20 Best Hotels in Tanzania

Tucked away in Stone Town, this small hotel, once the home of one of the richest men in Zanzibar, was the brainchild of two New Yorkers. You'll find it hard to believe you're in the 21st century when you step through the carved wooden doors of this authentic Omani Arab building with bright rooms, original stucco decor, gorgeous antique furnishings, deep-green stone baths, and overhead fans. You'll sleep in a high four-poster bed complete with billowing mosquito net, and dine on the high rooftop restaurant—now one of the "it" places in Zanzibar, which is also perfect for sundowners. Treat yourself to one of the spacious top-floor suites, which come with spectacular views and a private teahouse.

Known as the Kilimanjaro, this hotel has carved out a niche for itself as the premier hotel in Dar es Salaam in both unique style and service; even the Obamas stayed here in 2013. The downtown cityscape unfolds around you with harbor and city views—don't miss the fantastic views from the upper restaurant and bar called Level 8. Rooms are elegant, sharp, and a modern blend of African and European styles. The lobby and lounge areas, with a modern design aesthetic and quirky ambiance, are an utter delight to hang around in.

In the morning when the Maasai head out of their bomas along the Losimingorti mountain range, you'll hear the gentle clanking of their cattle's bells from your accommodations at this very authentic camp. After a day's safari, your nights are spent around a fire with the sounds of the Esilalei community around you. Then you retire to your breezy, well-appointed tent in supreme comfort. A good base to explore Lake Manyara, Tarangire, and the Ngorongoro Crater, Isoitok has a special partnership with the local community and when you're here you feel like you're a part of the community making this more than just your conventional safari camp stay. 

Hike up one of the hills at the back of the camp, especially at sunset to watch the Maasai herd their cattle home over the steppe.

Located on the outskirts of a forest, a 1905 farmhouse is now home to this intimate, family-run mountain lodge with converted cottages filled with handmade furniture and public lounging areas that invite you to stay for days. There are numerous activities provided by the lodge—boating on a pristine lake where you can spot some 200 different bird species, nature walks, horse riding, village tours, and an ever changing variety of outside dining areas nestled between lush lawns and jungle growth. The outdoor spa is one of a kind and not to be missed. Believe us when we say that this is a place you'll want to spend more than just a day pre- or post-safari.

If you are in need of a short stay with some modern hotel amenities before heading off into the savanna, the safari-themed Tulip is a good option outside the bustle of Arusha. Geared mostly for safari travelers and businesspeople, it has all that you would expect from a midrange hotel but without the crowds. The menu features good South Indian food. Relax with a cold Kilimanjaro beer in the charming Zanzibar Lounge amid the dark, rich carved wood and share your travel stories.

While there are many small lodges that dot this part of the coastline, this is a small boutique hotel that's intimate in space and style. Quaint bungalows between the swaying palms on the soft white sand are neat and modern with large bathrooms and showers, a/c, mini bar, and lounge area. The double rooms are by far the best of the bunch, with the family villa being front and center on the rocks facing the ocean. If you're not going for dolphin trips or taking a low tide evening stroll you will likely be relaxing in the inviting main lounge area or poolside.

This former teahouse is now an intimate hotel with a whole lot of character and great service. The steep ornate wooden staircase takes you to the guest rooms which have high ceilings, thick walls, and small windows that keep out the heat. The carved wooden four-poster beds are draped in mosquito netting, adding a sense of relaxation, and each room has an en suite bathroom with carved motifs and some with sunken tubs. There's a beautiful restaurant downstairs; its comfortable seating is a good place to escape the pace of the town. The pool is actually located at the DoubleTree Hilton, about 200 meters (656 feet) from the hotel.

If you are in Mafia to dive but also are watching the wallet then Big Blue is a great option, with a selection of affordable tents and bungalows. Coupled with a dive package, this is your best option for saving money but still enjoying the diving. Tents are cozy and simple, under a thatch shading with single or twin beds, a fan, and power socket. The more structured reed wall bungalows come with wooden beds, mosquito nets, en suite bathroom, and an air-conditioner. There is a pleasant social area with a restaurant and bar area that faces a small garden. The beach has a few sunshades and locally made loungers.

As a budget-friendly option either at the start or end of your safari, the Bougainvillea, halfway between Ngorongoro Crater and Lake Manyara, is a great option. Run by a former local chef and his partner, there are not many frills and some of the decor is a touch on the odd side, but Bougainvillea has created a wonderful comfortable space with deep community connections. Each quaint cottage comes with mosquito nets, twin or king beds, and charming stone fireplaces or verandas looking inward to the lodge and gardens. The leafy grounds are kept tidy, and the delightful staff makes the lodge a welcoming place.

