Arusha Coffee Lodge

CEDARBERG RATING

Luxury

Overview

Arusha Coffee Lodge is an upmarket boutique hotel, situated in the foothills of Mount Meru. It is nestled in one of Tanzania’s largest coffee plantations on the outskirts of Arusha. So it's also conveniently situated near the Arusha airstrip. All in all Arusha Coffee Lodge is the perfect place to relax and rejuvenate either before or after your safari.

Lodge accommodation

This exclusive lodge has been designed around the farms’ original plantation homes, radiating the warmth of the old colonial homes with lots of use of wood. Arusha Coffee Lodge is made up of 30 luxury rooms - 12 Plantation Suites and 18 Plantation Rooms - all to be found within the 15 wooden chalets nestled amongst the coffee bushes of a working plantation. The suites are a little larger and some have sleeper couches so they can take children. However all rooms have a balcony where you can sit back and relax  take in the spectacular views of Mount Meru and the surrounding coffee plantation.

Dining and facilities

Cuisine at Arusha Coffee Lodge is of an excellent standard and dining can either be taken in the Plantation House or in the shade of large umbrellas set amongst the lawn and trees. A large wooden deck leads to a secluded lovely swimming pool dotted with loungers and sunshades. A relaxation spa is also on offer with two treatment rooms.

Activities

In the grounds you have Traders Walk which is a collection of boutique shops and a cafe for teas and lunches. Shanga is a craftmen worshop where you can watch beautiful jewellery, glass ornaments and other crafts being produced first-hand. The shop next door sells the crafts and jewellery which you have just seen.  Arusha Coffee Lodge also has a 'bean to cup'coffee estate tour (additional cost).

At A Glance

  • Good Food & Wine
  • Restaurants
  • Rural location
  • Spa
  • Wifi on premises

Arusha Coffee Lodge on the map

Candid review of Arusha Coffee Lodge by Kate

Arusha Coffee Lodge is an excellent luxury accommodation option for the start or end of a trip. I really liked the standard rooms (very spacious with a split level design which nicely separates the sitting area. )To be honest, I preferred the Planation rooms to the Planation suites (as I wasn't convinced by the glass screen in the suites. However the suite bathrooms were very airy and airy and some people may prefer them. Suites also good for families.

Food was of a very high standard with an elegant dining room. But it also does outside guests for dinner and tour groups for lunch. I think lunch could get very busy in peak season but I think most overnight guests would be on their way to their first game reserve by then.

Positives

  • Spacious and comfortable rooms with excellent bathrooms
  • Soft landing into Tanzania so perfect for first/final night
  • Very charming estate grounds
  • Really liked the workshop concept with opportunity to buy hand-crafted goods
  • Enjoyed the enthusiasm of the coffee tour guide
  • Good food

Negatives

Not much to be honest! The Shanga craftspeople were quite keen (ardent) when you visited about buying something. I don’t think they need to do that as most people will probably buy something at the shop anything so no need to do a hard sell.

Cedarberg : Kate Bergh