Why we love Polana Serena Hotel Maputo

By far one of the most famous hotels in Mozambique, if not Africa, the Polana Serena Hotel Maputo is an iconic venue of fond memories and tales from yesteryear.

Think LM peri-peri prawns, dancing all night to Portuguese music and sunrises on the harbour bay. Museums, art exhibits, park sculptures and more in the cultural and historical mecca that is Maputo.

An easy winner for the very best accommodation in Maputo, the Polana Serena Hotel stands alone with its grandiose offerings of 87 rooms in the main building plus 66 Polana Mar guestrooms – all elegantly decorated with carefully chosen furnishings and artwork reflecting the hotel’s beginnings in 1922.

A mind-blowing choice of 5 world class restaurants and bars offering authentic blends of European, Africa, Portuguese and Mozambican culinary delights – the Delagoa Restaurant is our favourite venue for distinguishing blends of classical French flavors and exciting Mozambican ingredients. Mozambique cuisine at the |Polana Serena Hotel.

The Polana Hotel Maputo

Majestic and proud, a legend in her own right, the gorgeous Hotel Polana Maputo commands fantastic views of the bay, the city, and the outlying areas. A trip to Africa for an unforgettable Mozambique holiday starts here, at Maputo’s most famous hotel. No one comes close to our deals on accommodation specials to Maputo’s best hotels and lodges so book your suite at this architectural icon today.

First established in 1922, the Polana Serena Hotel is an icon and stands with gracious presence in the very heart of Maputo on one of the city’s most prestigious avenues and within easy reach of the international embassies, government buildings, presidential complex, shops, restaurants and sidewalk cafés. What’s more, Mavalane (Maputo) International Airport is a 15-minute drive from the hotel.

The Polana Serena Hotel Maputo is an architectural splendour reminiscent of Mozambique’s interesting history. Five-star facilities have emerged from an extensive renovation program restoring the city landmark to a standard befitting one of undeniably the very best hotels in Maputo. This landmark historic building fuses classic charm with the ultimate in world-class amenities, and certainly the most prestigious accommodation in Maputo.

Special Accommodation in Rooms, Suites and Villas at Polana Hotel Maputo

Hotel Polana Maputo guests can choose special accommodation in one of the 153 rooms, ranging from standard rooms, deluxe rooms, studio rooms, executive rooms, executive suites and a presidential suite. Think contemporary African design fused with authentic Portuguese style and the result is elegant yet modern appeal. Picture lavishly carved furniture, rich fabrics with muted tones and canopies above the large beds. Enjoy mod cons such as tea and coffee making facilities, satellite TV, mini bar, air-conditioning and phones at the Polana Serena Maputo.

Villa Mar at the Polana Hotel comprises 8 superb one or two bedroomed stand-alone villas standing charmingly in the garden with breath-taking views of the Indian Ocean. Check into stylish units designed to be modern and slick, with homely interiors and comfy assets. Enjoy the kitchenette, the open plan living and dining areas, then head out to enjoy the city. On the opposite end of the scale, find the tiny yet ornate studio rooms, in the main colonial building overlooking the city for one person only.  

The five-star ‘Grande Dame’ of Maputo hotels now also offers a choice of three restaurants: the Veranda Restaurant, the Delagoa fine-dining experience and the Aquarius Sushi Bar. Food involves intricate tastes of Portugal, Africa and India all in one! The Polana Bar is the ideal meeting place – for cocktails or aperitifs.

Pop into the pampering Maisha Mind Body and Spirit Health Club and Spa, to experience a state-of-the-art sparkling swimming pool, lounge, business center and three curio shops. To crown it all, a fancy ballroom hosts events and conferences at the Polana.

Polana Serena Hotel Facilities

  • Gift shop
  • Casino
  • Porter service
  • Art Gallery
  • Private drawing rooms
  • Hair and beauty salon (chargeable)
  • 24-hour room service
  • Same day laundry & dry services (chargeable)
  • Multichannel TV
  • Limousine services (chargeable)
  • Fully equipped Business Centre, conference facilities 
  • Secretarial services, photocopying
  • Currency exchange
  • Child Friendly

Activities at Polana

  • Maisha Health Club & Spa
  • State-of-the-art gymnasium
  • Sauna and steam rooms
  • State-of-the-art gymnasium
  • Massage and treatment room (chargeable)
  • Swimming pool
  • Tennis courts (chargeable)

Getting to Polana Serena Hotel Maputo

The hotel is very centralised, only a few minutes from all international embassies, government buildings and the presidential complex, shops, restaurants and sidewalk cafés. Mavalane International Airport is a 15-minute drive from the hotel and your transfers can be arranged with the hotel or with the many taxi services available.

Travel to Maputo in the season that suits your needs. Remember that the capital city of Mozambique features a tropical savanna climate that borders on a humid subtropical climate. The city has relatively short rainy season lasting from November through March. Its warmest month is January on average about 8 °C warmer than its coolest month July.


GPS coordinates for Polana Serena Hotel: -25.899896, 32.599187