Gran Melia
Upscale Arusha base offering Mount Meru views, coffee and tea plantation grounds, and freestanding bathtubs.
The verdict
Pick a traveller type to re-weight the scores and re-rank the rooms around what you actually care about.
Gran Melia is a modern five-star property set among coffee and tea plantations, serving as a launching point for safari adventures. Guests praise the rooftop bar, the outdoor swimming pool overlooking Mount Meru, and spacious rooms with double-glazed balcony doors. However, service lapses frustrate visitors, including airport pickups that fail to show up and slow room service that can take an hour to arrive. 121493
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
- The views of Mount Meru from the rooftop bar, outdoor swimming pool, and massive balconies are universally praised. 12213
- Bathrooms earn high marks for separate rainfall shower heads, coconut and lime shower gel, and freestanding baths with scenic windows. 1093
- Guests also highlight the serene setting across eighteen acres of coffee and tea plantations. 1349
The catch
- Nightly rates divide guests, with some finding 325 dollars per night for a double deluxe mountain view room expensive, while others feel it delivers strong luxury value. 93
- Poolside atmosphere also sparks mixed feedback, with some enjoying the outdoor swimming pool while others report noise from children despite no children signs. drawn from the full read
Who it's for
- — Pre-safari stays in Arusha
- — Travelers wanting Mount Meru views
- — Fans of luxury amenities and spa treatments
Skip it if
- — Budget travelers seeking low nightly rates
- — Guests requiring prompt room service
- — Anyone sensitive to poolside noise from kids
Seen on camera
24 moments · 3 videos · Gran Melia
Each moment is pulled at the second a cited reviewer said the words. Play it here, or open the original video at that timestamp.
“The Wi-Fi was also very good in the National Park in serengetti and in the Safari lodges the Wi-Fi was pretty poor”
youtube.com6:55“having said that the location is still fantastic with plenty to do off the hotel grounds excluding the parks such as vis…”
youtube.com4:48“and then the shower area is separate from the toilet and it's a rain fall shower head which I absolutely love I always f…”
youtube.com2:41“Modern Hotel and we really enjoyed our room our stay there and all the food except for the location and the grounds this…”
youtube.com9:59“then there's a massive balcony here with amazing views of Mount muru”
youtube.com1:18“air conditioning automatically turns off when you got the balcony doors open which is quite good because that saves ener…”
youtube.com1:34“a carpet around the bed bedside lamps and another lamp there which is good I can always tell it's a good room if they ha…”
youtube.com1:50“there's a little seat here to put clothes on and stuff and the balcony doors have double glazing which is a excellent”
youtube.com2:10“the managers were friendly and I got the impression the staff enjoyed working there well who can blame them”
youtube.com12:33“the what I did like about the hallway area is that the middle was open to the bottom so you can actually see all the way…”
youtube.com1:30“the bed which was really comfortable I actually sorry the bed was really firm which was different for me coming from Nor…”
youtube.com3:09“and then breakfast so breakfast was amazing they have a lot of different fresh juices to choose from as well as infused…”
youtube.com4:19“The rooftop restaurant weather permitting offers incredible views of Mount Murrow the second highest mountain in Tanzani…”
youtube.com9:01“okay so this is a double deluxe Mountain View room for 325 dollars per night so it's not cheap but you can get cheaper r…”
youtube.com0:52“and then the bedside tables there's two USBS and Power on each side of the bed which is excellent I always like that”
youtube.com1:42“coffee here which is fantastic I love the coffee here the local coffee which is really good”
youtube.com2:26“the soap in this hotel the shower gel this stuff here coconut and lime is absolutely amazing I have to get some of that”
youtube.com3:16“the best thing about the location for me is the wonderful views to mount meru which is the second tallest mountain in Ta…”
youtube.com5:14“funny I thought there was no kids allowed in here so it gets a bit noisy sometimes”
youtube.com6:37“one minor annoyance was the lack of sauces on the table every morning I had to ask for ketchup I got brown sauce some sa…”
youtube.com9:36“the rooftop bar has a wonderful view of Mount meru which is the second tallest Tanzania after Mount Kilimanjaro of cours…”
youtube.com10:50“It's the final score for food and drink I don't think you're gonna get much better than this in Tanzania so I would give…”
youtube.com11:20“service didn't start off great when our Airport pickup didn't show up I don't understand but it's not there's only one a…”
youtube.com11:35“we did have some slow room service I ordered the food an hour ago it still haven't reached our room”
youtube.com12:39Frames 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 98/100 is built, category by category — each one with the strongest thing travelers actually said, and the source it came from.
