Zanzibar House

The ocean view was lovely, and I especially enjoyed the swing facing the water. I was there for four nights, and the place felt like home. The dishes were delicious too. A nice stay.

Max would come by each evening to ask what we might like on the next day's menu, and we were delighted with the dinners. They were Italian in style with local touches, often including local fish. Our group of fish eaters thought the meals rivalled the best we've had anywhere. After a day of snorkelling, Max even sent his Chef to a local beach to cook lobster, prawns, calamari and all the trimmings, with chilled wine. That was a highlight. We stayed seven days at Zanzibar House with two other couples and had three rooms. Since it's also the owners' home and our group occupied most of the rooms, it felt like we had an Oceanside villa to ourselves. We left the room doors open at night, with mosquito nets over the beds, and the sea breeze and smells were amazing. The grounds were spotless, and the staff became friends. Breakfast and dinner were included. The one thing we struggled with was dinner starting at 7:30, very late for us. Some reviewers giving this place less than five stars seem to forget its setting. It's remote, right on an icing-sugar beach, with five-star food, service, and staff. Water quirks and musty smells come with the remoteness and ocean air. We can't thank them enough for this retreat at the end of our African vacation. Zanzibar House is a favourite for us.

We stopped in for a meal and it was delicious. The set dinner menu changes daily, and ours had an Italian meatball dish, fettuccine, pepper fillet, and a lovely dessert. We also tried our first Italian red, a Syrah, and it went really well with the food. The setting was stunning, and the hosts and staff were warm and accommodating.

The place was clean and quiet, and the staff were friendly, but there was hardly anything decent to eat. Breakfast was poor: dry bread, warm milk, and eggs with no seasoning. Dinner was billed as four courses, but we waited at least 45 minutes after each one, and the food wasn't good. At lunch we ordered pizza and Spaghetti bolognese. With Italian owners we expected a really tasty pizza, but it was nowhere near that, just disgusting, mushy and soggy. They promise to spray the rooms daily, but ours weren't. My kid was badly bitten by bedbugs. And it's NOT kid friendly.