Best Hotels With Swimming Pools in Dar es Salaam
14 family-friendly hotels with swimming pool in Dar es Salaam . Handpicked for families who want the best.
Fourteen hotels with swimming pools in Dar es Salaam cover every price band, and the differences that matter to families are shade, depth and how far the water sits from your room door. Rooftop pools at Fairview Luxury Apartments on Mission Street and Urban by CityBlue on Chole Road give you sea air and no shade at midday. Garden pools at Dar es Salaam Serena Hotel and Protea Hotel by Marriott Dar es Salaam Courtyard on Ocean Road sit under mature trees. Aura Suites on Morogoro Road has an infinity pool, Fig Tree Residences in Masaki runs its outdoor pool year-round, and Blackwood Boutique Hotel in Kijitonyama is adults only, so read that one carefully before booking.
Water shapes Dar es Salaam in a way that is obvious the moment you land. The harbour cuts into the city at Kivukoni, dhows and the Zanzibar ferry work the channel all day, and the coast then runs north through Msasani Bay to Kawe and Kunduchi. Swimming in the open sea is patchy and tidal along much of that stretch, which is exactly why hotel pools carry so much weight here compared with a Zanzibar beach resort. Locals treat Coco Beach as a place to walk, eat grilled maize and watch football at sunset rather than to swim.
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🏊Why Dar es Salaam is Great for Hotels with Swimming Pool
The daily logistics come down to how many steps separate the pool from your bed. Aura Suites in Upanga East, Fairview Luxury Apartments in Mchafukoge and Urban by CityBlue in Masaki all pair the pool with a kitchenette in the room, which means wet children, a fridge and lunch without leaving the building. Fig Tree Residences on Yacht Club Road adds free private parking and a two minute walk to Yacht Club Beach, so an afternoon can start in the pool and finish on sand without moving the car. Element by Marriott, also on Yacht Club Road, sits under a kilometre from the same beach and keeps a sun terrace beside its pool.
Age changes the ranking sharply. For toddlers, the garden pools win: Dar es Salaam Serena Hotel surrounds its outdoor pool with extensive tropical gardens and also has a playground, and Mediterraneo Boutique Hotel at Kawe Beach pairs its pool with a children's playground and direct beach frontage. For primary age children, Sea Cliff Hotel on the Masaki cliffs and Sea Cliff Court Hotel and Luxury Apartments on the Msasani Peninsula give more room to swim lengths, and Sea Cliff Court's pool is ringed with sun loungers and garden. Teenagers gravitate to the rooftops and to Johari Rotana in the Central Business District, which combines its pool with a game room and four restaurants.
Value splits along an obvious line. The five star harbour addresses, Hyatt Regency Dar es Salaam, The Kilimanjaro and Johari Rotana, charge for location and service as much as for water, and both sit within about a kilometre of the Zanzibar Ferry Terminal and Kivukoni Fish Market. The apartment-style properties give you far more floor space per shilling: Fairview rates 8.6 across 171 reviews with a rooftop pool and a kitchenette, Aura Suites rates 9.0 across 853 reviews with an infinity pool, and Sea Cliff Court holds 8.6 with self-catering kitchens. One honest warning: Blackwood Boutique Hotel and Apartments in Kijitonyama has a year-round pool and a sauna but is an adults only property, so it is not an option with children.
Parent's take
We worked out on day two that the pool at Aura Suites was in shade from about four, so the pattern became museum in the morning, kitchenette lunch upstairs, everyone horizontal until half past three, then swimming until the call to prayer drifted over Upanga East. The nine year old learned to dive off the infinity edge that week. The four year old mostly sat on the step and refused to move, which was fine.
Our Top 14 Picks
Hotels in Dar es Salaam with swimming pool, sorted by guest rating.

Fig Tree Residences
Dar es Salaam
Wonderful
12 reviews
Yacht Club Beach two minutes' walk from the door is what this Masaki residence sells, and the year-round outdoor pool backs it up. Family units come with garden views, a balcony or terrace, air conditioning, a work desk and free WiFi. Guests get a fitness centre, sun terrace, yoga classes and free private parking. The restaurant runs French, Greek, local and barbecue grill menus with continental, American and full English breakfasts.
Why families love Fig Tree Residences
Families staying here can move between pool, beach and breakfast without touching a car, which on the Msasani Peninsula is the whole point. Recent guests rate the location 9.6, the highest in this city list. Yoga classes and a sun terrace suit parents with older children who no longer need constant supervision. The review count is only 12, so treat the score as promising rather than proven, and the airport is 19 km away.

