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Mbweni Ruins
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This is a great place for bird and nature lovers and for those who prefer a tranquil setting a few kilometres from the hustle and bustle of Stone Town. Mbweni Ruins Hotel is situated in a botanical garden, overlooking a golden stretch of beach dotted with mangroves. Butterflies dance, birds twitter and fireflies dart through the lush greenery fragrant with the scent of hibiscus, frangipani and oleander.
Paths wind through the well-maintained gardens to the swimming pool, which overlooks the beach. The informal dining deck and bar also have lovely views over the ocean. This is the ideal spot to sip a sundowner while you watch the dhows and fishing outriggers glide by.
A nature trail takes you to see more than 650 plant species and 150 varieties of palms from around the world. One of these is the endemic Pemba Palm (Dypsis pembana). You can also take a stroll to the ruins of St Marys School for Girls, which was built in the 1870s. The school provided education to the daughters of freed slaves and to girls who were released from the inhumane slave dhows.
Most of the 13 en-suite rooms are spacious, comfortable and decorated in typical Zanzibar style. They are air-conditioned and have verandas overlooking the lush gardens and sea. These gardens are alive with birdsong. Each of the rooms have been given different tree names, reflecting the diversity of trees and plants found in the beautiful gardens.
If youre on honeymoon or want something extra-special, book the Baobab Suite. This romantic room has a king-size, four-poster bed, a private rooftop terrace and awesome views of the sea, gardens and ruins.
| Dining |
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Paths lead through the lush tropical greenery to a cliff top where you'll find the Raintree Restaurant and Bar. You can enjoy magnificent views over the ocean where dhows and outriggers sail quietly by while you dine in style in the open-air restaurant. Facing
west, this is the spot to be when the sun dips into the golden ocean. It's also a good place to be at 4pm when you can order tea and freshly baked scones.
Raintree Restaurant offers excellent meals throughout the day and the service is very good.
For breakfast, there is a great variety of fruit, yogurt, cereal, freshly squeezed juice and a selection of herbal teas. If you still have space, you can also order a full English breakfast.
For lunch, you have a good choice on the a la carte menu. Fresh produce is sourced from the Stone Town market and seafood specialties are a regular feature. On Sundays there's a traditional colonial-style curry buffet lunch. Don't miss it.
There's a table d'hote menu for dinner offering a combination of European and Swahili styles. There are always lots of vegetables and spices are used creatively. Special dietary requests are catered for by prior arrangement.
The Sundowner Bar provides a wide selection of drinks, including a range of East African beer, cocktails (try the Zanzibar punch), liqueurs and a selection of South African wines.
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Facts |
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Location: Mbweni Ruins Hotel is situated on the west coast of Zanzibar, 7km from Stone Town.
General facilities:
Raintree Restaurant
Sundowner bar
Large swimming pool near the beach
Room facilities:
Air-conditioning
Tea- and coffee-making facilities
Mosquito nets
En-suite bathroom
Balcony
Honeymoon suite
Activities:
Explore the Mbweni Ruins
Stroll in the botanical gardens, identifying plants and birds
Staff can assist in organizing day trips to Stone Town, the spice plantations and dhow rides to Prison, Bawe and Chumbe islands.
Services:
A courtesy bus to Stone Town leaves five times a day.
Lacks:
Cant walk to the tourist attractions of Stone Town.
You wont find the white, powder-soft sand of the East Coast. The beach sand on this side is coarser and brown in
colour.
Open: All year round
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