Exterior

Reviews of Polana Serena Hotel

4.5 out of 5
Polana Serena Hotel
Avenida Julius Nyerere 1380, Maputo

Reviews

8.8

Excellent

Rating 10 - Excellent. 116 out of 208 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 66 out of 208 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 16 out of 208 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 7 out of 208 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 3 out of 208 reviews" "

9.2/10

Cleanliness

9.0/10

Staff & service

8.6/10

Amenities

8.8/10

Property conditions & facilities

8.6/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

2/10 Terrible

Amy

Stayed 1 night in Feb 2024

8/10 Good

Magdalena

Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

Amina

Liked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities
The area is very safe, right next to the presidency. I hope they can build elevators that get you from the main building to the rooms on the 4th floor. The views from the 4th floor rooms are amazing!
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2023
Response from polana serena hotel on 2 Feb 2024
Dear Mrs Amina,Thank you very much for choosing the POLANA SERENA HOTEL as your preferred place of residence during your recent visit to Mozambique and for taking the time to write such a thorough rave review of our property and service. We are truly honored and delighted to hear that you enjoyed your stay with us and that you find our property exceptional in all ways. Management will be sure to share your encouraging feedback with the entire team. Thank you once again for sharing your wonderful experience and we pledge to continue offering the very best of the Serena Hospitality and Service. Regards, Anderson MburuguActing General Manager

10/10 Excellent

Juan Baptiste

Business traveller
Liked: Staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Excellent !
Stayed 5 nights in Nov 2023
Response from polana serena hotel on 6 Dec 2023
Dear Mr. Juan Baptiste,Greetings from POLANA SERENA HOTEL,Thank you very much for choosing the POLANA SERENA HOTEL as your preferred place of residence during your recent visit to Mozambique and for taking the time to write such a thorough rave review of our property and service. We are truly honored and delighted to hear that you enjoyed your stay with us and that you find our property exceptional in all ways. Management will be sure to share your encouraging feedback with the entire team. Thank you once again for sharing your wonderful experience and we pledge to continue offering the very best of the Serena Hospitality and Service.Yours Sincerely,Anderson MburuguActing General Manager

10/10 Excellent

Michelle

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

david

Business traveller
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2023

6/10 Okay

Mohamad, dearborn

Travelled with partner
Not worth the price, outdated
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2023
Response from polana Serena Hotel on 30 June 2023
Dear Mr Mohamad,Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback and on behalf of the team here, I am very disappointed to hear that you found our service to be below the Serena standard to which you are accustomed to. Your experience is certainly not representative of the high quality standards and principles that we stand for; the frustration and inconvenience caused to you is highly regrettable so kindly accept our most sincere apologies. We hope that you can give us another opportunity to be of better service to you in the future. Regards, Anderson MburuguActing General Manager

10/10 Excellent

Petra

Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Petra

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Polana is a legend
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2023
Response from polana on 28 June 2023
Dear Petra,Greetings from POLANA SERENA HOTEL,Thank you very much for choosing the POLANA SERENA HOTEL as your preferred place of residence during your recent visit to Mozambique and for taking the time to write such a thorough rave review of our property and service. We are truly honored and delighted to hear that you enjoyed your stay with us and that you find our property exceptional in all ways. Management will be sure to share your encouraging feedback with the entire team. Thank you once again for sharing your wonderful experience and we pledge to continue offering the very best of the Serena Hospitality and Service.Yours Sincerely,Anderson MburuguActing General Manager

10/10 Excellent

Luis

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Polana Hotel was a beautiful hotel and the staff was excellent. Loves the history and that it has been in service for 100 years.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2023
Response from polana on 24 Apr 2023
Dear Mr. Luis,Thank you very much for choosing the POLANA SERENA HOTEL as your preferred place of residence during your recent visit to Mozambique and for taking the time to write such a thorough rave review of our property and service. We are truly honored and delighted to hear that you enjoyed your stay with us and that you find our property exceptional in all ways. Management will be sure to share your encouraging feedback with the entire team. Thank you once again for sharing your wonderful experience and we pledge to continue offering the very best of the Serena Hospitality and Service. Best Regards, Anderson MburuguActing General Manager

