The Spanish hotel brand, Gran Meliá Hotels & Resorts, has opened its first property in Africa: Gran Meliá Arusha.

Gran Meliá Arusha opened on September 1, in the heart of Arusha within Northern Tanzania.

It’s a new addition to the collaboration between Meliá Hotels International and Albwardy Investment LLC, the owner company of the hotels.

The hotel is situated in a convenient location for both international and regional travellers, just a 45-minute drive from Kilimanjaro International Airport and a 20-minute drive from Arusha Airport.

It has 171 rooms and suites. The rooms have private balconies offering panoramic views over Mount Meru and the hotel's surrounding gardens.

Gran Meliá Arusha has a spa and wellness centre. The spa features a heated outdoor pool.

Other facilities include a 600-seater conference and convention centre, meeting facilities, restaurants and a rooftop terrace for dining.

Activities at the hotel will include a visit to Tarangire National Park, a hot air balloon ride to watch the migration of the Serengeti’s wildlife, and a hike up Mount Kilimanjaro. Guests can also enjoy a private guided tour of Arusha National Park.

Meliá Hotels International already successfully operates five Albwardy hotels: Meliá Zanzibar and Meliá Serengeti Lodge in Tanzania, Gran Meliá Iguazu in Argentina, Meliá London Kensington in the United Kingdom, and Meliá Desert Palm in Dubai.