Reviews of trips to Stone Town
354 holiday reviews from our travellers of holidays which include Stone Town.
Dr B & family
Norwich
"Overall trip"
I visited Zanzibar and 1 other country between 5 Aug 2010 and 21 Aug 2010
"This is the first time I have ever arranged a trip using an agency. Although I have worked regularly in Tanzania over the last decade, I was not confident I knew enough about the holiday side and would be able to arrange the necessary transfers.
I was recommended the Bradt guide to Tanzania and noted that Chris acknowldeged his involvement with Expert Africa and sort of liked that. So got in touch and was very ably advised by Liz Wollen. I was late in doing the bookings but she guided me very competently through the available choices and I cannot fault her recommendations. I
n the event, on several of the bookings, she was able to get us better deals than we thought was possible at the outset. When she left on an assignment to Africa, Ellie seamlessly took over the arrangements. It was a pleasure working with the team and everything, without exception, went as planned.
Not a whinge but a suggestion. The pickup times on the transfers by road were not specified and it wasn't always easy to find a contact at the transfer company who was fully up to speed. Everyone now has mobiles in Africa - when I visit farmers in remote parts, I make the arrangements by mobile - so why not recommend that your clients buy a local sim card and send the details to you. You can then advise hotels, transfer companies etc so they can text collection times and other last minute info as needed.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
It may be me being thick but I lost a couple of versions of this form as I was completing it. You guys are doing a great job." Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 6 on a Zanzibar holiday
I was recommended the Bradt guide to Tanzania and noted that Chris acknowldeged his involvement with Expert Africa and sort of liked that. So got in touch and was very ably advised by Liz Wollen. I was late in doing the bookings but she guided me very competently through the available choices and I cannot fault her recommendations. I
n the event, on several of the bookings, she was able to get us better deals than we thought was possible at the outset. When she left on an assignment to Africa, Ellie seamlessly took over the arrangements. It was a pleasure working with the team and everything, without exception, went as planned.
Not a whinge but a suggestion. The pickup times on the transfers by road were not specified and it wasn't always easy to find a contact at the transfer company who was fully up to speed. Everyone now has mobiles in Africa - when I visit farmers in remote parts, I make the arrangements by mobile - so why not recommend that your clients buy a local sim card and send the details to you. You can then advise hotels, transfer companies etc so they can text collection times and other last minute info as needed.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
It may be me being thick but I lost a couple of versions of this form as I was completing it. You guys are doing a great job." Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 6 on a Zanzibar holiday
Overall trip
Excellent
The H family
Surrey
"Great help and patience"
I visited Tanzania and 1 other country between 27 Jul 2010 and 11 Aug 2010
"As nervous first time safari virgins we were really pleased with the organisation and service we received. The whole experience, apart from Breezes, was great. The transfers on Zanzibar, guides from Nomad and advice we had were first rate.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Nothing to add... great service" Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 7 on a Tanzania safari
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Nothing to add... great service" Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 7 on a Tanzania safari
Overall trip
Excellent
The P family
Norfolk
"Ruaha to Zanzibar via Selous"
I visited Tanzania and 1 other country between 22 Jul 2010 and 6 Aug 2010
"We thought this was a fantastic trip and it confirmed our love of Africa. The people were wonderful and we were helped whenever we needed it - puncture on Zanzibar, getting lost in Stone Town etc. We never had any concerns for our safety and felt that the Tanzanians must be the gentlest people we have encountered.
Go to Ruaha - the game is a s good as Chobe in Botswana. Selous is a good alternative and has the advantage of water activities and walking safaris. Game is harder to find though.
Breezes is great if you have children, its facilities are good, it is safe and the perfect spot to unwind.
I would avoid the Zanzibar Coffee House except for cake and coffee. There are better alternatives - we were moved to Grand Palace Hotel which is brand new (and has a few teething problems) and the Swahili House looked good as well. We had an excellent Italian meal at the Spice House.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Not really. This is our second trip with you and third with Sunvil group in 4 years. Thinking about next year already." Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 8 on a Tanzania safari
Go to Ruaha - the game is a s good as Chobe in Botswana. Selous is a good alternative and has the advantage of water activities and walking safaris. Game is harder to find though.
Breezes is great if you have children, its facilities are good, it is safe and the perfect spot to unwind.
