Dar es Salaam Serena Hotel

10/10

Exceptional

12 Feb 2026

Shehnaz

Excellent customer service throughoutbthe stay. Very friendly and helpful staff. Nothing is too much to ask.

Business Self

10/10

Exceptional

21 Jan 2026

Zdenek

Room upgrade

Business

8/10

Excellent

10 Jan 2026

Ariff

The room was quite comfortable from the bed to the shower. The shower water pressure is pretty good but the tub is higher than the bathroom floor so it can get awkward. Also it is closed by a curtain and although I am very careful to close the curtain during a shower some water always ended up on the floor. Some of the bathroom amenities could use some fresh calking or paint. Overall it was a good stay.

Leisure Self

10/10

Exceptional

05 Jan 2026

Sakhiwo

Staff responsiveness

10/10

Exceptional

01 Jan 2026

IVANS

Had an amazing stay...Great hotel.

Family

10/10

Exceptional

20 Jul 2025

Shahabaldin

Best

8/10

Excellent

15 Apr 2025

Catherine

1. Good service and welcoming approach of staff.
2. Consistency of experience amongst the various Serena Hotel properties.

Business_and_leisure Self

8/10

Excellent

26 Feb 2025

Curt Olof

High standard centrally located

This is a high end hotel. Good size room with all you need. All staff were extremely polite, to a degree when it became almost annoying: \"Good morning, how are you, is there anything I can do for you?\". Unclear when the currency exchange office was open. Rich breakfast with lots of choices, including hot courses.

Self

10/10

Exceptional

19 Feb 2025

Chance

I don’t know but the carpet smell bad in hallways

Leisure Partner

8/10

Excellent

14 Feb 2025

Berenice

Rate this hotel as 5 star when the renovations are complete. Service was fantastic.

10/10

Exceptional

21 Jan 2025

ANNA

Great stay!

6/10

Pleasant

17 Jan 2025

Kevan

Been a visitor to this hotel for many years but this time the hotel had changed the executive lounge so much it is just a room.. no benefits of soft drinks or snacks ... have to pay for everything so no real benefit of booking such a room

Business Self

8/10

Excellent

24 Oct 2024

Joseph

The Serena Hotel Dar es Salaam is a great facility with very friendly and hospitable staff. The only recommendation I would offer is that they consider updating their mattresses. Mine was clearly tired. But so was I, so I was able to sleep nonetheless.

Business Self

8/10

Excellent

23 Oct 2024

Cathryn

Great

Friends_and_family Friends

10/10

Exceptional

24 Sep 2024

Peter

I enjoyed my stay at the Dar es Salaam Serena hotel. It was clean, had a very peaceful ambience and the staff were very attentive.
Overall recommended.

Business

10/10

Exceptional

02 Sep 2024

RAJ

excellent customer service

Leisure

8/10

Excellent

30 Aug 2024

Momodou

Nice place and very friendly and professional staff

Business Self

10/10

Exceptional

23 Aug 2024

Catherine

Great customer service, consistent each time and across various Serena properties.

Business Self

10/10

Exceptional

21 Aug 2024

Andres

Reception personal was exceptionally kind and willing to help on anything I needed.

Business Self

10/10

Exceptional

17 Aug 2024

Beverly

Great African buffet. Excellent pool and patios

Leisure Friends

10/10

Exceptional

12 Aug 2024

RAJ

great hotel

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

11 Aug 2024

RAJ

great staff & hotel

Leisure

6/10

Pleasant

26 Jul 2024

Anu

The property was beautiful in an antique way. The check in process took far too long considering we were there much later than usual check in but they still didn't have a room ready. Other than that incident the staff was polite/helpful. The spa was absolutely lovely. I highly recommend the spa.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

12 Apr 2024

margaret

great

Business Self

10/10

Exceptional

20 Mar 2024

Rosemin

Excellent

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

11 Mar 2024

Stefan

bathroom tub/shower needs a modernization but otherwise all good

Business

8/10

Excellent

05 Mar 2024

Jeffrey

Loved the breakfast. Person making the breads was outstanding

Business Self

10/10

Exceptional

03 Mar 2024

SHAMSUDDOHA

Very good. Stuffs are extremely helpful.

