Owned by the team who run the top-end Beho Beho Camp , in the Selous Game Reserve, The Oyster Bay Hotel is in the 'Oyster Bay' district of Dar es Salaam. It was renovated extensively between 2006 and November 2007, and we first visited the hotel in November 2007, just a week or two after it opened. We were impressed.
Travellers don't usually come to Dar es Salaam to visit the city, they come to stop-over – en route to the game parks or the islands. Hence the owners have tried hard to make sure that the hotel immediately relaxes its guests – most of whom will stay for 24 hours or less.
After driving through Dar's hectic traffic and noise, the Oyster Bay had quite an impact: cool, calm, neat and stylish. That said, meeting Maretha, the manageress, it started to feel a bit like going home for the weekend. (Although it's much larger, and more stylish, than my parent's place!) I felt like nothing would be too much trouble – for example, meal-times and menus are totally flexible. Just what you need between flights!
The Oyster Bay's eight suites all have ocean views – although there is a fairly busy road in between the hotel and the ocean. Fortunately there's quite a high white wall around the property, and so I forgot the road completely whilst I was there; it's certainly not a disturbance.
The suites have been designed in a minimalist style – with white walls, muted colours and a plasma TV, as you'd expect. That said, lots of wood and the occasional piece of African art keep it from feeling cold or impersonal – and they've done a great job of integrating clever lighting with natural materials in a number of different fittings, some of which show off the Oyster Bay's scattered pieces of quirky wooden art to great effect.
Each suite has a huge king-size bed, covered in layers of pristine white linen. French-doors open onto a small balcony (all the rooms face the ocean), and have a large en suite bathroom with a free-standing bath and a stylish, walk-through shower. Everything feels contemporary, modern and quite luxurious.
Outside, at the back of the hotel, a 15m lap-pool (it's long and thin) is set into the landscaped garden. There is a shady, gazebo area to enjoy when the sun gets too hot, the deck area next to the pool with very comfy, wooden loungers (plenty of cushions!), as well as an outside dining area. As you'd expect, stay for more than a few minutes and someone will appear to offer you a drink or a snack!
In the middle of the lawn are three large, metal sculptures of stylised faces – which stand out when the sun goes down thanks to good lighting!
If you need to stop in Dar, or you're staying here for a few days, then we doubt that you'll find anywhere that's more stylish, flexible or welcoming than the new Oyster Bay Hotel. It's a very good small, boutique hotel with its accent placed firmly on pampering and relaxation.
The Oyster Bay is also the costliest place in town – but then for its very high standards and delightfully relaxed ambience, we also regard it as very good value.
Ideal length of stay: It is great for an over-night stay if you need to stop in Dar es Salaam.
Central facilities: The Oyster Bay has a natural and elegant feel to it, which is reflected in the furnishings and spaces throughout. The spacious central areas are fresh, contemporary and elegant. Heavy wooden doors shut out the heat from the streets of Dar and lead into the sizeable dining and sitting rooms and a small study. All of the rooms are crisp and chic and have been decorated with natural fabrics and furnishings.
The sitting room has large sofas, funky wooden stools and wicker chairs on which to relax. These surround large wooden coffee tables which sit on woven rugs covering the cool floors. There are many quirky ornaments, such as a large wooden dog, tall, twisted wooden poles and a couple of wooden giraffes, dotted around the rooms. Lighting has been cleverly used in these central areas: shades and bases are different heights, colours, styles and fabrics and they all add intimacy to the rooms, especially in the evenings.
To one side of the sitting room is a small study. Below two hanging maps of Africa is a computer with possible internet connection for guests use.
To the other side of the sitting area is the dining room. This is dominated by an oblong, wooden dining table which is surrounded by modern white and black chairs. There are wooden ornaments and black and white prints hanging on the walls. There is an emphasis on group dining here and the last time we visited, November 07, we certainly enjoyed a feast at this table!
Glass doors lead out from both the sitting and dining rooms onto the lush lawn, lap pool, gazebo and outside dining area. Again, these spaces flow into one another and all retain the effortlessly chic feel of the interior.
The same design features inside have been applied to the outdoor areas, retaining continuity and familiarity. There is a large dining table used for al fresco lunches under shelter. Alongside this, is a cool and relaxing gazebo area. This is ideal for chilling out on the sofas in the shade during the day or having a pre-dinner drink in the evenings. It overlooks the large lawn and pool areas.
