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Mbweni Ruins & Gardens

4.0 star property
your current months are December, 2024 and January, 2025.
December 2024
January 2025

Photo gallery for Mbweni Ruins & Gardens

On the beach, sun-loungers, beach umbrellas, beach towels
Outdoor pool, pool loungers
Exterior
In-room safe, desk, laptop workspace, free WiFi
Breakfast, lunch, dinner served; international cuisine, sea views

Reviews

8.6 out of 10

Excellent

Popular amenities

  • Pool
    Pool
  • Breakfast available
    Breakfast available
  • Spa
    Spa
  • Parking included
    Parking included
  • Room service
    Room service
  • Air conditioning
    Air conditioning

Explore the area

Map
Mbweni, Zanzibar Town
  • Slave Market
    8 min drive
  • Christ Church Cathedral
    8 min drive
  • Nakupenda Beach
    23 min drive
  • Zanzibar (ZNZ-Zanzibar Intl.)
    10 min drive

Room options

View all photos for Junior Suite, 1 Bedroom, Non Smoking, Sea View

In-room safe, desk, laptop workspace, free WiFi

Junior Suite, 1 Bedroom, Non Smoking, Sea View

  • Ocean view
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 King Bed

View all photos for Exclusive Double Room

Exclusive Double Room

Exclusive Double Room

  • Ocean view
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 King Bed

View all photos for Double or Twin Room, 2 Bedrooms

In-room safe, desk, laptop workspace, free WiFi

Double or Twin Room, 2 Bedrooms

  • Ocean view
  • Sleeps 4
  • 1 King Bed and 2 Twin Bunk Beds

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About the area

Zanzibar Town

Located in Zanzibar Town, Mbweni Ruins & Gardens is by the ocean, within a 10-minute drive of Slave Market and Old Fort. .This beach hotel is 4.4 mi (7.1 km) from House of Wonders and 4.6 mi (7.4 km) from Nakupenda Beach.

What's nearby

  • Slave Market - 8 min drive - 7.0 km
  • Old Fort - 9 min drive - 7.5 km
  • House of Wonders - 9 min drive - 7.2 km
  • Forodhani Gardens - 9 min drive - 7.5 km
  • Nakupenda Beach - 23 min drive - 7.4 km

Getting around

  • Zanzibar Intl. Airport (ZNZ) - 10 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Jahazi Cafe - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Ccm Social Hall - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪Lukmaan - ‬9 min drive
  • ‪Zanzibar Coffeehouse - ‬9 min drive
  • ‪Fresh Bites - ‬5 min drive

About this property

Mbweni Ruins & Gardens

Beachfront hotel with relaxing spa services
Mbweni Ruins & Gardens offers 13 air-conditioned accommodations, which are accessible via exterior corridors and feature safes and complimentary bottled water. Guests can surf the web using the complimentary wireless Internet access.

Bathrooms include slippers, bidets, hair dryers, and toothbrushes and toothpaste. Business-friendly amenities include desks and phones. Housekeeping is offered daily and in-room massages can be requested.

Recreational amenities at the hotel include an outdoor pool.

The recreational activities listed below are available either on site or nearby; fees may apply.

The onsite spa has 2 treatment rooms including rooms for couples. Services include facials, body scrubs, body treatments, and manicures and pedicures. A variety of treatment therapies are provided, including aromatherapy and Ayurvedic.
Make yourself at home in one of the 13 air-conditioned guestrooms. Complimentary wireless internet access is available to keep you connected. Bathrooms have bidets and hair dryers. Conveniences include phones, as well as safes and desks.
Relax at the full-service spa, where you can enjoy massages, body treatments, and facials. Additional amenities at this hotel include complimentary wireless internet access, concierge services, and a hair salon. Guests can get around on the complimentary shuttle, which operates within 6 km.
Enjoy international cuisine at Raintree Restaurant, a restaurant where you can take in the ocean view, or stay in and take advantage of the room service (during limited hours). Buffet breakfasts are available daily from 7:30 AM to 10:30 AM for a fee.
Featured amenities include dry cleaning/laundry services, a 24-hour front desk, and multilingual staff. A roundtrip airport shuttle is provided for a surcharge (available 24 hours), and free self parking is available onsite.
Buffet breakfasts are available for a surcharge and are served each morning between 7:30 AM and 10:30 AM.
Raintree Restaurant - Overlooking the ocean, this restaurant specializes in international cuisine and serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Mangrove Bar - This bar overlooks the ocean.
Sundowner Bar - Onsite bar.
Room service (during limited hours) is available.

