Budget
Fatima's Place
1317 mao tse tung avenida, maputo, [email protected], â +258 82 4145730, +258 82 3070870, fax: +258 1300305, (http://www.mozambiqueback...). dorms from us$20 as of sept 29/11. many people really enjoy this place, but it has more of a party atmosphere and is quite a bit larger than base backpackers. some have found the staff and the other guests to be quite standoffish. others have had more serious issues such as being forced to pay for bookings they did not agree to. it's a bit out of the main part of downtown, but still a very easy and generally safe walk to the business district. fatima's also offers shuttle service to fatima's nest in tofo beach, around 7-8 hrs north of maputo. while this bus is very convenient, it can also be extremely dangerous and the motorist has stolen from expat passengers in the past. take at your own risk. one free internet computer available. daily shuttle to tofo $25.
The Base Backpackers
545 avenida patrice lumumba â+258 21 302723, not so great rooms, balcony with a view over the sea, 1 computer with internet - separate pay, a small room with a tv and news, a self-service fridge and kitchen facilities. members of the staff can be extremely flaky, and told a guest whose laundry was not returned clean as promised, "it's not my problem, it's your problem." the place needs to be sprayed for bedbugs, and needs to undergo a total renovation, but its one positive quality is its central location. the dorms become very hot during the spring and summer due to a lack of a fan. us$10. base is small, with only two small dorms, so you should call ahead for a reservation. if you are traveling by yourself, you could walk up and get lucky, but there are no guarantees. if you find their email address online, don't use it to make a reservation. they do not respond to email reservations. daily shuttle to tofo $21.
Maputo B&B, Backpackers
At triunfo, 4 avenida, house 98, look for saure blue sign with yellow letters, â+258 82 4672230. clean, small bar, free pool table, restaurant with home cooked seafood, garden space to sit, secure parking in and out. info on trips to tofo, diving, culture, and very important poor location close to the beach but very far from the city. takes long term resident. city tours, inhaca-portuguese island boat trips, live music bar.
Midrange
Pestana Inhaca Lodge
VIP Grand Hotel Maputo
Is a conference-hotel near the commercial centre of town, the feira popular, the ferry to catembe. the rooms are pleasantly clean and modern with good wireless internet included in the room rate, but service is poor, and food is awful.
Top end
Catembe Gallery Hotel
(http://www.catembe.net/). 14 luxurious rooms that are individually decorated by leading mozambican artists. inconvenient to find, approximately 45 mins from the cbd via crowded public boat, then taxi, located on a remote dirt road on the opposite side of the bay. it has a bar, beach, library, pool table and swimming pool. internet access is available. rates start from about â¬60, up to â¬380, depending on type of room selected.
Hotel Cardoso
(http://www.hotelcardoso.co.mz/). opposite the traffic circle from the natural history museum. recently refurbished and is a solid 4-star hotel although things often tend to go wrong. staff fluent in english. a great garden to have a drink in and watch the sun set over the baixa and rio santo. doubles with a river view and airconditioning were us$140 or more in may 2009.
Hotel Avenida
(http://www.hotelavenida.co.mz). 5-star hotel on avenida julius nyerere. has large and fairly comfortable rooms. rooftop pool and bar for excellent sunsets and a good way of appreciating the rather confusing geography of maputo. several restaurants thai, greek, indian and pub style within a few minutes. hotel shuttle to and from the airport available. free access to the internet. rooms from around us$170 april 2009 including good breakfast but really the only thing that is 5-star about this hotel is the price.
Radisson Blu Hotel
(http://www.radissonblu.co...) the international hotel chain, radisson blu has begun construction of a 12 storey building with 154 rooms in one of the city's trendiest spots on the marginal road along the beach. this new property will feature a striking design, ocean views and will be competing with the best hotels in the city. there are several restaurants and bars across the road. free internet for guests and delegates. the hotel will hosts, an ocean view bar, a filini restaurant offering exquisite italian cuisine in a stylish atmosphere, a cigar bar and a lounge bar. the hotel opening is now delayed until early 2012. opening rate at us$220, breakfast included.
Hotel Polana
(http://www.serenahotels.c...). the grande dame of maputo hotels, a colonial era masterpiece by sir herbert baker, famed south african architect who also did the mount nelson hotel in cape town. as close to perfection in service, food, pool, view, etc. as can be found in maputo. doubles from us$217. good place to have a drink, or to have lunch in the tea room.