Arusha Serena Hotel, Arusha

At the gateway of Tanzania’s ‘northern circuit', nestled at the foot of Mount Meru and built on the site of a colonial coffee farm, the Serena is designed to echo its traditional origins, with rooms in thatched cottages grouped around the flower-filled ‘village square'. Walk or cycle around the lake, take a canoe trip and enjoy lakeside sundowners (activities extra cost). 42 spacious rooms each have a ceiling fan, telephone, minibar, television, marble bathroom and French double doors.