Arumeru River Lodge  

Tucked behind an old coffee plantation just outside Arusha, this lodge sits about 30 minutes from Kilimanjaro Airport and the city center. It's a family-friendly base for Arusha National Park adventures and close to the Kilimanjaro Golf & Wildlife Estate. Expect easy access to local highlights like Mt. Meru, Lake Duluti and the region's safari gates.

Set in dreamlike tropical gardens, the lodge's 29 rooms and suites blend African elegance with simple comfort. Rooms feature private patios and garden views where you might spot dik-dik antelopes playing. Common spaces include a cosy lounge with an open fireplace and terraces that invite slow mornings among the coffee trees.

Relax by a large outdoor, solar-heated pool and book an onsite massage for full unwind mode. The property offers concierge and babysitting services (surcharge), a library, a barbecue area and free Wi‑Fi across the grounds. Wake up to coffee-scented air and garden views from the poolside Safari Bar.

Practical touches include luggage storage, laundry facilities and complimentary wireless internet. Free self-parking is available onsite, and a roundtrip airport shuttle can be arranged for a surcharge (24-hour service).

Migration's Restaurant serves African and international dishes crafted by Zanzibarian-influenced chefs, while the Safari Bar offers poolside drinks and garden views. A complimentary full breakfast is served daily (6:30–10:00 AM) and limited room service is available for relaxed nights in.