Aura Suites
Dar es Salaam
Wonderful
853 reviews
An infinity swimming pool above Morogoro Road in Upanga East, with 853 guest reviews behind it, is the standout at this aparthotel. Family rooms come with kitchenettes, balconies, air conditioning, a work desk and private bathrooms. There is a terrace, a hot tub, a fitness room, a coffee shop, live music and a family-friendly restaurant serving African, Indian, seafood, Sichuan, Asian and European dishes. The National Museum is 2.9 kilometres away, Central Railway Station 1.8.
Why families love Aura Suites
Families staying here get the best-tested pool in the city, with a kitchenette upstairs for lunch and naps between swims. The infinity edge suits confident swimmers rather than toddlers, since there is no separate shallow area listed. Live music in the evening is a plus for some and a problem at bedtime for others, so ask for a room away from the restaurant terrace when you book.

Protea Hotel by Marriott Dar es Salaam Courtyard
Dar es Salaam
Excellent
359 reviews
A position on Ocean Road opposite the Presidential Palace, two kilometres from the centre, gives this three star the best cycling access in Dar es Salaam, and bike rental is on site. Individually decorated rooms are air conditioned with garden and pool views, flat-screen satellite TV and a shower. There is a swimming pool, a fitness centre, Langi Langi multi-cuisine restaurant, the 24 hour Open House coffee shop and Jahazi Bar with 24 hour room service.
Why families love Protea Hotel by Marriott Dar es Salaam Courtyard
Families staying here get the one road in the city where an early morning ride with a child makes sense, and a pool to come back to when the heat lands. The 24 hour coffee shop covers the gap between a late flight and breakfast. Meals are highly recommended by guests and the location scores 9.0. The National Museum is a five minute drive, Mbudya Island 21 kilometres.

Johari Rotana
Dar es Salaam
Excellent
654 reviews
The largest hotel in Dar es Salaam, with 193 rooms and 60 serviced apartments on Sokoine Drive, every one looking over the harbour or the skyline. A game room, a swimming pool, Zen the Spa and the Bodylines Fitness and Wellness Club sit alongside four restaurants, breakfast at Zafarani and Hamilton's Gastropub. The Central Business District position puts the Indian Ocean coast at the door and Julius Nyerere International Airport around thirty minutes away.
Why families love Johari Rotana
Families staying here get scale, and with teenagers that is an advantage: a game room, four restaurants and serviced apartments give older children room to move without a parent in sight. Harbour-facing rooms hold children at the window while ferries work the channel. The hotel also hosts the largest ballroom in Tanzania, so weddings and conferences can make weekends busy and the lobby loud.

Blackwood Boutique Hotel and Apartments
Dar es Salaam
Excellent
354 reviews
An adults only five star aparthotel in Kijitonyama with a year-round outdoor swimming pool, a sauna and a fitness centre. Rooms hold air conditioning, private bathrooms with bathrobes, balconies and fully equipped kitchens, plus free toiletries, TV and a minibar. The modern restaurant serves African and international dishes for lunch and dinner, with continental, American and full English breakfasts. Free on-site private parking, a 24 hour front desk and daily housekeeping are included.
Why families love Blackwood Boutique Hotel and Apartments
Families should look elsewhere in Dar es Salaam, because this property is adults only and does not take children in any of its units. Couples travelling without children, or parents splitting a longer trip, will find the year-round pool, sauna and full kitchens genuinely good value at 8.6 from 354 reviews. The Village Museum is seven kilometres away and Tanzania National Stadium eleven.

Sea Cliff Hotel
Dar es Salaam
Excellent
255 reviews
A kids club, a pool and beach access on the Masaki headland make this five star the most self-contained family address on the Msasani Peninsula. Rooms combine Swahili-inspired design with air conditioning, flat-screen TV and minibar, and the Executive Suite adds a separate living area, sea views and a freestanding bath. There are two restaurants, the Coral Cliff Bar, a fitness centre, a beauty salon and a tour desk, with the Sea Village shopping centre next door.
Why families love Sea Cliff Hotel
Families staying here get the widest set of on-site options in Dar es Salaam: club, pool, beach access, salon and shopping without leaving Toure Drive. Karambezi Cafe serves local seafood beside the cliff, and 24 hour room service covers late arrivals. The airport is 24 kilometres away, which is an hour in traffic. A casino operates on site, and the club's age range is not published, so confirm before booking.

