Boulevard Inn Mt Meru

We had one of the new rooms upstairs by the pool, family room 24. We’d wondered if the beer garden and bar on the property would be noisy, but our room was farthest from the bar and we had no trouble with noise or the UEFA football matches on the screens. The staff were great with kids and very accommodating, so we extended our stay. The view is great, and the location on Themi Hill is handy for Njiro, where you can find everything you need without dealing with downtown traffic. Rooms are modern, with a ceiling fan, AC, a nice bathroom, and comfy beds. The pool’s good for kids since it isn’t too deep. Breakfast was great, with really good coffee and a nice mix of buffet and à la carte. The door locks in the new rooms need work. They’re just padlocks with latches screwed into the sliding doors, which didn’t feel very trustworthy. We didn’t feel unsafe, since there are 24/7 watchmen, CCTV, and an enclosed compound, but the lock setup seems makeshift. Also, there are no mosquito nets. The hotel provides mosquito spray, though the fumes aren’t great to breathe in. We often forgot to spray properly before bed, and definitely had mosquitoes inside.

The garden is well kept, with a view of Mount Meru. It was lovely to sit outside, have chai, and watch the sunset. Inside, the decor mixes a hipster feel with local Swahili art, making it warm and cozy, almost like a cafe. Staff were friendly and courteous, and helped us with directions. There are several places to eat a short distance away. Our room was clean, the shower had hot water and good pressure, and breakfast was served fresh and hot. For the price, it was a really worthwhile stay, even though ours was short.

The beer garden itself was beautiful, but the glasses were dirty and the food was just okay. I’d stop by for a beer, then sleep somewhere else. I wouldn’t recommend staying at Boulevard Inn. The hotel and rooms weren’t clean: dusty floors, dirty sheets, and a bathroom that needs renovation. Our window looked onto a courtyard with trash bins, cat food, and staff hand-washing towels. There were no mosquito nets, just spray, and we got bitten several times. The receptionist couldn’t understand basic English. Getting to the pool meant crossing the parking lot, and it wasn’t a pleasant spot to relax. It’s also quite far from Arusha center, so you need a car. At that price, I expected at least a clean room.

There’s a great choice of food and drinks, but the service is painfully slow. Order well ahead. That button gives you false hope, since you can press it and still wait 15 minutes, or get ignored completely. Seems like you need to be a regular to get decent service.