Bathroom
99Location
98- “The best thing about the location, for me, is the wonderful views to Mount Meru, which is the second tallest mountain in tanzania probably some of the best views in the city from this hotel bar. The majestic views in the morning will give you goosebumps.” 3
- “the best thing about the location for me is the wonderful views to mount meru which is the second tallest mountain in Tanzania probably some of the best views in the city from this hotel bar here the Majestic views in the morning will give you Goosebumps” 95:14
Room
98Service
97- “Gran Meliá Arusha is the undisputed finest hotel in Arusha - a newly built 5-star Meliá Collection property with the city's best rooftop views, the most professional staff in Tanzania's Northern Circuit gateway city and a Red Level VIP tier that delivers genuine luxury.” 4
- “I have been incredibly impressed across the board at how friendly everyone is here. One of the weavers let me sit and try out his loom, and one of the gardeners gave me a fifteen-minute impromptu private tour. The staff are constantly saying hello.” 5
Bed & Sleep
97- “the bed which was really comfortable I actually sorry the bed was really firm which was different for me coming from North America but it did end up not being an issue while sleeping” 103:09
Value
95- “so value 325 dollars for one night it's a lot of money but it is a luxury hotel and I did get a big room well two rooms actually and there's a lot of other hotels that cost a lot more than that like over 400 if you go to the Serengeti however I do understand that this simply is not in the budget for most people so for that reason I'll give value four out of five” 915:28
- “and i did get a big room, well two rooms actually and there's a lot of other hotels that cost a lot more than that like over 400 dollars if you go to the Serengeti.” 3
Where it is, how to reach it
Details checked 2026-09-12
Stay value
How this property reads against the hotels we cover alongside it. Measured on review evidence, not on a nightly rate.
Beats what $$$ usually buys
Scores 6 points above the upscale median of 92, across 300 hotels in the same bracket.
- This hotel
- 98
- Bracket median
- 92
- Index median
- 86
Based on 300 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.
Nothing is yet praised often enough to recommend.
- 2 mentions
- 2 mentions
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 85 things travelers said behind this verdict▾
Quotes run exactly as travelers wrote them — spelling and all. We trim for length, never for tidiness.
- “I saw the staff clean regularly. The lifts had distancing signs and the facilities were well maintained, including the pool, gardens and gym.” 3
- “Gran Meliá Arusha is the undisputed finest hotel in Arusha - a newly built 5-star Meliá Collection property with the city's best rooftop views, the most professional staff in Tanzania's Northern Circuit gateway city and a Red Level VIP tier that delivers genuine luxury.” 4
- “Gran Melia Arusha isn't just a place to stay; it's an experience. From the moment you arrive, you're enveloped in luxury, comfort, and top-notch service.” 12
- “The wellness center is beautifully arranged and there are numerous treatments available from highly skilled staff to help you unwind after a long flight.” 1
- “I have been incredibly impressed across the board at how friendly everyone is here. One of the weavers let me sit and try out his loom, and one of the gardeners gave me a fifteen-minute impromptu private tour. The staff are constantly saying hello.” 5
- “For those staying RedLevel, on the executive floors, there's the use of an exclusive lounge as well as a butler service. The former is ideal for those working on the go, while the latter is an elevated level of service within a hotel that already excels when it comes to those human interactions.” 6
- “the managers were friendly and I got the impression the staff enjoyed working there well who can blame them” On camera912:33
- “let's go staff at Grand Malia for making it such a pleasant stay” On camera916:16
- “The modern, elegant dining room, relaxed atmosphere and attentive service of Yellow Chilli will make any dinner here an unforgettable experience.” 2
- “I was quite impressed with the cleaning standards that were met in this hotel during these pandemic times” 3
- “I was quite impressed with the cleaning standards that were met in this ho” On camera914:29
- “so they've used this beautiful gray travertine all over the hotel I've actually used it on some of my projects as well it's really nice” On camera914:56
- “Service didn't start off great, when our airport pickup didn't show up. I don't understand, there's only one airport in the Arusha the other airports in Kilimanjaro.” 3
- “The managers were friendly and I got the impression the staff enjoyed working there Well, who can blame them.” 3
- “during these pandemic times I saw the staff clean regularly the lifts have distancing signs and the facilities were well maintained including the pool Gardens and gym as you can see here they disinfect the gym every two hours which is excellent” On camera914:34
