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Reviews of Jungle Paradise Beach Resort & Spa Mbweni Ruins

4 out of 5
Jungle Paradise Beach Resort & Spa Mbweni Ruins
Mbweni, Zanzibar Town

Reviews

8.6

Excellent

Rating 10 - Excellent. 63 out of 134 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 53 out of 134 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 11 out of 134 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 4 out of 134 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 3 out of 134 reviews" "

8.8/10

Cleanliness

9.0/10

Staff & service

7.8/10

Amenities

8.2/10

Property conditions & facilities

8.6/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

6/10 Okay

Italo

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Disliked: Staff & service
Staff is not properly trained to serve international customers. All the rest is fine, but quality of service could improve a lot in terms of food and drinks. I also think stuff should manage a good level of English, which was lacking.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2024

8/10 Good

Deograsias

Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2024

8/10 Good

Bradley, EDMONTON

Traveled with partner
Good
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

z

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2023

6/10 Okay

Manirakiza

Stayed 1 night in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jane

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
We only stayed one night but it was so relaxing and lovely.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2023
Response from Romani on Aug 4, 2023
Thanks for feedback, Hope you come back again

6/10 Okay

Sofia

Traveled with family
Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Great staff
GREAT staff. Room was shockingly damp, musty, spotted and worn. We could not understand how Marriott could be affiliated with this hotel.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2020

10/10 Excellent

Susan

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
A gem in Zanzibar
The grounds are beautiful and the location excellent. When our flight from Arusha was diverted and we arrived at night without our luggage, the night manager sent robes, slippers and a dental kits to our room. The restaurant stayed open late so we could get a bite to eat and a much appreciated glass of wine. The next day the front desk was helpful in contacting the airline to track our lost luggage which finally arrived by 1 pm. Shuttle to Stone Town is helpful. While the rooms show a little wear wear and tear, overall the hotel is well cared for. Despite the flight and luggage issue we enjoyed relaxing and exploring Zanzibar after our 12 day safari.
Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2020

10/10 Excellent

sonja

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
a relaxed hide-away from the bustle of Stone Town
a relaxed hotel with very helpful and friendly staff
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2020

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
What a terrific Hotel off the beaten path but with transportation to Stone Town. The staff was incredible and most helpful in ironing out tours for us and providing excellent service in the restaurant. Every need was looked after and the included breakfast was diverse and delicious.. The hotel is on the water and the breeze (so important in Zanzibar) keep conditions pleasant. It was both a great place to relax and "chill" (if one can use that word in Zanzibar) and a a base for tours of the area. No hesitation recommending this one!
Stayed 5 nights in Feb 2020

4/10 Poor

Lisa

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Mosquito heaven
My hotel room smelled damp. There weren't enough surfaces to put anything on so my open suitcase ended up on the floor. I didn't realise until 3 days later that the air conditioning unit has been dripping onto my suitcase which now had a puddle under it. There were a lot of biting insects inside and outside and a large dead cockroach under the bed. The hotel staff made a big deal of spraying insecticide in the room every evening but it's not great breathing in a lot of insecticide so waiting outside for a bit helps. Unfortunately I had to wait outside with the swarms of mosquitoes that the insecticide was supposed to be protecting me against. There was a large mosquito net spread over my huge bed which was great. However it would be even more helpful if they got rid of the pond with stagnant water just a few metres from my bedroom door ( I was on the ground floor ). The pond was presumably a breeding ground for those mosquitoes. Another point is that breakfast and dinner was in the outside restaurant, I was still trying to fend off the mosquitoes there. It would be nice if they could clean my room and squirt insecticide around it while I was in the restaurant rather than when I was in my room. The restaurant food was nice. The large amount of cats in the outdoor restaurant provided the entertainment - a least 2 cats sat under every table, hissing and spitting at each other while we ate. The redeeming feature of this hotel was the proximity to the beach and the sea.
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2020

