Elewana Arusha Coffee Lodge
Cottage lodgings set on a working coffee plantation minutes from Arusha Airstrip.
The verdict
Pick a traveller type to re-weight the scores and re-rank the rooms around what you actually care about.
Located near Arusha Airstrip, this lodge features private cottage accommodations nestled in one of Tanzania's largest coffee plantations. Guests regularly highlight the welcoming staff, fresh coffee, and expansive bathrooms equipped with rain showers and soaking tubs. However, the close proximity to the local airport causes occasional daytime noise from light aircraft, and meal and drink service can be slow. 7142
Every line below traces back to something a traveler actually wrote — open a line to read the original sentence and follow it to the source.
What travelers noticed
- Spacious cottage rooms with fireplaces and beautifully appointed bathrooms with large rain showers and soaking tubs receive widespread praise. 6
- Visitors consistently appreciate the friendly, attentive staff and plentiful meals ranging from breakfast to afternoon tea. drawn from the full read
- The location among coffee gardens in the foothills of Mount Meru provides an ideal base for pre- and post-safari stays. drawn from the full read
The catch
- While most guests praise the luxurious cabin-style interiors, an occasional reviewer found the rooms fairly simple and underwhelming. 6
- Some reviewers enjoy a completely serene environment, whereas others note ambient sounds and daytime flights from the nearby airstrip. drawn from the full read
Who it's for
- — Pre- and post-safari stopovers
- — Coffee lovers wanting a plantation setting
- — Guests needing quick access to Arusha Airstrip
Skip it if
- — Travelers sensitive to daytime light aircraft noise
- — Guests expecting rapid dining service
Seen on camera
1 moments · 1 video · Elewana Arusha Coffee Lodge
Each moment is pulled at the second a cited reviewer said the words. Play it here, or open the original video at that timestamp.
“And Arusha Coffee Lodge, as the name suggests, is a coffee plantation. So, you'll have amazing coffee here during your s…”
youtube.com1:08Frames are citations: each one links to its second in the source video, attributed to the creator who filmed it. Nothing here is supplied by the hotel. Creators who want a moment removed can ask and we take it down.
How to book
Score breakdown
How the 90/100 is built, category by category — each one with the strongest thing travelers actually said, and the source it came from.
Bathroom
94- “The bathroom was gorgeous, with a big shower and soaking tub (that I wish I had time to take advantage of)!” 6
- “The left-most dome is an open air bathroom, with a rain shower in the center on a wood platform, with two sinks overlooking the pools. Plenty of bathroom amenities and tastefully decorated.” 6
Food
94- “Breakfast was fabulous - there was a spacious outdoor patio at the lodge with multiple food stations with people serving food, including cooking omeletes to order. All the food was fresh and delicious.” 6
- “The food was absolutely delicious and so much: breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, cocktail hour, and dinner.” 3
Location
90Noise
87- “The rooms are in sets of two in one building, but we didn't have any noise issues with our neighbor (not even sure if it was occupied).” 6
- “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.” 7
Room
93- “The theme of coffee permeates throughout Arusha Coffee Lodge, reflecting in the colours and textures of the delightfully comfortable accommodations with beautifully appointed en suite bathrooms.” 4
- “BH Brian Hayes traveler This was the most beautiful room. This was the most beautiful room. We saw all the animals, had a great guide, Ally was his name.” 1
Service
90Bed & Sleep
93Nothing quotable yet on this one — the score leans on the rest of the coverage.
Value
83Nothing quotable yet on this one — the score leans on the rest of the coverage.
Where it is, how to reach it
Details checked 2026-09-12
Where it sits
Elewana Arusha Coffee Lodge and the 1 other hotel we cover in Serengeti. Hover a marker for the hotel; click to open it.
Stay value
How this property reads against the hotels we cover alongside it. Measured on review evidence, not on a nightly rate.
On par with what $$$ usually buys
Scores 2 points below the upscale median of 92, across 328 hotels in the same bracket.
- This hotel
- 90
- Bracket median
- 92
- Index median
- 86
Based on 328 comparable hotels.
Which room to ask for
What reviewers say about where to sleep inside this building — by room number where one is named, and otherwise by floor, wing, aspect and position. Every line opens onto the quotes behind it.
No reviewer has yet described a room, floor or aspect specifically enough to act on at this property. Room intelligence appears here the moment they do.
Where travelers agree — and don’t
The topics reviewers split on most. A wide bar means your experience depends on which room you get — or whose opinion you trust.
View the 53 things travelers said behind this verdict▾
Quotes run exactly as travelers wrote them — spelling and all. We trim for length, never for tidiness.