- “service didn't start off great when our Airport pickup didn't show up I don't understand but it's not there's only one airport in Arusha the other airports in Kilimanjaro” On camera911:35
- “having said that the location is still fantastic with plenty to do off the hotel grounds excluding the parks such as visiting the many coffee plantations the cultural Museum tanzanite experience twig a local Brewery visiting the Maasai Villages shopping not a shopping mall or simply hanging out to explore in the urisha town all can be done easily from the hotel location” On camera94:48
- “This prime spot means you're close to everything, yet tucked away in a serene environment.” 12
- “Gran Melia is in Central Arusha and has a great location, both for the many activities that are possible here and for its stunning views of the dormant volcano Mount Meru, which provides a stunning backdrop.” 1
- “The strategic location of this hotel in Arusha, East Africa's tourism, capital, it is a great idea to sleep here before you set out for your safari adventure in Northern Tanzania's destinations like Serengeti National Park, Tarangire, Lake Manyara and Ngorongoro Crater.” 12
- “The best thing about the location, for me, is the wonderful views to Mount Meru, which is the second tallest mountain in tanzania probably some of the best views in the city from this hotel bar. The majestic views in the morning will give you goosebumps.” 3
- “the best thing about the location for me is the wonderful views to mount meru which is the second tallest mountain in Tanzania probably some of the best views in the city from this hotel bar here the Majestic views in the morning will give you Goosebumps” On camera95:14
- “The lodge is located on the outskirts of Arusha with impressive views of Mount Meru; however, if you are...” 1
- “Having said that, the location is still fantastic, with plenty to do off the hotel grounds, excluding the parks.” 3
- “VIP-tier rooms with exclusive Red Level Lounge access - complimentary afternoon snacks, premium minibar, dedicated concierge and enhanced in-room amenities. The finest Arusha hotel room experience available.” 4
- “a carpet around the bed bedside lamps and another lamp there which is good I can always tell it's a good room if they have lots of lamps and not too many ceiling lights which is good” On camera91:50
- “A carpet layes around the bed and 2 bedside lamps and another lamp there, which is good. I can always tell it's good room, if they have lots of lamps and not too many ceiling lights. Which is good.” 3
- “then there's a massive balcony here with amazing views of Mount muru” On camera91:18
- “There are VIP services and a host of different room types - too many to name! But all rooms offer state-of-the-art comfort, with a coffee machine, mini-bar, safety deposit box, flat-screen TV, terrace, and private bathroom with shower.” 1
- “There is local bead artwork above the bed which is beatiful. There's two USBs and power on each side of the bed which is excellent -always like that.” 3
- “Air conditioning automatically turns off when you got the balcony doors open which is quite good because that saves energy.” 3
- “Modern Hotel and we really enjoyed our room our stay there and all the food except for the location and the grounds this was much like any modern upscale Hotel you might stay in in a major city in the United States” On camera89:59
- “Then you get a window that you can see out to Mount Meru, while you're in the bath which is quite cool.” 3
- “it is a luxury hotel and I did get a big room well two rooms actually” On camera915:33
- “there's a little seat here to put clothes on and stuff and the balcony doors have double glazing which is a excellent” On camera92:10
- “Air conditioning automatically turns off when you got the balcony doors open which is quite good because that saves energy. There is local bead artwork above the bed which is beatiful.” 3
- “the what I did like about the hallway area is that the middle was open to the bottom so you can actually see all the way down and again just more Exquisite decor and finishes” On camera101:30
- “and then the bedside tables there's two USBS and Power on each side of the bed which is excellent I always like that” On camera91:42
- “And the balcony doors have double glazing, which is excellent.” 3
- “The only thing I don't like about the room is the light switches but I'm not even going to think about knocking a point off for that because at least they tries to install something modern and it's probably the best room I've ever stayed in. So overall, the room is very good indeed.” 3
- “Are there problems? Sure - there's was ghost TV in my room that woke me up at both 1:30 and 4:00 in the morning, and the paving stones outside were so slippery that I fell twice.” 5
- “air conditioning automatically turns off when you got the balcony doors open which is quite good because that saves energy” On camera91:34
