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Experience: Mount Meru Hotel, Arusha


A review of Mount Meru Hotel in Arusha, Tanzania during the trip, The Great Eastern Summer.

Highlights

  • Vast property set on 9 green acres close to downtown Arusha.
  • Luxurious international five-star facilities and rooms.
  • Complete facilities with outdoor pool, spa, gym, shops and restaurants.
  • Proud, professional, and service oriented staff.

Experience

As a center for business, tourism, and politics, Arusha has plenty of visitors. With a wide range of hotel options, Mount Meru was inviting with its central location, great reviews, and large property.

Our experience started with an airport pick up in a luxury SUV from Kilimanjaro International Airport. The driver was on time and very courteous. After a 40 minute ride, we arrived at the front gate of the hotel. The security of the property is very thorough.

As we pulled up to the front door we were surprised by a VIP welcome with the entire management staff lined up for our arrival. We exited the vehicle and shook hands with the General Manager. Then we shook hands down the line and met with every other manager of the hotel. On the side a man was filming our arrival.

The General Manager escorted us to our separate rooms and introduced the property. He was very kind and has worked in luxury properties around the world.

I stayed in the Taranire Suite. This massive suite was designed to impress, with three rooms and three separate bedrooms. On entering there is a living room with a dining table and a seating area with a flat screen TV with a message welcoming me to the hotel. A large fruit basket is presented on the table as well as a bottle of champagne, wine, and coffee making set up on the cabinet. A guest toilet is connected to this room.

On the right side is the bedroom with a king bed and high quality linen. Walking into the bathroom you pass a large closet with safe.

The main bathroom has a sink next to a bathtub and across from that are the shower and toilet compartments.

Across the bedroom is the third room used as an office with another seating area and a desk. The office also connects to the third bathroom with another shower, sink, and toilet.

The suite has all the amenities such as satellite TV, telephones, minibar, and most importantly high speed wifi.

It took me fifteen minutes to just explore the suite!

After getting comfortable in our rooms, we went down for breakfast and the Sales & Marketing Manager, Farida, joined us. She gave us a great overview of the hotel and some interesting background.

Opened in 1977, the hotel has been a landmark in the town of Arusha. Partially funded by US Aid, the hotel recently set up new management. The current team seems very capable and excited to bring the best of hospitality to Arusha.

Though primarily a business hotel due to its large conference facilities and many outlets, the hotel also attracts politicians and tourists. Many important government leaders and even hollywood actors and actresses have stayed here.

After a buffet breakfast consisting of international and local cuisines, we went for a tour of the property.

The outdoor areas are a peaceful haven from the chaotic streets outside of the hotel walls. The swimming pool is situated nearby with a bar and surrounded by lawn chairs. A garden with pagodas and a path curves around the exterior.

Inside we saw the gym with the essential equipment and a small spa. A golf course near the hotel is available to guests as well.

The collection of conference rooms was impressive with several different set ups for different occasions. Cafés and restaurants are easily in reach from the rooms to give conference guests convenient options. The Business Centre is also near the main conference rooms. 


We saw the different dining outlets, including the Main Restaurant, the Coffee Shoppe and bar, plus a Speciality Restaurant with international cuisine.

The shopping outlets included a jewelry store specializing in Tanzanite. There is also a money exchange which can prove to be very convenient.

After the informative tour by our gracious host, we thanked her and went off to explore Arusha. The hotel arranged a car and driver to take us to the main sights of the city. Tours of the city, Kilimanjaro, or safaris can easily be arranged by the hotel concierge.
On our return, we dined at the Main Restaurant for dinner before relaxing in our rooms.

The next morning we were off to climb Kilimanjaro so we had an early departure.

Though a relatively small city, Arusha is elevated to an international level by the five star Mount Meru Hotel. The management team truly made a lasting impression of how hospitality should be. The friendly staff from the doorman to the reception made us feel right at home. Modern and lavish rooms, set in a beautifully green and tranquil property is a unique offering of the hotel.

Ideal for business travelers and tourists looking for a luxury option, the Mount Meru Hotel is an fantastic choice.

I highly recommend the hotel and look forward to a future stay!

Contact
Mount Meru Hotel
Address: Kanisa Rd, Arusha, Tanzania
Telephone: +255 27 2545111
Website: http://mountmeruhotel.com
Email: info@mountmeruhotel.com

David

About David

Founder and writer at World-Adventurer.com, David is on a mission to travel to every country in the world and has less than 10 countries left! He loves new adventures, unique cultures, historic landmarks, and luxurious hotels. Follow along as David shares a journey of a lifetime!