10/10 Excellent

Lauren

Stayed 1 night in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Robert

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2022

10/10 Excellent

Gary

Liked: Staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 7 nights in Feb 2022

8/10 Good

Tammy

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
One night stop over
Quick one night stop over - Check in was quick , friendly helpful staff, beds comfy, room 415 great view. No milk for tea and coffee in room. Hotel needs Maintainence Ate at the a la cart restaurant food was ok
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2022
Response from poana serena hotel on 24 Feb 2022
Dear Tammy, Thank you very much for choosing the POLANA SERENA HOTEL as your preferred place of residence during your recent visit to Mozambique and for taking the time to write such a thorough rave review of our property and service. We are truly honored and delighted to hear that you enjoyed your stay with us and that you find our property exceptional in all ways. Management will be sure to share your encouraging feedback with the entire team. Thank you once again for sharing your wonderful experience and we pledge to continue offering the very best of the Serena Hospitality and Service. Regards, Anderson Mburugu Acting General Manager

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Business traveller
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Very good hotel for business or leisure
The service is always good, rooms are well appointed and very comfortable. I prefer the main building as it feels more stylish but the new rooms are great as well.
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2022
Response from polana serena hotel on 11 Feb 2022
Dear Guest, Thank you very much for choosing the POLANA SERENA HOTEL as your preferred place of residence during your recent visit to Mozambique and for taking the time to write such a thorough rave review of our property and service. We are truly honored and delighted to hear that you enjoyed your stay with us and that you find our property exceptional in all ways. Management will be sure to share your encouraging feedback with the entire team. Thank you once again for sharing your wonderful experience and we pledge to continue offering the very best of the Serena Hospitality and Service. Regards, Anderson Mburugu Acting General Manager

6/10 Okay

ADITYA

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2022

10/10 Excellent

Milton

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Car parking, i was staying at 424 which is far from the parking ..You need to look on that
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2021
Response from poana serena hotel on 6 Jan 2022
Dear Mr. Milton, Thank you very much for choosing the POLANA SERENA HOTEL as your preferred place of residence during your recent visit to Mozambique and for taking the time to write such a thorough rave review of our property and service. We are truly honored and delighted to hear that you enjoyed your stay with us and that you find our property exceptional in all ways. Management will be sure to share your encouraging feedback with the entire team. We certainly empathize regarding the point you mentioned and we have brought this up to relevant team members. Thank you once again for sharing your wonderful experience and we pledge to continue offering the very best of the Serena Hospitality and Service. Regards, Anderson Mburugu Acting General Manager

8/10 Good

Andrew

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Great Colonial Style Hotel - beautiful Setting. Friendly staff. Just very slow food service. Rest is great!
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2021
Response from poana serena hotel on 29 Nov 2021
Dear Mr Andrew, Thank you very much for choosing the POLANA SERENA HOTEL as your preferred place of residence during your recent visit to Mozambique and for taking the time to write such a thorough rave review of our property and service. We are truly honored and delighted to hear that you enjoyed your stay with us and that you find our property exceptional in all ways. Management will be sure to share your encouraging feedback with the entire team. Thank you once again for sharing your wonderful experience and we pledge to continue offering the very best of the Serena Hospitality and Service. Regards, Anderson Mburugu

8/10 Good

Itzik

Business traveller
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Hotel is beautiful, staff and service are amazing. Didn’t like the breakfast.
Stayed 5 nights in Nov 2021
Response from poana serena hotel on 25 Nov 2021
Dear Mr. Itzik, We greatly appreciate your comments regarding your recent stay at the POLANA SERENA HOTEL, It is always a pleasure to receive positive feedback. I am however sorry that our FOOD AND BEVERAGE offer did not meet your expectations and for that; please allow me to express my sincerest apologies. The hotel continuously strives to meet your needs and expectation so please rest assured that we are taking the appropriate measures to address your concerns. Also at a time of your convenience, please feel free to share in detail or advise us on how best we can improve the offer because your valued feedback will go a long way in ensuring that the quality of our service is improved and exceeds your expectation making your next stay with us a lot more comfortable. Thank you once again for sharing your experience, and we look forward to serving you in the future. Sincerely, Anderson Mburugu

