Le Mersenne Zanzibar, Autograph Collection

The best ocean view with the best amenities

When we arrived at the hotel, we were greeted with the unexpected yet delightful sounds of drumming and singing, accompanied by warm, welcoming smiles. In that moment, I knew we were in for a special stay. The real indulgence came from the incredible culinary experience curated by Head Chef Dominic and local cuisine expert Maua. Their exceptional skills more than made up for the hotel’s minor imperfections—like some peeling paint and detached pool tiles. To me, a hotel’s food is a reflection of its connection to local culture, and this place excelled. The selection of local and international cuisine, was thoughtfully curated, of excellent quality, and beautifully presented. We especially appreciated the authentic Zanzibari dishes prepared for us, allowing us to truly savor the local flavors. While the hotel doesn’t have a traditional beach, its breathtaking location more than compensates. Guests can enjoy a complimentary boat ride to a nearby sandbank with crystal-clear waters or take a dip straight from the jetty—an unforgettable experience. The poolside area is equally inviting, offering a serene place to unwind. Best of all, we never had to deal with early-morning sunbed hoggers—there was always space available! The staff are truly a highlight of our stay. An international team of pure excellence, from the welcoming front desk to the attentive hospitality, management, catering, grounds, and housekeeping teams. Always smiling, engaging, and eager to help, they truly made our experience unforgettable. Team members like Keizia, Alfred, Bertha, Elizabeth, Emmanuel, Maddy, Jennifer, Ezekiel , Tessy and Juma made the stay enjoyable with their manager Michael always checking in. A few small drawbacks: as a regular gym-goer, I felt the gym could use some upgrading and a proper clean—it was warm, unattended, and somewhat neglected. Our beachfront villa, while lovely, showed signs of wear, and the unusually high sinks were a bit of a challenge for someone on the shorter side like me! That said, the peaceful low-season atmosphere and the stunning views made our stay truly special. It was the perfect place to recharge. Despite a few minor flaws, we thoroughly enjoyed every moment.

The room quality was excellent - although it was a garden view room, the jacuzzi tub is a must try. Aircon was the best I have encountered, the design of the room was classic and the linen was very comfy and soothing to the skin. The chef Dominic made some world class fish with lemon butter sauce for dinner which was top notch and the breakfast was stumptious too! I must recommend the hotel to anyone who is coming to Znz. The welcome drums with the welcome drink upon arrival is something to record but unfortunately my phone was far away. At the end of the day it’s a Marriott Bonvoy!