Meliá Zanzibar

Lena Sutor

Our experience at the Melia was mixed, with both positive and negative aspects. Negatives - Upon arrival, we were placed in a room directly next to a construction work. The noise started as early as 7 AM, and after three days, we finally complained and were upgraded to a bungalow. While this new accommodation was much quieter, it had several maintenance issues: the TV kept freezing, the air conditioning wouldn’t cool below 24°C, despite being set to 18°C, the stairway light was broken, which made it dangerous at night. - Another major issue was the overpriced services. The laundry service was outrageously expensive, washing a basic T-Shirt cost $5. The hotel shop was even worse, charging $28 for sunscreen, more than five times the European price. Additionally, the store had very few hygiene products for women. - Service across the hotel was inconsistent. Requests were often ignored or not followed through. For example, I asked for a bottle of water, and instead of receiving it immediately, I was told it would be brought to my room, but it never arrived. - The hotel lacked an ATM, forcing guests to go to unsafe areas to get cash. Additionally, there was not enough change available at the reception, so we couldn’t just change euros either. - At the pool bar and beach bar, service was frustratingly slow. Despite several staff members standing around, they either ignored WhatsApp orders or took over 30 minutes to ask what we wanted to drink. - The constant, unnecessary phone calls from staff were another annoyance. We were called in the morning and evening to check if everything was okay, yet when we actually needed something, no solution was provided. - In the first few days while having breakfast, staff constantly tried to push activities, but 90% of them never actually happened. - Additionally, the overly friendly interactions before getting basic service felt excessive. Every single time when we wanted to order we had to go through small talk. That can be tiring for European guests. - Housekeeping was unpredictable. Sometimes, staff would enter the room during dinner to prepare it for the night, but other times, they wouldn’t show up at all. Even worse, the cleaning staff repeatedly knocked on the door in the morning despite the “Do Not Disturb” sign. - There were also frequent power outages, and the backup generator did not kick in immediately. Each time, it took around five minutes for the air conditioning, TV and internet to start working again. - The bathroom amenities were also disappointing, not high quality for a hotel of this price range. - The hotel houses several rescued animals within the property. While this is a kind hearted initiative, the living conditions are far from adequate. The animals have very little space, no proper hiding spots, no toys or activities to keep them mentally stimulated. The intention to care for these animals is admirable, but their conditions do not meet basic welfare standards. It would be better if the hotel improved the conditions or partnered with a proper sanctuary. Positives - Despite these issues, a few exceptional staff members stood out: for example Emmanuel, Bruno, Dailami, Secilia, Said, Abdul and Bahati. They cared about providing good service and also remembered details like gluten free requests or no ice in drinks. - The hotel occasionally hosted great shows. - The food selection included a gluten free station. - The beach was beautiful, lined with palm trees and monitored by security personnel, creating a safe and relaxing atmosphere. - The resort is beautifully designed. One of the highlights is the wildlife. We saw monkeys playing in the trees and even spotted elephant shrews, which was a unique experience. Conclusion - While the Melia had some good aspects, the overall experience did not justify the price. Poor service, overpriced essentials, and frequent maintenance issues made our stay frustrating at times. If the hotel improved its efficiency, maintenance, and pricing, it could provide a much better guest experience.

GovArea Zone

I had an amazing experience at this hotel! The place itself is fantastic, but what truly stood out was the incredible hospitality. A big thank you to Abdullah for his exceptional help with the luggage, Tristan, the hotel manager, for his professionalism and assistance, and Sheila at the reception, who was so welcoming. The entire reception and restaurant teams were outstanding, always friendly and attentive. Even the little details, like Dead ensuring we always had fresh towels, made the stay unforgettable. I highly recommend this hotel to anyone looking for top-notch service and a memorable stay! SANS team 🥰🥰

Nicole Abadi

Absolutely stunning rooms with extraordinary views. I think this was the best room I've ever stayed in in my entire life!! So luxurious, excellent hospitality, great access to a beautiful beach. I wish I could spend more time here!

Nosheen H

This was the best resort we have stayed at. Nothing was too much trouble. They even gave us a late checkout for free as we had an evening flight. Everyone went above and beyond to meet all our needs throughout the stay. And the food was also delicious. We stayed in the romantic pavilion and it was worth everything.

Nenad N.

One of the most beautiful hotels in Zanzibar. A beautiful beachfront property with an amazing white sand beach and an infinity pool. Beautiful bungalows with great service. A warm recommendation to anyone wanting to explore thia great island.