Languages

English, Italian, Swahili

Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
  • Available in some public areas: Free WiFi

Parking and public transport

  • Free self-parking on site
  • 24-hour return airport shuttle (surcharge)
  • Free local area shuttle up to 6 km

Food and drink

  • Buffet breakfast available for a fee daily 7:30 AM–10:30 AM: TZS 35000 for adults and TZS 23000 for children
  • 1 restaurant
  • Room service available

Restaurants on site

  • Raintree Restaurant
  • Mangrove Bar
  • Sundowner Bar

Things to do

  • Full-service spa
  • Outdoor pool
  • Private picnics

Family friendly

  • Free area shuttle
  • In-room childcare (surcharge)
  • Laundry facilities
  • Outdoor pool
  • Snack bar/deli

Conveniences

  • Banquet hall
  • Front-desk safe
  • Vending machine

Guest services

  • 24-hour front desk
  • Concierge services
  • Daily housekeeping
  • Dry-cleaning service
  • Hair salon
  • Laundry facilities
  • Luggage storage
  • Multilingual staff
  • Tour/ticket assistance
  • Wedding services

Outdoors

  • Beach loungers
  • Beach umbrellas
  • Beachfront location
  • Garden
  • Pool sunloungers
  • Terrace

Spa

  • 2 treatment rooms
  • Aromatherapy
  • Ayurvedic treatments
  • Body scrubs
  • Body treatments
  • Couples treatment room(s)
  • Facials
  • Manicures and pedicures
  • Massages
  • Massage/treatment rooms

Accessibility

  • If you have any requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • This property does not have any lifts
  • Well-lit path to entrance

More

  • Beach towels
  • Couples dining
  • Mosquito nets
  • Romance packages available
  • Smoke-free property

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Air conditioning
  • Bed sheets
  • Ceiling fan

Bathroom

  • Bidet
  • Hairdryer
  • Shampoo
  • Soap
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels
  • Toothbrush and toothpaste

Food and drink

  • Electric kettle
  • Free bottled water

More

  • Access via exterior corridors
  • Desk
  • Electrical adapters/chargers
  • In-room massage
  • Laptop-friendly workspace
  • Phone
  • Safe
  • Slippers

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: 2 PM; Check-in end time: midnight
Late check-in subject to availability
Minimum check-in age: 18

Check-out

Check-out before 11 AM
Late check-out subject to availability
Late check-out fee: TZS 128000

Special check-in instructions

This property offers transfers from the airport (surcharges may apply); to arrange pick-up, guests must contact the property 24 hours prior to arrival, using the contact information on the booking confirmation
Front desk staff will greet guests on arrival
For more details, please contact the property using the information on the booking confirmation
Guests planning to arrive outside of normal check-in hours must contact this property in advance to arrange check-in.

Renovations and closures

The property is closed between June 1 and June 17.

Access methods

Staffed front desk

Pets

Pets not allowed (service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees)

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome
Rollaway/extra beds are available for TZS 23000.0 per day
Cribs (infant beds) are not available

Payment types

Important information

Fees

You'll be asked to pay the following charges at the property. Fees may include applicable taxes:

  • A tax is imposed by the city: TZS 13616.40 per person, per night

We have included all charges provided to us by the property.

Optional extras

  • Fee for buffet breakfast: approximately TZS 35000 for adults and TZS 23000 for children
  • Airport shuttle fee: TZS 35000 per vehicle (one-way, maximum occupancy 4)
  • Airport shuttle fee per child: TZS 33300.00 (one-way), (from 7 to 16 years old)
  • Late check-out fee: TZS 128000 (subject to availability)
  • Rollaway bed fee: TZS 23000.0 per day
  • Credit card charges are subject to a surcharge

The above list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits may not include tax and are subject to change.

