Luxury accommodation in Arusha Town and close to Arusha National park
Renovated in 2002, The Arusha Hotel is the only 5-star accommodation in central Arusha. Situated in large wooded grounds running down towards the Themi River, it is a stately hotel with an Edwardian feel about the décor, befitting its status as the oldest hostelry in Arusha. The Arusha Hotel offers 86 hotel rooms and luxury accommodation suites, two restaurants, an atmospheric bar, conference centre and health facility with temperature controlled outdoor pool.
The Town of Arusha
One of Tanzania's most developed and fastest growing towns, the bustling ‘Safari Town' of Arusha is a hive of arrival and departure activity as countless 4WD safari vehicles load up with provisions and set off with their passengers into the endless, game-teeming plains of the National Parks. Established in 1900 as a minor German military garrison, Arusha lies halfway between the Cape and Cairo and was once a major trading post for the local Waarusha and Wameru tribes. Nowadays it is not only the country's most active tourism centre but also an important regional business and administrative centre and host to a colourful array of street markets, museums, craft shops, Makonde carving workshops, street cafes, restaurants and bars.
Arusha National Park
The smallest yet one of the most beguiling of Tanzania's National Parks, the 137-sq-km Arusha National Park offers an unrivalled diversity of safari experiences due to the three distinct ecological zones of its composition. Activities range from a trek up the forested slopes of a fifteen million years old extinct volcano called Ngurdoto Crater, the discovery of the seven alkaline and flamingo-frosted Momela Lakes, which are the haunt of some 380 species of water birds, or an ascent to the misted heights of Mount Meru. At 4,566m above sea level Mount Meru is the 5th highest mountain in Africa and offers one of the continent's most rewarding climbs. Once as high as Kilimanjaro, a cataclysmic explosion two hundred and fifty thousand years ago blew out the entire eastern side of the Mountain, leaving only a vast crater and ash cone in its wake.
The luxury town hotel location
The Arusha Hotel is in the centre of town (right opposite the Clocktower). The main local entry point is Kilimanjaro International Airport (KIA), which lies roughly two-thirds along the 80km road that runs eastward from Arusha to Moshi. KIA is connected to Europe by daily international flights and internally by a range of regional airlines. A number of express bus services run between Arusha and Dar es Salaam (10 hours). Minibus shuttles also run between Nairobi and Arusha (5 hours). Arusha National Park is a 45 minute drive from the centre of known. From Arusha follow the Moshi road for about 20 km to Usa River, then take the signposted road on the left, which leads after 8km to the main gate of the park.
Arusha is connected by daily internal flights with Dar es Salaam, Zanzibar and Mwanza. There are several flights weekly to the Seronera airstrip in Serengeti National Park, Musoma and Shinyanga. There are also frequent flights to Lake Manyara and Tarangire National Parks. Several international airlines have flights into Kilimanjaro International Airport (KIA), which is half way between Arusha and Moshi whilst a number of internal flights use Arusha Airport (about 8km out of town).
Your Tanzania luxury town hotel
The History of the Arusha Hotel
Steeped in history and East African tradition, The Arusha Hotel is possibly the oldest hotel in East Africa dating back to the late 1800's. Its life started as a mere two bed roomed German guest house at the exact halfway point between the Cape and Cairo but was later replaced by a more lavish single story building.
Kenyon Painter, a wealthy American Ohio banker, and a personal friend of Teddy Roosevelt was a keen hunter and purchased much of Roosevelt hunting gear and became a regular hunter on the northern circuit. He is believed to have described the hotel as a whitewashed mud brick building with a roof of corrugated iron sheeting. It had a dozen bedrooms, a chintzy lounge and a bar cum dining room overlooking a fast snowmelt stream called the Themi River.
Painter went on to purchase the hotel in 1907 naming it The New Arusha Hotel and in 1927 is was then leased to Raymond Ulyate, who had a grand opening in December 1927 which was attended by the Prince of Wales. The hotel went on to become home to many a traveler including Baron Von Blixen of the Out of Africa fame. During the filming of the 1962 movie, Hatari, the cast including its lead actor, John Wayne, would regularly frequent the hotel bar making it a regular watering hole and today the bar is affectionately named Hatari.
The Arusha Hotel remained as one of the region's most notable landmarks throughout the 1900's and up until early 2001 when it started to go through a major development evolving into the only 5-star hotel in Arusha.
Wildlife highlights around The Arusha Hotel: Fauna in Arusha national park includes: black and white colobus monkey, leopard, zebra, giraffe, reedbuck, waterbuck, buffalo, hyena, warthog, baboon, elephant and hippo.
When to visit The Arusha Hotel
This luxury hotel can be visited at any time of year.
Accommodation: Luxury Tanzania town hotel
The Arusha Hotel offers 86 rooms (inclusive 20 Executive Rooms and 4 Suites), all of which are spacious and ensuite (satellite TV, mosquito nets, in-room internet access, safes, tea and coffee-making facilities, AC, non-smoking rooms available, 24-hour rooms service, business centre, 24-hour satellite internet access, airport shuttle service).
Dining and bars at this luxury town hotel
The Arusha Hotel offers the Parachichi Restaurant (international buffet) and the Hatari Tavern, first frequented by John Wayne during the filming of the 1962 film Hatari. The hotel also offers the Msumbi Coffee Shop.
The Arusha Hotel menu will typically include a wide selection of East Africa, Tanzania and traditional safari choices as well as numerous international choices.
Conferences and events at the luxury Tanzania town hotel
The Arusha Hotel caters for both business meetings and private events with three fully equipped conference rooms, private syndicate rooms, marquees and a number of indoor and outdoor areas. The hotel also offers a business centre and WiFi connectivity throughout.
Weddings and honeymoons at The Arusha Hotel
The Arusha Hotel makes an ideal Tanzania wedding destination.
Child-friendly facilities at the Arusha Hotel
The Arusha Hotel welcomes children and will be pleased to supply additional beds.
What to see and do at your Tanzania luxury hotel
The Arusha Hotel offers a lounge, gymnasium (with temperature controlled outdoor swimming pool), WiFi throughout, Safari Casino and selection of gift shops.
The Arusha Hotel • Tanzania Luxury City & Safari Hotels
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