsea House
Onsea House is a small boutique spot that is famous for having the best food in the city. It sits on a hill and gives you a great view of the valley below. This is the best hotel in Arusha for food lovers who want a quiet stay. The chef is from Belgium and makes very special meals using local Tanzanian ingredients. You will only find a few rooms here which makes it feel very private and calm. The garden has a small pool and many places to sit and read a book. You can see the sunset while you eat your dinner on the outside terrace. The rooms are decorated with local art and have very large and comfortable beds. It is located a bit away from the noisy city streets so you sleep very well. The service is very personal because the owners are often there to help you. You will feel like you are staying in a very rich friend's beautiful home.
7. Rivertrees Country Inn
Rivertrees Country Inn is located on an old coffee farm near the road to the airport. This is one of the best hotels in Arusha for nature lovers and bird watchers. The rooms are small cottages that are spread out under very large and old trees. You can hear the sound of the river flowing past the garden all day long. It is a very peaceful place where you can see blue monkeys in the branches. The food is very fresh and they use many vegetables from their own garden. You can sit by the swimming pool and enjoy the fresh air and the sun. The lodge has a very cozy lounge with many books about African wild animals. You will find that the paths are very easy to walk and the air is clean. It is a perfect spot to stay for your first or last night in the country. The staff are very kind and help you plan your local village walks.
8. Legendary Lodge
Legendary Lodge is an ultra luxury place that offers the highest level of privacy in the city. It sits on a large estate with many coffee trees and very green grass. Each cottage is very large and has its own living room and big bathroom. You will have a private veranda where you can drink your morning tea in peace. The service is very high quality and they try to meet every single wish. You can visit the nearby spa to get a professional treatment for your skin or body. The dining room is very elegant and serves meals that look like pieces of art. This is a top choice among Tanzania's best hotels for people who want the best. You will find that the beds have very high quality sheets that feel like silk. The atmosphere is very quiet and you will not see many other guests during your stay. It is the most expensive option but it is very special for a big holiday.
9. African Tulip
African Tulip is a very colorful and stylish boutique hotel located on a quiet street. The design uses many bright African patterns and very beautiful wood carvings from local artists. You will find that the rooms are very warm and inviting with many small details. The hotel has a nice bar called The Baobab where you can meet other travelers today. Their restaurant serves a mix of local and international food that tastes very fresh. You can swim in the small pool which is tucked away in a private courtyard area. The hotel is very close to several good local restaurants and art galleries in the city. You will appreciate the fast service and the help with booking your local city tours. The rooms have air conditioning which is great for the warm afternoon hours in the city. It is a very charming place that shows the creative side of the Tanzanian culture.
10. Lake Duluti Lodge
Lake Duluti Lodge is located on the shores of a very deep and beautiful crater lake today. The lodge consists of several large chalets that sit inside a very thick coffee farm. You can walk down to the lake to go canoeing or to see the many birds. The rooms are very large and have big windows that let in a lot of light. You will find a very large bathtub where you can relax after a long safari drive. The restaurant looks over the lake and offers a very peaceful view during your lunch. You can see the giant kingfishers diving into the water from the lodge terrace area. The staff are very knowledgeable about the local birds and the history of the lake. It is a very quiet spot that is perfect for escaping the busy Arusha city life. You will enjoy the fresh breeze that comes off the water during the evening hours. It is one of the most beautiful hotels in Arusha for a nature stay.
Other Good Hotels in Arusha
1. Karama Lodge: This is a very eco friendly lodge that sits on a hill with great views of the mountains. You will stay in a small wooden cabin that is built on high stilts like a tree house. It is one of the best hotels in Arusha for people who want to be close to nature. The restaurant serves very healthy food and the atmosphere is very relaxed and friendly today.
2. Arusha Planet Lodge: This lodge offers a very quiet and green environment at a very fair and affordable price. The rooms are built in small round houses that look like traditional African huts from the outside. You will find a very large swimming pool and a garden that is full of tropical plants and flowers. The staff are very helpful and can arrange a shuttle to the airport for you easily.
3. Venus Premier Hotel: This is a modern city hotel that is perfect for people who want to be near the shops and markets. It has very clean and simple rooms that offer everything you need for a comfortable night stay. You can enjoy the rooftop terrace which gives you a full view of the Arusha city skyline. The internet is very reliable which makes it a good spot for business people visiting the region.
4. The Charity Hotel: This hotel is a very good budget option for travelers who want to save money for their safari trips. It is located in a quiet residential area and offers very basic but very clean and safe rooms. You will find that the food is very cheap and tastes just like home made Tanzanian meals today. The people who work here are very kind and will treat you like a member of their family.
5. Selian City Hotel: This is a small and very friendly hotel located right in the center of the busy business district. It is a great place to stay if you want to experience the real daily life of the city. The rooms are well maintained and the price is very good for the location you get today. You can find many local cafes and bus stops just a short walk from the front gate.
6. Tulia Hotel and Spa: This hotel offers a great mix of comfort and relaxation with a very good spa and massage center. You will enjoy the modern rooms and the very large beds that help you get a great sleep. It is one of Tanzania's best hotels for people who want a bit of luxury without a very high price. The pool area is very clean and the bar serves many fresh fruit juices for the guests.
Conclusion
Finding the best hotels in Arusha is the first step to having a great holiday in East Africa. You can choose a luxury resort like Gran Melia or a quiet nature lodge like Rivertrees. Every hotel on this list provides safe and clean rooms for every type of traveler today. Most people find that staying in Arusha for a few days helps them learn about the local culture. Make sure to book your room early because the city gets very busy during the safari season. A good hotel will make your visit to the safari capital very happy and memorable. Enjoy your stay in the beautiful city of Arusha and have a great time exploring the parks.
