Ngalawa Hotel Resort

Tanzania , Zanzibar
Bububu, Bububu Kihinani
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14 reviews shown

2/10

Poor

06 Oct 2025

Farid Ud Din

I would not recommend this at all.
The clerk asked us to pay city tax up front and in cash, plus more than the amount invoiced by Expedia and government regulated amount.
Room was filthy and dysfunctional. Had to be moved, but that wasn’t really that great.
There did not seem to be guests other than us. The pool seemed to be filled by the children of one of the employees.
Although the description says bar and breakfast, there is no bar or alcohol served. The staff offered to go and buy some for us but we had to pay them in cash. The food we ordered, took 2 and a half hours, it was good but absolutely ridiculous.
As far as breakfast, nothing just a large pot of coffee.
Everything about this place seems like it a front for something or just part of the Truman show.
May have been something at one time, but that time has gone. Avoid it, like they avoid cleaning and providing the service they advertise.

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

13 Jan 2025

Robert

Staff seem to do the best they can despite limitations, very picturesque in itself however was told to get cash to pay for food and expenses as their card machine was not working.

Leisure Partner

8/10

Excellent

02 Jan 2025

Tshikele

it was fine

Friends_and_family Family

10/10

Exceptional

29 Nov 2024

Terence

A safe refuge in a chaotic island

The stay was very lovely compared to the surrounding parts of Zanzibar. You sometimes forgot there was a world outside the resort. The staff was very respectful and helpful. Grisham in particular was very professional, reliable, well-spoken with English, and was able to meet all our requests (including having breakfast made earlier than normal for our flight) with a smile. The food was good, and BiBi's restaurant is a short drive away if you desire something else.

FOR UPPER MANAGEMENT:

The executive suite was extremely spacious, but the fridge didn't open or seem to be on for us. The whole toilet tips over if you lean to the left, and the bidet pressure is WAY too strong. The shower stall leaks water, and it would be nice to have an actual dinner table since the room has the space.

Lastly, give Grisham a PROMOTION! That man made our experience 10x better than it would've been without his help. If ever in Zanzibar again, i would stay here knowing I'd be in good hands!

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

11 Jan 2022

Paula

Great spot!

Great spot! The staff was very attentive and helpful. Especially Jennifer! The pool was clean and the pizza was delicious. We had a great few days.

Friends_and_family Family

8/10

Excellent

01 Jan 2022

Tatiana

The staff is absolutely nice and attentive to your needs. All the issues are solved within the minutes. The pools are always clean. Our room was spacy and nicely cleaned every day. The breakfast choice is excellent. The menu is good though sometimes you had to wait longer than expected. The beach is within a few minutes but the access is under reconstruction yet. The place is nice overall. Four stars :)

Leisure Family

2/10

Poor

27 Dec 2019

Mrs MT

Ngalawa in Zanzibar a no-no.

nice room but, bath leaked, shower, leaked, toilet leaked, badly built, neglected, dining room minimum 2 HOUR wait AFTER placing order then often the incorrect food is brought to the table e.g order was a hamburger, received grilled kingfish. Alcohol is allowed but not sold on premises - this should be stated up front - no shops nearby.
Laundry took 3 days to get back - only after I chased it 4 times and then some items were incorrect.
Getting a pool towel while at the swimming pool is also near impossible.
No beach to speak of - photos are misleading.
You should remove them from your site if you value your reputation!

Partner

6/10

Pleasant

04 Jan 2018

Richard

Nice hotel but a lot of improvement needed

Stayed in Ngawala over New Year for 4 nights. Although I was advised that the hotel was build over year and a half ago it still was missing a lot of basic stuff. The Executive Suite that I've rented was a top class with really wonderful finishes and commodities etc. unfortunately had to go to reception and ask for basic stuff to be brought to my room. The following items were missing: Kettle, toilet brush, hangers, batteries in the safe, rubbish bin. One thing really annoyed me was that after requesting batteries for the safe I was advised that I will get them the next day only. After leaving all the values and quite large sum of cash inside the safe unlocked went into hotel restaurant to have a diner with my coleague. This is when the things really turned from bad to worse. After ordering spaghetti Carbonara I ended-up waiting for over half on hour and only then the waiter turned-up and advised that they had no pasta. To top it-up my colleagues chicken was served with cold chips. We ended up paying for our beer and leaving the place with empty stomachs. After that we managed to get some pizza and upon returning to my suite I've noticed that someone was in my room while I was having a dinner as the curtains were closed. When querying the following day in reception I was advised that mosquito spraying staff has entered my room last evening. Ended-up giving a lecture to receptionist about who can enter my room without my permission. Overall really disappointed with service

2/10

Poor

05 Jan 2026

Gerhard

Das Zimmer war sehr gut, aber am 1. Abend kein kaltes Wasser in der Dusche und Waschbecken, es kam nur heißes Wasser, wir konnten nicht duschen, sonst hätten wir uns verbrüht. Ab dem 2. Tag kein warmes Wasser mehr. In der Badewanne kam warmes Wasser, aber man kann nicht auf die Brause umschalten. Nach der Spülung lief das Wasser hinten aus der Toilette und ins Zimmer. War für 3 Personen gebucht aber nur für 2 vorbereitet. Trotz Beschwerde keine Änderung.

Leisure Friends

8/10

Excellent

10 Aug 2025

Nadine Andrea

Nice staff

Low season, terrible breakfast. Neighbour hotel chuini saved this stay with amazing lunch and dinner.
Comfty beds.
Friendly staff.

Friends_and_family Family

8/10

Excellent

10 Jan 2025

francesco

The best Gym I found in an hotel (even a/c didn't work) . The room was enormous, clean and quiet. The Road for getting there Is in bad conditions, as the standard of the Island, excerpt main roads. Breakfast Is simple but good enaugh. Staff very helpful, a nearby beach Is very \"authentic\" with few europeans. Good experience.

Leisure Self

8/10

Excellent

14 Feb 2022

Ottar Breivik

Nice rooms

Very nice and comfy beds, big rooms with high ceilings and bathtub.
Unfortunatly the breakfast crew does not speak english, nor do they know to be on time. Also be ware of the beach boys roaming around the hotel wanting to «help» you but as a game older than father time just wants your money.

Self

10/10

Exceptional

09 Nov 2021

Stéphanie

Magnifique

Je ne sais par où commencer!

J'ai vraiment aimé mon séjour dans cet hôtel. La plage se trouve à 5 minutes à pieds et il est relativement bien situé.
L'hôtel est très calme et très beau avec 3 grandes piscines, il ressemble à un petit village. Il y'a beaucoup de verdure, c'est très apaisant. La nourriture est bonne.
Tout le personnel est poli, accueillant, aimable et au service de sa clientèle et toujours avec le sourire.
L'hôtel est très propre, la chambre était nettoyée tous les jours. Elle est spacieuse, lumineuse avec une moustiquaire au dessus du lit.
A chaque étage, un espace fauteuil est aménagé, c'est très confortable ainsi que tout le reste du mobilier de l'hôtel.
Je voyageais seule et me sentir en sécurité était important. Je me suis sentie à l'aise de la première à la dernière seconde.

Je vous recommande fortement l'hotel, vous ne serez pas décus. J'y retournerai quand je reviendrai à Zanzibar! Encore merci pour tout!!

Self

10/10

Exceptional

30 Sep 2021

Dalila

Établissement très propre le personnel hyper gentil, roberto est un excellent réceptionniste, les 3 piscine de l’hôtel sont magique , hôtel isolé et calme très bien pour se détendre

Leisure Partner