Sea Cliff Court Hotel & Luxury Apartments
Dar es Salaam
Excellent
109 reviews
An outdoor pool ringed with sun loungers and a lush garden anchors this Msasani Peninsula property, where self-catering apartments come with a full kitchen. Studios and apartments use modern African-inspired decor with a fan, seating area, flat-screen satellite TV, safe and tea and coffee facilities. Ray's Restaurant serves tapas, grills and fresh seafood, Havana Cafe covers breakfast through dinner on a garden deck, and there is a fitness centre and free WiFi throughout.
Why families love Sea Cliff Court Hotel & Luxury Apartments
Families staying here choose kitchen space over hotel service, and the garden pool makes that work. Cooking upstairs after a beach afternoon avoids the late restaurant hours that catch out parents of young children in this city. Recent guests rate the location 9.1. Note two costs that are not included: parking is charged rather than free, and the airport shuttle is extra on a 40 minute drive.

Hyatt Regency Dar es Salaam, The Kilimanjaro
Dar es Salaam
Excellent
614 reviews
A game room and a kids club under the same roof, 700 metres from the Zanzibar Ferry Terminal, make this Kivukoni Front five star the best fit in the city for families with children of different ages. There is a spa, an outdoor pool and a fitness centre. Rooms mix African and European decor with air conditioning and flat-screen TV, and are rated highly for bed comfort. Level 8, the rooftop bar, runs evening entertainment on Fridays and Saturdays.
Why families love Hyatt Regency Dar es Salaam, The Kilimanjaro
Families staying here can split a nine year old and a four year old between the game room and the pool without leaving the building, which solves the hardest scheduling problem of a family trip. Kivukoni Fish Market is 1.1 kilometres away and worth an early walk. Concierge, laundry and 24 hour room service cover the rest. This is the business district, so weekday traffic noise reaches the lower floors.

Fairview Luxury Apartments
Dar es Salaam
Excellent
171 reviews
A rooftop swimming pool above the PSPF Twin Towers on Mission Street, paired with a pet-friendly policy, makes this Mchafukoge aparthotel unusual on both counts. Rooms are spacious with balconies or terraces, air conditioning, a kitchenette and a private bathroom. There is a restaurant running African, Chinese, Indian, Mediterranean and seafood menus, a casino, a 24 hour front desk and free on-site private parking. The National Museum is a seventeen minute walk.
Why families love Fairview Luxury Apartments
Families staying here get pool, kitchen and museums without a car, which is rare this close to the centre. The rooftop is best used from late afternoon, since there is little shade at midday. Pets are accepted, making this one of only two such options in Dar es Salaam. Recent guests rate the location 8.9 and the views 9.5. The on-site casino means the lobby is not always quiet late.

Urban by CityBlue Hotel, Dar es Salaam
Dar es Salaam
Excellent
473 reviews
A rooftop swimming pool seven minutes' walk from Msasani Beach is the combination that makes this Chole Road four star work for families in Masaki. Family rooms include a kitchenette, a work desk, air conditioning and a private bathroom. There is a fitness centre, a terrace, a bar and a restaurant running international menus with halal, vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and dairy-free options. Breakfast covers local specialities, warm dishes and fresh pastries.
Why families love Urban by CityBlue Hotel, Dar es Salaam
Families staying here can walk to the beach and swim on the roof, which removes the car from most days on the peninsula. The kitchenette handles the fussy eater problem that even a broad restaurant menu will not, and the dietary range at dinner is the widest in Masaki. The airport is 17 kilometres away and the shuttle is charged separately, so factor that into an early departure.

