ShayTay

I've stayed at both Pongwe and Shooting Star. I prefer Pongwe because it's right on the beach. You can't find a more beautiful location, IMHO. You're correct, however, that they don't have AC and Shooting Star does. SS is on a cliff above the beach, which nearly disappears at high tide. That said, they have a nice pool overlooking the ocean. The AC was a blessing for my sister, who wasn't feeling well. The food was good and the staff was helpful.

LEANNA

Gee I would not call Breezes a BIG resort complex..but then I live in S. Calif and have seen the hotels in Vegas!!!

I thought Breezes was a nice size, w/ a pool, lovely grounds and a beach right out side the room door...and nice chaise lounges to spend the day under umbrellas etc.

The rooms were also large w/ sitting areas and wonderful baths and walk in showers etc.

Im sure there are lots of great places and I sure don't know them all...but we enjoyed the intimacy of Breezes.....so just goes to show you how opinion can be different from one person to another.

KathBC

Any thoughts on Mchanga Beach Hotel?

Echo Beach is looks good but I suspect it may be out of my price range. Have sent an email requesting their rates.

Also looking at either Beyt al Chai or Zanzibar Palace Hotel in Stone Town.

mcwomble

Beyt and Zanz Palace are both lovely. The bigger rooms in the Palace are huge and have good views / decor.

Mchanga is small (8 rooms?) and intimate, with owners in attendance for personal attention.

(Breezes has 70 rooms and is organised like any international resort. You could almost be anywhere with a beach and buffet. Its sister resort, Baraza, next door but one, is even bigger. It depends whether you like/want lots of people around you. Obviously some people do, as there are large resorts(mostly filled with Italians) further up the coast.)

If you want plenty of detail, and reviews by people who have actually stayed at these places, you could look on the www.expertafrica.com site

aknards

I can't speak for anywhere other than the Pongwe Beach Lodge, where I stayed a few years ago. The rooms were lovely and spacious; the food was very good; the location is extremely private, (on a large, coved beach with nothing else as far as the eye can see); with a beautiful pool. They'll even set you your own table on the beach for a private dinner, if you'd like. No fancy spa or lavish bars, just laid-back relaxation and warm, friendly service.

IMHO, if you're looking for a romantic, "not ostentatious" place to stay, you can't go wrong with Pongwe. It's extremely peaceful, quiet, remote, gorgeous beach...quite heavenly.

Congratulations! You'll enjoy wherever you go.
anita

aknards

One additional note: I am extremely intolerant of humidity but love the heat. Having said that, I was not uncomfortable in mid-September at Pongwe. The breezes blow continually and I spent most of my time at the pool, beach or in the open-air lounge. Personally, I didn't want to be in AC; I wanted to feel/experience paradise. However, I was not spending my nights as a honeymooner in an unairconditioned bedroom... (By the way, all the cottages have outdoor beds in the front entry. You might ask if any of them are more private than others.)

KathBC

I'd love to stay @ Pongwe but am too concerned about no AC at night with the heat & humidity mid June, which is just the tail end of their rainy season.

Not looking for a romantic place either since I'm travelling solo, just a good night's sleep.

Mchanga Beach sounds very much like Pongwe except with AC.

mcwomble

The main difference between the 2 is that Pongwe has, due to the nature of the coast and tides, a 'private' beach area, whereas Mchanga is a little (50 yards?) set back from the beach, which is about 8 miles long, so lots of opportunities for walks.

Both are very good. I'd drop them an email and explain what you are looking for. The last thing they want is unhappy clients, so I'm sure you will have a good dialogue with them to set your mind at rest.

KathBC

Thanks mcwomble I've been chatting with Pongwe for several months now and just heard back from Mchanga. Their June 2011 rate FB for a single is $100 more pn than Pongwe. That's very expensive AC!!

A Prince room at Beyt al Chai is $70 pn less than Zanzibar Palace so if I save the $70 in Stone Town then Mchanga might fit into my budget.

sandi

Rooms at Beyt al Chai are lovely, also their location on the ring road around the island, across the street from the Serena Inn. And, yes... this small hotel is less expensive than Zanzibar Palace which is located further inside of Stone Town.

As I recall, ZanPal rooms are spread out on 3 or 4 levels, with very steep steps (old traditional building) and no elevator. If on upper levels you only want to walk up/down twice a day - beginning of the day and then at the end!

PatrickSch

Maybe it was a weather fluke but when we were at Pongwe a few years ago in August it was very comfortable without air conditioning. We were in a beachfront cottage with large windows and a ceiling fan.