The Lawns Hotel, Lushoto

The Lawns Hotel — Five Decades of Welcome in the Usambara Mountains

The Lawns Hotel is the first and oldest hotel in Lushoto — and indeed in the entire West Usambara Mountains — having welcomed guests for over half a century under continuous family operation. Situated on a hill at the entrance of Lushoto township with mountain views, the hotel offers an old-world colonial atmosphere with fireplaces in some rooms, a sauna, spa, outdoor swimming pool, bicycle rental and a full programme of hiking and cultural tours through Shambaa Eco Tours.

The Usambara Mountains are one of Tanzania's most beautiful and least-visited destinations — the Eastern Arc Mountains biodiversity hotspot, with endemic bird species, endemic chameleons (the Usambara two-horned chameleon), cool highland temperatures, tea plantations and the extraordinary Irente Viewpoint overlooking the Maasai steppe 1,500m below. The Lawns is the ideal base for exploring all of it. At $33-58/night it is extraordinary value for what it delivers.

Accommodation

Various room categories including standard, deluxe and executive rooms, some with fireplaces. Outdoor swimming pool, sauna, spa, bicycle rental, playground, BBQ area, fast WiFi in lobby and restaurant and bar. Tour planning and safari booking through the hotel. Shambaa Eco Tours operating from the property.

Activities

Guided hiking to Kisasa Falls, Irente Viewpoint, Shume Forest and highland villages. Usambara chameleon and endemic bird spotting. Cultural visits to Shambaa communities and local markets. Tea and coffee plantation walks. Bicycle hire for highland cycling.