10/10 Excellent

Deborah, Toronto

Business traveler
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
A small hotel (14 rooms) with amazing historic atmosphere, set in the ruins of a 19th century school for freed slaves. The place is serene. The beach is scenic, swimmable when the tide is not too low, and kept very clean by the hotel. It is a very unique place for those who want peace, quiet and relaxation. It is a bit remote from Stone Town, but they do run a free shuttle. The staff are super friendly and efficient.
Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2020

8/10 Good

June, Toronto

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
I like that it was part of the Mwendi Ruins. I liked the staff very much - each of them were terrific! I did not like that the pictures the Marriott uses for the rooms is not up to date. Thus what I thought we booked was not what we received. It was still fine however not as lovely as I had wished for. The staff explained that the room I booked was under construction. This is Marriott's responsibility to have a current website.
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2020

8/10 Good

Shellbie, Toronto

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Beautiful settings, beach was lovely, quiet and peaceful. Very kind staff
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2020

6/10 Okay

Verified traveler

Liked: Property conditions & facilities
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2019

10/10 Excellent

Emma_BW, Gaborone

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
I loved that the hotel is actually set in the Mbweni Ruins. Beach is easily accessible. The staff were friendly, attentive and provided excellent customer service
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2019
Response from Guest Relations on Dec 17, 2019
Thank you for staying with us and posting this excellent review. We look forward to host you again soon.

10/10 Excellent

Mahmoud, UAE

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Very good hotel and very good staff very friendly
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2019
Response from Team Protea Mbweni Ruins on Nov 16, 2019
Thank you for your response. We appreciate your feed back ! Best Regards, Team Protea Mbweni Ruins

10/10 Excellent

Jenisse

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
A perfectly peaceful haven
This is a beautiful property. It's not your standard Marriott experience but if you're looking for a clean, calm relaxed haven away from the hustle and bustle set in beautiful tropical gardens just 10 minutes from Stonetown, with friendly, efficient staff then this is for you. The room was clean and comfortable, the private balcony overlooking the water was perfect. The food and the staff in the restaurant were OUTSTANDING. As it is such a small resort, the service is very personal - the staff remembered all our preferences - even to keeping our 'favourite' table for us The sunset view over the ocean was picture postcard superb. We used the hotel drivers and shuttle service - very efficient. The grounds are beautiful and the ruins interesting. The only down side is if you have any mobility issues, the steeply sloping site and stairs everywhere may be an issue for you. We can't recommend this resort and it's staff highly enough.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2019
Response from Team Protea Hotel by Marriott Mbweni Ruins on Oct 15, 2019
Dear Jenisse Thank you for staying with us and posting this fantastic review. We are glad that you had a great stay with us. Positive reviews such as this keep us motivated to continue delivering nothing but the best services at all times. We look forward to host you again soon

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness
Built right in the ruins! Beautiful garden and amazing beach and pier. Friendly staff and overall wonderful experience
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2019
Response from Team Protea Hotel by Marriott Mbweni Ruins on Oct 15, 2019
Thank you for staying with us and taking time post this great review. We look forward to host you again soon.

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

Business traveler, Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
I loved the setting, right on the water. They have a fantastic deck and pier, perfect for watching the sun set. Restaurant sits in water, too. Great staff. Food is mostly excellent but could be better at times, depends on who is in kitchen but mostly just great. Nothing to complain about. My husband travels a lot, as do I, and this is our favorite hotel!!
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2019

8/10 Good

Glen, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Fantastic property with great views of the beach. The staff were very friendly. My only issue was the speed of service for dinner. It shouldn't take two hours for a three course meal. However, we had no place we needed to be and it was nice to take things slow for a while.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2019

