Onsea House

The Onsea House concept offers guests the most luxurious bed and breakfast in Arusha. We want our guests to enjoy the kind of comfort and exclusive fine dining you can’t find in any other guesthouse, with more personalized service than in a hotel and more privacy than in a lodge resort. Onsea House is small enough to make each and every one feel special and to leave a big impression.

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Experience

At Onsea House we offer 5 tastefully decorated and peaceful rooms. The cosy and tranquil country inn, surrounded by beautifully landscaped gardens, consists of 2 double suites and a family suite overlooking the Meru valley. The adjacent self-contained guest cottage, each room with private wooden balconies, can easily accommodate up to 6 people. All rooms are equipped with four poster double queen size beds with mosquito nets and have en suite bathrooms with all modern amenities and comfort. All rooms exude that calm African-colonial feel and feature a safe, a hairdryer, bathrobes, a personal mini-bar and are livened up every day with freshly cut flowers. Feel at home. Away from home.

Taste

Onsea House strives to provide an amazing experience for all the senses and it has become a recognized landmark for true culinary excellence. From sunrise to sunset, our Michelin experienced Belgian chef will prepare an exquisite fusion of European and African delights based on seasonal specialties. From breakfast with all sorts of freshly made juices, over à la minute made brasserie dishes at lunch to the five course culinary extravaganza accompanied by the finest specifically selected wines for dinner. These feasts for your taste buds can be enjoyed at the very closeby and idyllic Machweo restaurant. But of course we offer this exclusive treat at Onsea House too. This is a bespoke service we are glad to offer to our guests who book Onsea House on an exclusive basis. If you would like to enjoy our exceptional cuisine in exclusive and private surroundings, don’t hesitate to ask about our exclusivity packages when booking.

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Relax

Although only minutes away from the buzzing centre of Arusha, Onsea House is a haven of tranquility and has everything to offer to exhale. The outdoor floodlit swimming pool with lawn bar is the perfect place to wind down in style. For those who even find this too much activity we have a massage area where you can dream away. The manicured tropical gardens and the lounge, terrace and cocktail bar in the main house complete this picture perfect and serene atmosphere. We will do everything possible to make your stay the energizing beginning of your Kilimanjaro adventure, a welcome peaceful pause from a safari or the soothing final chapter of your stay in wonderful Tanzania. Are you looking for even more relaxation, please check our Machweo Spa & Wellness offers.

Discover our Spa & Wellness program

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Onsea House is perched on a hill providing unparalleled panoramic views across the Maasai steppe and the unrivalled spectacle of Mount Meru. Meandering across these slopes you will find many beautiful hillside walking trails. And yet, Onsea House is only a short drive away from Arusha town centre and a mere 45 minutes from Kilimanjaro International Airport. But it is this secluded and idyllic setting that makes it the perfect place for spectacular sundowners or some contemplating amidst the cheerful chirping of exotic birds. To balance this, we are happy to share our in-depth local knowledge and years of organizing further exploration of the surroundings. It would be our pleasure to provide you with an unforgettable experience.

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Highly recommended by travel guides

Included in safari itineraries by experts

Even with the increased number of rooms, the standards of service remain high, the atmosphere friendly and the food some of the best in Arusha.

Expert Africa, advise from an experienced travel company

Their brief was to create a boutique hotel providing top-notch accommodation and first-class food. They’ve succeeded brilliantly on both counts.

i-escape, boutique hotels and hip hideaways, about the creation of Machweo

Offering an intimate and friendly atmosphere, along with excellent food, we think this is easily one of the best options in the Arusha area

Audley, tailor-made journeys for the discerning traveller

The open-air terrace dining room at Machweo is the stage for the culinary art. It looks magical at night when oil lamps are lit and tables are dressed in crisp white linen.

i-escape, boutique hotels and hip hideaways, about Machweo

Machweo Wellness Retreat & Fine Dining awaits weary adventurers with a steam bath, sauna, massages and mani/pedis … a great last stop for recharging your battery before the plane ride back home.

American Express – Centurion magazine

You get extremely good value for money here and a very good service and standard. The facilities are fantastic and the quiet location on the outskirts of Arusha is a lovely setting to begin or end a safari.

Africa Odyssey, Personalised itineraries to Africa

Lovely location, very eclectic décor and stylish in that African chic way. Axel is an extremely talented chef who hails from Belgium. A little gem and with only 9 lovely rooms a find in Arusha.

