Arusha’s grandest hotel, set among coffee plantations with views of Mount Meru — infinity pool, spa, rooftop bar, six restaurants and bars, and suites with butler service.
Gran Meliá Arusha brings five-star international luxury to the gateway of Tanzania’s northern safari circuit. The hotel stands on Simeon Road, about 5 km from the city centre, surrounded by coffee and tea plantations, with Mount Meru rising behind the gardens. For many travellers it is their first view of Tanzania after an international flight — and it sets the tone beautifully.
Rooms and suites are generous and contemporary, most with balconies looking over the city or towards the mountain. Deluxe rooms measure about 41 m², interconnecting rooms give families twice the space, and the exclusive RedLevel floors add a private lounge, upgraded suites and, for the Grand and Presidential suites, a personal butler.
The hotel is designed for real rest between flights and game drives. An infinity pool overlooks the grounds, an outdoor pool and pool bar sit alongside, and a full spa and a well-equipped gym complete the wellness offer. Dining is a highlight: six restaurants and bars range from a steakhouse to a Swahili-inspired garden café and a rooftop terrace serving tapas and cocktails as the sun sets behind Mount Meru.
Many of our guests book one night here on arrival and another at the end of their safari, using the second stay to unwind, enjoy a spa treatment and repack before flying home or onwards to Zanzibar. With a conference centre of nine event rooms, the hotel also suits incentive groups and travellers combining business with a safari.
Free Wi-Fi runs throughout, check-in is from 15:00 and check-out before 12:00, and we can often request early access or a late departure to fit your flights.
Spacious, contemporary rooms with a private balcony looking over Arusha or towards Mount Meru. Ask for a mountain view — on clear mornings the peak is spectacular from your balcony with a coffee in hand.
Two Deluxe rooms joined by a connecting door, giving families twice the space with a bedroom and bathroom each. A natural choice for parents travelling with children who want to stay close but not on top of each other.
Suites with a separate lounge on Meliá’s exclusive RedLevel, including one- and two-bedroom junior suites and a family suite. RedLevel guests enjoy upgraded service and access to the private RedLevel lounge.
The hotel’s finest accommodation, with a lounge, dining room and personal butler service. The Presidential Suite occupies the top floor — a memorable choice for a honeymoon or a once-in-a-lifetime celebration.
An infinity pool overlooking the gardens, plus an outdoor pool with its own bar and loungers — ideal for a lazy afternoon after an international flight.
A full spa with massages and treatments to recover from the journey or the bumpy safari roads. Treatments are charged separately.
A fully equipped fitness centre for guests who like to train, with space for a proper workout before days in the vehicle.
Tapas, sharing plates and cocktails on the rooftop, with views of Mount Meru as the sun goes down — our favourite spot for a first-night drink.
An exclusive service level with a private lounge; the Grand and Presidential suites include a personal butler.
Fast, free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel, from your room to the poolside.
Six restaurants and bars cover everything from relaxed to refined. The Grill is the hotel’s steakhouse, with prime cuts and a serious wine list. Saba Saba serves local African cuisine with international influences and has a fresh juice bar, while The Garden Cafe by Sanaa offers Swahili-inspired dishes in a leafy setting.
At the top of the hotel, the Roof Top serves tapas, sharing plates and cocktails with sweeping views of Mount Meru — the perfect place to watch the evening light change over the mountain. A market-style café and a pool bar complete the choice for lighter meals and drinks during the day. If you have dietary requirements, tell us when you book and we will make sure the hotel is prepared.
Gran Meliá Arusha is on Simeon Road, about 5 km from Arusha city centre, and around 48 km — roughly an hour by road — from Kilimanjaro International Airport, where most international flights land. Arusha Airport, used for light-aircraft flights to the Serengeti and Zanzibar, is also within easy reach.
We meet you at the airport and transfer you privately to the hotel. When your safari begins, your guide collects you from the hotel: Tarangire is about two hours away, and Lake Manyara and the Ngorongoro Crater are on the same road west.
A year-round choice. Arusha’s altitude means warm, bright days and cool evenings, especially from June to August — a jacket is welcome on the rooftop after sunset.
The busiest safari months are June to October and the Christmas and New Year holidays, when Arusha’s top hotels fill early, so we recommend booking well ahead. The rains of March to May and November usually fall as afternoon showers, and with an infinity pool, spa and six places to eat and drink, the hotel is a pleasure in every season. Many guests stay one night on arrival and another after their safari.
Open: All year
Gardens and coffee plantations with the mountain as a backdrop — a beautiful first impression of Tanzania after your flight.
From a steakhouse and a Swahili garden café to a rooftop with sunset views of Mount Meru.
Real relaxation before or after your safari, with a full spa, gym and two pools.
Private lounge access and butler service in the top suites, for honeymoons and special celebrations.
Interconnecting Deluxe rooms and a RedLevel Family Suite make it easy to travel together.
Wildlife safari
Tarangire · Serengeti · Ngorongoro · Lake Manyara · Arusha
Seven days from Tarangire’s elephants and baobabs to two nights on the Serengeti plains, the Ngorongoro Crater and Lake Manyara — at a rela…
Safari & Zanzibar
Tarangire · Serengeti · Ngorongoro · Zanzibar
From the wild plains of the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater to the white-sand beaches and turquoise water of Zanzibar.
Safari & Zanzibar
Tarangire · Serengeti · Ngorongoro · Zanzibar
Tarangire’s elephant country, two nights on the Serengeti plains and the Ngorongoro Crater, then three nights on the tropical shores of Zan…
Details are provided by the property and can change. We confirm everything in writing before you book.
Have another question about this property? Our team in Moshi can help.
On Simeon Road, about 5 km from Arusha city centre, set among coffee and tea plantations with views of Mount Meru.
Around 48 km — about an hour by road. We arrange private transfers from Kilimanjaro or Arusha airport.
Yes. There is an infinity pool, an outdoor pool with a pool bar, a full spa and a gym. Spa treatments are charged separately.
Meliá’s exclusive service level, with upgraded suites and access to a private lounge. The Grand and Presidential suites also include butler service.
Yes — interconnecting Deluxe rooms of about 82 m² and a RedLevel Family Suite make it easy for families to travel together.
Check-in is from 15:00 and check-out before 12:00. We can often request early access or a late check-out to match your flights.
Tell us your dates and we will check availability and build a personalised Tanzania itinerary around your stay.