Butiama Group runs three types of properties across Mafia Island including Bustani, an intimate 10-room lodge on a hillside with a large pool and gardens outside of the marine park; the Beach Lodge with 13 well-appointed, colorful bungalows that have wide outdoor verandas; and Marine Camp, which has a few basic bungalows and tents for the budget traveler. It may not have the overly romantic aesthetic of other resorts, but at low tide it has one of the best, most extensive beaches on the island, perfect for sunny strolls.

When it comes to seafront views at a price that won't break the bank, the Coral Beach Hotel is the place to head. With sweeping views out over the bay and simple, yet tastefully decorated rooms, the hotel has all the modern amenities you would need for a great stay in the city. A popular waterfront patio restaurant serves up tasty and hearty lunches and dinners; expect some lively entertainment on the weekends at the bar area.

Located right in the center of the maze of alleyways that make up Stone Town, this historic building has been converted into a hotel with wonderfully whimsical rooms, each with a different theme. Each room is massive, and most have balconies with views out onto the town. Traditional Swahili furniture, stained glass window detailing, ornate drapes, and high mosquito-draped four-poster beds (that you need a step to climb into) complete the romantic Zanzibari feel. There's a downstairs café and an excellent rooftop restaurant. Note that taxis can't drive right up to the hotel, so get your driver to walk the final stage with you.

Bang in the middle of town, opposite the clock tower, this historic hotel was built in 1894. It retains a colonial feel, with spacious and elegantly decorated rooms and lovely gardens running down to the Themi River. A popular meeting point for all the well-to-do's and business elite of Arusha, the expansive poolside area and lobby are often buzzing with people. Guests can store luggage if they arrive overloaded before their safari. 

Located in the Slipway, a shopping-and-leisure complex in a converted boatyard, this hotel of the same name is a great place for an overnight or home base in Dar. The large, modern block rises three stories above the shopping complex providing views of Msasani Bay. The simple, but comfortable rooms—a welcome respite from the craziness of the city in calming shades of blue and white—have balconies, free Wi-Fi, satellite TV, and air-conditioning. The complex has some great restaurants, a small mini market and curio shops for souvenir shopping.

On a hill overlooking the lake about 2 km (1 mile) from Kigoma's town center, this hotel makes an ideal base for your chimpanzee trekking. You'll stay in a comfortable cottage with a/c, a mini-refrigerator, satellite TV, and an en suite bathroom. What puts the hotel above any other in the area is the spectacular Sangara Restaurant built out on the cliffs overlooking the lake. There are business services and a large pool.

No alcohol is sold on-site, but you can buy your own in town and store it in the in-room mini-refrigerator.

This intimate camp is set among indigenous bush high on the escarpment and will make you feel much closer to Africa than some of the bigger lodges. Spacious thatch-roof tents, each with its own veranda, are built on wooden platforms with great views overlooking Lake Manyara. Gaily decorated with animal-motif furnishings, woven straw mats, and carved bedside lamps, all tents have an en suite bathroom with flush toilet and ceramic hand basins. Larger family tents are also available. The camp is an ideal base for game drives in the park, mountain biking, hiking, and bird-watching and a highlight is their hike down to the waterfalls below the ridge, but you need to be quite fit for this. After an action-packed day sip your sundowner in the attractive open-sided bar with stunning views over the Rift Valley floor.

Formerly known as the Best Western Plus and renamed the Peninsula, this hotel is an excellent value with friendly staff and a decent on-site restaurant. Catering mostly to a business clientele, the rooms are incredibly spacious and modern with comfortable beds and good showers and air-conditioning. There is a decent business center and gym, and there are plenty of restaurants and bars in nearby Oyster Bay. An enormous nightclub is directly next door; make sure you close your windows on a Friday night.

With traditional Arabic wooden balconies, glass-stained windows, and a lush courtyard, this welcoming hotel is the perfect place to escape the hustle and bustle of the city. Rooms, which all face inward toward a delightful courtyard that resembles an Arabian fairy-tale at night, have many of the amenities of a five-star hotel—air-conditioning, plush bedding, Wi-Fi, and traditional four-poster beds.  

Because Tandala is in a private conservancy 5 km (3 miles) outside the entrance gate, guests can take early-morning game walks and game drives, engage in bird-viewing, or experience authentic cultural visits to the Maasai bomas, local village, and market. There are no frills here, but it's comfortable, and you stay in an en suite tent that's built on a raised wooden platform that overlooks a seasonal river. There's an attractive restaurant and bar area beside the swimming pool. A nearby waterhole attracts game at all times, particularly during the dry season, although elephants are hanging around most of the time.

Within easy walking distance from Stone Town's main attractions, this little boutique hotel is a trip back in time with antique furniture and traditional materials conveying Zanzibar's varied and rich history. There are just three rooms on each of its three floors, and each is bedecked in traditional Arabic style with plush, colorful cushions; double- and king-size beds; and a large shower and bathroom area. Dunia Room, located right at the top of the hotel, is perfect for anyone seeking something a little different, with an outdoor shower and your own private sundeck with views over the town and down to the ocean.