Reviews of Mbweni Ruins Hotel
Wildlife sightings and reviews
5 independent comments and wildlife information from our travellers who have visited Mbweni Ruins Hotel and kindly agreed to share their thoughts. They do not necessarily represent the views of Expert Africa
Family S
Sheffield
"Comfortable and convenient; great location"
2 nights Arrived 23 Aug 2014
"Our final destination on this holiday, after a week on safari, was Chumbe Island and the boat to Chumbe goes from the jetty at Mbweni Ruins Hotel. Since the hotel is also close to the airport and right on the beach, we selected this over more central Stonetown hotels and weren't disappointed. It was easy to get in to Stonetown (free shuttle) and the hotel could also arrange private tours of the island/Stonetown.
The rooms were comfortable and (though we weren't interested in the televisions!) our group appreciated the well equipped bathrooms, the easy chairs and the cool balconies. There is a small swimming pool right next to the beach and beds with parasols reserved for guests. The grounds were shady and colourful and the views of and from the west-facing beach beautiful.
The menu was OK though not particularly extensive. The service (generally) was relaxed to the point of slow, but staff were friendly and tried to be helpful. It was good to be able to spend the day back at the hotel on our return from Chumbe, while waiting for an evening flight home. A lovely massage, in a cool room in the 'ruins' themselves was also much enjoyed." See all these reviews: 7n in Tanzania; 5n in Zanzibar
The rooms were comfortable and (though we weren't interested in the televisions!) our group appreciated the well equipped bathrooms, the easy chairs and the cool balconies. There is a small swimming pool right next to the beach and beds with parasols reserved for guests. The grounds were shady and colourful and the views of and from the west-facing beach beautiful.
The menu was OK though not particularly extensive. The service (generally) was relaxed to the point of slow, but staff were friendly and tried to be helpful. It was good to be able to spend the day back at the hotel on our return from Chumbe, while waiting for an evening flight home. A lovely massage, in a cool room in the 'ruins' themselves was also much enjoyed." See all these reviews: 7n in Tanzania; 5n in Zanzibar
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location:
Good
Service:
Average
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Average
Facilities:
Good
Mrs R
Canada
"Mbweni Ruins Hotel review"
2 nights Arrived 27 Jan 2014
"We were so lucky that this hotel had air conditioning. I had not processed how hot it would be with the humidity and the room air made us so comfortable. The people again were lovely, we played beach volleyball with 2 of the staff. Food was good. We needed to have a room for the day when we returned from Chumbe before we caught our plane and they willingly accommodated and charged us only $50.
They were able to help us arrange a taxi into town." See all these reviews: 4n in Tanzania; 3n in Zanzibar
They were able to help us arrange a taxi into town." See all these reviews: 4n in Tanzania; 3n in Zanzibar
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Good
Mr & Mrs S
Swindon
"Mbweni Ruins Hotel review"
1 night Arrived 20 Sep 2013
"Mwembi Ruins is a great place for a hop over before Chumbe. You literally roll out of bed and saunter down the jetty to the boat. The hotel itself is under new management as of a month ago. We met Dolf the new manager. He is working hard on staff training so I would expect this place to pick up its game soon. Food and service were both good but just need a bit more energy and personality.
Lovely sunset location. Tides permitting also a great location for tidal walks. The grounds and ruins themselves were a lot smaller than we expected but with a bit of love and attention this could be a fab location to blend a low key beach relaxation with a splash of Stone Town." See all these reviews: 6n in Zanzibar; 5n in Tanzania
Lovely sunset location. Tides permitting also a great location for tidal walks. The grounds and ruins themselves were a lot smaller than we expected but with a bit of love and attention this could be a fab location to blend a low key beach relaxation with a splash of Stone Town." See all these reviews: 6n in Zanzibar; 5n in Tanzania
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Good
Activities:
Good
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Good
Facilities:
Good
Mr K-W
Spain
"delightful stay at Mbweni Ruins Hotel"
6 nights Arrived 11 Oct 2012
"It was easy to remember earlier times on the east African coast at this delightful spot. Everything about the hotel, the beach and the grounds with their ruins and the botanical garden made for a refreshing and relaxed stay.
As at Lake Manze, the staff really were lovely to a person, and our spontaneous interactions with them were so much part of what we enjoyed there.
(In this context, I would mention that I have never enjoyed the people Ive moved amongst more, on occasions like this, than I did these people, as was the case at Lake Manze, too.)
Again, my grading below is subjective.
I was completely happy with thngs as they were, not even finding out and making use of much that was available - arranging tours for instance, since we already had the contact with Eco + Culture for them." See all these reviews: 6n in Zanzibar; 4n in Tanzania
As at Lake Manze, the staff really were lovely to a person, and our spontaneous interactions with them were so much part of what we enjoyed there.
(In this context, I would mention that I have never enjoyed the people Ive moved amongst more, on occasions like this, than I did these people, as was the case at Lake Manze, too.)
Again, my grading below is subjective.
I was completely happy with thngs as they were, not even finding out and making use of much that was available - arranging tours for instance, since we already had the contact with Eco + Culture for them." See all these reviews: 6n in Zanzibar; 4n in Tanzania
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Mr & Mrs P
Norfolk
"Nice gardens and bar area"
2 nights Arrived 25 Jan 2012
"The location was good for the beach, Stone Town & the airport but you could not leave the hotel and walk anywhere, although it was fine for one and a half days. It was perfect for what we wanted.
The gardens were beautiful to walk around and explore and the bush babies provided good entertainment at dinner." See all these reviews: 15n in Tanzania; 6n in Zanzibar
The gardens were beautiful to walk around and explore and the bush babies provided good entertainment at dinner." See all these reviews: 15n in Tanzania; 6n in Zanzibar
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Good
Service:
Good
Facilities:
Good
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Good
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