Gran Melia Arusha is a luxury hotel on Simeon Road in Kijenge, in the middle of the city but set apart from its noise. The property is described as five-star and has 167 rooms, from Deluxe Rooms with city or Mount Meru views to Junior, Grand and Presidential Suites and a Family Suite. Many categories come in a Red Level version with extra service, and several suites have two bedrooms or interconnecting layouts, which makes the hotel practical for families and groups. Rooms have air conditioning, a pillow menu, sound-insulated walls and large televisions with satellite channels.
Facilities and dining
The hotel has an outdoor pool, a spa with body treatments and sauna facilities, a gym that is open around the clock, two bars and a coffee shop, as well as a terrace and garden. Three restaurants serve breakfast, dinner and barbecue, with poolside service in the day. A rooftop restaurant draws on the hotel's own organic coffee plantation, so the menu leans on fresh local produce. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout and self-parking is free.
Location and getting around
The hotel is a ten-minute walk from Arusha Golf Course and a couple of minutes by car from the Clock Tower, with the International Conference Centre about three minutes away by car. Kilimanjaro International Airport is roughly eighty minutes by road. Arusha National Park lies within about fifty kilometres. Safari operators collect guests from the door, and reception can arrange taxis for evenings in town.
Who it suits
The hotel is a strong choice for travellers who want a full-service base before or after a safari, with a spa to recover in and a quiet room to repack. The mountain-view rooms are worth requesting, since Mount Meru can dominate the view on clear mornings. Families will appreciate the two-bedroom and family suites, and business visitors will find meeting rooms and a front-desk safe.
Good to know
Check-in begins mid-afternoon and check-out is at noon, so ask about early arrival or luggage storage if your flight or pickup falls outside those times. Pets are not allowed, and free cancellation applies to selected rates, so read your rate conditions before booking. A hotel of this size can feel busy when conferences are in town, so ask for a room away from the main lobby if you like quiet. As the city's large luxury option, it is best for comfort and service rather than for a small-lodge atmosphere.
A few more tips
If you arrive on an early flight, ask about storing luggage and using the spa or pool while you wait for your room. Request a Mount Meru view when you book, since not all categories include one, and mention any special occasion in advance. The hotel is large, so allow a few minutes to walk from your room to breakfast, and ask reception to confirm safari pickup times the evening before an early departure.
Why stay here
- ✓Outdoor pool
- ✓Spa with sauna
- ✓24-hour gym
- ✓Three restaurants
- ✓Rooftop restaurant
- ✓Two bars
- ✓Free Wi-Fi
- ✓Free self parking
Good questions
Is Gran Melia close to the Clock Tower?+
Yes. It is about two minutes by car, and Arusha Golf Course is a ten-minute walk.
Does the hotel have family rooms?+
Yes. There are family suites and two-bedroom suites, as well as interconnecting rooms.
How far is Kilimanjaro airport?+
About eighty minutes by road.
