The Hotel Avenida likes to show off its five stars, but we reckon it’s closer to a four-star hotel. Its excellent location, right in the middle of Maputo’s main thoroughfare Avenida Julius Nyerere, is unbeatable, and the rooms are nice enough, but the Avenida still has a bit of catching up to do if it’s to merit its reputation. Rumor has it that renovations are being planned. Either way, we’re confident that this will always be a popular place to stay for business travelers; it’s clean, it’s sleek, you’ll get a good night’s sleep, and it’s centrally located.

Room prices start at around $280, but we’re not sure you entirely get what you pay for – but most hotels in Maputo are overpriced. You do get a very comfortable double, with blackout curtains, good air-conditioning, soundproofing, Wi-Fi, flatscreen television, and a nice bathroom; fine if you just need to bed down in the city for work, but there isn’t really much of a wow factor. The hallways have recently been redecorated, and the old black and white photographs are a nice touch. There are good views of the city from the higher level rooms.

The lobby is shiny and full of light, while upstairs there’s a decent gym and a lovely rooftop pool. The restaurant serves nice breakfasts, and it’s open for lunch and dinner, too, with dishes such as pastas, hamburgers and Mozambican fusion plates. But frankly, it would be rude not to explore the dining options on the hotel’s doorstep. Next door is Mundo’s, an expat favorite that serves surprisingly good grilled fish, excellent pizzas, and soccer and rolling news on the flatscreens. There’s also a Thai restaurant, an Italian place, and Mozambican chicken options within spitting distance.

The service is everything you’d expect of an upmarket hotel, and the porters are polite and helpful. There’s also an airport shuttle service. If it’s comfort, service and location you’re after, you can’t go too wrong.