- “All of the campsites and lodges had their own charm, and we thought that the staff in each place were very friendly and helpful to us.” 1
- “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.” 7
- “We really liked having the two days of staying in a very nice lodge to rest and clean up between our tented experiences. I like Jonathon, the new manager of the lodge, and I think he will tighten up the operation. The location is excellent.” 1
- “Adjecent to this was the spa, which I took advantage of the last day there. We were assigned our butler, Frank, who was friendly and inviting.” 6
- “..the service is very good and the setting and atmosphere fantastic with impecably maintained facilities...” 4
- “The camp was very luxurious, incredibly clean and tidy and the staff were on hand at all times for everything we needed.” 3
- “The vendors and their staffs (hotels, restaurants, drivers, etc.) were so helpful and friendly.” 3
- “Check in was easy and smooth; we were greeted with a local juice that was refreshing and delicious.” 6
- “Impeccable service characterized every moment of our stay here. The staff is truly great and make a real difference.” 7
- “John tended to us and was so nice, ensuring all of our needs were met. We appreciated his kindness and attentiveness.” 1
- “The Coffee House was fantastic, wonderful accommodations, food and service. The staff, especially the waiters, were a lot of fun.” 1
- “The kindness of each and every staff member at all 3 was heartwarming.” 3
- “We had time the next day to enjoy almost a full day at the lodge. They were very generous with a late checkout and didn't seem to be sticklers on when we actually got out of the room.” 6
- “The friendly and personable staff help create an ambiance that continues to draw appreciation from all those who visit and stay.” 4
- “Despite having digestive issues the last night and having a fever that kept me awake, I was completely fine by mid-morning the day we had to depart. We told our butler and he sent us plain toast and ginger juice, which was very helpful. I feel very fortunate it was as mild as it was.” 6
- “The hotels were all exceptional in their own individual way and to start the trip in the Plantation Suite at the Arusha Coffee Lodge certainly gave us a taster of things to come. An amazing room and a lovely location.” 1
- “The theme of coffee permeates throughout Arusha Coffee Lodge, reflecting in the colours and textures of the delightfully comfortable accommodations with beautifully appointed en suite bathrooms.” 4
- “BH Brian Hayes traveler This was the most beautiful room. This was the most beautiful room. We saw all the animals, had a great guide, Ally was his name.” 1
- “Spacious, comfortable bedrooms with a lovely fireplace for the colder months-and a sumptuous four-poster bed draped in a mosquito net.” 7
- “The room is spacious and wonderfully decorated.” 6
- “The split-level bedroom is eminently comfortable and welcoming, taking cues from the traditions of a colonial home.” 7
- “The lodge we stayed in was gorgeous and we loved what they did for us in regards to our honeymoon. The room was decorated beautifully.” 1
- “Breakfast was fabulous - there was a spacious outdoor patio at the lodge with multiple food stations with people serving food, including cooking omeletes to order. All the food was fresh and delicious.” 6
- “Lots of activities, and great a-la carte dining makes this an ideal stop over.” 1
- “The food was absolutely delicious and so much: breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, cocktail hour, and dinner.” 3
- “Dinner was excellent, as were breakfast and lunch. A great place to 'welcome us to Africa'” 1
- “The lunch was essentially the same format, and just as good.” 6
- “A very good lunch. We met Sarah, Tanzania office manager - she seemed disappointed that we had no complaints!” 1
- “The Arusha Hotel was very nice and the food very good.” 1
- “The accommodations, food, wine and service were great and the setting within the coffee plantation was serene.” 1
- “The food overall was great.” 6
- “Arusha Coffee Lodge is beautiful - sadly we were hardly there for 12 hours so we did not have the chance to enjoy it better but I will remember the breakfast and the shower (WOW).” 1
- “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.” 7
- “The food overall was great. They don't charge extra for in-room dining, and we decided to have our breakfast spread in the villa the first two mornings.” 6
- “Food is delicious-served either in the traditional Plantation House or on the patio, under ancient trees.” 7
- “The property was well maintained and felt very secluded and relaxing even though we were in the city. They had very good lattes and beverages. The food we had for dinner was ok.” 1
- “The only other mild downsides I can think of is that everything in Zanzibar, and I suppose Tanzania in general, is the slow pace for most things. Sometimes our drinks or food arrived fairly slowly, but you really just get used to.” 6
- “Rooms: 8/10 (not anything bad, just fairly simple) Extras & activities: 10/10 Entrance of Arusha Coffee Lodge Rooms were a tad underwhelming” 6
- “Lunch options at the restaurant were awesome - I had some local tacos one day, surf and turf another day (more on this later...)” 6
