hugolover

Has anyone stayed at this hotel?

The website clearly mentions an Executive Lounge and I found some professional photographs of such a lounge on TripAdvisor, provided by the hotel but there is no mention of Executive Rooms on the booking process.

Their pretty clear about 32" LCD TV's but the traveller photographs are clearly showing a CRT.

I'm thinking the management/owners had intentions, but none materialised..?

EDIT: Booking a suite has 'Enjoy the conveniences of the Executive floor with complimentary newspaper delivery and complimentary breakfast and evening cocktails.'

But no mention on anything but suite's. This is all highly unusual.

Preacher7

What options do I have of getting from the airport to the hotel? Cost, time and rankings of what you consider best would be greatly appreciated. Thanks so much!

jerry a. laska

Well, the website lists these options:

flytoeat

Take a matatu. You'll never forget the experience.

Preacher7

I know I'd never forget a matatu, but I'm afraid that I'd want to if I took one!

dabee69

Staying in sea view terrace room now. TV is certainly CRT. Room is spacious. No lounge. Breakfast is free for golds and diamonds.

Currently the hotel is to be avoided. Pool is being reconstructed, noise throughout the day. Power outages for couple of hours today. Might be related to construction works.

365RoadWarrior

Any updates on this hotel? Mine will be a business stay, with work in commercial center. Thanks

dabee69

Reconstruction was finished February 2015 when I last visited the hotel. Nice renovated pool. It's good to stay at again.

I stayed for 1 night on the way back from ZNZ to RIX February 2015. I only used pool and room service that night. Good food, prompt service.

There's a shopping mall next to the hotel. Much better beverage prices, also possible to get some souvenirs.

365RoadWarrior

Thanks, dabee69. I wish I was going to have time for the pool (or a trip to Zanzibar) - maybe in the future. Knowing about the mall, the hotel's food service and the renovations is great. ^

365RoadWarrior

I spent two nights here on my way into/out of Tanzania. In short, I was treated like a king. I had a high-floor suite overlooking the water and city. Diamond breakfast was quite nice and included some unusual items (vegetable and/or chicken curry; stir fry vegetables). As was noted by dabee69, there is a mall (for tourists and expats) next door; attached to that is an array of souvenir shops. The grocery store was a blessing. Otherwise, the immediate neighborhood has a few kiosk shops, a few restaurants (juice and salad; Mexican), a bakery and not a whole lot else. Downtown proper is about fifteen minutes by car, but, aside from the Zanzibar ferry and a few humble attractions, there isn't much there, unless you like banks.

There's a fitness center in a separate building, near the pool, spa and outdoor bar. It's open 24 hours and guests have some control of the HVAC. There was ample cardio equipment (treadmills and an elliptical-like device), but not a whole lot else.

The property overall is pretty resort-like, with lots of open space, bars scattered here and there. No lounge. Sometimes newspapers can be found in the lobby. Concierge has taxi price list posted; fairly reasonable. Airport shuttle now $40 - not a terribly bad deal, given the distance and relative cost of taxi hailed on the street.

I'd definitely return.

carsonx

The Oysterbay DT is a pretty old place, comparatively, most of the time I'd go for the Kempinski down town which is relatively new.
Regarding to the power shortage it is rather a national issue... but the DT has a few backup generators that comes up...
Just to update on the mall part, it's called Seacliff, on the North side of the DT, it has a quite a few nice restaurants- really nice steak house at the entrance and a great bar in the middle.
The gift shops are on the east side of the mall, there is a store after passing the Casino (yes there is a casino) owned by a couple from South Africa, incredible place, you'd definitely find some East African flavored gifts in there.

365RoadWarrior

The mall I was thinking of was Slipway. It's (also) North of the hotel. Another mall within walking distance - if you really like malls - is at Oyster Bay. As malls go I preferred this smaller, less-shiny place, but you'd be hard-pressed as a visitor to find anything to buy at Oyster Bay.

I really wasn't fond of downtown Dar. (I spent a night at the Hyatt on the other end of my trip.) Though the DT area didn't have much going on, it was quieter and wasn't mainly a bunch of banks.