The Serena Polana Hotel in Maputo

The Polana Hotel is somewhat of a landmark in Maputo, with a unique blend of colonial charm and African appeal. Besides the fact that it is right on the beach overlooking the Indian Ocean, it is also set amongst the palm trees and beautiful landscaped gardens. I honestly feel like royalty at this place (Queen CW would fit right in!). But, I also feel slightly guilty about being pampered at such a place after coming back from some of the villages where people are considered wealthy if they make in a year the money it costs for one night at the Polana.
Conveniently situated in one of the most prestigious avenues of Maputo, the Polana is close to the embassies, the presidential and ministries headquarters, and most of the main restaurants and clubs. Not until I did some research this past week did I know that the Polana is owned and operated by Serena Lodges & Hotels. Last summer I stayed one night at the Mara Serena Safari Lodge in the Masai Mara region of Kenya (I included a picture from that visit...okay, I didn't include it because you only can upload 10 pictures, but it IS in my safari blog).
The Polana Hotel offers 168 luxurious rooms, plus 9 Garden Suites and 9 Executive Suites, all of which are equipped with a writing desk, air-conditioning, safe, satellite TV, telephone, and minibar. It also has free wireless internet, which for us TB addicts, is a nice thing to have. The rooms have views of either the sea, rose garden or town…I have an ocean view, but my only complaint is that I don’t have a private balcony. I’m not complaining too much, though! Hehe! The elegant presidential suites come complete with a Jacuzzi, a veranda with the capacity for a cocktail party of 25 people and a separate room catering for a bodyguard or a secretary. Several Heads of State have stayed in these suites, in fact.
The food at Polana Hotel deserves its 5-star rating as one of the finest eateries in Mozambique. Dining options include the Continental coffee shop, the Salão de Chá, and the Terrace Restaurant. Situated overlooking the lush landscaped gardens and pool area, the Terrace Restaurant offers a daily gastronomic theme buffet as well as an à la carte menu. The Salão de Chá is the best place to go for lunch with an excellent selection of light meals, delicious fresh French pastries, and a variety of rich coffees.
There are also a few options within the hotel for an evening of drinks. In a refined but relaxed atmosphere, the Polana Cocktail Bar is a great place to enjoy a refreshing drink selected from their extensive cocktail list. Or if you prefer, they also offer a long list of imported and domestic beers. The Aquarius Bar is the best place to be, though, because it has a huge deck overlooking the Indian Ocean and Maputo Bay, and I have found it to be a relaxing location to sip my Bailey’s, or my wine, after a long day of traveling the dusty roads. (Okay, for those who know me best, you might get a good laugh from how I use the word “sip” so loosely! Haha!!!)
The people who work at the Polana are exceptional, too! Part of the feel of royalty comes from how they treat the guests. Rates here run from about 175USD per night for a standard room, 500USD per night for an executive suite, and 1250USD per night for the presidential suite.