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
This property accepts credit cards; cash is not accepted
This property affirms that it follows the cleaning and disinfection practices of Commitment to Clean (Marriott)
Please note that cultural norms and guest policies may differ by country and by property; the policies listed are provided by the property

We should mention

This property does not have elevators
Reservations are required for massage services; reservations can be made by contacting the property prior to arrival, using the contact information on the booking confirmation

Property is also known as

Mbweni
Mbweni Hotel Zanzibar
Mbweni Ruins
Mbweni Ruins Hotel
Mbweni Ruins Zanzibar
Mbweni Zanzibar
Ruins Hotel
Zanzibar Mbweni
Zanzibar Mbweni Ruins Hotel
Protea Hotel Mbweni Ruins
Protea Mbweni Ruins Zanzibar
Protea Mbweni Ruins
Mbweni Ruins & Gardens Hotel
Protea Hotel Zanzibar Mbweni Ruins
Mbweni Ruins & Gardens Zanzibar Town
Mbweni Ruins & Gardens Hotel Zanzibar Town
Jungle Paradise Beach Resort Spa Mbweni Ruins
Protea Hotel by Marriott Zanzibar Mbweni Ruins

Mbweni Ruins & Gardens Reviews

Reviews

8.6

Excellent

Rating 10 - Excellent. 69 out of 145 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 55 out of 145 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 12 out of 145 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 5 out of 145 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 4 out of 145 reviews" "

8.8/10

Cleanliness

9.0/10

Staff & service

7.8/10

Amenities

8.2/10

Property conditions & facilities

9.2/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Neil

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Historic setting of a beach-side property located away from the city centre. The extremely personable and enthusiastic new Manager has an attitude, qualities and resume that deserve to make this hotel a major success.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jean Paul

Stayed 1 night in Jul 2024

2/10 Terrible

Anthony, Menifee

Travelled with family and small children
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
This facility is completely inaccessible to persons with walking disabilities.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2024

6/10 Okay

Italo

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Disliked: Staff & service
Staff is not properly trained to serve international customers. All the rest is fine, but quality of service could improve a lot in terms of food and drinks. I also think stuff should manage a good level of English, which was lacking.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Elizabeth

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Good choice close to airport
The staff were friendly and very helpful. The rooms were beautiful and comfortable with interesting wood furniture. Overall, nice, clean and enjoyable. Massage was great. More sophisticated and relaxed than Stone Town and close to the airport. The restaurant is good but prepare for taking it pole, pole.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2024

8/10 Good

Deograsias

Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2024

8/10 Good

Bradley, EDMONTON

Travelled with partner
Good
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

z

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2023

6/10 Okay

Manirakiza

Stayed 1 night in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jane

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
We only stayed one night but it was so relaxing and lovely.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2023

6/10 Okay

Sofia

Travelled with family
Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Great staff
GREAT staff. Room was shockingly damp, musty, spotted and worn. We could not understand how Marriott could be affiliated with this hotel.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2020

10/10 Excellent

Susan

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
A gem in Zanzibar
The grounds are beautiful and the location excellent. When our flight from Arusha was diverted and we arrived at night without our luggage, the night manager sent robes, slippers and a dental kits to our room. The restaurant stayed open late so we could get a bite to eat and a much appreciated glass of wine. The next day the front desk was helpful in contacting the airline to track our lost luggage which finally arrived by 1 pm. Shuttle to Stone Town is helpful. While the rooms show a little wear wear and tear, overall the hotel is well cared for. Despite the flight and luggage issue we enjoyed relaxing and exploring Zanzibar after our 12 day safari.
Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2020

10/10 Excellent

sonja

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
a relaxed hide-away from the bustle of Stone Town
a relaxed hotel with very helpful and friendly staff
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2020

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
What a terrific Hotel off the beaten path but with transportation to Stone Town. The staff was incredible and most helpful in ironing out tours for us and providing excellent service in the restaurant. Every need was looked after and the included breakfast was diverse and delicious.. The hotel is on the water and the breeze (so important in Zanzibar) keep conditions pleasant. It was both a great place to relax and "chill" (if one can use that word in Zanzibar) and a a base for tours of the area. No hesitation recommending this one!
Stayed 5 nights in Feb 2020