The lawn is large for a city hotel and home to some beautiful, overhanging trees – watch out for the bats visiting at night! There are also three impressive, metal sculptures which stand on the lawn. These were designed and made by Polio sufferers and add to the artistic feel of the hotel.
To one side of the lap pool is wooden decking, sun loungers and sun umbrellas, all of which overlook the lawn and the main house. Because of the situation and design of the Oyster Bay, it's very easy to forget that you are in a major African city. There is very little noise from the streets and although the rooms and everything in them is large, it manages to retain the warmth and charm you would find from being in a friends home.
Directions: It's a 45-minute drive from the airport depending on the traffic – and Oyster Bay has its own car and driver.
Accessible by: Fly-and-Transfer
Key personnel
Owner: Independent/Owner-run
Staff: Camp/Lodge Manager: Maretha Wentzel
Food & drink
Usual board basis: Full Board
Food quality: The Manageress, Maretha, is a really excellent cook – having set up the kitchen at Beho Beho Camp from scratch, and trained the staff there. This shows through in the quality of the food here.
Everyone usually sits together for dinner in the dining room – giving the feeling of a dinner-party, or small safari camp's dining arrangements. This isn't compulsory … but certainly worked well on our last visit.
Breakfast – You can choose to have breakfast either in the dining room, or your own room – very handy if you have an early morning transfer to the airport, There is choice of a light breakfast (muffins, toast, fruit, yoghurt, cereal) or a cooked breakfast – and it's very nicely done.
Lunch – The last time we visited The Oyster Bay (November 07) we had a delicious lunch sitting outside. We had a cold buffet of various salads (mozzarella, avocado and tomato, green salad and the like), fresh rolls, huge crayfish, and smoked salmon, all washed down with pimms and white wine! The food was fresh, tasty and beautifully presented.
Dinner – This was served at the dining table. We started with a very tasty butternut soup which was followed by a tender fillet steak accompanied by various vegetables and then a tiramisu. As we helped ourselves to the vegetables and desert that the charming staff brought around the table, portions weren't overbearing – and it was all beautifully cooked.
Oyster Bay is very happy to cater for all tastes and ages as long as they have prior notice.
Dining style: Group Meals
Dining locations: Indoor and Outdoor Dining
Room service: Yes
Cost of meal e.g. lunch: Included
Drinks included: Drinks are included except for champagne, cellar wines and premium wines and spirits.
Special interests
Solo Travel: The Oyster Bay Hotel is warm and welcoming with attentive and friendly staff. Solo travellers can unwind by the pool, relax in the sitting room or soak up the sun in the garden. Group meals also ensure a sociable feel in the hotel.
- See more of our suggestions of the best places for Solo Travel
Children
Attitude towards children: Children are welcome at The Oyster Bay Hotel as long as they are under parental supervision, especially around the pool area.
Age restrictions: There are no age restrictions.
Activities: There are no special services for children at The Oyster Bay Hotel.
Equipment: None.
Generally recommended for children: As The Oyster Bay is a luxurious, boutique style hotel, we recommend only older children stay here. It's not the place to take noisy or uncontrolled children.
Central communications
Power supply: Mains Electricity
Communications: There is a computer in the study which has a (rather slow) internet connection – available for the free use of guests.
There is limited cell phone reception at The Oyster Bay Hotel.
TV & radio: There are televisions in all of the suites. There are also computer connections and WiFi in the rooms for those wanting to use their own laptops.
Health & safety
Malarial area: Yes
Medical care: The nearest clinic is a 15 minute drive away from The Oyster Bay Hotel.
Some of the staff are trained in basic first aid.
Dangerous animals: Low Risk
Security measures: The Oyster Bay Hotel sits behind gates which are only opened when guests are entering or leaving.
There are two Maasai guards on duty at night.
Fire safety: There are fire extinguishers and smoke alarms at The Oyster Bay Hotel. Some of the staff are trained to use the extinguishers.
Extras
Disabled access: Not Possible
Laundry facilities: There are no laundry facilities here.
Money: Yet to be decided...
Accepted payment: As almost everything is included, they aren't anticipating anyone needing to spend money there. If someone does, they will cross that bridge when it happens!
We want you to understand more about Oyster Bay. We're also confident that a trip there with us cost you the same or less than booking it any other way, even directly. So follow the links below.
