We weren’t exaggerating when we said that this luxury lodge is an ideal coffee starting point; it’s sited right among the evergreen verdure of one of Tanzania’s largest plantations. While you can head out and learn about the production on a guided tour, you’ll also be treated to the trees’ sweet aroma from your very room. Each is delightfully tucked away among the bushes, with verandahs directly overlooking the green gardens. Back inside, high whitewashed ceilings are built around exposed timber frames and delightful polished-wood floors. It’s all heated by a log burning fire, surrounded by exposed brickwork. In turn, the expansive suites are particularly impressive, host to furnished balconies, rainforest showers and private sun terraces, complete with log-fire burner. You’ll even enjoy the services of your own personal attendant.
Dining is equally well thought out. You’ll begin the day with a full buffet breakfast, complemented by à la carte choices and local coffee, before moving on to a four-course lunch buffet, served in the garden. Picnics can also be arranged. However, it’s the Grill Room that’s the real highlight, with ultra-fresh, locally sourced produced prepared for the discerning palate. Alternatively, make for the Bistro for lighter bites, with its pizza-oven delights, salads and home-baked cakes washed down with service from its bar and coffee station.
In terms of exploring, the lodge enjoys a secluded position on the outskirts of Arusha; something taken full advantage of by the superb spa and tree-ringed swimming pool. Nearby, you’ll find coffee houses, gift shops and an art workshop that employs local community members with disabilities. There’s also Arusha National Park, its montane forest animated by everything from blue monkeys to colourful turacos. There’s also plenty of education to be had in the town itself, with the likes of the Museum of Natural History, the Maasai Market and the tribal artefacts of the Cultural Center competing for your attention.
