Guest User
December 3, 2023
I had stayed at this hotel 5 nights in January 2023 and found it an acceptable place although I thought already it was rather expensive for the quality of service it was offering, even in a remote place like Pemba North (very few accommodation options, in summary 3 hotels). Rooms, garden and swimming pool are pretty and comfy and the property, should it be properly managed, could be a good rustic three star hotel with a great sea view. I decided to book it again (14 nights) in November, making thereby the biggest mistake of my second two and a half month tour of Tanzania. Over less than a year, all prices (rooms, food and drinks) had increased in an unreasonable proportion, while the service had virtually collapsed, resulting in an almost empty resort, except a few clients, sent by their dive centre like me. The most problematic issue was food (availability, quantity and above all quality - the old chef, from his noisy kitchen, delivered daily what he wanted, cooked his own way, whatever the menu or the order was, and this in spite of repeated remarks). This became soon such a nuisance that, after three days, I skipped all lunches and had to find alternatives in the vicinity, to get at least an acceptable dinner. The roaming around of a recently appointed « guest relations officer », completely useless, added to the surrealism of the scene. Electricity cuts (the whole day in one case), poor telephone and wifi connections, loud radio and noisy staff in the kitchen, inappropriate music at sunset time on the (virtually empty) « cocktail terrasse », etc… finished spoiling my stay. Even if good staff who are an asset (receptionists, bar/restaurant attendants, cleaning personnel and gardeners) were encouraged and at the same time the useless ones were fired (e.g. the cook and the guest relations officer) this hotel, running like a chicken without head, should still undergo a complete reform, adjust its tariffs and rethink its services. By failing to do so, logically, it should head towards bankrupcy, in particular if its situation of monopoly would change. The neighbouring Aiyana, a good 4 star resort with correct food and service, is more expensive indeed (twice the price but including a good three-course dinner). But it is much smarter for a discerning traveller to spend 7 relaxing nights there than 14 unpleasant ones in this very weird « Paradise ».