- “The first thing we noticed about our room was how clean and modern it appeared.” 14
- “The is the living room which has TV, sofas, coffee table, powder room here, with toilet and sink and mirror and there's a desk. Then there's a massive balcony with amazing views of Mount Meru” 3
- “and then the shower area is separate from the toilet and it's a rain fall shower head which I absolutely love I always feel like that add just a touch of luxury” On camera102:41
- “Nice freestanding bath with tap -this is acrylic or something. But that's quite nice.” 3
- “the soap in this hotel the shower gel this stuff here coconut and lime is absolutely amazing I have to get some of that” On camera93:16
- “The soap in this hotel, the shower gel, this stuff here, coconut and lime, which is absolutely amazing. I have to get some of that.” 3
- “Coffee here which is fantastic. I love the coffee here. They have local coffee which is really good.” 3
- “Modern Hotel and we really enjoyed our room our stay there and all the food except for the location and the grounds this was much like any modern upscale Hotel you might stay in in a major city in the United States” On camera89:59
- “breakfast had everything including vegetarian options like cereals breads croissants danishes and salads highlights included cold cuts what is life without Stilton sausages and bacon but I was a bit overwhelmed with the amount of meat on display for breakfast” 9
- “At dawn, after a splendid breakfast, travellers will be chauffeured to Marangu Gate, in Kilimanjaro National Park.” 2
- “Gran Meliá Arusha has three lovely restaurants, so dining here will be a real pleasure.” 13
- “and then breakfast so breakfast was amazing they have a lot of different fresh juices to choose from as well as infused water” On camera104:19
- “The rooftop restaurant weather permitting offers incredible views of Mount Murrow the second highest mountain in Tanzania” On camera89:01
- “one minor annoyance was the lack of sauces on the table every morning I had to ask for ketchup I got brown sauce some sat waiting until it arrived so every morning I have to ask for sauce all the time by the time the sauce comes I've almost finished my breakfast” On camera99:36
- “What made the breakfast for me was the boiled egg and soldiers and of course, the English tableware.” 3
- “That fact that the hotel grows much of its own produce goes some way to explaining the quality of the restaurant offer. While being fed is a given, being satisfied isn't, and Gran Meliá Arusha impresses.” 6
- “The emblematic wooden Mandara Huts and the Maundi crater create a fascinating setting to enjoy the delicious picnic designed by Gran Meliá Arusha's chefs.” 2
- “Everything else is pretty good What made the breakfast for me was the boiled egg and soldiers and of course, the English tableware. We were lucky enough to be invited for Christmas dinner with highlights that included roast pork, beef wellington, amazing salads, cold cuts and pumpkin soup.” 3
- “coffee here which is fantastic I love the coffee here the local coffee which is really good” On camera92:26
- “Beyond that, it has all of the things you might expect from a 5-star hotel: a beautiful pool, a super well-equipped gym, large rooms, and a wide range of excellent food options.” 5
- “The food was very gourmet with many choices.” 1
- “The only issue was the room service, which was slightly disappointing, everything else was fantastic.” 3
- “the service in the restaurant was outstanding and since this is not an all-inclusive or at least we didn't have an all- inclusive package we did leave a tip after every meal” On camera83:39
- “Jenn was particularly happy with the dessert offerings because there was an extensive gluten-free section carefully separated from the other dishes.” 14
- “We headed downstairs to the buffet dinner after our beauty sleep. Like you'd expect, everything was bursting with farm-to-table freshness. The array of European and African specialties tempted us to keep filling our plates, but we wanted to save room for the delicious dessert table.” 14
- “and final score for service okay so I let them off for not picking us up at the airport in time because they invited us for dinner the only issue was the room service which was slightly disappointing everything else was fantastic so for that reason I'll give four out of five for service” On camera914:10
- “The Gran Meliá Arusha is positioned on 18 acres of coffee and tea plantations, a truly beautiful setting.” 13
- “One of the highlights of Melia Arusha is the number of different dining options! There are multiple restaurants serving African, Indian, and even Peruvian cuisine.” 1
- “It's the final score for food and drink I don't think you're gonna get much better than this in Tanzania so I would give five out of five for food and drink” On camera911:20
- “Breakfast was equally as impressive, with fresh European cold cuts, breads, and cheese along with farm-fresh eggs prepared in any style you wanted.” 14
