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.
Located in the heart of Arusha, the safari capital of Tanzania, the Four Points By Sheraton Arusha, The Arusha Hotel is ideally located near the major national parks and its highland setting beneath the majestic twin peaks of Mt. Kilimanjaro and Mt. Meru.
Established in 1894, this hotel is believed to be one of the oldest hotels in East Africa. Saturated with the history of a bygone era, the traditional ambience is effortlessly combined with the style and service you wish for when travelling.
Arusha is a city of northern Tanzania surrounded by some of Africa's most famous landscapes and national parks.
Beautifully situated below Mount Meru on the eastern edge of the eastern branch of the Great Rift Valley, it has a pleasant climate and is close to Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Manyara, Olduvai Gorge, Tarangire National Park, and Mount Kilimanjaro, as well as having its own Arusha National Park on Mount Meru.
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The hotel is set in beautifully landscaped gardens with all the amenities and luxury for the discerning traveler. The tropical gardens are home to many birds and exotic plants, an ideal setting for wedding receptions and outdoor functions.
The hotel dates back to 1894 and has been home to many travellers on their journey from Cape to Cairo.
Gran Melia Arusha - THE #1 HOTEL to stay near Kilimanjaro & Mt. Meru
Early History and Ownership
After German East Africa became Tanganyika, one of its most significant investors was Kenyon Painter, an Ohio entrepreneur who first came to Arusha on a safari in 1907. He bought 11,000 acres of land outside the town and developed the region's premier coffee estate.
Painter gave the town its first post office, built a church, a hospital, and then an advanced coffee research center at a place called Tengeru, sixteen miles from Arusha. Painter invested eleven million dollars in and around Arusha.
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.
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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.
According to Marjorie, the original 'Arusha Hotel' was built opposite the "old man Blooms Arusha hotel!" Now her statement indicates that, there should have been two hotels that were located on the same grounds. The Blooms Hotel dates back to 1894.
"Reading from some of my Mum's notes." Says Marjorie. "She remembers that they had The Prince of Wales (first name in the visitors book) attended the opening ball in 1928. An American Mr. K V Painter started building the New Arusha Hotel in 1927 on the south side of clock tower at its present location. Arusha already had the Arusha Hotel located on the right hand corner of the road leading up to the Boma. It was owned by Jane and Goodall Bloom. Grand father Ray was to lease the New Arusha Hotel in 1928 from K V Painter who during the same period purchased Meru Estate from Ray. The opening ball of the Hotel was attended by the Prince of Wales Edward the eighth (the un-crowned King.) The Hotel register with the Prince of Wales signature remains in the possession of some member of the family!
Clock Tower in Arusha
Historical Significance and Notable Guests
The hotel then became home to many travellers, including Baron Von Blixen.
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The hotel went on to become home to many a traveler including Baron Von Blixen of the Out of Africa fame.
In the past, official documents ceding independence to Tanganyika were signed by the United Kingdom at Arusha in 1961 followed by the signing of the Arusha Declaration in 1967. This laid the foundation for a new name - Geneva of Africa, a title given by former US President Bill Clinton in 2000 during his visit to the city to witness the Burundi Peace pact.
Located exactly halfway between Cairo and Cape Town, Arusha, a frontier city, represents the British Empire marked by a gigantic clock tower.
Modern Amenities and Services
Renovated in 2002, The Arusha Hotel is the only 5-star accommodation in central Arusha.
The hotel features 106 stylish rooms, free wi-fi, a 24-hour gym, and four authentic restaurants and bars.
The hotel features 114 stylish rooms, free Wi-Fi, a 24-hour gym, Parachichi, a full-service restaurant, and the famous Hatari Bar.
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.
Overlooking the gardens, the Parachichi Restaurant, meaning ‘avocado’ in Swahili, is the perfect place for breakfast, lunch or dinner.
The Parachichi Restaurant, meaning ‘avocado’ in Swahili, overlooks our beautiful garden and is the perfect place for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Take a dip in our outdoor swimming pool and relax after a good workout in our gym with amazing views of the pool and gardens.
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. With multiple meeting and conference venues, we can assist in planning your event for up to 150 delegates.
Arusha as a Tourist Destination
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.
Arusha National Park is a 45 minute drive from the centre of known.
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.
Explore the lively City of Arusha. This city is a lovely mix of fun and culture and has the most beautiful and exciting spots. Visit a local market, a school, a church, a coffee plantation, and a floriculture plantation.
Arusha National Park