- “A private swimming pool, garden terrace, and indoor-outdoor restaurant serving up meals and picnic lunches (or 24-hour room service if you prefer) make it a cozy stay with impeccable service.” 2
- “Arusha Coffee Plantation. ...a very pleasant first night; the huts were spacious, comfortable and attractively furnished with natural wood ambiance.” 1
- “The lunch was essentially the same format, and just as good. We were really happy with the food overall - very clean and lots of choices.” 6
- “As a coffee lover, the coffee was great and it was really cool to stay next to coffee gardens.” 1
- “And Arusha Coffee Lodge, as the name suggests, is a coffee plantation. So, you'll have amazing coffee here during your stay.” On camera51:08
- “It was dark, so we didn't see much until the morning. We missed the dinner in their dining room but they had a bistro that was open until midnight, and we sat down around 10 PM and ordered their Swahili traditional feast. It was incredibly delicious and the atmosphere was lovely.” 6
- “The bathroom was gorgeous, with a big shower and soaking tub (that I wish I had time to take advantage of)!” 6
- “The left-most dome is an open air bathroom, with a rain shower in the center on a wood platform, with two sinks overlooking the pools. Plenty of bathroom amenities and tastefully decorated.” 6
- “Arusha Coffee Lodge - had a one-night stay which we both enjoyed and would recommend to others. Great location and a beautiful setting.” 1
- “Arusha Coffee Lodge's convenient location made it a perfect starting point from which we headed to Tanzania's northern safari parks.” 7
- “Ideally located in close proximity to Arusha Airstrip, Arusha Coffee Lodge offers spacious, luxury rooms complete with fireplaces.” 1
- “LL Laurie Laychak traveler This is a beautiful location. This is a beautiful location. The rooms were lovely and even had the iconic mosquito nets.” 1
- “The rooms are in sets of two in one building, but we didn't have any noise issues with our neighbor (not even sure if it was occupied).” 6
- “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.” 7
What we still don't know
What we can’t tell you yet, said plainly. These close as we read more coverage of this hotel.
- No reviewer has named an individual room number here yet.
- Nothing reliable said about room types.
- Nothing reliable said about floor level.
- Nothing reliable said about building or wing.
- Nothing reliable said about which side it faces.
- Nothing reliable said about view.
- Nothing reliable said about position on the floor.
- Noise rests on 2 sources — too thin to rely on.
Ask about Elewana Arusha Coffee Lodge
Answered only from the coverage cited on this page. If nobody has written about your question, it will say so rather than guess.
How much we read
Deep coverage · 48/100We read 7 sources for this property, and pulled 75 traveler insights worth knowing. Last checked 2026-09-12.
Watch this hotel
We keep reading Elewana Arusha Coffee Lodge. Tell us when you're staying and we'll follow it until then — you'll hear from us only when the verdict is rewritten, the score moves, or new reviews land. No daily mail, and the watch closes itself after your stay.
Sources
Everything quoted on this page, grouped by traveler insights, outlets, and video & podcast. Counts beside each group show everything we’ve read of that kind; no one kind can carry the score on its own.
2 of 5 summary lines above are traced to specific quotes. The rest summarise the read as a whole rather than any single document.
View all 7 cited sources▾
Everything quoted on this page.
- 6Trip Review: Tanzania/Zanzibar; Two Elewana Propertiesreddit.comForum thread2025-09-08Recent22 quotes used
“Breakfast was fabulous - there was a spacious outdoor patio at the lodge with multiple food stations with people serving food, including cooking omeletes to order. All the food was fresh and delicious.”
Read originalreddit.com - 1Arusha Coffee Lodge - Tanzaniago2africa.comReview siteDate not stated28 quotes used
“All of the campsites and lodges had their own charm, and we thought that the staff in each place were very friendly and helpful to us.”
Read originalgo2africa.com - 2Elewana Arusha Coffee Lodgecntraveler.comReview siteDate not stated1 quote used
“A private swimming pool, garden terrace, and indoor-outdoor restaurant serving up meals and picnic lunches (or 24-hour room service if you prefer) make it a cozy stay with impeccable service.”
Read originalcntraveler.com - 3Elewana Arusha Coffee Lodgediscoverafrica.comReview siteDate not stated7 quotes used
“The food was absolutely delicious and so much: breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, cocktail hour, and dinner.”
Read originaldiscoverafrica.com - 4Arusha Coffee Lodge - At a Glanceelewanacollection.comReview siteDate not stated4 quotes used
“The theme of coffee permeates throughout Arusha Coffee Lodge, reflecting in the colours and textures of the delightfully comfortable accommodations with beautifully appointed en suite bathrooms.”
Read originalelewanacollection.com - 5ARUSHA COFFEE LODGE - ELEWANA COLLECTIONyoutube.comVideoDate not statedListened for quotes only3 quotes used
“And Arusha Coffee Lodge, as the name suggests, is a coffee plantation. So, you'll have amazing coffee here during your stay.”
Read originalyoutube.com