172 ReviewsProperty Location With a stay at Ngalawa Beach Village in Chwaka (East Coast Zanzibar), you'll be within the region of Jozani Forest Reserve and Paje Beach. Rooms Make yourself at home in one of the 20 air-conditioned rooms featuring refrigerators. Rooms have private balconies where you can take in sea and pool views. Complimentary wireless Internet access is available to keep you connected. Private bathrooms with showers feature complimentary toiletries and bidets. Rec, Spa, Premium Amenities Enjoy recreation amenities such as an outdoor pool or take in the view from a garden. Additional features at this Art Deco hotel include complimentary wireless Internet access, gift shops/newsstands, and wedding services. Getting to nearby attractions is a breeze with the area shuttle (surcharge). Dining Satisfy your appetite at the hotel's restaurant, which serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, or grab a snack at a coffee shop/caf. Relax with your favorite drink at a bar/lounge or a poolside bar. Business, Other Amenities Featured amenities include a 24-hour front desk and laundry facilities. For a surcharge, guests may use a roundtrip airport shuttle (available on request) and a ferry terminal shuttle.
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Chwaka Bay, East Coast,Chwaka,TZ,Tanzania Property Location With a stay at Ngalawa Beach Village in Chwaka (East Coast Zanzibar), you'll be within the region of Jozani Forest Reserve and Paje Beach. Rooms Make yourself at home in one of the 20 air-conditioned rooms featuring refrigerators. Rooms have private balconies where you can take in sea and pool views. Complimentary wireless Internet access is available to keep you connected. Private bathrooms with showers feature complimentary toiletries and bidets. Rec, Spa, Premium Amenities Enjoy recreation amenities such as an outdoor pool or take in the view from a garden. Additional features at this Art Deco hotel include complimentary wireless Internet access, gift shops/newsstands, and wedding services. Getting to nearby attractions is a breeze with the area shuttle (surcharge). Dining Satisfy your appetite at the hotel's restaurant, which serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, or grab a snack at a coffee shop/caf. Relax with your favorite drink at a bar/lounge or a poolside bar. Business, Other Amenities Featured amenities include a 24-hour front desk and laundry facilities. For a surcharge, guests may use a roundtrip airport shuttle (available on request) and a ferry terminal shuttle.
Rating from 172 reviews
Location
RoomsServiceValueCleanliness
Wessel B on 21/11/2017 06:45
- We were 3 SA-couples together there (became friends there due to lack of resort amenities)
- When we requested to do our Stonetown tour, we were instructed that we can ONLY do it the Thursday, as additional guests need to join the taxi ride for the resort to save maximum on fares.
- When resort arrange taxi to town, they offered us a “reduced” rate of $20 per person per return trip, even with 6 of us in one vehicle. We arranged our own taxi, for more travelling (from 09h00 in morning to 22h00 at night) for $20 per couple, whole day travelling! It appears Ngalawa need to survive on excessive taxi fares???
- The massages offered is VERY limited and of a low standard. Offering reflexology massage – then she does not even touch the base of your feet (for reflexology), but rather massage your calves…..
- The 4-course meal at night – the second course is ALWAYS a small salad (not a separate course in my book). When we asked to receive it together with our main meal, they said NO.
- The food is very good quality.
- In the all inclusive drinks package, drinks are only included till 21h00 at night – thereafter paying $6 (R90) per cocktail.
- The entrance road is VERY rough with NO signage – felt like driving into the bushes to be slaughtered.
- Bedding and quality of rooms is more 2*.
- NO beach to swim – just muddy marshland in front of resort. Sinking to ones knees in MUD if you try walking along the beach. NO white sand – filthy with seagrass and mud. No blue azure waters. No beach-chairs on the beach.
- Swimming pool was filled with contaminated water – was green for 3 of the 6 days. Definitely not fit for human use!
The above can easily be confirmed by photos and by the other couples.
This IS NOT what we signed up for and paid for. Felt like being school children handled by the strict principle in this resort. Unfortunately the owner (JoAnne) was not there this week, only her unwilling husband and the admin lady Val.
Ashton C on 18/11/2017 20:35
Had an absolutely amazing experience in zanzibar thanks to Ngalawa.
Great resort with impeccable service and absolutely 5 star food. (especially the daily selection of wonderful soups).
Get the package deal and enjoy the bar area.
Friendly and well informed staff.
Kaveer14 on 18/11/2017 09:42
Initially our trip got of to a rocky start with there being a mix up between the resort and Hotels.com. But this was quickly and effectively resolved by both Hotels.com and Sadru at the resort. This was the beginning to an even better holiday. The resort was comfortable with neat rooms which was spacious and typical of a beach bungalow. We travelled with a 2 year old and found there to be everything we needed. They also organised a bday cake for my son at no charge as well as discounted tours. The beach is swimmable at high tides only and the pool is great to swim in. The overall service was impeccable and humble. The resort is not a massive commercial resort, it is small and perfect for a quiet holiday, however you are never bored. The food is great which was ala carte. Great work by the chefs. The resort was quiet during our trip and felt like we had it all to ourselves. If you stay on the east coast however transport is expensive and getting around requires long trips. The resort does have shuttles at a fee which was a touch expensive for us. But overall transport is expensive in zanzibar. The people of Zanzibar are exceptionally humble and friendly and we always got what we requested. My son fell in love with the place and felt that it was home away from home. The bar deck was my favorite spot for anything from reading to playing games to just a simple beer. I sincerely thank the team, Adam, Val, Nach, The Massai warriors and Mr Sadru, at Ngalawa for their reception
Ruan M on 08/11/2017 05:28
One of my least favorite 'hotel, village, lodge' holidays I have had. First room we got booked in, had a leaking toilet that did not stop running. We asked to be moved (which was done with no fuss).
Both rooms had a musty smell that could only be 'fixed' by leaving the rooms doors open.
Although the staff were very friendly, housekeeping was done at their convenience and not yours.
Other than the pool, there were no water activities offered by the 'village' - all outsourced to other companies.
Very small spa.
The bar was nice.
The food was really good.
Although the owners were helpful with their suggestions, when we decided to choose our own adventures, it was met with a lot of passive aggressive retorts, which left us feeling at fault for no reason.
It was near impossible to find anyone at reception. We went there on various occasions to ask questions, only to find no one there.
All in all Zanzibar is an unforgettable holiday - That being said, I would never recommend staying at Ngalawa.
ethanmarrs on 17/09/2017 19:47
We had an incredible stay at Ngalawa! Clean and comfortable rooms, amazing food and friendly staff. We stayed in a room overlooking the garden and pool, with a balcony great for enjoying coffee in the mornings before breakfast.
Ngalawa is a great place if you're looking for a more quiet and affordable stay, but is fairly close to most attractions, and transport is easily arranged by the staff.
We had a fantastic time and would definitely recommend Ngalawa.
P.S. We loved the friendly pet goats!