10/10 Excellent

Tim, Washington, DC

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
I’m a picky traveler and this property was perfect for my short visit to Zanzibar. First and foremost, the staff (Nico (GM), Nathan (Ops Director), Gemma (Reception & Customer Service)) all went out of their way to make this a great stay... they were welcoming, friendly and professional. Everything from assisting with an early check-in, to checking on any transport needs, to even helping find me aspirin. I felt taken care of. The property is closer to the airport (8-10min) than most but there is no bothersome sound from flight activity. Best of all is a private beach (hard to find on the West side of the island) and a restaurant will an idyllic View into the Indian Ocean. Food was great (Lots of fresh seafood and of course perfect spices) and the (included in my package) breakfast substantial. The water was perfect- it’s a great swimming beach (there is a pool as well). The free shuttle to/from Stone Town completes the perfect set-up. Take advantage of all Stone Town has to offer without having to stay right in the hustle and bustle. And enjoy the quiet and privacy that the property allows. Did I mention the aesthetic ruins around which the secluded property is built? Many of the wonderful famed “carved doors” of Zanzibar can be found right here. I would highly recommend the Protea and will certainly stay again when I return.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2019

8/10 Good

Verified traveler

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Amazing gardens surround historic ruins - rooms are in a modern building sloping toward the sea - Restaurant is like a treehouse, beautiful views, in a cozy open air bar and dining facility. Quiet, comfortable, secluded, lovely space to unwind. Close to the airport and Stone town - an oasis of quiet, save the tides.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2019

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

Business traveler
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
I liked the friendly and helpful staff, the food, the serene surroundings that mix the old and the new, the sound of birds and the ocean, and the relative quietness.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2019
Response from NICO on Apr 2, 2019
Thank you for your kind review, we look forward to host you again soon.

8/10 Good

Paula, UK

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
We stayed here to catch the boat to Chumbe Lodge the next day, which worked well. Overall a nice enough place, but expensive for what it was.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2019
Response from NICO on Apr 2, 2019
Thank you for your kind review, we look forward to host you again soon.

8/10 Good

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
One night stay
It was a good say for one night. No complaints and the staff were friendly.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2019
Response from NICO on Apr 2, 2019
Thank you for your kind review, we look forward to host you again soon.

8/10 Good

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Disliked: Amenities
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2019
Response from NICO on Apr 2, 2019
Thank you for your kind review, we look forward to host you again soon.

8/10 Good

Michael

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Great location for airport, with beach andnpool
Good hotel complex with beach and pool, with ruins of a school in it's grounds. Fantastic location for airport transfer after a Zanzibar visit. Room was great, staff friendly. The hotel is showing some signs of age, but is well kept. Private beach and swimming pool all in lively gardens.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2019
Response from NICO on Apr 2, 2019
Thank you for your kind review, we look forward to host you again soon.

8/10 Good

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Unique, private little hotel located on the site of some ruins & on the beach. Only a small # of rooms - 13, I believe. Rooms are quite small, but every room has a patio or balcony facing the beach. Near the airport, with a free shuttle into Stonetown. A boat leaves from the dock to an island where you can spend the day or stay in another small private hotel.
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2019
Response from NICO on Apr 2, 2019
Thank you for your kind review, we look forward to host you again soon.

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Nice location and ambience. Nice staff; good food. Beach not bad. Terrible internet.
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2019
Response from Guest Relations Manager on Feb 4, 2019
Thank you for your kind review, we look forward to host you again soon.

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

Business traveler
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
I liked the beach-setting, the courteous and helpful staff, the food, the relaxing green trees and the homely rooms. I missed CNN and ITV channels!
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2019
Response from Guest Relations Manager on Feb 4, 2019
Thank you for your kind review, we look forward to host you again soon.

10/10 Excellent

Colin

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Great accommodation
Stayed 5 nights in Nov 2018
Response from NICO on Apr 2, 2019
Thank you for your kind review, we look forward to host you again soon.

8/10 Good

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Secluded Beach Vibe
My stay was short but I recommend this hotel. I think its the only hotel in town that has that secluded beach vibe.
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2018
Response from NICO on Apr 2, 2019
Thank you for your kind review, we look forward to host you again soon.