10/10

Exceptional

23 Feb 2024

Shewit

very good.

Business

2/10

Poor

31 Jan 2024

Balraj

Did not get room on time and had to wait for 1 hour as the room was cleaned. Terrible service from the staff

Business_and_leisure Self

10/10

Exceptional

27 Jan 2024

Rosemin

Excellent

Leisure

8/10

Excellent

25 Jan 2024

Kimberly

Air Con is minimal. Rooms are musty. Bathroom fan is always on and NOISY. Pool was drained without being informed when we made reservations. When it is usable, it is amazing - so this was very disappointing.

The staff are always incredible.

Business Self

10/10

Exceptional

09 Jan 2024

Arturo

Everything was great. Except the pool is closed and I’m a swimmer. Big let down. They should warn visitors on the web advertisement

10/10

Exceptional

28 Nov 2023

MAKOTO

There a butiful garden.

Business

6/10

Pleasant

04 Nov 2023

Susan

We arrived during Sunday brunch & had no other choices for dining in the building. The music was so loud we couldn’t talk. We sat outside but a speaker blared the same loud music. People were partying but we were exhausted from our flight & just wanted a quiet meal & to take a nap. Had to pay $40/ pp for brunch even though I couldn’t eat due to illness. The next day went better.

10/10

Exceptional

15 Sep 2023

Jamal

Staff are friendly nice people

Business

10/10

Exceptional

08 Aug 2023

Joel

Dar Serena is very fine

2 night stay after Safari to meet friends in Dar. Al went well

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

29 Jun 2023

sameena

Beautiful spacious room
Great breakfast selection

8/10

Excellent

09 Mar 2023

Jeffrey

The hotel was nice and the staff friendly and helpful.

Leisure Self

10/10

Exceptional

26 Jan 2023

Mojabeng

Fantastic! Love the facility, friendly staff, very clean.
Love my stay .

Business Self

10/10

Exceptional

23 Dec 2022

Ronaz

Location

10/10

Exceptional

20 Nov 2022

Eric

The Serena Hotel in Dar es Salaam is pretty decent. The food and the amenities are exactly what you would expect from the Serena brand - Excellent. However, I believe a renovation of the building is long overdue.

Leisure Self

2/10

Poor

14 Aug 2022

Iqbal

I had paid thru Expedia but the manager said they had not received payment from Expedia and I was charged twice ..,

Leisure Partner

2/10

Poor

05 Jul 2022

Sunil

They did not have record of my reservation. Took abnormally high time to check in . Only 2 small drinking water bottles were provided as complimentary Charges too high for extra bottle of water. No tooth paste kit in the bathroom. Tub height too high.

Leisure Family_with_children

8/10

Excellent

05 Jan 2022

Burhan

Mr

Very beautiful place

Business

8/10

Excellent

21 Dec 2021

Ahmadi

This Hotel it’s nice but needs some attention on bathroom faucet the water is leaking and I had to wipe down the water every time I am using the sink otherwise everything on the counter will be soaked with water

Business_and_leisure Self

8/10

Excellent

22 Oct 2021

MUHAMMAD

Super Location and breakfast

Nice location, decent size room, good wifi, excellent breakfast, old property. Checkin could be faster

Business

10/10

Exceptional

04 Oct 2021

Jennifer

This is a beautiful property located in the city center. The staff was warm & welcoming. I had a big spacious room that was comfy & quiet.
The free breakfast buffet was delicious and fresh daily. The pool area was beautiful to just sit and relax with a good book. I used the nail salon in that hotel and the service was amazing.
The only issue I had during my stay was the airport pick up. I made prior arrangements and was told $45 USD. I was picked up and signed for my transport. I paid the gentlemen before exiting the van. When I checked out I was presented with the $45 invoice. When I explained I paid the driver I was told I was supposed to pay the front desk. After several calls to the general manager and to
the driver who denied me paying him. The hotel decided to provide good customer and not charge me again.
My suggestion is to just get an Uber on your own to avoid this situation from occurring. The hotel is very close to the airport and you can actually get an Uber for $10-15.

