A large, luxurious 5-star international hotel with views of Mount Meru
Six restaurants and bars, spa, wellness centre with 24hr gym, swimming pool, conference rooms, and business centre
A total of eleven different room types from deluxe city view, to presidential and two-bedroom suites
Trips to the nearby national parks, canoeing, coffee tours, and city cultural experiences
People don’t often spend very long in Arusha. With some of the best safari on the planet located a short drive or flight away, your time is generally best spent heading out to the bush at the earliest opportunity! That said, there is a lot to do and discover in and around Arusha, should time allow. Staff at Gran Melia will be able to arrange most activities for you locally while you’re there.
There’s plenty to see and do in Central Arusha. We’d recommend the famous clock tower, the Bishop’s Cathedral, the National Natural History Museum, and a smaller museum with information about the Arusha Declaration. The Maasai Market is certainly worth a visit, offering lots of curios and harking back to the city’s origins as a major centre of trade. For more handicrafts and souvenirs, you can check out the Cultural Heritage Centre, which has an art gallery attached. You can also rent bikes, which is a pleasant way to get around!
There are some excellent cafés and restaurants, offering both local and international cuisine. Arusha specialities include nyama ndizi (a meat-and-banana soup) and ugali (a stiff maize) mixed with beans, greens, and a hearty meat sauce. They also love a barbecue in Arusha, and fried potatoes with egg is a popular option too. If you’re after a little nightlife then the residential district of Sekei in the north-west of the city is the place to go!
There isn’t much game here, but it’s a beautiful spot with some great birdlife. Half-day trips can be arranged if you fancy some walking, or you can go canoeing on nearby Lake Duluti. This can be a little pricey because you need to hire a vehicle and guide for your time in the park.
As the region is home to many active coffee plantations, you can make an excursion to see how they operate and meet those who run them. This is a very interesting way to spend an afternoon!
Gran Melia is in Central Arusha and has a great location, both for the many activities that are possible here and for its stunning views of the dormant volcano Mount Meru, which provides a stunning backdrop. The hotel is a short drive from either Arusha or Kilimanjaro International Airport. Of these two, the closer airport is Arusha, just 9 kilometres away.
The main parts of the hotel are vast and super-modern in design.
One of the highlights of Melia Arusha is the number of different dining options! There are multiple restaurants serving African, Indian, and even Peruvian cuisine. This gastronomic journey from South Africa to Tanzania (via South America!) is presided over by the hotel’s amazing head chef, Alankale Mayaven. The wellness centre is beautifully arranged and there are numerous treatments available from highly skilled staff to help you unwind after a long flight. Alternatively you can hit the gym, which is open 24 hours, just in case. The outdoor swimming pool is excellent, as you would expect from a high-class 5-star hotel, and boasts stunning views of Mount Meru.
There are VIP services and a host of different room types – too many to name! But all rooms offer state-of-the-art comfort, with a coffee machine, mini-bar, safety deposit box, flat-screen TV, terrace, and private bathroom with shower.
If you want to include Melia as part of your trip, please chat with one of our specialists about which room type will best suit the needs of your group. For families there are interconnecting rooms, and there are also some amazing suites for honeymooners.
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