10/10 Excellent

Nathan

Business traveller
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Staying at the Polana Serena is always a wonderful experience
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2021
Response from poana serena hotel on 22 Nov 2021
Dear Nathan, Thank you very much for choosing the POLANA SERENA HOTEL as your preferred place of residence during your recent visit to Mozambique and for taking the time to write such a thorough rave review of our property and service. We are truly honored and delighted to hear that you enjoyed your stay with us and that you find our property exceptional in all ways. Management will be sure to share your encouraging feedback with the entire team. Thank you once again for sharing your wonderful experience and we pledge to continue offering the very best of the Serena Hospitality and Service. Regards, Anderson Mburugu

10/10 Excellent

Erin

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2021

8/10 Good

Bwalya

Business traveller
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 13 nights in Aug 2021

10/10 Excellent

Russell

Business traveller
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Great spot
Great place to stay while in Maputo. Beautiful views and they took care of scheduling a COVID test for me.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2021
Response from poana serena hotel on 29 June 2021
Dear Mr. Russell, Thank you very much for choosing the POLANA SERENA HOTEL as your preferred place of residence during your recent visit to Mozambique and for taking the time to write such a thorough rave review of our property and service. We are truly honored and delighted to hear that you enjoyed your stay with us and that you find our property exceptional in all ways. Management will be sure to share your encouraging feedback with the entire team. Thank you once again for sharing your wonderful experience and we pledge to continue offering the very best of the Serena Hospitality and Service. Regards, Abhishek S. Negi

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Business traveller
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Nice hotel and location. Spacey and comfortable all around.
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2020

10/10 Excellent

Omar, Arusha, Tanzania

Business traveller
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The restaurant, the fountains, the amenities. Pleasant and helpful staff
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2020
Response from polana Serena Hotel on 13 Mar 2020
Dear Guest, Thank you very much for choosing the POLANA SERENA HOTEL as your preferred place of residence during your recent visit to Mozambique and for taking the time to write such a thorough rave review of our property and service. We are truly honored and delighted to hear that you enjoyed your stay with us and that you find our property exceptional in all ways. Management will be sure to share your encouraging feedback with the entire team. Thank you once again for sharing your wonderful experience and we pledge to continue offering the very best of the Serena Hospitality and Service. Regards, Abhishek S. Negi

8/10 Good

Margo, Vilanculos

Business traveller
Liked: Staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Just wish they had a map showing facilities. I couldn't find the fitness club or restaurants. Walked around the grounds for a long time, getting lost (but it was a wonderful walk; the grounds are lovely). I finally asked, but it would be nice if their room services book had a map.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2020
Response from polana serena hotel on 10 Mar 2020
Dear Guest, Thank you very much for choosing the POLANA SERENA HOTEL as your preferred place of residence during your recent visit to Mozambique and for taking the time to write such a thorough rave review of our property and service. We are truly honored and delighted to hear that you enjoyed your stay with us and that you find our property exceptional in all ways. Management will be sure to share your encouraging feedback with the entire team. I certainly empathize regarding the points you mentioned and we have brought this up to relevant team members. Thank you once again for sharing your wonderful experience and we pledge to continue offering the very best of the Serena Hospitality and Service. Regards, Abhishek S. Negi

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Stayed 8 nights in Feb 2020
Response from polana serena hotel on 10 Mar 2020
Dear Guest, Thank you very much for your feedback. Regards, Abhishek S. Negi

