Arusha Serena Hotel sits on the eastern side of Arusha, a short walk from Lake Duluti, in a quiet garden setting that guests describe as peaceful. It is a three-class property. Rooms include standard doubles, twin rooms of around 280 square feet and triples, some with partial lake views, and they come with bathrobes, free bottled water, free toiletries, a hairdryer, a satellite television, a tea and coffee maker and ceiling fans. A free English breakfast is included, and the hotel has a restaurant, a spa offering Swedish massage and other treatments, a garden, a games room, a library, bicycle rental, a luggage room and laundry facilities. Free Wi-Fi in the rooms and free self parking are provided. Guests rate the hotel very highly overall, praising the friendly staff, the grounds, the clean and spacious rooms and the colonial atmosphere, while a few find the food average or the location a little remote.
Location and getting around
The lake is roughly an eight-minute walk away, the Clock Tower is a drive of about fifteen minutes and the Arusha International Conference Centre about sixteen. Arusha Airport is under an hour by road. The setting is residential and calm rather than central, so expect to take a taxi into town for shopping and dinner.
That also makes the hotel a good place to start from if your days are spent in the parks, on the road to Moshi or at Arusha National Park, because you avoid the traffic of the town centre.
The rooms
The standard rooms are comfortable and well kept, with a calm, old-fashioned feel rather than a modern design. Triple rooms suit families or small groups travelling together. Some rooms look out over the grounds, and the garden is known for its monkeys, which guests often mention with pleasure, though you should keep food and open windows in mind. Light sleepers will appreciate the quiet at night.
Eating and relaxing
Breakfast is included and is the best-reviewed meal. The restaurant serves lunch and dinner, though some reviewers find the evening food ordinary, so consider eating out for dinner on some nights. The spa is a relaxing way to recover after a long day in a vehicle. Bicycles are available to rent, which is a pleasant way to explore the lanes around the lake. There is no mention of a swimming pool, so look elsewhere if a pool matters to you.
Good to know
Check-in is from midday and check-out is mid-morning, with paid early check-in subject to availability. The airport shuttle is a paid extra, charged per person, and pets are not allowed. Some reviewers feel the buildings are a little dated and would benefit from refurbishment. It is the choice in this guide for travellers who like a green, quiet and traditional setting at a more moderate price than the top-end lodges, and who are happy to trade central convenience for calm.
Why stay here
- ✓Free English breakfast
- ✓Spa with Swedish massage
- ✓On-site restaurant
- ✓Free in-room Wi-Fi
- ✓Free self parking
- ✓Gardens, library and games room
- ✓Bicycle rental
- ✓Luggage storage and laundry
Good questions
Is the hotel near Lake Duluti?+
Yes, the lake is about an eight-minute walk away. The town centre is around fifteen minutes by car.
Is breakfast included?+
A free English breakfast is included. Free Wi-Fi in the rooms and free parking are also provided.
Does the hotel have a swimming pool?+
No pool is shown for this property, though there is a spa and gardens. Check with the hotel before you book if a pool is important.