- “Beyond the generously sized rooms, of course, lies a generously sized compound, and while the stellar spa, gym and pool are definitely praiseworthy, it's the Gran Meliá's own tea and coffee plantation, as well as a compact urban farm, that are perhaps standout elements and far from typical hotel fare.” 6
- “with our meal plan we ate all our meals at the buffet and found the selection and the quality of the food to be excellent” On camera83:30
- “A newly built Meliá Collection property (the same tier as Meliá Serengeti Lodge), it combines contemporary Spanish hotel luxury with an East African setting: a rooftop restaurant and bar with stunning Mount Meru views, a coffee plantation on the grounds, beautifully maintained gardens and the Red Level - Meliá's VIP tier with exclusive lounge access and elevated in-room amenities.” 4
- “we did have some slow room service I ordered the food an hour ago it still haven't reached our room” On camera912:39
- “and i did get a big room, well two rooms actually and there's a lot of other hotels that cost a lot more than that like over 400 dollars if you go to the Serengeti.” 3
- “I got a double deluxe mountain view room for $325 USD per night so it's not cheap. But you can get cheaper rooms for about 40 dollars less, with city views.” 3
- “so value 325 dollars for one night it's a lot of money but it is a luxury hotel and I did get a big room well two rooms actually and there's a lot of other hotels that cost a lot more than that like over 400 if you go to the Serengeti however I do understand that this simply is not in the budget for most people so for that reason I'll give value four out of five” On camera915:28
- “okay so this is a double deluxe Mountain View room for 325 dollars per night so it's not cheap but you can get cheaper rooms for about forty dollars less with city views” On camera90:52
- “the bed which was really comfortable I actually sorry the bed was really firm which was different for me coming from North America but it did end up not being an issue while sleeping” On camera103:09
- “And the rooftop bar has a wonderful view of mount Meru, which is the second tallest Tanzania after Mount Kilimanjaro, of course.” 3
- “What's so special about this place? Clearly, the view is a good start.” 5
- “the rooftop bar has a wonderful view of Mount meru which is the second tallest Tanzania after Mount Kilimanjaro of course” On camera910:50
- “funny I thought there was no kids allowed in here so it gets a bit noisy sometimes” On camera96:37
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 position on the floor.
- 7 sources carry no publication date, so we cannot tell how current they are.
Ask about Gran Melia
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 · 20/100We read 0 sources for this property, covering 0 traveler mentions, boiled down to 0 traveler insights worth knowing. Last checked 2026-09-12.
Watch this hotel
We keep reading Gran Melia. 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.
4 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 14 cited sources▾
Everything quoted on this page.
- 1Gran Melia Arusha | Tanzania Lodgesyellowzebrasafaris.comReview site2026-08-20Current10 quotes used
“The wellness center is beautifully arranged and there are numerous treatments available from highly skilled staff to help you unwind after a long flight.”
Read originalyellowzebrasafaris.com - 13Gran Melia Arusha - Easy Traveleasytravel.co.tzReview site2025-04-11Recent5 quotes used
“Guests can enjoy the hotel's fantastic views of the massive Mount Meru.”
Read originaleasytravel.co.tz - 14Gran Meliá Arusha: The Five-Star Hotel That's Leading ...colemanconcierge.comReview site2025-02-12Recent7 quotes used
“When we first walked into the Gran Meliá Arusha, we knew that we were in a five-star hotel, from the front-of-the-house services to crisp, clean, classic styling.”
Read originalcolemanconcierge.com - 5Gran Meliá Arusha: A Luxury Stay in the Heart of Tanzaniatravelertina.blogReview site2024-01-17Ageing4 quotes used
“I have been incredibly impressed across the board at how friendly everyone is here. One of the weavers let me sit and try out his loom, and one of the gardeners gave me a fifteen-minute impromptu private tour. The staff…”
Read originaltravelertina.blog - 3Gran Melia Arusha Tanzania - Full Hotel Reviewarchitectrussell.comReview site2021-09-29Ageing27 quotes used
“I saw the staff clean regularly. The lifts had distancing signs and the facilities were well maintained, including the pool, gardens and gym.”
Read originalarchitectrussell.com - 6Gran Meliá Arusha review: much more than a stopping pointtheweek.comReview site2020-02-10Ageing4 quotes used
“With Mount Meru in one direction and a pitching, tree-covered landscape in the other, as the amber twilight detonates and the fog descends, it's as close to a Gorillas in the Mist view as one could expect from a swish ur…”
Read originaltheweek.com
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