Reviews of Beyt al Salaam
Wildlife sightings and reviews
44 independent comments and wildlife information from our travellers who have visited Beyt al Salaam and kindly agreed to share their thoughts. They do not necessarily represent the views of Expert Africa
Mr & Mrs R
Wimbledon
"Disappointing accomodation at Beyt al Chai"
2 nights Arrived 5 Oct 2008
"While very atmospheric, Beyt al Chai is in urgent need of a makeover. The electrics were unreliable; beds were three feet above the ground and the furnishings were poor. Very steep climb to bedroom which was not suitable for anyone with handicap like my wife.
We were in this hotel beciuase the Serena was full. Current manageress, the third in two years, is very good and is trying very hard to get the owners to invest. However if they do not we believe this hotel should be taken off your list.
We were on a bed and breakfastr rate but ate in the restaurant one night. It was very good." See all these reviews: 12n in Tanzania; 2n in Zanzibar
We were in this hotel beciuase the Serena was full. Current manageress, the third in two years, is very good and is trying very hard to get the owners to invest. However if they do not we believe this hotel should be taken off your list.
We were on a bed and breakfastr rate but ate in the restaurant one night. It was very good." See all these reviews: 12n in Tanzania; 2n in Zanzibar
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Average
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Good
Facilities:
Average
Rooms:
Poor
Food:
Good
Mr & Mrs S
Winchester
"Beyt al Chai review"
7 nights Arrived 28 Sep 2008
"This hotel is ideally situated in a safe area of the Town. It has a friendly, informal atmosphere with an unusual layout for a hotel, and a comfortable sitting room for reading.(not air-conditioned) The restaurant is well-recommended.
We were faced with a minor, but unresolved, plumbing problem, for which we were compensated by a free meal!
The manager, a Swedish lady, who had only arrived a month before, after 3 years in Zanzibar in some other capacity, is inexperienced, but trying hard. I am not sure she expected that some of her job would be answering naive questions from tourists, which elicited rather vague replies!. She provided us with an excellent town and tour guide (Salum).As a matter of interest, when I asked about Agnes Veillard,the manager thought I was talking about someone from the last century, so I presume that there has been another manager after Agnes
In the Bradt Guide the hotel is rated alongside the Serena. We would not agree." See all these reviews: 14n in Zanzibar
We were faced with a minor, but unresolved, plumbing problem, for which we were compensated by a free meal!
The manager, a Swedish lady, who had only arrived a month before, after 3 years in Zanzibar in some other capacity, is inexperienced, but trying hard. I am not sure she expected that some of her job would be answering naive questions from tourists, which elicited rather vague replies!. She provided us with an excellent town and tour guide (Salum).As a matter of interest, when I asked about Agnes Veillard,the manager thought I was talking about someone from the last century, so I presume that there has been another manager after Agnes
In the Bradt Guide the hotel is rated alongside the Serena. We would not agree." See all these reviews: 14n in Zanzibar
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Good
Facilities:
Average
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Excellent
Mr & Mrs Firefly
UK
"Beyt al Chai review"
2 nights Arrived 16 Aug 2008
"I was very glad that Expert Africa persuaded us to stay here rather than some of the 'big' name places or hotels. The old style interiors are very warm and authentic - we felt we'd stepped back in time.
Althought close to all the interest in Stone Town we liked the fact that it was in its own sleepy square.." See all these reviews: 8n in Zanzibar
Althought close to all the interest in Stone Town we liked the fact that it was in its own sleepy square.." See all these reviews: 8n in Zanzibar
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Miss P-A
China
"The only thing that went wrong"
2 nights Arrived 2 Aug 2008
"The only thing that we regret during our honeymoon was to stay here. Since we arrive until we left it wasn't what we were expecting and not really a unique experience. We still don't know if it was the local travel operator (fisherman's tour) or if it was the Beyt al Chai staff but making the mistake of overbooking our first night there was something that we could never imagine since we planned our honeymoon one year before.
Beside this incident we can not understand also why someone knocked at our door at 6:00am asking if we were going to check out, since we were suppose to leave at 13h00pm as we agreed with the Beyt al Chai manager . Also the Sultan's room is nothing special; I would say pretty bad for what they advertise on the internet/guides. This is a place that we wouldn't recommend to anyone. The good thing about this hotel is it's location.
Although the hotel experience was horrible, we did like very much Stone Town. The Arabian and African style mixed together was interesting. The people very friendly and food at the local restaurants was very good." See all these reviews: 7n in Zanzibar; 6n in Tanzania
Beside this incident we can not understand also why someone knocked at our door at 6:00am asking if we were going to check out, since we were suppose to leave at 13h00pm as we agreed with the Beyt al Chai manager . Also the Sultan's room is nothing special; I would say pretty bad for what they advertise on the internet/guides. This is a place that we wouldn't recommend to anyone. The good thing about this hotel is it's location.
Although the hotel experience was horrible, we did like very much Stone Town. The Arabian and African style mixed together was interesting. The people very friendly and food at the local restaurants was very good." See all these reviews: 7n in Zanzibar; 6n in Tanzania
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Terrible
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Poor
Facilities:
Terrible
Rooms:
Terrible
Food:
Poor
Feedback Response
There was a problem here when these travellers arrived: the specific (Sultan) room that they had booked at Beyt al Chai was overbooked. Only a smaller (Prince) room was available for their first night in Stone Town. We resolved this by moving these travellers for that night to the best hotel in town (the Serena - which is about 100m directly across the road from Beyt al Chai – at no cost to these travellers.
Thus we’re very sorry that these travellers disliked this hotel so much – but feel that their view may have been strongly influenced by the upset of the over-booking.
