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Mbweni Ruins & Gardens

4.0 star property
Beachfront hotel with relaxing spa services

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Photo gallery for Mbweni Ruins & Gardens

Outdoor pool, pool loungers
Exterior
In-room safe, desk, laptop workspace, free WiFi
Exterior
View from property
Reviews
8.6

Excellent

Popular amenities

  • Pool
    PoolPool
  • Breakfast available
    Breakfast availableBreakfast available
  • Spa
    SpaSpa
  • Parking included
    Parking includedParking included
  • Air conditioning
    Air conditioningAir conditioning
  • Room service
    Room serviceRoom service

Check-in time

2:00 PM

Check-out time

11:00 AM

Explore the area

Map
Mbweni, Zanzibar Town
  • Popular LocationSlave Market8 min drive
  • Popular LocationOld Fort9 min drive
  • AirportZanzibar (ZNZ-Zanzibar Intl.)10 min drive
  • Popular LocationNakupenda Beach28 min drive

Room options

View all photos for Double Room, 1 Bedroom, Non Smoking, Sea View

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

Double Room, 1 Bedroom, Non Smoking, Sea View

Highlights

Air conditioning
Ceiling fan
Bidet
Hairdryer
Private bathroom
Free bottled water
Electric kettle
In-room safe
  • Ocean view
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 King Bed

View all photos for Exclusive Double Room

Exclusive Double Room

Exclusive Double Room

Highlights

Furnished balcony or patio
Separate sitting area
Air conditioning
Ceiling fan
Bidet
Separate bath and shower
Private bathroom
Rainfall showerhead
  • 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
Bidet
Hairdryer
Private bathroom
Free bottled water
Electric kettle
In-room safe
  • Ocean view
  • Sleeps 4
  • 1 King Bed and 2 Single Bunk Beds

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About the area

Zanzibar Town

A family-friendly stay in Zanzibar Town awaits you at Mbweni Ruins & Gardens. You'll be 6.9 km (4.3 mi) from Slave Market and 7.1 km (4.4 mi) from House of Wonders. Highlights at this beachfront hotel include a full-service spa, a restaurant and an outdoor swimming pool. .A day of pampering can include massages and body scrubs along with aromatherapy and Ayurvedic treatments. The restaurant, Raintree Restaurant, serves international cuisine and is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Mangrove Bar is the hotel's own bar. Spend the day at the beach where you'll find sunloungers, and enjoy the on-site pool loungers. Other amenities include free Wi-Fi in public areas, a snack bar/deli and laundry facilities. Buffet breakfast is available daily. There's also free self parking, along with the convenience of a free area shuttle. .Sights within a 10-minute drive of this 4-property class Zanzibar Town hotel include Old Fort and Forodhani Gardens.

What's nearby

  • Slave Market - 8 min drive
  • Old Fort - 9 min drive
  • House of Wonders - 9 min drive
  • Forodhani Gardens - 9 min drive
  • Nakupenda Beach - 28 min drive

Getting around

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

Restaurants

  • ‪Mimi Cafe - ‬12 min walk
  • ‪Jahazi Cafe - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Lukmaan - ‬9 min drive
  • ‪Ccm Social Hall - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪House of Karafuu - ‬9 min drive

About this property

Mbweni Ruins & Gardens

Beachfront hotel with relaxing spa services
Lie back and work on your tan with relaxing beach amenities, such as umbrellas and sunloungers. At Mbweni Ruins & Gardens, pamper yourself with a treatment at the full-service spa and enjoy amenities such as an outdoor pool.

There's a restaurant on site, as well as a snack bar/deli. Public spaces have free WiFi. This beach hotel also offers a garden and a terrace. Self parking is free.

This 4-star Zanzibar Town hotel is smoke free.

  • 13 guestrooms or units
  • 2 levels
  • 10 buildings
  • Built in 1994
  • Deli
  • Beach lounge chairs
  • Towels for the beach
  • Umbrellas for the beach
  • Poolside lounge chairs
  • Breakfast available (surcharge)
  • Dry cleaning
  • Self-service laundry
  • Front desk (24 hours)
  • Staff members are multilingual
  • Storage area for luggage
  • Front desk safe
  • Tour and ticket information
  • Concierge
  • Wedding services available
  • Terrace
  • Garden
  • Beauty salon
  • No smoking on site
  • Dining venue
Mbweni Ruins & Gardens offers 13 air-conditioned accommodations, which are accessible via exterior corridors, and features a safe and complimentary bottles of water. Guests can surf the web using complimentary wireless Internet access.

Bathrooms include slippers, bidets, hairdryers and toothbrushes and toothpaste. Business-friendly amenities include desks and telephones. Housekeeping is offered on a daily basis and in-room massages can be requested.

The on-site 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.

Languages

English, Italian, Swahili

Property amenities

Internet

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

Parking and transport

  • 24-hour return 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
  • 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
  • Daily housekeeping
  • Dry cleaning/laundry service
  • 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 lift
  • Well-lit path to entrance

More

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

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

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

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 1 June and 17 June.

Access methods

Staffed front desk

Pets

  • No pets allowed, but service animals are welcome

Children and extra beds

  • Children are welcome.
  • Rollaway/extra beds are available for TZS 23000 per day.
  • Cots (infant beds) are not available.