I would avoid the Zanzibar Coffee House except for cake and coffee. There are better alternatives - we were moved to Grand Palace Hotel which is brand new (and has a few teething problems) and the Swahili House looked good as well. We had an excellent Italian meal at the Spice House.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Not really. This is our second trip with you and third with Sunvil group in 4 years. Thinking about next year already." Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 8 on a Tanzania safari
Overall trip
Excellent
The C family
Surrey
"A great holiday"
I visited Zanzibar and 1 other country between 22 Jul 2010 and 8 Aug 2010
"The first week on safari was great, the second weelk in Zanzibar was good but not as good as the first week. We will not be recommending Breezes to any of our friends. Serena Hotel was great."
Read full review: 17 nights in Africa; 9 on a Zanzibar holiday
Overall trip
Good
The A family
Oxford
"Overall holiday"
I visited Zanzibar and 1 other country between 17 Jul 2010 and 30 Jul 2010
"This was a holiday of a lifetime for us and it certainly lived up to expectations.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
The service was fantastic I have no further comment to make." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 8 on a Zanzibar holiday
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
The service was fantastic I have no further comment to make." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 8 on a Zanzibar holiday
Overall trip
Excellent
Ms F & Mr F
UK
"Honeymoon to the Selous reserve and Zanzibar"
I visited Zanzibar and 1 other country between 13 Jul 2010 and 25 Jul 2010
"Expert Africa organised everything very well, our taxis and middle men were very efficient and reliable.
Great advice for what we liked doing and we enjoyed our whole stay in Africa.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
No, we picked you because you had extensive good and bad reviews available on your website (so an honest and exhaustive approach), and later on your staff were very good and helpful on many levels." Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 7 on a Zanzibar holiday
Great advice for what we liked doing and we enjoyed our whole stay in Africa.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
No, we picked you because you had extensive good and bad reviews available on your website (so an honest and exhaustive approach), and later on your staff were very good and helpful on many levels." Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 7 on a Zanzibar holiday
Overall trip
Excellent
The W family
Ireland
"family trip to Tanzania"
I visited Tanzania and 1 other country between 6 Jul 2010 and 18 Jul 2010
"Many thanks to Expert Africa for good advice and arranging a truly superb trip to Tanzania. A great place to bring teenage children.
We will certainly be back to Africa." Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 6 on a Tanzania safari
We will certainly be back to Africa." Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 6 on a Tanzania safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Ms MP
Belgium
"So happy with this trip"
I visited Zanzibar and 1 other country between 6 Jul 2010 and 21 Jul 2010
"This was a completely wonderful holiday - exceeded our very high expectations.
Was so pleased I used Expert Africa: good advice at every stage, and so we got a trip that was just what we wanted. It was obvious that all the staff members I spoke to had first-hand experience of the camps and so could really help with our choices, and were very helpful talking through what we needed to consider.
Thank you.
These travellers subsequently wrote to us:
As you see, we really did have a fantastic holiday, and are extremely pleased that we used Expert Africa to help us get the trip we wanted. We realised while we were away how good your advice had been, and that we had a more "adventurous" holiday than I would have confident booking without that advice.
Not all the other people we met while we were away felt they had such a good experience with their own agents. This was often because they had taken a package deal so had little if any choice of camp and hadn't not known what to expect, through a variety of people with small problems changing onto internal flights at Dar Es Salaam, to some people who had been routed through Johannesburg during the World Cup and found themselves with nowhere to stay!
We were happy to mention Expert Africa as we really felt that the whole trip was very well organised and just what we hoped. The two camps in particular were so welcoming especially to the children - before we left, so many people had told me how brave I was to take my kids on safari that I had started to wonder whether it really was a sensible decision, but they loved it, learnt so much and felt included in everything we did." Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 8 on a Zanzibar holiday
Was so pleased I used Expert Africa: good advice at every stage, and so we got a trip that was just what we wanted. It was obvious that all the staff members I spoke to had first-hand experience of the camps and so could really help with our choices, and were very helpful talking through what we needed to consider.
Thank you.
These travellers subsequently wrote to us:
As you see, we really did have a fantastic holiday, and are extremely pleased that we used Expert Africa to help us get the trip we wanted. We realised while we were away how good your advice had been, and that we had a more "adventurous" holiday than I would have confident booking without that advice.
