Guest House Nakayamagwa

The staff were accommodating when bad weather cancelled our ferries and affected our hotel reservations. The hotel is right by the island harbour, with friendly staff, delicious breakfast, and great rooms overlooking the waterfront. I highly recommend it and look forward to coming back. Zamami is beautiful.

The Rori room worked perfectly for two, and it was handy to have the room next door available for friends or kids. There was a nice bathtub, comfortable queen-size beds, and a cold refrigerator stocked with a few free drinks. We had a sea view from the first floor. The helpful, friendly staff made the hotel feel familiar. Nothing negative to say.

We stayed in March 2025. The room itself was fine, but the experience around it was frustrating. We were collected in a minivan and driven the very short distance down the pier and across the road. On arrival, there was an elaborate welcome involving a complimentary fruit juice shot and choosing bathroom products from three options. We were asked about booking breakfast, but declined at first because we wanted to see what the island offered. We were then told the advertised jacuzzi wasn’t working, and that the swimming pool wasn’t available because of a guest in the room next door. The town is charming but had very limited dining and breakfast options in March, so we decided to eat breakfast at the hotel. We’d been told that some items would be unavailable without a booking, but it turned out nothing was available. The woman managing the dining room was no help. Even though there was a chef and an egg, she refused to boil one because it was against the rules. She sent us to the manager, pointed us toward an unattended desk, then shrugged when we asked how that helped. This doesn’t feel like a luxury hotel apart from its high price and the building’s standard compared with others on the island. Based on reviews we read too late, the jacuzzi seems to have been out of service for at least a year, yet it’s still advertised on booking.com and we weren’t told before arriving. It would have been great after a day at the beach. The staff were servile but gave terrible service, with no helpful advice, a rigid approach, and little friendliness. The owner needs to understand what guests paying these rates expect. Staff need training. Good service means making guests feel welcome and valued, not putting them through idiotic rituals.

We really enjoyed sitting outside for breakfast. It was delicious, plentiful, and varied each day. St. Maire Zamami is well located, with easy access to everything, and the rooms were comfortable and well equipped. The staff were professional and polite, and always friendly. They made sure we had an enjoyable stay. We highly recommend the hotel and will certainly return. Many thanks to the staff.