Thus we’re very sorry that these travellers disliked this hotel so much – but feel that their view may have been strongly influenced by the upset of the over-booking.
"Senior Africa Specialist"
Prickly Pear
Dublin
"Beyt al Chai review"
1 night Arrived 19 Jul 2008
"The Beyt al Chai is described in the book as being exclusive, but to be honest the hotel was adequate compared to some of the safari accomodation. Can not judge it based on other Stone Town Hotels. Was going to use restaurant there but after walking around the town we found somewhere we thought looked better and definetly had a better view (Sunset over ocean).
the location is only a couple of minutes from the main street in the town, very convienient for this.
The room itself looked better in the photos than reality. The shower was really a bath with a shower head that you had to hold up yourself and not exactly an en suite either, it was just in the corner of the room. The room itslef was large, but maybe a bit too big for the contents in it, a huge walk in dressing room was actually a free standing wardrobe. Also there was a sea view but dont think it could be described as supurbed.
The service was good from the guys there, but only had 1 night here.
The food for breakfast was good not sure on choices if you where here for more than 1 night." See all these reviews: 9n in Tanzania; 8n in Zanzibar
the location is only a couple of minutes from the main street in the town, very convienient for this.
The room itself looked better in the photos than reality. The shower was really a bath with a shower head that you had to hold up yourself and not exactly an en suite either, it was just in the corner of the room. The room itslef was large, but maybe a bit too big for the contents in it, a huge walk in dressing room was actually a free standing wardrobe. Also there was a sea view but dont think it could be described as supurbed.
The service was good from the guys there, but only had 1 night here.
The food for breakfast was good not sure on choices if you where here for more than 1 night." See all these reviews: 9n in Tanzania; 8n in Zanzibar
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location:
Good
Service:
Average
Rooms:
Average
Food:
Good
Mr & Mrs K
N London
"The perfect place to stay in Zanzibar for us"
2 nights Arrived 4 Jul 2008
"This small hotel made you feel more like you were staying in someones house. It was beautifully decorated but unpretentious. We enjoyed the big relaxing sitting room.
The staff were friendly and efficient and the location was superb for being out and about Stonetown." See all these reviews: 7n in Tanzania; 7n in Zanzibar
The staff were friendly and efficient and the location was superb for being out and about Stonetown." See all these reviews: 7n in Tanzania; 7n in Zanzibar
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Good
Facilities:
Good
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Good
Crested francolin
UK
"Beyt al Chai review"
2 nights Arrived 3 Feb 2008
"A wonderful hotel which provides a feel of Stone Town's rich history.
The rooms would benefit from some updating (namely the air conditioning and the shower) but had a lot of charm and character. The view from the windows was lovely, and the location was perfect for walking around Stone Town.
A lovely end to a fantastic holiday." See all these reviews: 11n in Zanzibar; 3n in Tanzania
The rooms would benefit from some updating (namely the air conditioning and the shower) but had a lot of charm and character. The view from the windows was lovely, and the location was perfect for walking around Stone Town.
A lovely end to a fantastic holiday." See all these reviews: 11n in Zanzibar; 3n in Tanzania
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Good
Rooms:
Good
Facilities:
Good
Mr Buzzard
Darlington
"Beyt al Chai review"
1 night Arrived 17 Nov 2007
"Stone Town wasn't for us but this hotel couldn't be faulted.
The building had great character; the rooms were immaculate; the staff were very friendly and helpful; the food in the restaurant was excellent and reasonably priced." See all these reviews: 7n in Tanzania; 5n in Zanzibar
The building had great character; the rooms were immaculate; the staff were very friendly and helpful; the food in the restaurant was excellent and reasonably priced." See all these reviews: 7n in Tanzania; 5n in Zanzibar
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Good
Service:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
The Y family
Surrey
"Beyt al Chai Hotel"
1 night Arrived 1 Nov 2007
"Small hotel but great location, friendly staff and good food. Rooms were large and clean. Would definitely go again."
See all these reviews: 8n in Tanzania; 4n in Zanzibar
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Mr Baobab
Wimborne
"Beyt al Chai review"
1 night Arrived 29 Oct 2007
"We only stayed one night at Beyt al Chai and had to leave early to get a flight so missed breafast, so can't comment on the food.
The management gave us a room in spite of it not being "booking in" time, which we obviously appreciated but wondered why we had been booked into this B&B if it was going to be a problem arriving early. We were picked up and driven directly to the B&B from our previous accomodation at Chumbe so didn't have a lot of choice of arrival time.
Although this B&B is rated "Exclusive" in the guide book I would rate it further down the scale, obviously this rating may be relative. It is close to the main attractions of Stone Town (if you can call them attractions). Due to the continual harrassment from street vendors we decided to eat in the restaurant attached to the hotel, which turned out to be a good choice." See all these reviews: 9n in Zambia; 8n in Zanzibar
The management gave us a room in spite of it not being "booking in" time, which we obviously appreciated but wondered why we had been booked into this B&B if it was going to be a problem arriving early. We were picked up and driven directly to the B&B from our previous accomodation at Chumbe so didn't have a lot of choice of arrival time.
Although this B&B is rated "Exclusive" in the guide book I would rate it further down the scale, obviously this rating may be relative. It is close to the main attractions of Stone Town (if you can call them attractions). Due to the continual harrassment from street vendors we decided to eat in the restaurant attached to the hotel, which turned out to be a good choice." See all these reviews: 9n in Zambia; 8n in Zanzibar
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location:
Good
Service:
Good
Rooms:
Good
Facilities:
Good
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Other lodges in Stone Town
Alternative places to stay in this same area.
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 Coffee House
The Zanzibar Coffee House is a small quiet hotel tucked away in the back streets of Stone Town, with lovely, simple rooms.
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.
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.
