This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. Learn more

Skip to main content

Talk to an expert 1-800-242-2434 Lines open now

User menu
Airport Planet Lodge
Airport Planet Lodge
Airport Planet Lodge
Airport Planet Lodge
Airport Planet Lodge
Airport Planet Lodge
Airport Planet Lodge
Airport Planet Lodge
Airport Planet Lodge

Airport Planet Lodge: Our full report

Airport Planet Lodge is a mid-range hotel located between Kilimanjaro Airport and Arusha, about a 15-minute ...

... drive from the airport. It offers comfortable accommodation, pretty gardens and a large swimming pool. On a clear day Airport Planet Lodge has views of Kilimanjaro, making it one of the few hotels near Arusha to do so.

Opened in 2017, the lodge is relatively inexpensive and, as one of only a few accommodation options close to the airport, it’s a good choice for an early arrival or a late departure.

Airport Planet Lodge has 31 rooms split into standard and deluxe categories. Six of the standard rooms are located in the main building, while the others are in cottages in the garden, with two rooms per cottage. The deluxe rooms are individual cottages. Although the rooms are simply decorated, they are brightened up with colourful wildlife paintings and African fabrics.

All rooms are en suite and come with all the amenities you would expect of an international hotel; these include air conditioning, a flat-screen TV, tea and coffee facilities and a retractable mosquito net. Outside each room is a small shaded veranda overlooking the garden with a couple of wooden chairs and a table. The en suites are clean and functional and have a good-sized walk-in shower with complimentary toiletries. The standard rooms can be arranged as a double, a twin or a triple, and two of the rooms have an interconnecting door that makes them suitable for families.

The deluxe rooms are a little larger and, in addition to the standard facilities, they also have a small sofa and a corner bathtub in the en-suite bathroom.

The restaurant is at the back of the lodge overlooking the gardens and you can choose to dine either inside or outside on the terrace, underneath a woven bamboo roof. The main lodge building also houses a small bar with a selection of cool drinks on offer and further indoor and outdoor seating.

Outside is a large swimming pool surrounded by lime green loungers; an accent colour that runs throughout the entire lodge. You can find a second bar here, with staff on hand to serve refreshments. The lush tropical gardens attract the local birdlife, and current residents include a flock of guinea fowl. The gardens are currently fairly large, however we were very conscious that once the new rooms have been built the amount of green space will diminish.

Additional amenities at Airport Planet Lodge include a small massage room that offers a selection of spa treatments, and a work station with a desktop computer.

One feature about Airport Planet Lodge that we particularly like is the shower service. It is possible to come to the lodge after a safari and pay a small fee simply to use the showers and enjoy a drink and a meal without the need to book a dayroom; this makes it a great option if you are on a late departure out of Kilimanjaro.


Our view

For a short stay before or after your international flight, Planet Lodge is a great choice. It is not particularly luxurious but its comparatively low price-tag makes it good value for money, and we really like the option to come here for a quick shower and meal without the need to stay a night.

Lyndsey Marris

Lyndsey Marris

Tanzania expert

Geographics

Location
Arusha, Tanzania
Ideal length of stay
Stay one night before or after your international flight.
Directions
Airport Planet Lodge is around a 15-minute drive from Kilimanjaro International Airport.
Accessible by
Fly-and-Transfer

Food & drink

Usual board basis
Bed & Breakfast
Food quality
We did not have a chance to eat here on our most recent visit, however we understand that Planet Lodge offer a varied breakfast buffet and then a two-course set menu for lunch and dinner. The menu typically features international dishes and uses fresh local produce.
Dining style
Individual Tables
Dining locations
Indoor and Outdoor Dining
Further dining info, including room service
Room service is available on request and you can order a range of meals including burgers, curries, pasta dishes and salads.
Drinks included
Drinks cost extra and you can expect to pay around $2 for a soft drink, $3 for a beer and around $6 for a glass of wine. Complimentary drinking water is provided in the rooms.

Children

Attitude towards children
Planet Lodge accepts children of all ages.
Property’s age restrictions
None
Special activities & services
There are no special activities available for children.
Equipment
Cots and highchairs can be provided and there is a shallow section of pool, which younger children can enjoy.
Generally recommended for children
Whilst Planet Lodge has no special child activities or facilities, older children can enjoy the swimming pool and the lodge has a relaxed atmosphere. We think this would be a good choice for families.
Notes
The swimming pool is deep and there is no lifeguard on duty. Parents are advised to supervise children around this area at all times.