Jules Maury, Loyalty Travel Planner at Scott Dunn, specialist in luxury tailor-made holidays and honeymoons

The food was as good as I have tasted anywhere in the world. Your hotel is the perfect place for anyone to relax in pre or post safari. I had an amazing trip visiting much of Tanzania and this was one of the highlights.

Edward Burke, Product Manager Africa, Indian Ocean, North America and Arabia at Bailey Robinson “travel without compromise

The very best start to a honeymoon in Tanzania.

Tanzania Odyssey, The Tanzania honeymoon experts

Arguably the number one guesthouse in Arusha. Machweo has the kind of attentive service that makes guests feel right at home. It is one of our favorites.

Planet Africa Safaris, tailor made safaris in East Africa

I was so impressed with the quality of service, accommodation, and cuisine at Machweo. We too look forward to sending more Deeper Africa guests your way.

Lauren Elder, Deeper Africa, named the No. 1 Safari Outfitter in the Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards 2016.

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What our distinguished guests are saying

Birthday Evening

Treated like royalty. Fantastic food, wine selection and service! Awesome concept of wine paired with dinner and Chef Axel’s recommendation. 4 Stunning courses each paired with a different wine. And washed down with a fantastic whisky from an amazing collection. Rooms are very comfortable and spacious. Wait staff were extremely knowledgeable and professional. (TripAdvisor)

Hospitality oasis

I came here last year, and decided to come back as start and endpoint for safari. The place became more quiet, road access is improving with the new highway. At this moment the best place to stay near Arusha when you have an international flight to take, as traffic jam can hold you up for three hours, when you stay in a Arusha center hotel. Onsea House continues to give that home feeling, rooms are large and confortable. Go for room 6 or 7. Dinner is still an event at Onsea House with that mixed Belgian-African cuisine, but when not hungry you can also go for a simple but excellent vol-au-vent with French fries or smashed potatoes, or a light snack.

Room Tip: room 6 or 7 when you want to be very quiet (TripAdvisor)

A warmly welcome and a great stay

We were 4 friends staying before and after our safari at the Onsea House and really enjoyed our stay. The reception welcomed us warmly with different juices both of the days and took care of us so well. The beautiful gardens and lovely designed rooms and the very friendly and helpful staff make you feel you are visiting your family. Besides that, the food was awesome and we had two wonderful evenings on the restaurant terrace overlooking the pool and nature. Stayed September 2016, traveled with friends (TripAdvisor)

Perfect oasis with fantastic service

Stayed here for one night at the end of a business trip. Booked at the last minute by email – after being greeted with juice I was in Machweo room 8, a small bungalow type room with kitchen and shower overlooking the valley. The finishing and detail is of a great standard, after a light lunch and a swim in the pool, I got to sit out on the terrace and watch the sunset. For dinner I went for the full menu and it was good, highlights were the kingfish and the carpaccio. All the time, service is attentive. The next morning the hotel arranged a day trip for me and allowed me late checkout before flight home. Highly recommend this hotel, great alternative to the big hotels in Arusha. Stayed September 2016, traveled solo. (TripAdvisor)

Onsea & Machweo

Stayed in Onsea prior to my safari and Machweo after. Lovely comfortable rooms, and great service (Pauline in reception was fantastic). Highlight was definitely the AMAZING food – breakfast is plentiful with great choices, dinner is 3 course with recommended wines accompanying. Would highly recommend staying here when in Arusha!

Room Tip: Rooms at lower levels will be quieter. Stayed August 2016, traveled solo (TripAdvisor)

Since 2010 we have been consistently nominated and have received many finalist positions in the Safari Awards

NEWS

Restyled Onsea House rooms and restaurant

Nov 22, 2020

Extensive renovations and paint works have been finalised at the original Onsea House Country Inn & Guest Cottage buildings exactly 2 years after our last revamp, ready for the 2021 season. Back to the roots. Restyled and reopened Onsea House restaurant at the...

‘A Taste of Tanzania’ available at our reception desk

Feb 16, 2020

'A Taste of Tanzania' tells the story of Belgian Chef Axel Janssens, who has been living and working in Tanzania for a decade. Over the years, he traveled to all corners of the country, discovering incredible tastes and meeting many people sharing his passions. In...

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