10/10 Excellent

Inga

Stayed 5 nights in Nov 2019

10/10 Excellent

Inga

Business traveller
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Excellent hotel
My favorite hotel! Love everything about it.
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2019
Response from polana Serena Hotel on 19 Nov 2019
Dear Guest. Thank you very much for choosing the POLANA SERENA HOTEL as your preferred place of residence during your recent visit to Mozambique and for taking the time to write such a thorough rave review of our property and service. We are truly honored and delighted to hear that you enjoyed your stay with us and that you find our property exceptional in all ways. Management will be sure to share your encouraging feedback with the entire team. Thank you once again for sharing your wonderful experience and we pledge to continue offering the very best of the Serena Hospitality and Service. Regards, Abhishek S. Negi

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2019

10/10 Excellent

Alyssa

Business traveller
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2019

10/10 Excellent

Rick

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stay at Polana Serena Maputo
Gracious, luxurious old style hotel - outstanding service
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2019

10/10 Excellent

Anna

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Polana always great!
The Polana is a beautiful colonial-era hotel. Staff are super friendly and breakfast is amazing. The renovated wing is very nice with all modern amenities but I think loses some of its historic charm, but just depends what you’re looking for!
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2019

6/10 Okay

Verified traveller

Business traveller
Good service
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2019
Response from Polana Serena Hotel on 18 July 2019
Dear Guest, Thank you very much for choosing the POLANA SERENA HOTEL as your preferred place of residence during your recent visit to Mozambique and for taking the time to write such a thorough rave review of our property and service. We are truly honored and delighted to hear that you enjoyed your stay with us and that you find our property exceptional in all ways. Management will be sure to share your encouraging feedback with the entire team. Thank you once again for sharing your wonderful experience and we pledge to continue offering the very best of the Serena Hospitality and Service. Regards, Abhishek S. Negi

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Stayed 6 nights in Jun 2019

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Business traveller
Liked: Staff & service
Good and nice to stay
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2019
Response from Polana Serena Hotel on 18 July 2019
Dear Guest, Thank you very much for choosing the POLANA SERENA HOTEL as your preferred place of residence during your recent visit to Mozambique and for taking the time to write such a thorough rave review of our property and service. We are truly honored and delighted to hear that you enjoyed your stay with us and that you find our property exceptional in all ways. Management will be sure to share your encouraging feedback with the entire team. Thank you once again for sharing your wonderful experience and we pledge to continue offering the very best of the Serena Hospitality and Service. Regards, Abhishek S. Negi

6/10 Okay

Verified traveller

Business traveller
Can consider
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2019
Response from Polana Serena Hotel on 18 July 2019
Dear Guest, Thank you very much for choosing the POLANA SERENA HOTEL as your preferred place of residence during your recent visit to Mozambique and for taking the time to write such a thorough rave review of our property and service. We are truly honored and delighted to hear that you enjoyed your stay with us and that you find our property exceptional in all ways. Management will be sure to share your encouraging feedback with the entire team. Thank you once again for sharing your wonderful experience and we pledge to continue offering the very best of the Serena Hospitality and Service. Regards Abhishek S. Negi

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Stayed 10 nights in Jun 2019

6/10 Okay

Michael

Liked: Cleanliness
Disliked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Bad senior mismanagement of a charming old hotel.
I don’t really know how to rate this place. I stayed there twice in the past two weeks. It’s a beautiful old hotel with lots of charm, good food, friendly staff. But my room never had hot water. I informed the reception who sent someone to “fix” it but nothing changed. No apologies from management, no change of rooms nothing. This week I stayed there again. I wake up yesterday to find the whole main hotel in pitch darkness. Fire doors closed, lifts not working, air con off, room key cards not working, only lighting in passages a few small small tea lights. I nearly walked straight into a glass painting at the end of the passage it was so dark. We sat in that darkness for 10 hours. My phone went dead. My laptop died. Couldn’t do any work at all. Some lame excuse about the backup generator not working. For a 5 star hotel owned by one of the richest men in the world? Really? So - what did Mr Abishek Negi do to compensate us for this? He was around. He did nothing at all. No letter of apology, no offer of refunds, no free meal, not even a spa voucher. Nothing. Maybe he only does that for VIPs. I asked at reception what they were going to do and they just shake their heads. Nope. That’s not how you run a 5 star hotel, anywhere, ever.
Stayed 1 night in May 2019