Business_and_leisure Family

8/10

Excellent

04 Oct 2021

Samir Samsuddin

very good hot3el

Business

6/10

Pleasant

17 Aug 2021

Andrew

Not 5 star for sure

Hotel needs work. It isn’t 5 star, so don’t be fooled by hotels.com lies . It is a good 3 star.
Service needs sharpening up , rooms are basic.
You can sit in restaurant for 10 mins without service.
Generally not so bad .

Business

10/10

Exceptional

13 Jun 2021

Verified traveler

Very friendly staff. Beautiful garden with pool.

Leisure Self

10/10

Exceptional

31 Oct 2020

Dr.Innocent

Employee were awesome. Superb services. The manager called me by name and was helpful.

Business Self

4/10

Poor

25 Jul 2020

NJ

The property has beautiful detail oriented structure, with access to beautiful large lawn, greenery, golf course, and even the ocean. During our stay we realized that the building has a large crack visible from the pool area. This was a little worrisome to notice. For someone coming up from humble beginnings, felt somewhat unwelcomed, maybe because we had been requesting for a fresh mask (which we were advised over the phone would be available) since arrival. Cleanliness was a major issue as well. Complaints were communicated, and we await feedback. Perhaps an unfortunate experience, certainly very disappointing, terrifying (cleanliness being prerogative in the viral pandemic), and heartbreaking even. On a positive note, there are still good people in this institution who will listen and accommodate their guests. During our stay, we felt that the receptionists were perhaps the best people to communicate with, and they'd go out of their way to help and support anything that was needed to be done. Food has always been amazing here, and their chef is a star for a fact. He does not just intrigue the taste-buds, but is an amazing, empathethic human being as well, with much love for this institution, and goes out of his way to help people no matter what. My mother and I would profoundly like to thank their reception team, and this super chef from this hotel :) without them, we'd probably have left earlier than we did.

Business_and_leisure Family

6/10

Pleasant

20 Feb 2020

Vishal

Hotel needs renovation badly. Rooms are outdated. no difference between standard and executive rooms. Bfast was same for 3 days. Not worth the price , we can get better hotels in Dar for lesser the price.

Business

10/10

Exceptional

19 Feb 2020

Scott

The food was excellent, and the property location was great.

Leisure Partner

8/10

Excellent

13 Jan 2020

Patrick

Stunning(ly expensive)

The Serena is beautiful, inside and out. The hotel and grounds are truly spectacular.

The only negative things I could say are:

- The service was a bit off. The concierge was entirely too pushy for my taste in arranging vehicles, tours, etc. And the staff in the restaurant seemed disinterested, generally.

- The hotel is overpriced as a whole.

That said, our experience overall a lovely one.

Partner

6/10

Pleasant

05 Jan 2020

Mohammad

The staff is inexperienced. Had to constantly ask for towels - they would forget to leave them after cleaning the room. Would rate this as a 2.5 star.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

19 Nov 2019

Amy E

A wonderful stay

Service was excellent, the hotel was beautiful, the gym was excellent. We had a wonderful time staying here and would definitely stay again.

Partner

8/10

Excellent

22 Sep 2019

DrJoeSolo

The hotel is a real classic, and I am glad it is not a modern grey box. And that is the source of my only complaint: the shower hardware is rusted and corroded and needs replacing. No big deal, just a bit offputting. The rooms are large, sparsely furnished but quite pleasant. I would happily stay there again.

Business Self

8/10

Excellent

25 Aug 2019

Verified traveler

Good location Nice hotel Friendly and helpful staff Rooms might benefit from a refit

Business

10/10

Exceptional

19 Aug 2019

Kitty

good location, spacious room , good gym facility, wide selection of breakfast

Business_and_leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

01 Aug 2019

Verified traveler

The hotel is excellent. The staff are most courteous and very, very helpful and attentive. Excellent.

I have not one word of complaint about this hotel and the chain in general. We stayed at the Serena in Zanzibar. Same five-star service.

Excellent.

