Arusha Coffee Lodge by Elewana

Situated in one of Tanzania’s largest working coffee plantations, this boutique lodge envelops its guests in an atmosphere that blends local history with the anticipation of the upcoming safari. And it feels like an oasis of calm in the bustle of the downtown Arusha.

On one hand, the Arusha Coffee Lodge is just a small luxury hotel, on the other, it is a luxury hotel with a lot of character. As soon as we stepped into the open-air lobby veranda we could sense that homely atmosphere of an old colonial plantation house. The incredibly warm reception added to the appeal.

Coffee comforts

Our welcome drink was, of course, based on coffee—and the coffee theme is an important part of the hotel experience, adding a flavor—pun intended—to the luxury and comfort of the lodge.

For example, the interior design draws from the coffee production process, even if not obviously. The inspiration lies in the combinations of textures, materials, and palettes. The seemingly burned wood meets raw brick, while the iron of fireplaces is set against frothy rugs and misty mosquito nets. It’s as if the place was painted with fire and sun.

A perfect stopover

Twenty chalets serve as guest suites. They are free-standing and built on wooden platforms with generous space that extends to wide porches. Fairly unassuming from the outside, they prompt ohs-and-ahs inside—it’s hard to find a fault in the design of the interiors. The split-level bedroom is eminently comfortable and welcoming, taking cues from the traditions of a colonial home.

The rooms have all the mod cons, and beyond them, the lodge is well set up with various facilities that include a pretty swimming pool and an outdoor restaurant surrounded by ancient trees. The plantation fields are only a few steps away from the guest rooms and a guided tour is one of the activities the guests are offered. Perhaps most importantly for anybody arriving here after a week or so of safari, the lodge has a spa. A very welcome thing indeed.

For us, this place was not the last but the first step in a safari expedition that followed our arrival from Nairobi. Arusha Coffee Lodge’s convenient location made it a perfect starting point from which we headed to Tanzania’s northern safari parks.

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in our opinion

Arusha Coffee Lodge is a must-visit for everybody who wants to make sure that the safari trip in Tanzania is well-paced.

This country well deserves more than just a few days for exploring it, and the Arusha Coffee Lodge is well situated for at least a day's worth of a layover just after—or right before—a larger safari trip.

What we love

• The location, at the foothills of the Mount Maru, and on the grounds of a huge coffee plantation. Its history is an added bonus that makes the Arusha Coffee Lodge a truly special place.
• Impeccable service characterized every moment of our stay here. The staff is truly great and make a real difference.
• Spacious, comfortable bedrooms with a lovely fireplace for the colder months—and a sumptuous four-poster bed draped in a mosquito net.
• The flawlessly cozy design of the Arusha Coffee Lodge had us all wishing to curl up by the log fire with a good book.
• Food is delicious—served either in the traditional Plantation House or on the patio, under ancient trees. Our favorite was, of course, à la carte breakfast which included everything from fresh fruit and yogurt with granola to omelets.
• The lodge offers a plantation tour that covers the cultivation, harvest, fermentation and roasting process as well as degustation of the freshly brewed coffee.

What you should know

• Game viewing drives in the vicinity of Arusha are certainly a possibility here (e.g. to Arusha National Park), but Tanzania's most rewarding locations, including the Serengeti Park and the Ngorongoro Crater, are some ways to the west.
• The lodge has a boutique with souvenirs and artifacts but next to it is also the Kahawa Coffee Shop, where freshly ground blends can be either purchased to go or consumed right there, with a selection of tasty cakes and pastries to compliment the beverage.
• The lodge is around a ninety-minute drive from the Kilimanjaro Airport, and only five minutes away from the Arusha airstrip.
• The proximity to the local airstrip, while very convenient, nevertheless means that there is occasional noise from the light aircraft (during the day) and there is also the ambient noise of the surrounding town.