Payment types

Important information

Fees

Guests will be asked to pay the following charges at the property:

  • A tax is imposed by the city: TZS 12742.60 per person, per night

We've listed all charges provided to us by the property.

Optional extras

The fees and deposits listed below will be charged at the time of service, check-in, or check-out.

  • Fee for buffet breakfast: from approximately TZS 35000 for adults and from 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 per day
  • Credit card charges are subject to a surcharge

This may not be a comprehensive list. Fees and deposits are subject to change and might not include tax.

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
Charges for extra guests may apply and vary according to property policy.
A cash deposit, credit card or debit card for incidental charges and government-issued photo identification may be required upon check-in.
Special requests are subject to availability at the time of check-in. Special requests can't be guaranteed and may incur additional charges.
    This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business or profession. This property accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Diners Club. Cash is not accepted. This property affirms that it follows the cleaning and disinfection practices of Commitment to Clean (Marriott) guidelines.

We should mention

  • Reservations are needed for massage services. For reservations, contact the hotel before 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

What is the cancellation policy at Mbweni Ruins & Gardens?

Mbweni Ruins & Gardens offers free cancellation on select room rates. Check out the cancellation policy for more info.

How much does it cost to stay at Mbweni Ruins & Gardens?

As of 4 July 2024, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Mbweni Ruins & Gardens on 13 July 2024 start from AU$328.29, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.

Is parking available at Mbweni Ruins & Gardens?

Yep, Mbweni Ruins & Gardens has a free self car park.

Are there any beaches close to Mbweni Ruins & Gardens?

The closest beach to Mbweni Ruins & Gardens is Shangani Beach (5.6 km).

Is there a spa on site at Mbweni Ruins & Gardens?

Yep, there is an onsite spa at Mbweni Ruins & Gardens. You'll enjoy heaps of services like body scrubs, facials and body treatments.

Does Mbweni Ruins & Gardens have a pool?

Mbweni Ruins & Gardens has an outdoor pool. Grab your bathers and lounge poolside while enjoying on a lounger.

What makes Mbweni Ruins & Gardens a romantic place to stay?

Couples spa treatments and ocean-view dining, as well as massage services available in the guestrooms, all help set the scene for a romantic weekend at Mbweni Ruins & Gardens.

Is Mbweni Ruins & Gardens family-friendly?

You bet! With amenities such as laundry facilities and a deli, as well as childcare services in the guestrooms, it's no surprise that Mbweni Ruins & Gardens is a hit with families.

Does Mbweni Ruins & Gardens serve breakfast?

Yep, buffet brekkie is served daily.

Is there a free airport shuttle available at Mbweni Ruins & Gardens?

No, but there's an airport shuttle that runs 24 hours a day for a fee.

Is there a bar or restaurant at Mbweni Ruins & Gardens?

Yep, you can grab a meal at Mbweni Ruins & Gardens's onsite restaurant that serves international cuisine.

What time are check-in & check-out at Mbweni Ruins & Gardens?

Check-in begins at 2 PM. Check-out time is 11 AM.

Are pets allowed at Mbweni Ruins & Gardens?

No, only service animals are allowed.

Mbweni Ruins & Gardens Reviews

Reviews

8.6

Excellent

Rating 10 - Excellent. 64 out of 136 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 53 out of 136 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 11 out of 136 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 4 out of 136 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 4 out of 136 reviews" "

8.8/10

Cleanliness

9.0/10

Staff & service

7.8/10

Amenities

8.2/10

Property conditions & facilities

8.8/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

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

10/10 Excellent

Tim, Washington, DC

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
I’m a picky traveler and this property was perfect for my short visit to Zanzibar. First and foremost, the staff (Nico (GM), Nathan (Ops Director), Gemma (Reception & Customer Service)) all went out of their way to make this a great stay... they were welcoming, friendly and professional. Everything from assisting with an early check-in, to checking on any transport needs, to even helping find me aspirin. I felt taken care of. The property is closer to the airport (8-10min) than most but there is no bothersome sound from flight activity. Best of all is a private beach (hard to find on the West side of the island) and a restaurant will an idyllic View into the Indian Ocean. Food was great (Lots of fresh seafood and of course perfect spices) and the (included in my package) breakfast substantial. The water was perfect- it’s a great swimming beach (there is a pool as well). The free shuttle to/from Stone Town completes the perfect set-up. Take advantage of all Stone Town has to offer without having to stay right in the hustle and bustle. And enjoy the quiet and privacy that the property allows. Did I mention the aesthetic ruins around which the secluded property is built? Many of the wonderful famed “carved doors” of Zanzibar can be found right here. I would highly recommend the Protea and will certainly stay again when I return.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2019

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Amazing gardens surround historic ruins - rooms are in a modern building sloping toward the sea - Restaurant is like a treehouse, beautiful views, in a cozy open air bar and dining facility. Quiet, comfortable, secluded, lovely space to unwind. Close to the airport and Stone town - an oasis of quiet, save the tides.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2019

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Business traveller
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
I liked the friendly and helpful staff, the food, the serene surroundings that mix the old and the new, the sound of birds and the ocean, and the relative quietness.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2019