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Mbweni Ruins & Gardens

4.0 star property
Beachfront hotel with relaxing spa services

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your current months are October, 2024 and November, 2024.
October 2024
November 2024

Photo gallery for Mbweni Ruins & Gardens

Outdoor pool, sun loungers
On the beach, sun loungers, beach umbrellas, beach towels
Exterior
Outdoor banquet area
Beach bar

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
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Room options

Available filters for rooms
Showing 3 of 3 rooms

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

Highlights

Air conditioning
Separate bedroom
Ceiling fan
Private bathroom
Bidet
Hair dryer
Electric kettle
Free bottled water
  • Ocean view
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 King Bed

View all photos for Exclusive Double Room

Exclusive Double Room | In-room safe, desk, laptop workspace, free WiFi

Exclusive Double Room

Highlights

Furnished balcony or patio
Separate sitting area
Air conditioning
Ceiling fan
Hair dryer
Separate bathtub and shower
Rainfall showerhead
Bidet
  • 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

Highlights

Air conditioning
Ceiling fan
Private bathroom
Bidet
Hair dryer
Electric kettle
Free bottled water
Daily housekeeping
  • Ocean view
  • Sleeps 4
  • 1 King Bed and 2 Twin Bunk Beds

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About the neighborhood

Map
Zanzibar Town, Mbweni

What's nearby

  • Slave Market - 8 min drive
  • Shangani Beach - 9 min drive
  • Old Fort - 9 min drive
  • Forodhani Gardens - 9 min drive
  • Nakupenda Beach - 23 min drive

Getting around

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

Restaurants

  • ‪Ccm Social Hall - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪Lukmaan - ‬9 min drive
  • ‪Jahazi Cafe - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪6 Degrees South - ‬8 min drive
  • ‪Beach House Restaurant - ‬8 min drive

About this property

Mbweni Ruins & Gardens

Upscale family-friendly hotel near Slave Market
Located close to Old Fort and House of Wonders, Mbweni Ruins & Gardens provides a terrace, a garden, and a hair salon. This hotel is a great place to bask in the sun with a beachfront location and sun loungers. Treat yourself to a massage, Ayurvedic treatments, or a manicure/pedicure at the onsite spa. The on-site international cuisine restaurant, Raintree Restaurant, offers breakfast, lunch, dinner, and ocean views. In addition to dry cleaning/laundry services and a snack bar/deli, guests can connect to free in-room WiFi.
Other perks at this hotel include:
  • An outdoor pool with sun loungers
  • Free self parking
  • Buffet breakfast (surcharge), a free area shuttle, and a roundtrip airport shuttle (surcharge)
  • Wedding services, a vending machine, and multilingual staff
Room features
All guestrooms at Mbweni Ruins & Gardens offer thoughtful touches such as laptop-friendly workspaces and air conditioning, in addition to amenities like free WiFi and safes.
Extra amenities include:
  • Bidets, hair dryers, and shampoo
  • Wardrobes/closets, childcare services, and electric kettles

Languages

English, Italian, Swahili

Property amenities

Internet

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

Parking and transportation

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

Food and drink

  • Daily buffet breakfast available for a fee: TZS 35,000 for adults and TZS 23,000 for children
  • A restaurant
  • Couples/private dining
  • Private picnics
  • Snack bar/deli

Restaurants on site

  • Mangrove Bar
  • Raintree Restaurant
  • Sundowner Bar

Things to do

  • Full-service spa
  • Outdoor pool

Family friendly

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

Conveniences

  • 24-hour front desk
  • Hair salon
  • Laundry facilities
  • Luggage storage
  • Safe at front desk
  • Vending machine

Guest services

  • Concierge services
  • Dry cleaning/laundry service
  • Housekeeping (daily)
  • Multilingual staff
  • Proposal/romance packages
  • Tour and ticket assistance
  • Wedding services

Outdoors

  • Beach loungers
  • Beach towels
  • Beach umbrellas
  • Garden
  • On the beach
  • Pool loungers
  • Terrace

Full-service spa

  • 2 treatment rooms
  • Aromatherapy
  • Ayurvedic treatments
  • Body scrubs
  • Couples treatment rooms
  • Facials
  • In-room massages
  • Manicures/pedicures

Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • No elevator
  • Well-lit path to entrance

More

  • 10 buildings
  • 2 floors
  • Banquet hall
  • Built in 1994
  • Smoke-free property

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • Bidet
  • Hair dryer
  • Shampoo
  • Slippers
  • Soap
  • Toilet paper
  • Toothbrush and toothpaste
  • Towels provided

Food and drink

  • Electric kettle
  • Free bottled water
  • Limited room service

More

  • Access via exterior corridors
  • Air conditioning
  • Ceiling fan
  • Desk
  • Electrical adapters
  • Laptop workspace
  • Phone
  • Safe

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

Property 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 13414.40 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

Frequently asked questions

Does Mbweni Ruins & Gardens have a pool?

Yes, this property has an outdoor pool.

Is Mbweni Ruins & Gardens pet-friendly?

No, only service animals are welcome at the property.

How much is parking at Mbweni Ruins & Gardens?

Self parking is free at this property.

What time is check-in at Mbweni Ruins & Gardens?

Check-in start time: 2 PM; Check-in end time: midnight. Late check-in is available during limited hours.

What time is check-out at Mbweni Ruins & Gardens?

Check-out is at 11 AM. Late check-out is available for TZS 128000 (subject to availability).

Does Mbweni Ruins & Gardens provide a shuttle to the airport?

Yes, there's an airport shuttle. A fee of TZS 35000 per vehicle applies.

Where is Mbweni Ruins & Gardens located?

Located in Zanzibar Town, this beachfront hotel is in the historical district and within 6 mi (10 km) of Slave Market, House of Wonders, and Nakupenda Beach. Old Fort and Forodhani Gardens are also within 6 mi (10 km).

Mbweni Ruins & Gardens Reviews

Reviews

8.6

Excellent

Rating 10 - Excellent. 67 out of 140 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 53 out of 140 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 11 out of 140 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 5 out of 140 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 4 out of 140 reviews" "

8.8/10

Cleanliness

9.0/10

Staff & service

7.8/10

Amenities

8.2/10

Property conditions & facilities

9.0/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Walter, covington

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Excellent management and staff the new manager is fantastic
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2024

4/10 Poor

Nadja

Liked: Cleanliness
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
The name is program: ruins and garden. When you enter the first thing you see is the ruin ( literally speaking) the staff is very friendly, The entrance is very muddy and even with the taxi hard to access. We were led to the new part of the hotel. Theroom had hardly any furniture, the cupboard and drawers very damp and almost falling apart. The rooms smmelled fungy. We booked a room for one grown up and two teenagers and there was only one double bed, no safe in the room. Since we only stayed one night we didn’t ask for neither. The garden has jungle flair. The sand beach and the ocean were beautiful. The restaurant was located a pit higher up like a big tree house and from there you can have an amazing view over the ocean - which really made up for the room. Food and drinks were also good.
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Neil

Traveled 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

2/10 Terrible

Anthony, Menifee

Traveled 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

Traveled 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

Traveled 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

Traveled 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 traveler

Traveled 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 traveler
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

Traveled 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 traveler

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

10/10 Excellent

Emma_BW, Gaborone

Traveled 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

Traveled 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 traveler

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 traveler

Business traveler, Traveled 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