Mediterraneo Boutique Hotel
Dar es Salaam
Very Good
998 reviews
A children's playground set between an outdoor swimming pool and Kawe Beach is the arrangement that puts this Mbezi three star ahead of the rest of the northern strip for families. Rooms are air conditioned with flat-screen satellite TV, a seating area, a desk and a private bathroom, and selected rooms add a kitchen with a fridge. There are two restaurants serving local, international and seafood dishes, a garden, a terrace and a fitness centre.
Why families love Mediterraneo Boutique Hotel
Families staying here can see the playground, the pool and the sand from one lounger, which is the single most useful layout in Dar es Salaam with children under six. With 998 reviews at 8.4, it is also the most tested property in the city. Kivukoni Fish Market is ten kilometres away and Kariakoo eleven, so this is a beach base rather than a sightseeing one.

Dar es Salaam Serena Hotel
Dar es Salaam
Very Good
284 reviews
A kids club, a playground and a babysitting service inside extensive tropical gardens make this Ohio Street five star the most complete childcare package in the city. The hotel sits adjacent to a golf course and gymkhana club with Indian Ocean views. There is an outdoor pool, a sauna and a fitness centre, two restaurants, the poolside Island Trader, a patisserie, a cafe and the Kibo Bar. Rooms are air conditioned with flat-screen TV and minibar.
Why families love Dar es Salaam Serena Hotel
Families staying here can hand over the children in three different ways, which no other Dar es Salaam hotel offers. The gardens are large enough that a four year old can run without meeting a road, the pool sits in tree shade for most of the day, and the babysitting service covers an adult dinner. Meals are highly rated by guests. The centre is three kilometres away, so sightseeing needs a car or a taxi.

Element by Marriott Dar es Salaam
Dar es Salaam
Very Good
426 reviews
Sea or pool view rooms under a kilometre from Yacht Club Beach mark out this Yacht Club Road four star in Masaki. Rooms are spacious and air conditioned with private bathrooms. Facilities include a swimming pool, a spa, a fitness centre, a sun terrace and an outdoor seating area, plus a restaurant running African, American, Mediterranean and international menus and a bar. Breakfast covers continental, American, buffet, full English, vegetarian and halal options.
Why families love Element by Marriott Dar es Salaam
Families staying here get space and a short walk to Yacht Club Beach without the price of the neighbouring five stars. The pool and sun terrace absorb the middle of the day, and the wide breakfast range handles early risers and picky eaters. Guests rate staff attention and cleanliness highly, at 8.3 from 426 reviews. There is no kids club or play area, so entertainment is on the parents here.

Four Points by Sheraton Dar es Salaam New Africa
Dar es Salaam
Very Good
623 reviews
Standard rooms overlooking Dar es Salaam Harbour, one kilometre from the Zanzibar Ferry Terminal, define this Azikiwe Street four star. There is an outdoor pool, four restaurants including Bandari Grill for seafood and Sawasdee for Thai, and the Onyx Lounge. Rooms hold air conditioning, satellite TV, a minibar and a private bathroom. A golf course sits 1.4 kilometres away, the National Museum and Botanical Gardens 900 metres, and free parking is on site.
Why families love Four Points by Sheraton Dar es Salaam New Africa
Families staying here are buying the ferry run and the harbour view. Catching an early Azam boat to Zanzibar from a hotel a kilometre from the pier removes the worst variable of that trip. Bike rental and the walk to the Botanical Gardens fill a morning, and the pool handles the afternoon. The 24 hour casino on site is separate from the family floors but changes the lobby atmosphere after dark.
💡Tips for Choosing a Hotel with Swimming Pool in Dar es Salaam
- 1Ask for the shallow end depth in metres before you book. No Dar es Salaam hotel publishes pool depths, and several of the rooftop and infinity pools have no graduated shallow section at all.
- 2Rule out Blackwood Boutique Hotel and Apartments if you are travelling with children. It has a year-round outdoor pool and a sauna, but the property is adults only and will not take a family booking.
- 3Pick a garden pool over a rooftop if your children are under six. Serena, Protea Courtyard and Mediterraneo all have tree cover, which keeps the water usable through the worst of the midday heat.
- 4Choose a kitchenette property if you plan long pool afternoons. Aura Suites, Fairview, Urban by CityBlue and Sea Cliff Court all let you feed children upstairs rather than dressing everyone for a restaurant.
- 5Check pool opening hours against your flight. Many arrivals from Europe land late at Julius Nyerere International Airport, and only the 24 hour front desk properties will sort towels and a late meal for you.
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