10/10 Excellent

Amy, Rockville, MD

Business traveller
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Location, amenities, breakfast, staff... It's a great hotel and the service is very good too.
Stayed 5 nights in Apr 2019

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Business traveller
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great hotel. The service is well above the rest of the hotels in Maputo and only compare to Souther Sun. The swimming pool needs to clean properly though. It is the best hotel in Mozambique.
Stayed 5 nights in Mar 2019

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2019

10/10 Excellent

Jonas

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2019

10/10 Excellent

Babatunde

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2018

6/10 Okay

roselyn

Liked: Cleanliness, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2018

8/10 Good

tom

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
High class in Maputo
Accommodations and facilities were very nice. If only the air conditioner worked better to cool the room and lessen humidity levels in the room it would have been ideal.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2018
Response from Polana Serena Hotel on 11 Jan 2019
Dear Guest, Thank you very much for choosing the POLANA SERENA HOTEL as your preferred place of residence during your recent visit to Mozambique and for taking the time to write such a thorough rave review of our property and service. We are truly honored and delighted to hear that you enjoyed your stay with us and that you find our property exceptional in all ways. Management will be sure to share your encouraging feedback with the entire team. Thank you once again for sharing your wonderful experience and we pledge to continue offering the very best of the Serena Hospitality and Service. Regards, Abhishek Negi

10/10 Excellent

Katherine, New York

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2018

10/10 Excellent

Mark, Philadelphia, USA

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
This is an exceptional stand out hotel, a real focus on food and service the, setting is absolutely beautiful. Easily the best hotel in Maputo, actually one of the best hotels in Africa at a very reasonable price.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2018
Response from Polana Serena Hotel on 11 Jan 2019
Dear Guest, Thank you very much for choosing the POLANA SERENA HOTEL as your preferred place of residence during your recent visit to Mozambique and for taking the time to write such a thorough rave review of our property and service. We are truly honored and delighted to hear that you enjoyed your stay with us and that you find our property exceptional in all ways. Management will be sure to share your encouraging feedback with the entire team. Thank you once again for sharing your wonderful experience and we pledge to continue offering the very best of the Serena Hospitality and Service. Regards, Abhishek Negi

10/10 Excellent

Dave

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
All the staff were very friendly and extremely helpful. Cannot blame the hotel for wind and rain for 4 days. Finding things to do was very limited. An excellent heated pool and spa included in the stay with treatments comparable to uk.
Stayed 10 nights in Oct 2018
Response from Polana Serena Hotel on 14 Nov 2018
Dear Guest, Thank you very much for choosing the POLANA SERENA HOTEL as your preferred place of residence during your recent visit to Mozambique and for taking the time to write such a thorough rave review of our property and service. We are truly honored and delighted to hear that you enjoyed your stay with us and that you find our property exceptional in all ways. Management will be sure to share your encouraging feedback with the entire team. Thank you once again for sharing your wonderful experience and we pledge to continue offering the very best of the Serena Hospitality and Service. Regards Mr. Abhishek Negi

10/10 Excellent

Yilma, Leesburg, VA

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
I was not satisfied with the first room they gave me and they soon changed it which I liked very much. Their service and courtesy shown by the entire stuff is phenomenal
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2018
Response from Polana Serena Hotel on 14 Nov 2018
Dear Mrs Yilma, Thank you very much for choosing the POLANA SERENA HOTEL as your preferred place of residence during your recent visit to Mozambique and for taking the time to write such a thorough rave review of our property and service. We are truly honored and delighted to hear that you enjoyed your stay with us and that you find our property exceptional in all ways. Management will be sure to share your encouraging feedback with the entire team. Thank you once again for sharing your wonderful experience and we pledge to continue offering the very best of the Serena Hospitality and Service. Regards Mr. Abhishek Negi