Dar es Salaam Serena Hotel

Enter through the grand glassed doors into the marble-laden, well-lit lobby, decorated with the distinctly Arabic accents of wood and colourful tiling – and glorious Moroccan-inspired chandeliers – common throughout Dar. Dining options range from fine style to casual. There's the chic Jahazi seafood restaurant, a relaxed buffet eatery, a jazzy bar with live music, a terrace bar/restaurant and a coffee shop. Lounge beneath a thatched umbrella at the large pool, head for the gym or enjoy a spa treatment.

This 230-room hotel offers several options: 36 Executive Rooms (or standard rooms), each with its own private lounge; nine Junior Suites; three Diplomatic Suites; and the huge Presidential Suite. All the rooms are understated chic in design, with clean lines, tranquil colours and good views. The beds are king-sized or double, and there's a writing desk and small sitting area. You'll find all the amenities expected in hotels of this calibre – aircon, satellite TV, wi-fi, mini-bar, coffee-making facilities, and 24/7 room service.

The hotel is within walking distance of many of Dar's eclectic sights. It's an easy visit to the National Museum of Tanzania and neighbouring botanical gardens. Take a day trip to the beaches on the Msasani Peninsula, north of the city, or Kigamboni to the south, or snorkel and take in the birding at the Dar es Salaam Marine Reserve. Try the local cuisine, from Tanzanian barbecue and shish kebabs to Indian-influenced dishes and street-sold samosas. Or simply relax poolside!