1 / 5
Best for central business district
8.6659 reviews
Johari Rotana
A large full-service hotel near the harbour, convenient for a central Dar es Salaam stay.
- Kivukoni / city centre
- central business district
From$189per room / nightSee live prices
5 Best Hotels in Dar es Salaam
Compare five Dar es Salaam hotels, from Kivukoni near the Zanzibar ferry to the quieter Msasani and Kawe coast.
Compare 5 places to stay
Compare location, stay style and Booking.com guest feedback. Select a hotel to jump to its profile.
| Hotel | Best for | Area | Booking guest score | Reviews | Price (USD) | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Johari Rotana | central business district | Kivukoni / city centre | 8.6 / 10 | 659 | From $189per room / night | See live prices ↗ |
| Hyatt Regency Dar es Salaam, The Kilimanjaro | ferry-terminal access | Kivukoni / waterfront | 8.6 / 10 | 617 | From $175per room / night | See live prices ↗ |
| Sea Cliff Hotel | oceanfront setting | Masaki / Msasani Peninsula | 8.5 / 10 | 278 | From $278per room / night | See live prices ↗ |
| Mediterraneo Boutique Hotel | quieter coastal stay | Kawe Beach | 8.4 / 10 | 982 | From $117per room / night | See live prices ↗ |
| Hotel Slipway | marina-area facilities | Masaki / Msasani Peninsula | 7.9 / 10 | 370 | From $166per room / night | See live prices ↗ |
The shortlist
5 Best Hotels in Dar es Salaam
Pick your hotel by what happens next: a ferry, city meeting or a slower coast stay. Guest scores and USD prices are indicative Booking.com snapshots, not live quotes.
1 / 5
Best for ferry-terminal access
8.6617 reviews
Hyatt Regency Dar es Salaam, The Kilimanjaro
A waterfront hotel near the Zanzibar ferry terminal, with pool and dining facilities.
- Kivukoni / waterfront
- ferry-terminal access
From$175per room / nightSee live prices
1 / 5
Best for oceanfront setting
8.5278 reviews
Sea Cliff Hotel
An ocean-facing hotel on the peninsula, farther from the ferry terminal than Kivukoni stays.
- Masaki / Msasani Peninsula
- oceanfront setting
From$278per room / nightSee live prices
1 / 5
Best for quieter coastal stay
8.4982 reviews
Mediterraneo Boutique Hotel
A smaller garden-and-coast property outside the central business district.
- Kawe Beach
- quieter coastal stay
From$117per room / nightSee live prices
1 / 5
Best for marina-area facilities
7.9370 reviews
Hotel Slipway
A waterfront hotel next to Slipway shopping and dining, with a different atmosphere from central Kivukoni.
- Masaki / Msasani Peninsula
- marina-area facilities
From$166per room / nightSee live prices
Live Booking.com hotel map
Find your stay in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Choose your dates to explore nearby hotels, guest feedback and live nightly prices in US dollars.
The map includes other Booking.com properties in the area, not just our shortlist. Prices and availability change with your dates; confirm the final rate and terms before booking. Open the map in a new tab ↗
Our take
Our 5 best Hotels in Dar es Salaam
Why each stay made the shortlist, and what to check before you book.
Best for central business district: Johari Rotana
A large full-service hotel near the harbour, convenient for a central Dar es Salaam stay.
A central address helps with meetings and the ferry, but does not make the airport close. Check traffic and the exact room or apartment type.
Check availabilityBest for ferry-terminal access: Hyatt Regency Dar es Salaam, The Kilimanjaro
A waterfront hotel near the Zanzibar ferry terminal, with pool and dining facilities.
The ferry terminal is nearby, not part of the hotel. Leave a generous buffer for check-in and do not assume every room has a sea view.
Check availabilityBest for oceanfront setting: Sea Cliff Hotel
An ocean-facing hotel on the peninsula, farther from the ferry terminal than Kivukoni stays.
The oceanfront setting is the reason to choose it. If you need an early ferry, compare the peninsula transfer with a Kivukoni hotel.
Check availabilityBest for quieter coastal stay: Mediterraneo Boutique Hotel
A smaller garden-and-coast property outside the central business district.
Kawe offers a calmer coastal stay, but the drive to central Dar es Salaam is longer. Check the route before booking around meetings or a ferry.
Check availabilityBest for marina-area facilities: Hotel Slipway
A waterfront hotel next to Slipway shopping and dining, with a different atmosphere from central Kivukoni.
The marina-area setting is convenient for dining and boat activities. Read recent room reviews and allow for the trip to the airport or ferry.
Check availabilityShould you stay near the ferry or on the coast?
For an early Zanzibar ferry, Kivukoni can simplify the morning. Masaki, Msasani and Kawe offer different coastal settings but require more road time. Match the hotel to your next journey, not just to a map pin.
How we chose
Good ratings, meaningful feedback, useful choice.
Pick your hotel by what happens next: a ferry, city meeting or a slower coast stay. Guest scores and USD prices are indicative Booking.com snapshots, not live quotes.
USD amounts are public Booking.com listing examples for two adults checked in October 2026, rounded up to whole dollars. They do not represent a shared travel date or a 90-day minimum. Enter your dates to confirm the exact rate, taxes and cancellation terms. All five photos in each gallery show the named property.
Good to know
Dar es Salaam hotel questions
Where is the best area to stay in Dar es Salaam?
Kivukoni is practical for central meetings and the Zanzibar ferry. Masaki and Msasani suit travellers who prefer the peninsula and dining nearby, while Kawe offers a quieter coastal setting. Check road time against your actual departure point.
Which Dar es Salaam hotels are near the Zanzibar ferry?
Hyatt Regency and Johari Rotana are central Kivukoni choices, but the ferry terminal is not inside either hotel. Allow time for traffic, ticket checks and the operator’s reporting deadline.
Are Dar es Salaam beach hotels close to the airport?
Not necessarily. A coastal address can mean a long road transfer to Julius Nyerere International Airport, especially at busy times. Compare the actual route before booking an early-flight night.
Is Sea Cliff Hotel in central Dar es Salaam?
Sea Cliff is on the Msasani Peninsula rather than beside the Kivukoni ferry terminal. It suits an oceanfront stay better than the shortest possible walk to central transport.
Which Dar es Salaam hotel is best for a short stopover?
Choose according to your onward journey. For a Zanzibar ferry, Kivukoni is practical; for a relaxed coastal night, consider Masaki, Msasani or Kawe. Check the transfer with your chosen hotel.
Are hotel prices in Dar es Salaam shown in US dollars?
Yes. The USD figures here are indicative public listing examples, not live quotes or a uniform date comparison. Open the hotel on Booking.com to check your dates, occupancy, taxes and included meals.
How were these Dar es Salaam hotels selected?
The shortlist balances Booking.com guest scores and review counts with different useful neighbourhoods. It is not a claim that these are the five highest-scoring properties in the city.