Hiliki House Retro Butik-hotel

We could walk to everything from this really nice location, and the people were very friendly. For what we paid, the experience was amazing. We arrived quite early and were able to go straight to our room, and breakfast was offered that day and the next at no extra cost. We don’t think the bad rating is deserved. We’d stay again.

For $21 total, two of us got a room with a double bed, mosquito net, fan, air conditioning, private bathroom, shower and toilet. Breakfast was included too, with fruit, bread, juice, coffee and omelette. That’s just $10.50 each, while some hostels charge that for one bed in a big shared dorm. The room was far better than I expected for the price. It’s about a five minute walk to the city center, and the neighborhood felt calm and safe. Nights were quiet, and it’s also close to mnazi mmoja if you’re working there. The staff were really nice, especially the woman serving breakfast. If I owned a hotel, I’d try to hire her. I don’t, though, since my hotel fund is $21. The old house has lots of old furniture and a laid-back rooftop terrace in backpacker style, where you can meet other travelers if that’s your thing. I’ve seen bad reviews about overbooking earlier, so if that worries you, message them to confirm your booking.

The rooms are okay, and both the location and the staff are very good. The staff are supportive, but I had one complaint: they don’t answer the phone, and when they do, they don’t give clear information.

The house has charm, but it needs care and a good manager. Inside, there’s a musty smell, and mosquitoes kept bothering me at night even with the netting. My visit became a nightmare after I asked the cleaner to do my laundry. It came back turned inside out, un-ironed and thrown messily into a bag, and one shirt was missing. I’d also left food supplies for the night before I left, but the maid took them without asking. I told the manager while he was cleaning his toenails. I sent him several WhatsApp messages afterward, but the shirt is still missing. He says the maid refuses to return it, though she sent an apology.