10/10 Excellent

Rehanna, Detroit

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Beautiful, unique property among the Mbweni Ruins. Has a private beach that is lovely. Amazing food and views.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2018
Response from Shekhar Malik on Nov 9, 2018
Dear Guest , Thank you for staying with us and taking time to share your experience here on Expedia . I am glad that you had an enjoyable stay & we look forward to host you again .

8/10 Good

Festo, Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Nice hotel close to the beach with very supportive staff
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2018
Response from Shekhar Malik on Nov 9, 2018
Dear Guest , Thank you for staying with us and taking time to share your experience here on Expedia . I am glad that you had an enjoyable stay & we look forward to host you again .

8/10 Good

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Disliked: Staff & service
Great location, sub par service
The hotel location is amazing, private beach is quiet and secluded, a great place to get away from the world. The service was not up to the level of a Marriott, it seemed rushed and understaffed. The waiters were charging a hidden fee for delivering room service unbeknownst to the management. Overall a great hotel but needs to be run better.
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2018
Response from NICO on Apr 2, 2019
Thank you for your kind review, we look forward to host you again soon.

10/10 Excellent

Anne-Marie

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Lovely one night stay
Beautiful hotel set within the gardens of the ruins. Lovely view of the ocean and the staff were very accommodating.
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2018
Response from NICO on Apr 2, 2019
Thank you for your kind review, we look forward to host you again soon.

10/10 Excellent

TR, Illinois

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Heaven
This place is wonderful. From the minute you enter, it is magic. There are the ruins that the small hotel encircles. The rooms are incredibly comfortable. We had a giant balcony that was a nice addition. The restaurant is great. And . the beach is lovely. I can't say enough good things about the Protea/Marriott. It was great.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2018
Response from NICO on Apr 2, 2019
Thank you for your kind review, we look forward to host you again soon.

8/10 Good

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Not a bad property. Rooms are clean but family room is small. Could use counter space in washroom...there is none. Close to stone town. Ask for Ali to drive ...he is excellent and reasonable. Don’t take ferry to Dar. Rough seas.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2018
Response from NICO on Apr 2, 2019
Thank you for your kind review, we look forward to host you again soon.

10/10 Excellent

Erik, Netherlands

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
A real paradise of tranquility nested in nature
I did enjoy my short stay! Lovely beach with mangrove and great views. The food was delicious and decoratively offered in a splendid cosy environment viewing the sunset with candle light.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2018
Response from NICO on Apr 2, 2019
Thank you for your kind review, we look forward to host you again soon.

10/10 Excellent

Bryan, Canada

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Loved the beach!
Thoroughly enjoyed a relaxing stay. The beach, although small was very nice. The restaurant service and food was excellent. Staff was friendly and helpful.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2018
Response from NICO on Apr 2, 2019
Thank you for your kind review, we look forward to host you again soon.

8/10 Good

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, room comfort
Staff Lovely. In need of a bit of paint. Pool definitely needs some attention. Some mosquito spray in the rooms would be a great idea and a hair dryer. Nice setting though. Close to airport and Stonetown.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2018
Response from NICO on Apr 2, 2019
Thank you for your kind review, we look forward to host you again soon.

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
very nice quiet place with private beach!
If you look for a place to stay in total isolation it's wonderful. But if you want to go out, stroll around in town, be flexible with restaurants or food, it's not what you want! It's just perfect to relax after a trip but a bit far off everything else.
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2018
Response from NICO on Apr 2, 2019
Thank you for your kind review, we look forward to host you again soon.

