Mount Meru Hotel — Hotel in Arusha

Stayed at Mount Meru hotel in Arusha Tanzania for 5 nights. This is 4 star rated hotel and Trip Advisor recommended. Perhaps by Tanzania standards but certainly not by USA standards. At $230 USD per night, it is not cheap.

Positive - breakfast was delicious with a different selection of dishes, restaurant on site had a good selection of dinner fare at a very reasonable price, gardens and pool were well maintained, nice view of Mount Meru from your room if facing front side of hotel.

Negatives - there is a club that plays loud music at night near the hotel which you can hear from your room, read on for more negatives.

Security - everytime you step out of hotel, your room key card deactivates automatically. When you return, you have to go to front desk to reactivate card. Not once during the 5 days we stayed here did the front desk associate ask us to verify that the room number we told her matched the name on reservation or ask for our ID cards. This is a big security concern since anybody can give their key card to the front desk, say a random room number, gain access to the room. We voiced our concerns on the second day but still no changes were implemented.

Bathtub leaks water on floor - some rooms have a bathtub instead of walk in shower. Problem is, they only put a half screen on the front part of bathtub (no shower curtain). So if you try to take a shower in the bathtub, water floods the bathroom floor and all over the sink. Also it is a huge step up from the floor into the bathtub, which could be dangerous for children or elderly. Very poor design. Other people in our group expressed the same concern about their rooms.

Sink was very slow to drain and filled all the way to the top with water. Everyday before we left for our daily activities, we asked front desk to fix it. When we checked out 5 days later, it still hadn't been fixed. Seems to be a hotel-wide problem.

Towels one size only - Hotels I have stayed at my entire life have always provided 3 size towels (small washcloth, medium hand towel, big bath towel). This hotel only provides big bath towels. I asked the housekeepers and they didn't understand my request. The front desk was able to translate and get me different size towels. However when they clean your room daily, they will only restock big bath towels.

Beds are rock hard and so uncomfortable. They need to invest in better mattresses.

Air conditioning - turns on and off randomly.

Fridge temp - felt like fridge wasn't even working because the temperature was so warm.

Room door was very heavy to open. Needs fixing.

Asked for toilet paper - still didn't get 3 hours later.

The last morning of my stay, I received a rude awakening at 8am. Front desk associate (lady) called my room to tell me "Someone in room ### just checked out and she said you would pay for her extra room charges." Stop and think if that even makes sense. I was staying in a completely different room yet was being asked to pay another guest's extra room charges?? Turns out she meant to call the roommate in the other room. If front desk cannot even get room numbers straight, I don't know what to say. She didn't even apologize for waking me up and inconveniencing me, simply hung up the phone.

Tried to double charge invoice - my roommate checked out earlier than me and paid for her extra charges (room service and laundry). When I checked out several hours later, they tried to make me pay again! I had to ask my roommate to text me a picture of her payment receipt while she was on the airplane getting ready to take off. When I showed it to them, hotel management said "Our processing system is down today." Yes that is 100% believable. Had my roommate not sent me her receipt, I am convinced they would have made me pay again. I wonder how many other customers they try to double charge.

Hope someone from corporate reads this review and will take action to improve...

As an American I know there are high expectations when we travel to other countries but this took the cake. The rooms were nice but the 1st night we stayed the tub was dirty and the pool towel was stained with brown on an entire corner of the towel. I didn't mention it since I wasn't going to the pool anyway. The outlets worked and some didn't. So I had to charge my phone across the room. The service was great and friendly and the view was beautiful. This was part of an adventure group. We stayed here on the 1st night and then had a 3 day safari and returned here the 4th night. Now due to transportation breakdown we arrived late so they were nice enough to hold the kitchen open however, we were not told the buffet was the only option until we placed A la carte orders to wait for 10 minutes then to be told we have to order from the snack menu which should have been conveyed before we place the orders. We had been in the Serengeti the entire day which is where the vehicle broke down. It was 9:42 p.m. by the time we were able to eat. So then we had to wait an additional 20 -25 minutes for chicken wings and fries. I received my food at 10:38 pm and it was cold. It just made the day so much worse. I took a few bites and left it. Now during my wait for food, I inquired about laundry. I was told to just wait after dinner and fill out the form in my room and call the laundry to pick it up. Cool, no problem. I do that. I asked when it will be returned and they stated 8:00. I get a call at 7 stating laundry return. No biggie, you woke me early for clothes. I asked how much he said $30. However, when I tallied it up it was only $27 because the prices are listed on the paper. I gave it to him with no questions. But then I request a receipt. And that's when all the issues Begin. I called to request the receipt, was placed on hold and then hung up, I went down to the desk request A receipt, I waited for almost 2 hours for a receipt. It wasn't until checkout when the investigation was taking place because I questioned. Why was I charged $30 when it's supposed to be $27? Ultimately, they gave me my $3 back. I would have given that in a tip but the fact that I was told it was 30 and asked for a receipt that could not be produced. I was furious. Because I filled out the form that had a carbon copy that I was supposed to receive and they could not produce the actual document that I filled out. Management went in and typed up a receipt and gave me my $3 So yes, it is a beautiful place. And yes, for the most part the people there are nice but it's instances like this that make me question why? And then our next lodging I was heartbroken because their laundry was only $1 and $2 per item versus the $5 and $7 per item I paid. But I know that is based on location. So I could have washed More for less LOL....

An Exceptional Experience at Mount Meru Hotel!

I recently had the pleasure of attending a meeting at Mount Meru Hotel, and I must say it was an extraordinary experience from start to finish. The hotel's stunning location at the foothills of Mount Meru sets the tone for a memorable stay.

From the moment I stepped into the hotel, I was greeted with warm smiles and impeccable service. The staff members were incredibly friendly, professional, and went above and beyond to ensure my needs were met throughout my stay.

The meeting facilities at Mount Meru Hotel were top-notch. The conference room was spacious, well-equipped, and provided a comfortable environment for productive discussions. The hotel staff was always readily available to assist with any technical requirements or last-minute requests, making the entire experience seamless.

The culinary offerings at Mount Meru Hotel were truly delightful. The meals served during our meeting breaks were delicious and showcased a wide variety of local and international cuisines. The attentive staff members were attentive to dietary preferences and ensured that everyone's needs were catered to.

One aspect that truly stood out was the attention to detail in the hotel's decor and ambiance. The African-inspired aesthetics, combined with modern comforts, created a unique and inviting atmosphere. The lush gardens and picturesque views added to the overall charm of the hotel.

During my downtime, I had the opportunity to explore the hotel's amenities. The pool area was a refreshing oasis, perfect for unwinding after a long day of meetings. The fitness center was well-equipped, allowing me to maintain my fitness routine even while away from home.

I cannot praise Mount Meru Hotel enough for its exceptional service, attention to detail, and overall commitment to creating a memorable experience for its guests. Whether you're visiting for business or leisure, this hotel truly exceeds expectations.

I highly recommend Mount Meru Hotel to anyone seeking a comfortable and luxurious stay in Arusha. I look forward to returning in the future for another remarkable experience.

Thank you, Mount Meru Hotel, for making my meeting stay an...