Travel reviews by The A Family from Hassocks
Review Distribution
Total number of trips
1
Countries visited
2
Lodges stayed in
4
Excursions taken
0
We had the most wonderful time.
Tanzania and 1 other country between 11 Jun 2011 and 26 Jun 2011
"We had the most wonderful time, it was a very special trip and did not disappoint.
We loved being on safari, the choice of camps was inspired and I would definitely choose similar camps next time. The Zanzibar beach lodge is a real gem, another excellent suggestion.
The only disappointment was the Zanzibar Palace Hotel which I would most definitely not recommend.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
The service was excellent and I have already recommended Expert Africa to friends. I will certainly use you again.
Many thanks for a wonderful trip!"
We loved being on safari, the choice of camps was inspired and I would definitely choose similar camps next time. The Zanzibar beach lodge is a real gem, another excellent suggestion.
The only disappointment was the Zanzibar Palace Hotel which I would most definitely not recommend.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
The service was excellent and I have already recommended Expert Africa to friends. I will certainly use you again.
Many thanks for a wonderful trip!"
Arranged By Elizabeth Chapman
Lake Manze Adventure Camp
"Lake Manze Tented Camp review"
4 nights
Arrived
12 Jun 2011
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Good
Facilities
Excellent
Mdonya Old River Camp
"Mdonya Old River Camp review"
4 nights
Arrived
16 Jun 2011
"This is an exceptional camp and we had a wonderful time here.
Alex, the manager is outstanding and sensitive, thoughtful, warm and friendly, we were very, very well looked after and as in Lake Manze camp loved the 50s feel of the camp, the simplicity of the facilities and thoughtful service made for an excellent safari experience, with all the comforts of being a colonial."
Alex, the manager is outstanding and sensitive, thoughtful, warm and friendly, we were very, very well looked after and as in Lake Manze camp loved the 50s feel of the camp, the simplicity of the facilities and thoughtful service made for an excellent safari experience, with all the comforts of being a colonial."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Mchanga Beach Lodge, Zanzibar (this camp has since closed)
"Mchanga Beach Lodge review"
4 nights
Arrived
20 Jun 2011
"Thomas and Gloria have created the most exquisite and comfortable beach lodge overlooking the Indian Ocean. They are both charming, considerate and warm and we had a fantastic time here.
This beach lodge is a real gem, quite and beautiful."
This beach lodge is a real gem, quite and beautiful."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Good
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Good
Not currently featured by Expert Africa
Zanzibar Palace Hotel
"Zanzibar Palace Hotel review"
2 nights
Arrived
24 Jun 2011
"This is not a great hotel.
The rooms are dark, have horrible scratchy fabric on the beds, no chairs to sit on and the bathroom was not very clean, the bath was rank. All very dull and below par.
Very disappointing after our wonderful experiences on safari and in Zamzibar."
The rooms are dark, have horrible scratchy fabric on the beds, no chairs to sit on and the bathroom was not very clean, the bath was rank. All very dull and below par.
Very disappointing after our wonderful experiences on safari and in Zamzibar."
Poor
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Poor
Location
Poor
Service
Poor
Rooms
Poor
Food
Average
Feedback response
We were concerned to hear such negative comments from these travellers, because this hotel usually gets consistently high reviews. We may have failed to explain the typical Zanzibari style and character found in most of Stone Town’s boutique hotels - which are often decorated with of heavy dark furniture and fabrics, and polished stone. The result is usually very authentic, although it can feel quite dark, especially if the sun isn’t consistently shining.
We passed these comments to the lodge and the director, Frans, was clearly surprised and upset. He said that he was very sorry that these travellers hadn’t raised any of the issues with him, while they were there. If they’d been raised at the time, he would then have then had a chance to check the cleanliness of the rooms; make sure the bath had been polished; and remove the bed’s decorative but harsh and scratchy throw; and provide additional chairs to add to the Baraza sofa in the corner.
We think that the Zanzibar Palace was a bad match for these travellers – and we’re sorry we got it wrong. Meanwhile Frans tells us that he has organised a staff meeting to discuss these issues – and we will continue to monitor the hotel’s feedback closely.
We passed these comments to the lodge and the director, Frans, was clearly surprised and upset. He said that he was very sorry that these travellers hadn’t raised any of the issues with him, while they were there. If they’d been raised at the time, he would then have then had a chance to check the cleanliness of the rooms; make sure the bath had been polished; and remove the bed’s decorative but harsh and scratchy throw; and provide additional chairs to add to the Baraza sofa in the corner.
We think that the Zanzibar Palace was a bad match for these travellers – and we’re sorry we got it wrong. Meanwhile Frans tells us that he has organised a staff meeting to discuss these issues – and we will continue to monitor the hotel’s feedback closely.
Innovation Manager
We loved the 50s style tents, basic but charming and comfortable and the simplicity of the camp coupled with excellent and thoughtful service made for a very memorable stay."