Mbweni Ruins Hotel in Zanzibar Island

I had the pleasure of staying at Mbweni Ruins Hotel for a week in June after a period of overland travel through East Africa with a group of friends.

We were collected from the ferry port without any fuss and upon arrival at the hotel we were personally greeted by the manager and staff.

After enjoying a welcome drink at the bar overlooking the mangrove trees and beach I was shown to my room which was beautifully furnished and decorated.

Staff turned down the bed every evening, closed the mosquito nets and would deal with any insects that may have got in during the day.

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Breakfast, lunch and dinner menus had plenty of variety and were cooked to an excellent standard. Staff were even able to recommend food and wine if I wasn't quite sure what I felt like.

The hotel organised some fantastic trips for us. We went on the Spice Tour and a boat trip from the hotel's own pier which took us to Prison Island and back into Stone Town where the courtesy bus meet us.

There is a lovely bar area overlooking the mangroves and ocean and it was a perfect place to view the sunset whilst enjoying a glass of wine which was generously served in a carafe, virtually giving you two glasses.

Mbweni Ruins Hotel is situated on a beach in the outskirts of Zanzibar town, in botanic gardens by the Indian Ocean shores.

There are 13 air conditioned luxury rooms are furnished in the traditional Swahili style of Zanzibar with oriental rugs and with mosquito nets and four poster beds, minibar, verandah and ensuite bathroom.

Each suite is located close to the attractive swimming pool and secluded beach and has a balcony overlooking the sea.

This spacious suite, complete with kingsize four poster bed, has its own rooftop terrace with breathtaking views over the ocean.

The Rain tree restaurant serves traditional spicy foods and a panoply of seafood delicacies.

The hotel offers exciting activities including a dhow trip to the sandbanks, swimming, fishing, diving, snorkelling, a nature trail, visits to see the spice plantations and to swim with dolphins.

The luxurious gardens gradually leads down to the beach where mangroves sprout out from the sea.

The gardens also serve as home and paradise to a vast variety of different species of butterflies and birds.

The nature trails takes you to see several plant species and varieties of palms, the ruins and finally to the ocean.

I would recommend a stay at Mbweni Ruins for anyone needing peace and quiet but still wanting the convenience of what Stone Town has to offer.

I can't thank the hotel management and staff enough for paying close attention to our requirements and giving me so many wonderful memories of Zanzibar.