27 September 2011

Tanzania, Zanzibar, Nungwi, Ras Nungwi Beach Hotel

If you like diving, hammocks and if you don't hate honeymooners... Ras Nungwi Beach Hotel is the best. Laid Back luxury the owners call it, and it's 100% true. And what can be a better ending of a Tanzanian safari than the white sandy beaches of Zanzibar... For us it was the ultimate African dream combo.






http://www.rasnungwi.com/

The Northern tip of Zanzibar is known for its unspoiled beaches, beautifull nature and perfect diving. It is quite a drive from Stone Town so you should only go there if the beach is your destination; i.e. don't expect too much of the surrounding villages. But the resort offers so much peace and relaxation, that we did not even think about going elsewhere. There is a spa, a great bar and restaurant and numerous activities for restless souls like diving, snorkling, fishing, sailing, surfing, water skiing... the three days we stayed here were gone in a second.

Ras Nungi's USPs are the setting (cottages idyllically located at the beachfront in a lush tropical garden scenery) and the relaxed atmosphere (loungebeds and hammocks everywhere and a super friendly staff). We found a honeymoon present (Zanzibar spices) on our pillow with handwritten congratulations from the members of the staff and got a free bottle of champagne. And... not to forget: they organized a private beach dinner for us, complete with flaming torches... So I can only reccommend this one to you, especially as the rates are not top of the bill. 

26 September 2011

Tanzania, Zanzibar, Stone Town, 236 Hurumzi (former Emerson & Green)

If you choose Zanzibar for the exotic, romantic, 1001 vibe.... stay at least one night in Stone Town, and specifically in 236 Hurumzi. This hotel is an old merchant's house restored by the former owners Emerson & Green. Its 24 charming rooms and suites are all different but are all full of Zanzibari antiques, carved doors, big stone bathtubs, colorfull glass, walls and decoration ( http://www.i-escape.com/236-hurumzi/overview)

We stayed in the semi open Pavillon suite, at the top floor, a spacious blue/white/yellow room with painted filligree wood arches, a little veranda and small private deck with panoramic Stone Town views. Stunning and very romantic to sleep in the open air in a harem-like bed (as they call it).












http://236hurumzi.com/


One big remark about this hotel: it has a big charm factor for its unique style and rooftop views, but you should not expect 5 star service, its not perfect and the antique furniture is not selected primarely for its comfort. As it has been a while since we stayed there I just checked the recent reviews, ranging from excellent to horrible.... Be ware to expect an authentic experience more than a shiny polished international hotel treatment.

If you would like to play it safe, book a room elsewhere, but - please - have dinner in the The Tower Top restaurant of 236 Hurumzi and make sure you will be there around sun set. Sit down (bare feet) at Persian carpets/pillows, enjoy a cocktail while gazing at the Indian Ocean and you will definitely think you fly away on a magic carpet....

20 September 2011

Tanzania, Lake Manyara, Serena Safari Lodge

What a pool, what a pool, what a pool, what a mighty good pool!

I have a soft spot for infinity pools... The Serena Safari Lodge one overlooking Lake Manyara National Park is just ... great and an absolute perk.










http://www.serenahotels.com/serenalakemanyara/default-en.html

The Serena hotel group offers luxurious accomodation in Africa and the Middle East, in Tanzania they have several really nices lodges. It's perhaps a bit more hotel chain and a bit less boutique. But let me give a bit of background...When we were planning our honeymoon in Tanzania we came across the fact that the local Safari lodging market can be divided into 3 levels: good, great and top of the bill. Unfortunately we started to look at http://www.andbeyondafrica.com/ (= extremely top of the bill, but extremely 'out of africa' all you would fantasise of and more ....) so we were spoiled to the bone when looking at alternatives... just take a look at Lake Manyara Tree House, Klein's camp or Grumeti in the Serengeti, the Ngorongoro Crater lodge and you will understand what I am talking about, all amazing... but incredibly expensive..... and at some point you have to stop using the sentence 'It's our honeymoon, we will only do this once, so let's forget about the price tag'... : ) In the end we decided to make a mixture of the 3 levels, we started in a Sopa Safari lodge (good), stayed in several Serena Lodges (great) and stayed one night in the Ngorongoro Crater lodge (top of the bill). This combination - and especially in this order- was wonderfull and we enjoyed every place we stayed in for its specific charm.

Lake Manyara National Park





















The Serena lodges in Lake Manyara and Serengeti are winners as not only the location is great and the view breath taking, these lodges consist of individual typical African 'rondavels' with a central base camp with dining room, bar, veranda and pool. This increases the Charm and Safari experience factor. The interior is perhaps not the most featured in International Interior Design Magazines, the exterior of the Lake Manyara Serena lodge is really lovely and romantic with panoramic views and of course ... this small but fantastic pool.