Following Benny's email below regarding hotels in Stonetown, I know we've been swayed a great deal by the Tembo mainly because of its location. However, there are a couple of others that I think worthy of checking before a final decision is made. I've checked several and the three I think we should consider (and this includes the Tembo) are as follows:
MARU MARU - www.marumaruzanzibar.com (this hotel was suggested by Tony Madeira)
A New and beautiful hotel recently opened. It's in one of the streets behind the Old Fort. It has a roof terrace where you can dine as well as a terrace lounge which has a bar. Both overlooking the sea beyond. There are two sections: the Classic wing (older and part of the original building) and the New wing (which speaks for itself.) The rooms in both wings look fabulous. However, in the new wing, the 33 bedrooms all surround an open air courtyard with Islamic fountain in the middle. Rates: Single rooms @ $95 per night in either wing. Double/twin in Classic Wing: $170 per night. Double/twin in New Wing $150 per night.
The downside to this hotel, is that it's not quite as central as the Tembo and doesn't have a pool.
DHOW PALACE: www.dhowpalace-hotel.com
This hotel has been here a while (Shangani area I believe). It has a smallish pool, and the typical authentic Zanzibar feel to it. There are only 30 rooms at this hotel ranging from: $80 for a single, Suite/Dble: $110 or Deluxe Suite: $120 per night. I'm afraid, like the Tembo, they do not serve alcohol. It does however, have a roof terrace so we may be able to sneak in our own drinks!
TEMBO HOTEL: www.tembohotel.com
Perfect location on Smith Mckenzie beach. Has large terrace where you can have your breakfast overlooking the beach. It also has a small restaurant/cafe by the side of the pool overlooking the beach. Unless you go for the rooms overlooking the pool or sea, then not worth considering. Rooms, again, unless you go for the doubles or triple rooms are on the smallish side and can feel dark & claustrophobic. However, as we plan to be out most of the time and only use the rooms for sleeping, this may not be a problem for most of us. As Benny has already mentioned, no alcohol served here.
Check out their websites and let Benny & I know what you think. Whichever one we decide upon, Tony, no doubt, we'll be able to get a discount for us. I must say, I'm torn between the Maru Maru and Tembo (the Tembo only because of its location).
Happy viewing!
Px
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Dear Team
Greetings on a bright Saturday morning.
First of all, thanks to all the team members who have kindly provided their views and preferences relating to the number of days they wish to spend in Stone Town. Appologies Betty and I have not forwrded ours which I will do soon when we get back from a little shopping as two grandchildren are spending the weekend with us.
Just to update you with current progress, Tony Madeira has kindly come back with some rates connected to Tours and Excursions which can be seen on the blog link. I have put them on the top as a fresh item.
I am at this moment in time not sure if these are the normal published rates for all tourists not including very special discounts we get from the boss himself, Tony Madeira but this I will check and in the meantime anyone planning excursions should work on the prices attached all in $Us which seems to be )the favoured currency. (Further update on Currency will follow in due course).
Later there will be a further posting of all the excursions with some brief details which will be added to the Tours & Excursions blog link.
UPDATE FOR THE ATTENTION OF THE NEW MEMBERS.
I have forgotten to bring to your attention that at Tembo Hotel, no spirits sold and no bar other than for soft drinks, coffee, tea etc. We can discretely enjoy our drinks in our rooms which confirms after a dinner downtown, we have no place to go other than come back to our hotel and use one of the rooms as a group bar. In the past Room 100 which has a balcony overlooking the seafront would be the group bar. Equally be advised that wines are pretty expensive at the restaurants.
Tony has promised to provide special discounted rates for Tembo and for Rooky at Serena but in the meantime further investigation is in progress re a couple of other new hotels right in the heart of stonetown, recommended by Tony.
Depending on rates offered etc, Patsy will first decide on what's on offer is suitable in preference to Tembo, and if she approves and recommends, we will make the swap. Her decision will be final on behalf of the group.
That's all for now. We are on track and someday next week Tony Madeira will be driving Mervyn and Pervin to Paradise Resort Uroa to check it out. We await their final decision which will give a clear indication with costs allowing us to budget how many days we stay in town and by the seaside.
Update on this link:- http://clickparadisezanzibar.blogspot.com/p/list-of-excursions.html
HAVE A NICE WEEKEND. WILL BE IN TOUCH. CHECK OUT TOURS AND EXCURSIONS.
Regards
Benny
