Mount Meru Hotel stands on Kanisa Road in Arusha, next to the golf course, and it is described as a luxury property in the top class band. It has a wide choice of rooms, from standard doubles and twins of around 270 square feet to executive rooms, junior suites with a mountain view, junior family suites that sleep a family of four and larger executive and presidential suites overlooking the golf course. Facilities include an outdoor pool with loungers and a poolside bar, a spa offering massages, facials and manicures, two restaurants serving international food, a terrace and garden, a hair salon and a 24-hour front desk. Free Wi-Fi in the rooms and free self parking are included, while the buffet breakfast and the airport shuttle are charged extras. Guests praise the friendly staff, the clean rooms and grounds, the pool and garden and the suitability of the hotel as a stop before or after a safari.
Location and getting around
The hotel is about a two-minute walk from the Arusha Golf Course, a short drive from the Natural History Museum and the Arusha International Conference Centre, and around a three-minute drive from the Clock Tower. The distances make it easy to reach the town sights by taxi, while the grounds remain surprisingly quiet considering the main road nearby.
Arusha Airport is about twenty-five minutes by car, and Kilimanjaro International Airport is roughly an hour or more, so ask the hotel about transfers when you reserve. Safari operators routinely collect guests from the front entrance.
The rooms
The standard rooms are straightforward and comfortable, with air conditioning and good blackout curtains that help after a long flight or before an early start. The junior suites and the family suites are the best value for travellers who want room to spread out, and the mountain views are a pleasant bonus on clear mornings. Some reviewers mention shower designs that let water spill onto the floor, tired corners in a few rooms and a limited number of plugs near the bed, so bring a travel adaptor and a multi-plug if you have several devices to charge.
Eating and relaxing
With two restaurants, a pool bar and a spa, you can easily spend a rest day here without leaving the grounds. The breakfast buffet is well regarded, and dinner is straightforward international food, although a few guests find the evening menu limited. The garden and terrace are good places to read or write up your notes after a long day in a park.
Good to know
Check-in begins in the afternoon and check-out is late morning, with paid early and late options subject to availability. The airport shuttle is a paid extra, and laundry is charged by the item, so it is worth planning around the longer stays. This is the choice in this guide for travellers who want a full-service hotel with a pool and a recognisable standard of comfort near the middle of Arusha. It is larger and more traditional than the lodge-style options, which will suit some visitors and not others.
Why stay here
- ✓Outdoor pool with poolside bar
- ✓Spa with massage and facials
- ✓Two on-site restaurants
- ✓Free in-room Wi-Fi
- ✓Free self parking
- ✓Terrace and garden
- ✓Mountain-view and family suites
- ✓24-hour front desk
Good questions
How far is the hotel from the Clock Tower?+
It is about three minutes by car. The Natural History Museum and the conference centre are similarly close.
Is breakfast included?+
A buffet breakfast is available for a surcharge, so check the rate you choose. Free Wi-Fi in the rooms and free parking are included.
Does the hotel have family rooms?+
Yes, junior family suites with a mountain view sleep up to four. Ask the hotel about extra beds and cots.
