Exceeded expectations

Wonderful stay, and exceeded my expectations

We had arranged a transfer from the Ferry terminal to the hotel. Due to the fact, that it is a oneway street (officially, at times there is traffic in both ways especially after a ferry arrives and the local streets are just overburdned, the locals tend not to obey he traffic signs), we could not take the direct/shortest way, took us about 12-15 minute to arrive.

Hotel Lobby is impressive, with an Omani style decoration, open, breezy, view of the sea through open doors, wonderful. Was welcomed as a globalist, check-in efficient and was escorted to our room.

We used a TSU to upgrade to a Park King Suite. The room was a boasting 100sqm corner room. Bedroom and balcony was oceanfront, the living/dining room was facing Stone Town. The room was really huge and well layed out.

Purified water is replaced up to twice daily. We had enough water in the room to drink and use for brushing our teeth and rinsing the mouth (just if somebody should be sensitive to the tap water).

Service is impeccable. Extremely friendly, attentive and caring staff. E.g. for breakfast we were asked for the room number, after having been shown to the table we were then always greeted by our name. The waiters generally were very attentive, remembered our names days after the first visit, they remembered our drink preferences and so forth. Amazingly attentive.

We had dinner at „The Dining Room“ 3 times. Food quality was really excellent. Price wise on the higher side for Zanzibar, but reasonable according to our standards. Not everything was available at all times though, but there was enough variety for us to find something delicious. Good Indian cuisine, good fish.

Location is truly ideal. Beachfront, and right in the center of Stone Town. It’s about a 3 minute walk to the main attractions of Stone Town, e.g. the shopping area, the Freddy Mercury museum, about a 6-7 minute walk to a park, where the locals gather in the evenings. There are food stands (we did not try anything, I heard from locals that unsold fish from the previous day was just warmed up again, may not be advisable for certain persons with a sensitive stomach).

I definitely would recommend this hotel. No doubt, and I’d go again for sure.

Most tourist visit Zanzibar after a Safari in Tanzania, either flying in from Arusha or Kilimanjaro. If you are doing so as well and are only planning to stay for 4 days in Zanzibar, then this hotel may not be the best option. It is ideally located for visiting Stone Town. The beach in front of the hotel is „ok to nice“. It is a public beach, and towards the evenings around 5pm, the locals gather there for swimming and it gets quite crowded.

We were visiting friends for 4 days in Zanzibar City and then spent 4 further days on the east side of the island in another hotel. The east coast has beautiful beaches and is very calm. Practically no body there on the beach.

We usually use our debit card to get cash from the ATM’s. This can be difficult, as we tried at least 4 ATM’s until we found some, which actually dispensed money. Other did not have any cash or were not usable with international cards. So beware of that.

The pool was just right in terms of size and had enough lounge chairs and shade.

As mentioned above, the beach is ok. We did take a swim there, water was clean. It is a public beach and it tends to get crowded towards the late afternoon till well after sunset. In the mornings there can be some trash, once an old tire as well. Otherwise clean. The hotel has guards so that no strangers enter the hotel from the beach.