Raha Leo Inn

For $18 a night, getting a bed and breakfast felt like a great deal. Raha Leo was a real palace for that price, with a wonderful staff and an amazing location. I did get woken up each morning by roosters and sometimes tourists in the courtyard. I wouldn't choose it for a stay of several weeks, but it made for a fun first trip to Tanzania.

I showed up late in the evening with a confirmed booking that I'd already paid for, and reception said they were full and had no room for me. I had to scramble to find another hotel at the last minute. They still haven't refunded me for the night I never stayed, which feels like outright theft and is unacceptable. This place is completely unreliable and dishonest. Avoid it.

A fair price for a pleasant few-day stop. The bed was a comfortable king, breakfast was quite good, and the bright, airy serving area sits in the middle of the complex with rooms around it and plants on the walls. Staff were amazing and keen to make me feel welcome. Wi-Fi was strong, reception ran 24 hours, mineral water was available around the clock, and the location was close to everything in town. The room itself was basic, and the mosquito net was a bit dirty. In my opinion it needed a fan. The TV remote didn't work and the signal was very poor. I was told hot water would come after waiting a few minutes, but it never did.

Clean rooms and bathrooms, though the baths are small. The rooms are pleasant but nothing special, which seems fair for the price. Breakfast was good, and the covered patio in the middle is lovely. It's very central, about a three-minute walk from the central bus station.