Gran Melia Arusha Hotel

The rooftop view ended up being the highlight of our visit. When we asked a luggage staff member if we could see it, he immediately offered to take us up and let us stay for as long as we liked. Before that, we'd hoped to have breakfast at the rooftop bar, but it didn't open until 10 AM, so we ate in the lobby instead. A lovely woman there looked after us with real warmth and a great attitude. That welcoming feeling came from everyone, from the restaurant staff to the gardeners, who greeted us with a friendly “good morning” or “how are you.” Gran Meliá Arusha really shines in these little touches.

The shisha at the rooftop restaurant was unexpectedly amazing, the best I've ever had, even better than shisha in the Middle East. The hotel is lovely, modern, lush, and well maintained. You don't need to book a mountain view room, since the rooftop gives you the same view.

The garden behind the hotel was a peaceful break after all those days on the road. We loved the plants, flowers, coffee trees, bridges, and water features. By our final day, we were worn out, so staying at Gran Meliá Arusha made for a lovely end to our trip to Tanzania. We'd just finished a tiring but rewarding seven-day safari and had a short rest in Arusha before our flight the next day. I found the hotel on Xiaohongshu and decided to try it. It felt very new, and the lobby was spacious, bright, and elegant, a striking change from some of the older streets in town. Our group of three had a connecting suite, one room with a king bed and the other with two twin beds. The facilities were modern, clean, and comfortable, and the large outdoor balcony was our favorite part.

The rooftop restaurant has great food, but service can be slow. With children, we waited about 40 minutes for starters and nearly two hours for dinner. On our second stay, after the safari, the hotel was offering a buffet because of high demand. It had a very good selection, was well prepared and quick, and worked well for families. The pool is beautiful and very Instagram-worthy, though the water is quite cold. The gym is well equipped, and there's a sauna and hammam in the changing rooms for adults only. Teenagers can use the gym itself. The lovely garden is worth exploring with children, too, since it's both fun and educational. Gran Meliá Arusha is finished to a very high standard. I say that confidently after several weeks travelling around Tanzania. The rooms are spacious, and our two connecting rooms worked perfectly for our family. There are several restaurants on site.