Le Mersenne Zanzibar, Autograph Collection

The food was excellent, and breakfast had such a wide selection that there was something for vegetarians, vegans and guests with dietary restrictions. The gym was impressive, and access to the sea was great. The facilities overall were impeccable and made it easy to feel comfortable and relaxed. From arrival to checkout, the welcome was warm, with traditional music and singing, a drink, genuine smiles and clear explanations. The team was attentive, caring and professional. Our room was beautiful, well equipped and had a magnificent view. We were upgraded to a villa, and the private pool, terrace and extra comfort made our stay unforgettable. Some things were a little pricey, like a coconut at $6. I understand the hotel's positioning, but I think certain items could be better balanced. The whole staff deserve recognition, so I won't single anyone out. It was an amazing stay and I highly recommend it.

We were four people, staying for four nights, and would gladly come back, especially in one of the villas. The ocean-facing villa was beautifully maintained and a real pleasure. I was upgraded because of my titanium status. Our ocean-facing room had a few issues mentioned in other reviews: the shower didn't drain properly, and some fittings were old. For the five-star experience, I'd suggest booking a villa. The gym was top notch, with new, well-kept equipment, which I appreciated for keeping up my holiday fitness routine. Service throughout was impeccable. The staff were welcoming and worked incredibly hard to keep everything running smoothly. Breakfast deserves a mention: we went through loads of avocado-banana smoothies, and there was a huge choice of dishes. We ate dinner at the resort three of our four nights. I'd seen comments that the food needed improvement, but I think they've made efforts to upgrade it. We had pasta, seafood and Zanzibar curries with beef, chicken and octopus. My parents thought the barbecue was too salty, gave feedback, and the dishes were adjusted to their taste.

One of our favorite moments was the complimentary boat trip from near our room to a sandbar. It was a short ride out to crystal-clear water up to our waists and white sand. From our beach house villa, the ocean views were breathtaking, and the hotel itself was beautiful. Everyone helped make our stay peaceful and comfortable. June at the front desk was especially warm and kind, and made sure our time there was what we'd hoped for. We loved the breakfast buffet, and it was a pleasure chatting with the wait staff and chef. We'd highly recommend this hotel for a quiet New Year's Eve getaway and hope to return.

For a restaurant at a supposed five-star resort, the way these problems were handled was extremely unprofessional. Service felt cold from the beginning. One burger had a long hair in it, and the replacement came raw and clearly undercooked. Portions were tiny for the prices, and the menu didn't include the 15% VAT, which was added later. A high-end place should show that clearly. Staff said they'd take 15% off the bill, but the discount disappeared when the bill came because someone in our group had accidentally broken a glass. They used that to cancel what they'd promised. We were also overcharged, and I waited more than 30 minutes for a refund that should have been a simple fix. Mistakes happen, but the quality control, transparency and service should be on a completely different level at a five-star resort.