VOI RESORT

We booked this hotel for a 10 day stay after much deliberation because of it's location in Kiwengwa. We take windsurfing equipment and need proximity to the beach and this was the best placed hotel. We knew from reviews that it was aimed predominantly at the Italian market but what we hadn't realised until just before leaving is that it used to be the Bravo Kiwengwa and is used by Bravo tours for their customers. As such Bravo customers get an orange band and anyone else gets dark blue. As such Bravo customer get a welcome drink on arrival and others get nothing! The Bravo buses arrive regularly full of new travellers who it would seem do get priority. However this is not really why we have marked down the hotel. the review is as follows: 1: rooms- Large basic rooms with a balcony and very uncomfortable balcony chairs.1 basic storage area for clothes etc.. The rooms was made available early as we arrived early but it wasn't particularly clean but that may be because they rushed for it to be available. -We had requested a ground floor room as we need to transport windsurfing equipment to the beach but were given an upper level room and told that the hotel was full, which it was but members from the Bravo bus seemed to get allocated ground floor rooms on the same day of our arrival... just an observation 2- Cleaning. This was done everyday and was sufficient, nothing special ... what we could a lick and a spit in the UK. ie: bed made and floor moped. towels only replaced if asked 3- The beach. Loads of beautiful handmade loungers under the palm trees to which very diligent attendants would add mattresses each day. It's crowded when the hotel is full but there's always a sunbed available. There is a demarcation line drawn between the 'upper beach' and lower beach that is patrolled and prevents the many, many Masai and African vendors from selling their wares to you. At times their are so many that the beach resembles the M6 motorway! All are very respectful mostly young men but they are persistent. Watching people trying to get to the water's edge is a bit like a game of chicken. 4. The Sea. dominated of course by tides, it goes far out at times during the day. it's incredibly warm and the sand is so fine it's almost like clay underfoot. Lots of seaweed but staff do try and clear that up occasionally 5- Bravo entertainment. So I've been home 3 days now and the Bravo jingle still rings in my ears!!!! The chap is charge of compering the entertainment is very good and speaks in Italian, French and English. The problem is that the beach is involved in this entertainment , there is no escape from the noise. Perhaps I should have done more research as I like peace and quiet and appreciate my surroundings. Coming from Scotland, we say that if there are more than 6 people on a beach is crowded.. well this one h

this is a nice property with good staff but if you are not italian,,,this is not the place to visit,,they cater to the itailian people exclusively,,,very bad buisness practice

We've stayed in VOI Kiwengwa Resort for 5 nights. PROS: - Service was great: reception, dinning area, pool area, cleaning, gardening... all of them were always kind, polite and willing to help you if you needed assistance - Nice pool CONS: - Impossible to get into the sea without being stopped by the "Masai" people or some others. This was very annyoing. - As before, impossible to walk near the sea without being stopped / followed by the "Masai" people. Every attempt of saying "enough" or saying that you don't have money with you, will be ignored. Not even that, if they finally don't get anything from you, you will be insulted. - If you are not Italian, you will feel little bit displaced. Mostly 90% of the activities are focused on the italian community. In addition, if you want to join a group activity to do some sightseeing, will not be possible as it is only offered to Italian people / speakers. All in all, I regret to say that we will not visit Kiwengwa area nor VOI Kiwengwa Hotel again due to the cons mentioned before. If you are someone looking for peace and relax this will be definitely not your place. Be also aware that this is starting to be a common feeling around the island, as our local stone town guide shared with us. Looks like you need to book a hotel with private security if you are looking for some peace.