4/10 Poor

Lisa

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Mosquito heaven
My hotel room smelled damp. There weren't enough surfaces to put anything on so my open suitcase ended up on the floor. I didn't realise until 3 days later that the air conditioning unit has been dripping onto my suitcase which now had a puddle under it. There were a lot of biting insects inside and outside and a large dead cockroach under the bed. The hotel staff made a big deal of spraying insecticide in the room every evening but it's not great breathing in a lot of insecticide so waiting outside for a bit helps. Unfortunately I had to wait outside with the swarms of mosquitoes that the insecticide was supposed to be protecting me against. There was a large mosquito net spread over my huge bed which was great. However it would be even more helpful if they got rid of the pond with stagnant water just a few metres from my bedroom door ( I was on the ground floor ). The pond was presumably a breeding ground for those mosquitoes. Another point is that breakfast and dinner was in the outside restaurant, I was still trying to fend off the mosquitoes there. It would be nice if they could clean my room and squirt insecticide around it while I was in the restaurant rather than when I was in my room. The restaurant food was nice. The large amount of cats in the outdoor restaurant provided the entertainment - a least 2 cats sat under every table, hissing and spitting at each other while we ate. The redeeming feature of this hotel was the proximity to the beach and the sea.
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2020

10/10 Excellent

Deborah, Toronto

Business traveller
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
A small hotel (14 rooms) with amazing historic atmosphere, set in the ruins of a 19th century school for freed slaves. The place is serene. The beach is scenic, swimmable when the tide is not too low, and kept very clean by the hotel. It is a very unique place for those who want peace, quiet and relaxation. It is a bit remote from Stone Town, but they do run a free shuttle. The staff are super friendly and efficient.
Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2020

8/10 Good

June, Toronto

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
I like that it was part of the Mwendi Ruins. I liked the staff very much - each of them were terrific! I did not like that the pictures the Marriott uses for the rooms is not up to date. Thus what I thought we booked was not what we received. It was still fine however not as lovely as I had wished for. The staff explained that the room I booked was under construction. This is Marriott's responsibility to have a current website.
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2020

8/10 Good

Shellbie, Toronto

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Beautiful settings, beach was lovely, quiet and peaceful. Very kind staff
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2020

6/10 Okay

Verified traveller

Liked: Property conditions & facilities
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2019

10/10 Excellent

Emma_BW, Gaborone

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
I loved that the hotel is actually set in the Mbweni Ruins. Beach is easily accessible. The staff were friendly, attentive and provided excellent customer service
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2019

10/10 Excellent

Mahmoud, UAE

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Very good hotel and very good staff very friendly
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2019

10/10 Excellent

Jenisse

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
A perfectly peaceful haven
This is a beautiful property. It's not your standard Marriott experience but if you're looking for a clean, calm relaxed haven away from the hustle and bustle set in beautiful tropical gardens just 10 minutes from Stonetown, with friendly, efficient staff then this is for you. The room was clean and comfortable, the private balcony overlooking the water was perfect. The food and the staff in the restaurant were OUTSTANDING. As it is such a small resort, the service is very personal - the staff remembered all our preferences - even to keeping our 'favourite' table for us The sunset view over the ocean was picture postcard superb. We used the hotel drivers and shuttle service - very efficient. The grounds are beautiful and the ruins interesting. The only down side is if you have any mobility issues, the steeply sloping site and stairs everywhere may be an issue for you. We can't recommend this resort and it's staff highly enough.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2019

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness
Built right in the ruins! Beautiful garden and amazing beach and pier. Friendly staff and overall wonderful experience
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2019

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Business traveller, Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
I loved the setting, right on the water. They have a fantastic deck and pier, perfect for watching the sun set. Restaurant sits in water, too. Great staff. Food is mostly excellent but could be better at times, depends on who is in kitchen but mostly just great. Nothing to complain about. My husband travels a lot, as do I, and this is our favorite hotel!!
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2019

8/10 Good

Glen, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Fantastic property with great views of the beach. The staff were very friendly. My only issue was the speed of service for dinner. It shouldn't take two hours for a three course meal. However, we had no place we needed to be and it was nice to take things slow for a while.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2019