Polana Bar endures in Maputo

Established in 1922, the stately Polana is the oldest hotel in Maputo, occupying pride of place overlooking the Indian Ocean. Although nearly a century later the city might bristle with competition, its grand dame is still going strong – even if a recent refurbishment has scrubbed away some of the establishment’s time-worn character.

Operated by the Serena group (which has a bevy of luxury lodgings in East Africa and beyond), the Polana is beloved by presidents and business bigwigs 
alike, who congregate in its ballroom and conference rooms, while a more 
languorous crowd paddle in the dam-sized pool outside, get pampered in the Moroccan-inspired spa, or tuck into high tea on the terrace.

Originally hailing from Bangalore, the Polana’s food and beverage manager, 
Suresh Kumar, has been with the hotel for nearly three years following stints in India and the Middle East with the likes of Hilton, Taj and Kempinski. Before 
trying his signature cocktail in the clubby Polana Bar, he introduces me to the 
Polana Bar’s gin menu – a collection of a dozen gins from around the world that are combined with botanical ingredients to foreground their own characteristics. 

I try the Opihr – a sublimely spicy gin that’s matched with chilli, cubeb berries 
and pepper, then loosened up with a healthy dash of tonic. Up next is orange coloured Saffron Gin from France, whose citrusy elements are paired with a slice of orange. For gin aficionados, it’s a paradise found. 

Your signature cocktail? The Cosmopolitan. Strongest cocktail you’ve 
ever made? The Long Island Iced Tea. Bestselling drink? Johnnie Walker Black Label. Most popular food? The Polana Lilly beef fillet steak sandwich.

Barman’s cocktail: 8/10. Silky and sweet. Carrie Bradshaw would give this an enthusiastic thumbs-up. Barman’s personality: 10/10. The perfect host, Kumar epitomises the elegant and engaging service that one expects from an iconic establishment like this one. serenahotels.com