Leisure Family_with_children

10/10

Exceptional

20 Apr 2019

Verified traveler

Good service and hospitality

Business Self

8/10

Excellent

05 Apr 2019

Zubaida

Great Location - classic hotel

Great location. Good renovation and great restaurants in the Hotel. Wonderful place for business meetings as it is virtually the center of town. Easy for most to get to. Conference rooms if needed are really good as is the catering. Staff is excellent nd helpful in all areas. Rooms are older and need renovation but the hotels' other amenities like th pool and spa compensate for the older room.

8/10

Excellent

20 Feb 2019

Verified traveler

old world charm in moorish style. Staff was very attentive good location

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

29 Jan 2019

Garry

Surprisingly great

Just a really enjoyable stay

8/10

Excellent

25 Jan 2019

Nkrumako

Centrally located for in and around Dar Es salaaam. All facilities you would expect from large hotel chain. Nice breakfast and garden space but rooms would benefit from bit of renovation.

8/10

Excellent

25 Dec 2018

rannveig

nice and clean. the a la carte could be better

nice,clean rooms and the hotel has had a nice renovation since last time i was there. the fish restaurant is worth a visit, while the a la carte at the buffet restaurant has seen better days. good gym that opens early is a big plus!

Family

10/10

Exceptional

04 Aug 2018

Janice

Nice hotel to stay

The rooM is very comgortable with 5 star faciities.

10/10

Exceptional

11 Jul 2018

Meir

Nice hotel, very good for business meetings and dinners

10/10

Exceptional

13 Jun 2018

KUNAL

Serena - A Gem of Dar Es Salaam...

The best business hotel in the centre of commercial area. Staff very curious and well-trained. Very safe and secured hotel. Ideal for Business.

10/10

Exceptional

12 Jun 2018

Verified traveler

Nice hotel in the centre of Dar with good level of security. Very friendly and polite staff.

10/10

Exceptional

19 May 2018

Ike

Very friendly staff. The hotel is good. Decent rooms and amenities, as to be expected from a 5 Star Hotel. But the staff made all the difference.

4/10

Poor

13 Mar 2018

Vincent

Pleasant

Not all what you see is on the property, the breakfast is ok but the rooms were not really what i expected according to the pictures that are online.

10/10

Exceptional

06 Mar 2018

Verified traveler

Excellent Hotel

I experience the hotel to be well and Excellent The Hotel is near Indian Ocean so you can View the Sea and the Dar Es Salaam city without problem Excellent Staffs and Organization. You can take vacation to Dar Es Salaam Zoo at Kigamboni and You can Visit Kariakoo Market. I have to say that I enjoyed at the Dar Es Salaam Hotel an would like to book again at that Hotel for the other Expedia points that will get.

10/10

Exceptional

26 Jan 2018

Mike

My choice every time.

An oasis of relaxation and top service in a chaotic but wonderful city.
Best hotel in Dar.

8/10

Excellent

15 Jan 2018

Verified traveler

I have made a reservation for 2 rooms with see views, there was no see views and I pay for nothing since my room was facing town!!!!

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

13 Jan 2018

Geoff

Secure location

In DAR you need to be careful and the security at this hotel was great as well was the staff and food.

10/10

Exceptional

10 Jan 2018

Patricia

The hotel was great but the service in the restaurant was sloooow!

10/10

Exceptional

06 Jan 2018

Verified traveler

Great hotel

An aweome stay. Staff was extremely helpful and friendly. Breakfast was just amazing. Rooms were very clean.

Family

8/10

Excellent

02 Jan 2018

Verified traveler

business trip good choice

Staff are nice and helpful, the room is clean

8/10

Excellent

26 Nov 2017

MEHBS

GREAT LOCATION, FRIENDLY STAFF

This is my 3rd time at SERENA within the last 2 years. Staff is always warm, friendly and helpful. Location is excellent-close to the city but in its own oasis. Food is above average. Rooms are clean and comfortable but need upgrading to be of better value. Late check out is an excellent service especially when taking international flights that depart after 10pm!

8/10

Excellent

24 Oct 2017

Shubhra

Great choice in Dar es Salaam

Very good stay.

