Lawns Hotel

We left disappointed and skipped breakfast the next morning. Lawns could be a good hotel, but it feels poorly managed. The owner and staff spoke to guests with a poor attitude, and when we didn't like the limited dinner menu, we were told to eat somewhere else. The owner also pointed out that our room was one of the cheaper ones. The room was missing basics such as bottled water, slippers, and a toothbrush and toothpaste. The kettle was dirty, and they wouldn't replace it or even bring us a cup of hot water. The drinking water was served in a Captain Morgan whiskey bottle. The pool wasn't inviting: it was full of insects, had no heating or tiles, and had green moss growing in it. We found the early morning loudspeaker noise from the street uncomfortable, though that's not unusual in Lushoto town. For a better stay, nearby Irente View or lushoto executive lodge may be preferable. I wouldn't recommend this place to anyone visiting lushoto.

The friendly staff, dinner, and the breakfast bag they packed for our bus ride were the best parts. We also enjoyed the shared area and its view of the nearby forest. Still, we chose Lawns Hotel as a quiet base for hiking in Lushoto and found our room dirty on arrival: dusty floor, grimy surfaces, and a clogged sink. The furniture looked old and unrepaired, with a broken soap dish and dirt and paint marks on doors and walls. One staff member tried to scare us into booking a guided walk with Shaam eco tours next door, saying the government would charge $50 if we hiked on our own. That didn't match what the Magamba forest rangers told us about hiking there. We were also charged 10.000 TZS for a two-minute hotel pickup, while pickups were free at most hotels we stayed at in Tanzania, after paying European prices for the hotel. Given our experience, we don't understand the many positive ratings.

There’s WiFi and a pool to relax in, plus a bar with lots of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. The restaurant menu is limited. Lushoto town is in the Usambara mountains, and the hotel is in a great spot, although the narrow, winding road makes getting there a bit difficult. At 2,200 meters above sea level, it can be cold in the rooms. It’s a nice place overall, I’d rate it 7/10.

We spent a couple of nights at Lawns Hotel during our ULP leadership trip in Tanzania in November 2025. The location worked well for exploring Lushoto and the surrounding nature, and our room was clean and pleasant. Shakira and her team made the stay fun, with amazing help from the manager and staff. The service and food were very good, especially on the second night.