Communications

Power supply notes
There is a back-up generator.
Communications
There is complementary Wifi and a business centre with computers and printers.
TV & radio
There is a DSTV in all rooms.
Water supply
Mains
Water supply notes
All rooms are fully plumbed and have hot running water.

Health & safety

Malarial protection recommended
Yes
Medical care
Staff are first aid trained, and there is a hospital in Arusha, which is around a 40-minute drive away.
Dangerous animals
Low Risk
Security measures
There are security guards outside the lodge 24 hours a day.
Fire safety
There are hose pipes and fire extinguishers in place, and staff are trained in their use.

Extras

Disabled access
On Request
Laundry facilities
A laundry service is available at a cost of around $1–3 US dollars per item.
Money
There are electronic safes in the rooms. Planet Lodge can exchange small amounts of cash is necessary.
Accepted payment on location
Airport Planet Lodge accepts Mastercard and Visa, but not American Express. Some currencies are accepted, and these include US dollars, euros and Tanzanian shillings. Please note that GB pounds are not accepted.

Other lodges in Arusha

Alternative places to stay in this same area.


Rivertrees Country Inn

Rivertrees Country Inn

Set within lush grounds, the peaceful and relaxing Rivertrees lies between Arusha and Kilimanjaro Airport: ideal at the beginning or end of a safari.


89% (65 reviews)
Arusha Coffee Lodge

Arusha Coffee Lodge

Arusha Coffee Lodge is a neat, comfortable lodge, right on the highway, close to Arusha Airport. It is a convenient stop for a night.


88% (34 reviews)
Onsea House

Onsea House

Onsea House is a small, family-run guesthouse on the outskirts of Arusha. The rooms are quite simple, but service and food here are good.


91% (32 reviews)
Katambuga House

Katambuga House

Katambuga House is a smart hotel on the western side of Arusha, an hour’s drive from Kilimanjaro Airport and 10 minutes from Arusha Airport.


93% (18 reviews)
Machweo

Machweo

Machweo is a nine-room lodge on the outskirts of Arusha. The rooms are large and stylish, and the service and food here are very good.


87% (15 reviews)
Kia Lodge

Kia Lodge

Kia Lodge is a simple, country-club-style lodge situated close to the buildings and runway of Kilimanjaro International Airport.


74% (13 reviews)
Mount Meru Game Lodge

Mount Meru Game Lodge

Mount Meru Game Lodge, near Arusha, is a good spot to stay en route to northern Tanzania's most famous safari areas.


83% (7 reviews)
Hatari Lodge

Hatari Lodge

Hatari Lodge is designed around a bright, fun 1960s retro theme and is a relatively high-quality base to explore Arusha National Park.


94% (7 reviews)
Hamerkop House

Hamerkop House

Located halfway between Kilimanjaro Airport and Arusha, Hamerkop House is a small, peaceful stop either at the beginning or end of a safari.


96% (5 reviews)
Legendary Lodge

Legendary Lodge

Legendary Lodge is boutique luxury lodge, perfect for an indulgent overnight stay at the start or end of your safari.


100% (4 reviews)
Arusha Serena Hotel

Arusha Serena Hotel

The Serena Arusha Hotel is a comfortable hotel close to Lake Duluti. It makes a good stopover before or after a safari in northern Tanzania.


100% (1 review)
Twiga Lodge

Twiga Lodge

Twiga is a Tudor-style lodge with welcoming owners, country-style gardens and a viewing platform looking onto Arusha National Park.


No reviews yet
Siringit Kilimanjaro Golf Safari Retreat

Siringit

Siringit Kilimanjaro Golf Safari Retreat is a six-bedroom villa offering a luxury stay in complete privacy on a championship golf course.


No reviews yet

Login to Expert Africa

Sign in with password

Sign in with email link


New to Expert Africa? Create an account

Forgotten your details?

It's free & quick to set up

  • Save your wish-list
  • Send us an enquiry
  • Pay online for your trip
  • Subscribe to our newsletter
  • Give us feedback on your trip
  • Full site benefits of the site

Need some help? Talk to our team

Newsletter background

Stay in the know with Expert Africa

Join our newsletter. Get the latest on new camps and lodges, insights from our team, uplifting conservation stories and more...

A few more details and you're subscribed

Thanks!

Almost there! We've sent you an email to confirm your subscription. Just click on the link and you'll soon be receiving our newsletter in your inbox.

In the meantime, take a look at our previous Bush Telegraph newsletters.
Africa