Mahali Zanzibar

The hotel is right on the beach, and after walking in both directions for quite a while, I can confidently say that it is located in one of the best areas. The breakfast is very good, and there are several cafés, bars, and restaurants nearby, all overlooking the beach. The hotel has its own restaurant, and one of the restaurants belonging to the same group allows you to charge your meals to your room and settle the bill at the end of your stay. I found this particularly convenient. Beach and pool towels are provided, as well as a water dispenser where you can refill your bottle whenever you like. Another lovely touch was that the staff offered us local sweets and snacks to try throughout our stay, which was a great way to discover local specialties. The staff were always friendly and helpful, and they even allowed us to check out a little later to accommodate our flight schedule, which we really appreciated.

I believe the rooms are quite outdated and would benefit from modernization. We also had difficulties getting hot water in the shower in the evenings, possibly because many guests were showering around the same time. In addition, we never used the overhead showerhead because it looked so unstable that we were genuinely concerned it might fall. Considering the price of the hotel, I believe these aspects should be improved, especially given that the property itself has such a fantastic beachfront location. The hotel also offers kitesurfing lessons. Unfortunately, my partner injured his foot while practicing, as he had not been provided with water shoes. I understand that accidents can happen, and I do not blame the hotel for the accident itself. However, I believe ensuring that guests have the appropriate protective equipment is essential when offering a sport like this. Despite these points, I would still recommend the hotel. Paje is beautiful, the location is fantastic, and the staff made us feel very welcome. With some improvements to the rooms and greater attention to safety equipment, the overall experience could be even better.

AMAZING location - right on the beach - short walk to main streets - pretty much in the middle of beach activities. Views 10/10 - photos don’t do it justice. Staff friendly and helpful. Had a spa morning - the girls at the spa were great. Absolutely loved it at Mahali

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Location is absolutely gorgeous - right on the beach and such a beautiful view to wake up to. The hotel restaurant served delicious food and good cocktails, and the convenience of being able to put it all on the room bill (including at the sister hotel Zulu - we went twice, excellent) was really helpful. Also brilliant that we were fully accommodated for our 5am arrival which meant our first day wasn't wasted. We loved the cats too! Our room was made up nicely every day, wifi was good, and having the extra facilities (pool, ping pong, books to read) was appreciated. Plenty of sunbeds to choose from, hotel staff generally very friendly and helpful.

The quality of breakfast wasn't always great - my food was cold a couple of times, and the sausages were hot dogs which wasn't our favourite for breakfast. Our room smelled like the drains for a few days, we mentioned it and after the second time of doing so we think something was done to rectify. Not the fault of the hotel - but we found the constant attention to buy things (both on the beach and in the village) quite annoying. The hotel does what it can to keep people away, but we found we were reluctant to go for a beach walk because we were going to be bothered which is a shame given how beautiful it is.

The hotel makes a very good first impression. From the outside, the property looks modern, well maintained and attractive. The reception area is welcoming, and the breakfast area is spacious and overlooks the swimming pool, creating a pleasant atmosphere in the morning. The pool itself is nice, with sun loungers and umbrellas available for guests, and the hotel also offers a small private beach area and a bar. Breakfast is served at the table on request and was one of the highlights of my stay, with good quality food and generous portions. The restaurant and bar are also convenient if you prefer not to leave the property in the evening.

While the common areas are attractive, the rooms are quite disappointing by comparison. They feel old, maintenance is below expectations, and cleanliness could be improved. Basic amenities such as soap, toiletries and towels were provided in very limited quantities, which is surprising considering the price of the hotel. Storage space in the room is also poorly designed. There is no practical area to place and open suitcases, so guests are forced to keep luggage closed and access belongings as needed. Electrical outlets were limited and relied on a shared extension strip, which was inconvenient. The lighting inside the room was also inadequate, making the space feel dark and less comfortable. Another disappointing aspect was the complimentary water policy. Two bottles of water are provided on arrival, but they are not replaced daily. Guests are expected to refill them themselves, which feels out of place for a hotel in this price range. Small details such as sufficient towels, toiletries and daily water replenishment should be standard and should not require guests to ask. Finally, travellers should be aware that the beach and sea conditions are significantly affected by tides and wind, at least during July, which may impact the overall beach experience. Overall, the hotel offers attractive outdoor facilities and a pleasant atmosphere, but the rooms do not match the standard suggested by the common areas. For the price paid, I expected newer, better maintained and more functional accommodation.