Utengule Coffee Lodge

I stayed at Utengule Coffee Lodge for a conference in Mbeya. This had some downsides (below), but we’d do it again. The rooms are basic in some contexts but they check the boxes for clean, charming and practical. The late evenings and early mornings on the patio with a coffee can be cool at the altitude of Utengule so bring a jacket. Fortunately the showers are abundant and warm. The pool is functional and nice in the afternoon. WiFi is good for email and even downloads but spotty for Teams and Zoom video. The restaurant and bar were good - the poached eggs over avocado toast for breakfast was a highlight. The coffee was what you’d expect from a coffee lodge. If you are a fan of good coffee, take the tour of the coffee processing facility about a 20 minute walk along an easy trail, about twice that for a walk along the roads or 10 minutes by Landcruiser. That you can walk freely without concern about being troubled or run over by a motorcycle is a huge benefit over staying in Mbeya, 20 km to the east. Unfortunately the new road is still in progress so you must take your turn following trucks creeping along so the trip takes 90 minutes eastbound, but only 20 to 30 minutes westbound, at present. The Songwe airport is a faster trip.

We stayed in the Family Bungalow Which is a Bit far away from the Main House. The pool was very refreshing, but on one day it should have been cleaned as many insects tend to love the water. Hospitality es great and the visit to the coffee farm with Lucas Emanuel was a highlight, just as well the hiking to Mbeya Peak

Great spot to stay for a day or a month. Camping grounds, camping bungalows (3 bedroom house), luxury apartments, something for everyone. Swimming pool, tennis, squash & volleyball courts. Kids playground, coffee plantation tour and a 5km hike/run Super friendly staff, awesome food and variety, coffee was my favorite. A very well run establishment with an incredible view of the rift valley.

Service was average, staff are not well trained for such lodge. Room wasn't to my expectation for the value of money paid, also no TV or Telephone in case of an emergency to reach for help (you're told to use your mobile phone)!!! Food not delicious, very little choice for Breakfast, etc. The location is a bit far from the main road, 9 kms!!!

The place was gorgeous and the staff were incredibly gracious and accommodating. We really enjoyed the duplex rooms and the food was fantastic. Always a distinct pleasure to stay at Utengule Coffee Lodge. We’ll be back!

I was at Utengule Coffee Lodge for a week in late October 2023. The seasonal rains had not begun and it was very hot. I started my stay in a regular room, which was clean but very spare and stuffy. The tiny windows weren't large enough to create a cross breeze with the doors to cool the room off, even at night. The second night I moved to an executive suite, which had sufficient ventilation from the windows to make it almost habitable, but it was still too hot to sleep until very late at night. A simple fan would make a big difference. Depending on the other guests, it can also be quite noisy with all windows and most doors left open all night. Other than the heat and noise during the night, it's a peaceful place to stay and the staff is wonderful. The food was fairly good for the most part, but the hotel didn't seem well prepared when my group arrived. For example, instead of the "homemade muesli" listed in the menu, we were served Wheatabix in its place at breakfast on the first day. Some dishes, especially meat dishes, tended to be overly salty. The coffee, of course, is excellent. At check-out, the card readers failed to accept any kind of credit or debit card from anyone in my group, including cards drawn on local banks. The alternative, web-based payment system worked for some cards but not all, and one member of my group had to turn over nearly all his cash, which he had intended to use on his car trip back to Dar es Salaam. While there are really lovely aspects to Utengule Coffee Lodge, the various discomforts and inconveniences combined with relatively high prices for such basic accommodations make it unlikely I will return or recommend it to others.

I recently stayed at Utengule lodge for 2 weeks and thoroughly enjoyed it. The managers, owners and staff went out of their way to accommodate our needs and make the stay a pleasure. Located on a picturesque coffee farm just out of town, it is a peaceful setting and offers space to walk and explore the surrounds. Meals were good and the coffee is excellent. Fantastic service and value thank you to all.

This is definitely one of the best places to stay in Mbeya. Whilst I was on a business trip the environment made it feel like a vacation. Very friendly staff who were accommodating of my needs. I got a chance to visit the coffee farm which was really informative and exciting for a coffee lover.

We opted to stay at the lodge based on a recommendation from a colleague who originates from the area. The lodge has stunning views over the valley with beautiful sunsets. There are enough areas for the kids to play and a pool to enjoy on those hot summer's days. For those more active, there is a volleyball court and a walk route in the mountains. The bar and restaurant are nicely positioned with friendly and efficient staff. The rooms were spacious, comfortable and clean. As could be expected, they have a great coffee menu you should try. All in all, a very enjoyable stay and by far the best option around Mbeya. Just be patient with the road getting there as it is currently being repaired.