Polana Hotel

Highlights

• Natural History Museum.
• Restaurants around Maputo.
• The Hotels sports facilities.
• Ferry service to Inhaca Island.
• Nightlife.
• Excursions to the Maputo Elephant Reserve.
• Live music and a vivid cultural entertainment.
• Business Centre with internet facilities.

Information

• Lodge type; Hotel
• Location; Maputo
• Lodge size; 187 rooms
• Recommended stay; 3-7 nights

Situated in the heart of Maputo on one of the city's most desirable avenues, the justly famous Polana Hotel is a cool and gracious haven that recalls the elegance and splendour of colonial times.

The Polana overlooks the Bay of Maputo and close to Maputo's nerve centre, the international Embassies, the Presidency of the Republic, government Ministries, popular restaurants and ten minutes away from the Mavalane International airport, the Polana Serena Hotel is a majestic building with a history stretching as far back as 1922.

Whilst the architectural motif is unabashed colonial splendour, the interior design concept excels in quiet elegance. The rooms at this Maputo Luxury Hotel ;offer a selection of styles from sleek modernity to 'Empire' gilt. Spacious and gracious, the keynotes at the Polana Hotel are comfort and tranquillity.

Rooms and Suites

Standard Rooms; the location of the Polana Mar rooms is across the Aquarius Bar & Restaurant. All rooms are fully refurbished and the majority of these rooms are sea facing, twin bedded rooms with verandah. The rooms are quiet and comfortable and the interiors have an "African touch".

Executive Rooms; feature the same facilities and amenities as the standard rooms however they are either larger with open space with dining and seating area or with a small lounge area separated from the bedroom. All have been set with either King-size or Extra King-size beds.

Cuisine and Wine

Maputo has always been renowned for its cuisine, which bears the imprint of the Portuguese influence, the tastes of Africa, and the proximity of an ocean rich in the most wonderful seafood. The Polana Hotel itself is an embodiment of all that's best in local cuisine.

The Aquarius Bar and Restaurant, on the top floor of the Polana Mar, with its magnificent view of the Bay of Maputo.

Facilities

• 24-hour room service.
• Airport transfers.
• Baby sitting service.
• Car hire.
• Wireless Internet Connectivity.
• Credit cards.
• Currency exchange.
• Express check-in and check-out facilities.
• Hairdryer in the room.
• International newspapers.
• Laundry service.
• Messages/Voice mail services.
• Smoking and Non-smoking rooms.
• Porter service.
• Satellite Television.
• Vegetarian cuisine.

Activities

The Polana Hotel, with its rambling lines and tall palm trees, is typical of the style of Mediterranean-influenced architecture which graces the city. Another good example is the Natural History Museum, with its tall spires and stone fretwork. The Hotel's sports facilities include tennis, bowling, sauna, massage, free-weights, cardiovascular and aerobics training, swimming pool and there are plenty of scenic walks along the undulating white cliffs that front the hotel and enjoy magnificent vistas out over the endless blue waters of Maputo Bay.

The most important landmark is the Fort of Nossa Senhora da Concecião, the heart of the original settlement over a century ago. The palatial Central Railway Station with its copper dome is also well worth a visit.

Maputo (the name was changed in 1975) has long been famous for its seafood, especially its spicy peri-peri prawns, which can be found at many of the local restaurants. Pop down to the Central Municipal Market to buy fresh cashews, which are grown in the rural areas.

For nightlife, visit one of the many bars and clubs on Feira Popular, where you can dance all night to the Afro/Latino beat.

Child Friendly

Polana Hotel is child and family-friendly;

• Family rooms
• Children’s menu
• Babysitting
• A shallow pool area

Spa and Wellness

The stunning new spa invites you on a journey of relaxation in the world-class surroundings of the legendary Polana Hotel in Maputo. ‘Maisha’ Mind Body and Spirit Spa facility offer an ultra-modern gym, aerobics studio, indoor pool area, and separate spa areas for men and women.

Spa facilities include;

• An 18m landscaped pool set amid extensive tropical gardens
• A state-of-the-art gymnasium and cardio studio
• Anaerobic studio offering workouts to include; cardiovascular, kickboxing, dance, yoga, Tai chi and ‘stretch and sculpture’
• Steam, sauna, lap pool, sun-deck and juice bar
• A full range of holistic massage, detox and aromatherapy treatments
• A unisex hair and beauty salon