8/10

Excellent

24 Aug 2017

Verified traveler

Great location but need more focus on service

Great location n welcoming n warm staff but service is very slow n rooms need refurbishing

8/10

Excellent

23 Aug 2017

Verified traveler

Very good staff.helpful, and courteous.
Location, very central
Excellent breakfast

2/10

Poor

18 Jun 2017

Verified traveler

Shabby

Very shabby room. Just not appropriate for that price. Avoid till upgraded . The management should ensure they have some quality control and don't just allocate rubbish to Expedia guests

8/10

Excellent

25 May 2017

Kogilan

Overall a well keep hotel. TV needs to have a sleep function.

8/10

Excellent

20 May 2017

Verified traveler

Good inner city hotel

Convenient middle of town location, open spaces around, golf course in vicinity. Spacious, clean interiors, courteous staff and great buffet meals. Spa and gym are limited facilties. Other restaurants are quite good.

6/10

Pleasant

20 Apr 2017

Rashid

Hotel situated convenient location nea city center

I like the security provided by the hotel. The food including breakfast was good. However, the room facilities were mediocre. We stayed in an executive room and as a minimum expected a fruit basket in the room. There was none. The check in was very slow and confusing.
No flexible pipe shower by the 🚾. As Muslims this is essential. No separate shower cubicle. Disappointing.

8/10

Excellent

03 Apr 2017

Serge G.

Best quality pricd

Great surprise for an hyatt kilimandjaro client

8/10

Excellent

20 Mar 2017

Parag Mendiratta

satisfied overall

Good

10/10

Exceptional

24 Jan 2017

Thomas Bech

Quiet and luxurious :-)

Dar-es-Salaam Serena Hotel is a safe choice for good service, good facilities, a nice garden and pool. Employees are truly nice and welcoming. The facility has undergoing restorations of the restaurants, so there were some restrictions, but the temporary restaurant tent in the garden was a good replacement - even with sufficient air condition in the 31-32 Celsius I had during my stay. And the pool and surrounding area is just great for relaxing. Didn't get to try the gym, but it looked pretty good.

2/10

Poor

12 Dec 2016

victoria

too noisey to sleep

Loud wedding parties both nights I was there. Barely slept.

10/10

Exceptional

17 Oct 2016

William C

Excellent service

I had five rooms here for 11 nights for a medical teaching team.We were extremely busy and needed lots of help with most of the hotel services. We rented a meeting room, used the foreign exchange, the concierge, the business center, room service, the laundry and transportation. The service and accommodations were all excellent.

10/10

Exceptional

18 Sep 2016

Amirali

Amazing stay

Excellent facility with very friendly staff.

10/10

Exceptional

29 Aug 2016

Verified traveler

Excellent well run hotel in the city center, with a very nice and friendly staff always ready to help with a smile.

4/10

Poor

17 Aug 2016

Rizwan

Very Average Serena

Firstly, on the hotels website it said I was being provided a bedroom plus a different seating area, so I was fine splashing 250 usd on this room. However when I got the room, it was just a normal queen size bed, while I asked for 2 different double beds + there was no different seating area. For 250 USD a night, this place was not worth it. The staff didn't want to help at all with the problem, until I forced them to call the supervisor of their supervisor. Not a great stay in all honesty, however breakfast was very nice.

Family

8/10

Excellent

07 Aug 2016

Farah

Second time...and not the last

One of the nicest hotels in Dar. The garden rooms have great views and the garden itself is always soothing and a nice respite from the city hum a minute away. Breakfast is a main attraction. Unfortunately we went when major works were ongoing to reconstruct the swimming pool and the reception area. We would not doubt stay here again.

10/10

Exceptional

01 Jun 2016

Joel

Relaxing Service Excellence in Dar es Salaam

Always a pleasure to enjoy the service at this hotel.

4/10

Poor

04 May 2016

Verified traveler

Under Renovation! Same price!

The hotel is undergoing MAJOR renovations, yet the management does not convey this in the reservation or booking. And there is no discount on the room. Also, staff is friendly, but slooooowwwww ... took 40 minutes to check out. Wait til construction done to book.