The 230-room Serena was one of Dar es Salaam’s first true five-star properties, and with its large, flower-filled grounds, magnificent swimming pool, well-appointed rooms, fine dining and fitness center, it still retains a large share of the city’s luxury hotel market.

Thanks to the lovely surrounding gardens, which overlook the green Gymkhana Club golf course next door, the Serena really does offer a peaceful oasis in the congested city center. With luck, you may see several peacocks from the nearby State House sporting their fine plumage along the periphery of the hotel grounds.

Rooms – ask for one overlooking the pool – are spacious and well-appointed, with large double beds, hairdryers, coffeemakers, and wide-screen TV with full cable selection. Business travelers will appreciate the work desks and fast Wi-Fi connection.

The breakfast buffet is a real treat, with an abundance of attractively presented tropical fruits, as well as a large array of other choices, all served in a sunny, air-conditioned dining room overlooking the gardens, or at shaded outdoor tables. For dinner, there’s the choice of a themed dinner buffet at the main Serengeti Restaurant, Italian cuisine at the trendy but intimate Jahazi restaurant or pub fare at the ever-busy Kibo Sports Bar.

An array of shops flanks the grand lobby, including a European-style café and an efficient business center, while a grand piano (masterfully played each evening during cocktail hour) lends an additional touch of class. For a splurge in the city center or as a business-travel base, Serena Dar es Salaam is one of the city’s best choices.