Travel reviews by Ms A & Mr M from London

"During our 2-week stay on Zanzibar, our 4-day stay at Unguja Lodge was probably the best!
The location, natural and village surroundings, lodge architecture, location and facilities were excellent!

The lodge owners and staff are extremely hospitable and professional. They are all discreet, yet helpful and available whenever needed.
The food was also the best we had during our stay at Zanzibar. In fact it was excellent! Imaginative, original and very, very tasty; suitable to every liking!

The only service that was of average rating was one that is not directly owned and managed by the Unguja Lodge Management, but is hosted at the resort. This is the One Ocean Dive Center. We did a number of activities with them (one-day diving/snorkelling trips; dolphin-spotting), and although they were always polite they appeared to be rushing everything and providing the absolute minimum from what was agreed.

This issue was raised with the Unguja Lodge Management, who appear to be aware of this issue. It has to be noted that we did use the services of One Ocean Dive in other locations of the island (as they have multiple offices out of which they operate) and we were greatly satisfied everywhere else. Perhaps it is the staff/management of the diving center specific at the Unguja Lodge that need to improve the quality of their services!

Regardless, our stay at Unguja Lodge was excellent and worth every penny. On our next visit to Zanzibar we will be certainly visiting them again."

"Our stay at Mchanga Beach Lodge was trully relaxing and peacefull. Although the NE part of Zanzibar is relatively crowded and touristic, the owners/management of the Mchanga Beach Lodge appear to have selected an ideal spot to build their lodge. It is trully peacefull and the lodge's layout ensures that you feel as if you are in a very private and cut-off location.

There are not many activities to do at the lodge and the immediately surrounding area - other than relax - but the management will help with arranging day trips and other activities.

The staff is excellent, discreet, yet very friendly and heart-warming people. They are genuinely lovely people, and it appears that the lodge's management have taken great care in selecting them.

The services of the One Ocean Dive Center used by the Mchange Beach Lodge were excellent and left us greatly satisfied (in contrast to the services provided by the same organization at Kizimkazi).

During our stay at Mchange Beach Lodge, the lodge's management also suggested a particular company to take us on a day-trip to the NE part of Zanzibar, which included a series of village visits, Aquarium visit, and lunch. Although the quality of this day-trip tour was not poor, we felt that it was greatly overpriced for what was actually delivered. Perhaps it is worth for the Mchanga Beach Lodge management to consider other touring companies to collaborate with.

Overall, our stay at Mchange Beach Lodge was greatly enjoyable. During our stay the greatest attribute of the lodge was its frienly staff and the sense of privacy you get at an otherwise busy are of the island. The view of the Indian ocean is also exquisite."

"Our stay on Chumbe island was wonderful, inspirational and trully relaxing. Well done to all involved in creating this unique experience for travellers and the local community.

2-3 nights at Chumbe would be highly recommended. A one-day stay is definitely not adequate in order to trully appreciate the environment and experience what the island offers. We stayed 2 nights and would have gladly stayed longer, despite the relatively great cost of the lodge.

The activities offered are fun and interesting, particularly the snorkelling and the inter-tidal walks. The view from the lighthouse is also worth checking out."

"The Dhow Palace has an excellent location in the heart of Stone Town and only 2 min walk to the waterfront.

Although the service was less personal to that of other smaller lodges that we stayed in, it was still very good.

On our departure day we had to leave very early, yet the hotel's chef gladly prepared for us breakfast to take with us.

It is a good value for money option in Stone Town."