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Spent most of my time on the deck .. Amazing sunsets. Free shuttle to stone town
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2017

8/10 Good

Louis

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Protea Mbweni Ruins, a unique resort!
The Protea Mbweni Ruins hotel is a neat little resort just south of Stone Town. We really enjoyed the dinning and lounge area. It includes a small library and has some games. Attached to that, is a very long jetty out over the water. As the name suggests, the hotel sits among preserved ruins of old buildings making for great photo opportunities. The manager mentioned that you can book part of the ruins for events and dinners. All in all, a nice quiet stay a bit away from the hustle and bustle of Stone Town. I would recommend to anyone
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2017

8/10 Good

Jennifer, San Francisco

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
My stay was good. The facility is under renovation
Our staying was good. The facility is under renovation and we awared of that, so it was okay. I think it will be a nice hotel after they finish fixing up. Hotel is in a good location
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2017

2/10 Terrible

Suresh

Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Embarassing Marriott Brand Hotel
This Hotel - Protea Hotel by Marriott Zanzibar Mbweni Ruins is an embarrassment to the Marriott brand. We stayed there recent - August 24 - August 27, 2017. The hotel is undergoing renovation / restoration, and workmanship is shoddy to say the least. The property itself has great potential but is poorly maintained. Beach is a joke (don't let the photos and description fool you), there is all 100 yards x 10ft. of sand at high-tide. However, come low-tide you have to walk almost 1/2 mile to get to the water. The mangroves don't help. The pool - if you can call it that - is a kiddie-pool. Doubt if even the kids find it exciting enough to want to jump in. Restaurant has a lovely location on the waterfront. Breakfast buffet has a decent selection. Lunch / Dinner options are limited but decent. Very slow service - again as with rest of the property, probably due to bare minimum staffing. Rarely see much joy or smiles on the faces of the service people. While the management was well meaning and constantly apologizing, it didn't help much to make for a pleasant stay. Oh, and yes the Wi-fi sucks. Big time. !! Wasn't even functioning on our day of arrival. It is a 15-20 minutes taxi ride to Stonetown so not like it is in the middle of action. There are better places in Stonetown - if you are willing to pay the price, or plenty isolated properties all over the island if you want budget choices. Would not recommend staying here for sure. Worst Marriott experience todate.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2017

6/10 Okay

Rachael

Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Marriot?
I group of friends booked this location because of the Marriot name, it's location on the beach, and the proximity to the airport. We booked a few days and I was very happy to leave. The condition of the rooms is pretty bad. The first time I took a shower, the curtains fell on me and I was disturbed by the corroded faucets. The resort had a lengthy menu, but as a vegetarian, I did not have too many options. They ran out of paneer, and when I ordered a Greek salad they took some time to inform me that they ran out of lettuce. The food took at least an hour to come to the table. This was true for every meal, lunch or dinner. I asked for a simple change in my meal (that they actually cook my french fries) and I had to move to sit next to the kitchen so that they actually understood what I wanted. I sent back my uncooked french fries three times. The rest of my meal got cold. Zanzibar has mosquitos, but my friends found we were bitten by ants or sand mites throughout our stay. The number of ants was quite annoying. They were at the restaurant and even on the beach, nests right below the beach tables. My friends had similar experiences and we were very happy to move to the Hilton in Stonetown (at half the price) to recover.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2017

10/10 Excellent

Daniel

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

10/10 Excellent

Barry

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
A super friendly boutique hotel
This is a super friendly boutique hotel. It is set in ruins of UMCA’s St Mary’s School for Girls and the grounds are steeped in history. The hotel is set in a tree covered site that slopes quite steeply down to the beach. It is a really beautiful location, but not necessarily good for people with mobility problems. The staff is great - very friendly and excellent service. The breakfast buffet has an amazing choice of dishes, together with pancakes and eggs freshly prepared to your specifications. The food provided by the restaurant during the rest of the day was excellent and very good value. The beach has a sandy sitting area but paddling in the sea tends to be a muddy because of the nearby mangroves. The pool is fairly small, but adequate for our children to enjoy a few hours a day. All in all, an excellent place to stay for our family.