Review of Spice Island Hotel & Resort 4*

After three flights and a road journey across the island we were extremely glad to get to the Spice Island Hotel and Resort. It was fairly late and very dark and the first people who greeted us were the security guards who happened to be Masai warriors. Reception was very efficient and friendly. The room we were given was quite spacious. The next day we were given a free upgrade to the Suite which was enormous! A large lounge/diner, superb bedroom, 2 shower rooms, flat screen TV, plus our own private sun bathing area. The swimming pool was a good size which I will hopefully use the next time my wife and I stay there; ditto the Indian Ocean. The staff were all very friendly with smiles given out for free. English was spoken by everyone we met there including the guests. Someone posted in their review that the place was full of Germans all speaking their language and not paying attention to anyone. From our experience nothing could be further from the truth. Historically there has been a lot of German influx into Tanzania. In the same way with the British. This situation still exists today. We spoke to the management and nationality didn't matter. We also tried a bit of Swahili. At least we made the local people smile. The food was OK. There was plenty of it. However the chef can't cook tuna very well. He fries the life out of it. I did say how I wanted it cooked and things improved a little. The air conditioning was a real blessing especially in the mid afternoon when the heat and humidity are at their peak. All in all both of us enjoyed the hotel. It was clean, spacious, bright and airy. The situation is ideal. It is half a world away from the UK and we certainly relaxed. The hotel is so laid back it is horizontal! Will definitely be going back as soon as we can.