Travel reviews by Mrs P. from Cumbria

"This was a lovely relaxing place to stay after the long flight.

The staff were helpful and the restaurants nearby meant that we didn't have to go far to get our evening meal."

"This was my first safari and I didn't know what to expect. We were greeted by genuinely happy staff with welcome drinks and shown to our tent, which was very comfortable. It was wonderful to be so close to the wild.....no fences and animals roaming around, but always I felt that there were staff who were 'keeping watch'. The tent was very comfortable and I particularly liked the 'evening Breeze' system of cooling the bed at night.

The food at this camp was superb. Every lunchtime and evening, we had a varied, well prepared and tasty meal. Breakfasts out on safari were magical....as were the sundowners. I felt that there was nothing that the staff wouldn't do to make our stay as memorable as possible. Our guide Penuel, was experienced, knowledgeable and again, wanted us to have the best experience from our safari.It was lovely to arrive back at camp to be met by smiling staff with cool flannels, who seemed genuinely interested in what we had seen on our game drives. I would thoroughly recommend this camp."

"I loved the sandy walkways that linked the various parts of this hotel....made you feel as if it was part of the beach.

It was also nice to have the tables for the evening meal just above the beach with soft lighting.

The rooms were comfortable and quite private, but none of the communal areas were too far away."

"I had read about treehouse lodges, but this one was a lovely surprise. Sleeping halfway up a huge baobab tree on a platform reached by wooden stairs. No doors or windows.....just open to the sounds and smells of the outdoors.

The 'room' was simple but comfortable with a hammock, comfortable bed, washing facilities....and a ground level composting toilet and a wonderful outdoor shower heated by a kerosene burner....not sure about health and safety, but I loved it. No electricity, although solar lamps were issued...but we were encouraged to enjoy the dark. I also loved the meals at a communal table, where we met some very interesting guests.

I like the ethos of this lodge ....the owners encourage an eco friendly style of living. They also support the local community and the marine conservation park. I loved walking along the sandy paths linking the treehouses to the communal areas and seeing monitor lizards, huge hermit crabs and other wildlife. We stayed two nights here and I wish it could have been longer."

"Pole Pole is a very relaxing, peaceful place to stay. They have a spa and massage room, which was very good too.

The rooms are built from wood and palm leaves and blend into the scenery, so it is almost hidden . A real hideaway. I loved the sundowner trip on the old wooden Dhow....very special to see the sunset from a boat. The staff were very helpful too. If I had to make a very small complaint.....my lodge seemed to have a family of resident squirrels which I could hear running around in the roof all night. Actually, it was quite sweet to see them, but they were very noisy at night.

A lovely place to stay right by the sea."

"Xanadu is very luxurious and every need has been catered for.

The villas are extremely well appointed and private.The beautifully landscaped gardens make for a peaceful atmosphere. All the individually designed villas are secluded and very private. Although there are lovely communal areas, as you have your own private pool...and your own butler, as well as large rooms and a separate living area, you could easily have a wonderful holiday here without being recognised.

Although we had a very pleasant stay here, it is not the sort of place I would normally stay at. I enjoy meeting other people and hearing their stories, and I felt that Xanadu was encouraging the sort of holiday where guests prefer privacy and not mixing with other guests.

A beautifully designed and appointed place for a luxury holiday."

"Although this hotel looked lovely from the outside, and I think some of the rooms in the older part may have been nice, we had a very standard room,with only a tiny window looking out onto an alleyway, and another window opening onto the corridor.

It was comfortable enough....if a bit noisy with people walking by on the corridor.It was also a very large hotel.....51 rooms, which felt a bit big and impersonal after the smaller quieter places we had been staying at.

It is very central in Stonetown though, so easy access to the old town."