Kusini Holidays

We visited The Island at Pongwe as the final stop on our honeymoon to Tanzania and Zanzibar and it was the perfect way to conclude an incredible trip. Set on a coral island just off of Zanzibar, the Island Pongwe is run by the amzaing Michela and her team. The island feels like pure rustic luxury and prides itself on being as sustainable as possible - they source food and materials locally. The service was amazing and we were greeted by the team who showed us to the Villa - a room with an incredible vista of the Indian Ocean. We were also kept company, by the islands dog, Ara, who was so sweet. The team were very helpful in organising a Dhow sailing experience with the local fishermen/sailors. At low tide you are able to walk out towards the reef - just watch out for sea urchins! The food was incredible and tasted so fresh. We were also lucky enough to be treated to a performance by local Masai on our final night. 10/10 - would definitely recommend even at least 1 nights stay here - it's so worth it for this little slice of paradise.

We stayed at the Baraza for four nights in July, after a week-long safari. We had booked the two-bedroom villa (garden view). The staff and the food were wonderful. The personnel just wanted us to feel comfortable and at home. The quality and diversity of the food was amazing and I particularly loved the ability to ask for a custom fruit smoothie whenever I wanted. The hotel is starting to show its age a little bit if you pay attention, but overall it it very well maintained and looks like a palace from the 1001 nights. The villa is where things got a little disappointing. On the plus side, it is huge and was pretty close to the restaurants, pool and beach. But as soon as we entered we noticed the main bedroom’s door not closing, lights flickering, toilets leaking a little, iron and two pairs of slippers missing, things that the hotel manager got fixed immediately, but that we should not have even seen in a $1,600 / night villa. The iron holder is old, frayed and rusty, the hot water takes a long time to arrive (several minutes). I did appreciate the large safe, big enough for laptops. The beach looks great but is not very inviting: you need shoes in it (the hotel lends you some) and after 12-2pm a wind and current made it not fun to swim in. The pool is superb, and despite not being heated (I think) it was refreshing during the afternoon. We never felt the place was crowded and never had to way for a daybed or table. So overall a very nice stay, but not quite perfect.

The property is amazing. The restaurant needs improvement in terms of variety and quality of pastries, especially. Breakfast was just fine. Extra services are in my opinion, over priced.