Arusha Villa Karamu Coffee Estate

We liked it so much that we added another night. It's a short drive from Kilimanjaro airport, and the building and garden are beautiful. The interior feels welcoming, our room was clean and roomy, and the staff were kind and helpful. A lovely place to begin a safari holiday. Thanks, team!

After a stressful year, we felt so welcome here and finally had a chance to slow down. We'll carry that feeling with us. Set among huge trees and a coffee plantation, the place is great for relaxing by the pool with lovely service and fantastic food, or heading out to nearby national parks. We've traveled a lot and seen many wonderful places, but this one will stay in our hearts.

The restaurant food was good, though nothing special, and the safari lunchbox sandwich was really dry. Still, I enjoyed my stay at Arusha Villa a lot. The villa sits in the middle of a coffee plantation, with great rainforest views from both the pool and the bedroom. There are so few guests that it almost feels like the place is yours. The staff are kind, capable, and ready to help. In the evening, the sofas by the outdoor fireplace are a lovely spot to relax, especially with the staff keeping the fire going. The villa itself is sublime.

We had to arrive a day late because of a weather event. Even with more than 24 hours' notice, the hotel wouldn't refund the booking cost. They were fully booked, so I'm sure they could sell the room again, meaning they were able to charge for it twice.