Runako Lodge vs Swahili House
Both are in Arusha, 1.5 km apart. Here is where each one is stronger.
Hotel★★★Ilkiurei
Runako Lodge
- Guest rating
- 7.5 Good
- Location score
- 2.6
- Score by category
- 3 of 4
HostelKwa Idd, Olorieni
Swahili House
- Guest rating
- 8.4 Very good
- Location score
- 2.2
- Score by category
- 1 of 4
The short answer
Pick Runako Lodge
It leads in 3 of 4 categories. 1.5 km apart.
Choose Runako Lodge if you want
- to walk to the sights (2.6 km / 4.1 km)
- a big hotel with more facilities (Rooms: 16 / 3)
Choose Swahili House if you want
- the more consistently praised stay (8.4 / 7.5)
- a smaller, quieter hotel (Rooms: 3 / 16)
Why is Runako Lodge better than Swahili House?
- 11.5 km closer to the city centre−1.5 km
- 2Has a swimming pool
- 3Offers an airport transfer
- 46 more listed amenities (18 vs 12)+6
- 5Has 24-hour room service
- 6Earlier check-in (7:00 vs 13:00)−6h
Why is Swahili House better than Runako Lodge?
- 1Higher guest rating (8.4 vs 7.5)+0.9
- 2Later check-out (12:00 vs 10:30)+2h
All compared facts
Every category is scored from 0 to 10 with the same formula for every hotel.
| Runako Lodge vs Swahili House: which hotel is better? | Runako Lodge | Swahili House |
|---|---|---|
| Score by category | ||
| Guest rating | 7.5 | 8.4 +0.9 |
| Location | 2.6 +0.4 | 2.2 |
| Facilities | 7.5 +4.2 | 3.3 |
| Spa & wellness | 1.5 +1.5 | 0.0 |
| Ratings & reviews | ||
| StayVersus score | 8.3 | 8.5 +0.2 |
| Guest rating | 7.5 | 8.4 +0.9 |
| Number of reviews | 6 +1 | 5 |
| Rank in Arusha | bottom 23% | bottom 46% +23% |
| Location | ||
| Location score | 2.6 +0.4 | 2.2 |
| Distance to the centre | 2.6 km −1.5 km | 4.1 km |
| To the airport | 5.1 km | 4.1 km |
| Restaurants within 500 m | 0 | 1 |
| To the nearest food shop | 1.5 km −1.2 km | 2.6 km |
| Shops within 500 m | 0 | 0 |
| Sights within 1 km | 2 | 1 |
| Rooms & building | ||
| Star rating | ★★★ | – |
| Rooms | 16 | 3 |
| Floors | 3 | – |
| Newest building or renovation | 2022 +1y | 2021 |
| Listed amenities | 18 +6 | 12 |
| Policies | ||
| Check-in from | 7:00 −6h | 13:00 |
| Check-out until | 10:30 | 12:00 +2h |
| Amenities | ||
| Free Wi-Fi | ✓ | – |
| Free parking | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airport transfer | ✓ | – |
| Shuttle | ✓ | ✓ |
| Car hire | ✓ | ✓ |
| Concierge | ✓ | ✓ |
| Laundry | ✓ | ✓ |
| Luggage storage | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bar | ✓ | ✓ |
| 24-hour room service | ✓ | – |
| Swimming pool | ✓ | – |
| Terrace | ✓ | – |
| Air conditioning | ✓ | – |
| Balcony | ✓ | – |
| Minibar | ✓ | – |
| Breakfast | – | ✓ |
| Kitchen | – | ✓ |
| Which hotel suits you | ||
| Business trips | ✓ | – |
| Spa & relaxation | ✓ | – |
Price for your dates
Prices come from booking partners and can change. The final price is shown before you book.
Live prices around both hotels
Real nightly rates from booking partners for the dates you picked above. Tap a price for the offer.
Location
1.5 km apart
Runako Lodge: city centre: 2.6 km, Arusha Airport (ARK): 5.1 km, 2 sights within 1 km.
Swahili House: city centre: 4.1 km, Arusha Airport (ARK): 4.1 km, 1 places to eat within 500 m, 1 sights within 1 km.
Weather in Arusha
Runako Lodge or Swahili House: common questions
Which is better, Runako Lodge or Swahili House?
Runako Lodge leads in 3 of 4 categories, including location, facilities, spa & wellness. Swahili House is stronger in guest rating.
Which is cheaper, Runako Lodge or Swahili House?
Prices change by date. Pick your dates above to see both nightly prices side by side.
Which hotel is closer to the centre?
Runako Lodge is closer: 2.6 km from the centre, against 4.1 km for Swahili House.
How far apart are Runako Lodge and Swahili House?
The two hotels are 1.5 km apart in a straight line.
Compare now
Updated 6 Oct 2026. Data: Agoda, Overture Maps, OpenStreetMap, OurAirports and hotels' own websites. We may earn a commission from partner links; it never changes the comparison. How we score