Not all the other people we met while we were away felt they had such a good experience with their own agents. This was often because they had taken a package deal so had little if any choice of camp and hadn't not known what to expect, through a variety of people with small problems changing onto internal flights at Dar Es Salaam, to some people who had been routed through Johannesburg during the World Cup and found themselves with nowhere to stay!
We were happy to mention Expert Africa as we really felt that the whole trip was very well organised and just what we hoped. The two camps in particular were so welcoming especially to the children - before we left, so many people had told me how brave I was to take my kids on safari that I had started to wonder whether it really was a sensible decision, but they loved it, learnt so much and felt included in everything we did." Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 8 on a Zanzibar holiday
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr F & Ms L
London
""
I visited Tanzania and 1 other country between 13 Jun 2010 and 27 Jun 2010
"Fantastic - thanks Claire! An excellent mix of lodges and experiences with some much needed RnR at either end. We would highly recommend Expert Africa to friends and family going forward.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Love your website and the detailed info it gives - so keep it up!" Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 11 on a Tanzania safari
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Love your website and the detailed info it gives - so keep it up!" Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 11 on a Tanzania safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Miss & Mr B
Herts
"A memorable adventure"
I visited Zanzibar and 1 other country between 1 Jun 2010 and 13 Jun 2010
"As a whole we had a fantastic trip full of memorable experiences.
The people were friendly and welcoming and the accommodation was generally good. The shooting Star lodge was a little disappointing but did not ruin the overall experience.
The service we received from expert Africa has been ecellent, and I would recommend them." Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 8 on a Zanzibar holiday
The people were friendly and welcoming and the accommodation was generally good. The shooting Star lodge was a little disappointing but did not ruin the overall experience.
The service we received from expert Africa has been ecellent, and I would recommend them." Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 8 on a Zanzibar holiday
Overall trip
Good
354
reviews of Stone Town by travellers since August 2007
Overall rating by our travellers
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Where to stay in Stone Town
Our suggestions for places to stay in Stone Town
Zanzibar Coffee House
The Zanzibar Coffee House is a small quiet hotel tucked away in the back streets of Stone Town, with lovely, simple rooms.
Serena Inn
Now trumped by the nearby Park Hyatt, the Serena Inn, in its historic building, was formerly Stone Town's only international-style hotel.
Zanzibar Palace Hotel
The Zanzibar Palace Hotel is a highly regarded boutique hotel with very personal service and just nine rooms, all of them Zanzibari in style.
Beyt al Salaam
The Beyt al Salaam is a pleasant, boutique hotel with only six rooms and atmospheric and stylish Zanzibari décor.
Dhow Palace Hotel
The Dhow Palace is a very good-value, mid-range hotel, full of Swahili character, and the pool makes it appealing to families.
Emerson Spice
Emerson Spice is a beautiful small hotel in the heart of Stone Town with individually designed rooms adorned with gorgeous fabrics.
Kholle House
Kholle House offers an atmospheric Stone Town stay in a historic building, and is very good value for money.
Jafferji House
Jafferji House is a converted old house that blends modern facilities with traditional style. The ten, unique rooms are show great attention to detail.
Swahili House
Swahili House is a traditionally styled boutique hotel furnished to a high standard with a convenient location in the centre of Stone Town.
Tembo Hotel
The Tembo Hotel is a good-value, family-friendly hotel right on the seafront in Stone Town, with 36 rooms and a good-sized swimming pool.
Emerson on Hurumzi
Emerson on Hurumzi was Stone Town's first boutique hotel, featuring antique furniture, unique, stylish rooms and a superb rooftop restaurant.
Mbweni Ruins Hotel
Mbweni Ruins Hotel is very convenient if you want to stay on the beach, but very close to Stone Town, or visit Chumbe Island.
Maru Maru Hotel
In the heart of Stone Town, Maru Maru combines contemporary style and creature comforts with a Zanzibari twist.
Park Hyatt
The Park Hyatt Zanzibar is a high-quality example of this group, with excellent facilities and service.
Kisiwa House
Kisiwa's central location in the heart of Stone Town's Shangani area makes it a great base to explore this fascinating town.
Seyyida Hotel
The Seyyida is a characterful old hotel near the seafront in Stone Town, with the rare bonus of a swimming pool.
