Serene Beach Resort

It’s an affordable, quiet place by the coast, and the staff are friendly and helpful. The rooms are large for the price, with some balconies or patios facing the pool or sea. There’s beach access, a pool with loungers and umbrellas, free parking and Wi-Fi, laundry service, a lounge bar and beachfront dining. Two restaurants serve local and international food, and breakfast is included with many room options. You can relax by the pool bar or walk along the beach at dusk. Compared with other beach resorts, I’d call it clean, light and quiet. Serene Hotel is on Africana Road at Mbezi Beach, about nine miles from the city centre. It’s handy if you want some access to town along with a calmer coastal setting. The hotel claims 3-star status and has air-conditioned rooms, some with pool or sea views, flat-screen TVs and satellite channels. There are also poolside loungers, umbrellas and self-parking. It seems best suited to budget-conscious travellers, families and beach-goers who care more about location and value than luxury. It could work for a casual stay, weekend getaway or seaside stop in Dar es Salaam. If you’re looking for high-end resort service, you may want to consider somewhere pricier. It’s not the most luxurious resort around, but the comfortable rooms, beach access and friendly atmosphere make it a good-value coastal option.

The shoreline is clean and private, and the sea views are lovely. It’s a peaceful place for a quiet break. Rooms are roomy and well kept, with balconies for catching the sunrise and ocean breeze. The staff were courteous and quick to respond, and the restaurant has fresh seafood and a good range of dishes, though service can drag when it’s busy. There are evening activities, and the calm poolside makes it feel family-friendly. A comfortable escape if you’re after nature and some quiet by the sea.

We got some really good food, fresh and nicely made, with generous portions. The bartender that day deserves a special mention too. The mocktails and cocktails were tasty and beautifully presented, especially the Mojitos, which the kids enjoyed and got to try in a few different flavours. Christmas Day had its downsides, though. It was loud, crowded and dirty, and people visiting the beach were sitting by the hotel walls, blocking the views and beach access. The pool was packed and dirty, which I suppose was expected that day. We also lost our electronics after we left the bag behind while having lunch with the kids. The PR Manager did her best, but it was disappointing that a place like this didn’t have external cameras covering public areas where the kids had been standing for photos. I’m not sure we’ll come back. I’d generally avoid visiting when you expect crowds.

It costs 22,000 for the boat ride and entry to mbudya. A good place to catch the boat to mbudya and Bongoyo island.