Polana Serena Hotel, Maputo

The Polana Serena Hotel has stood on Maputo's Indian Ocean coastline since 1922, built in a grand palace style that has hosted dignitaries, diplomats and travellers for over a century. It is ranked #3 of 42 hotels in Maputo on TripAdvisor.

The hotel has 153 rooms and suites -- including Family, Studio, Prime, Deluxe and Executive categories, plus a Presidential Suite -- alongside Villa Mar, 8 separate one- and two-bedroom villas with their own sea views.

Guest reviews praise the large, dark-wood-decorated rooms, a strong breakfast, courteous and attentive staff, and a striking lobby and pool area overlooking Maputo Bay; some reviewers note that service can move slowly at busy times and that a section of the hotel (Polana Mar) shows its age more than the main building.