Twisted Palms Lodge & Restaurant

Laura and Renato have created a superb, back to basics beach lodge which also appeases my eco-tourism yearnings. Their description is honest and accurate, so if you want a simple no-frills beach holiday right on a paradise beach, this is the perfect place. The rooms are right on the beach - we didn't need to wear shoes, except for leaving the lodge, all week. The rooms are beautifully rustic and traditional, with mosquito nets (rooms were sprayed in the evening too). Nothing in Africa is built to perfection, but that is the charm. Very comfortable beds, furniture mostly made out of rough wood (this is the 'Twisted' Palms). Bathroom basic and functional. The restaurant serves simple but excellent and tasty food, usually fresh from the locals who fish directly off the beach. The Zanzibarians are lovely people, very friendly, but poor in comparison to the lodgers, so tip! The lodge is nominally guarded by some Maasai in traditional dress, but in reality there is little risk. The Maasai usually end up playing football on the beach in the evening, in lieu of anything much better to do. Go to see the Colobus monkeys in the Jozani forest - they are fantastic. The snorkeling and SCUBA is excellent too, but I would go on an organised trip to a lagoon, where the waters are deep around the reef and go at a time of day so that the tide doesn't create a strong current. Don't go to an up-market hotel, Twisted Palms is far, far better and you will feel more in touch with Zanzibar :-)

Sehr ruhig gelegenes Hotel am Strand in Bjewu. Nettes Personal. Top zum Entspannen!!

Nessuna sorpresa all'arrivo: l'albergo è veramente estremamente spartano, come viene descritto nel proprio sito dai proprietari Laura e Renato. Le camere, veramente essenziali, sono però davvero a qualche metro dall'acqua, ed il ristorante , addirittura sulla spiaggia. Vi serviranno solo due costumi e qualche tshirt, le scarpe potete lasciarle a casa. Potete lasciare a casa anche l'Autan, in 15 giorni mia moglie ed io non abbiamo avuto nemmeno la più piccola puntura di insetti! Non ci sono petulanti bimbi in cerca di caramelle o soldi, ma solo autentici bambini del vicino villaggio di Bwejiu che giocano tra di loro o seguono le mamme che vanno a pescare o a raccogliere le lumachine per i loro pasti. Laura e Renato non vi imporranno nulla, ma, a richiesta, vi potranno organizzare interessanti escursioni.Non dimenticate di portare con voi delle buone letture e le creme solari. Il ristorante, che non è compreso nel prezzo dell'abergo, è aperto dalle 11 del mattino alle 10,30 della sera ed è sicuramente uno dei migliori dell'isola, ma preparatevi ad attendere con calma di essere serviti; ne varrà la pena: si mangia a lume di candela, pochi tavoli, ospiti molto discreti, solo pesce e crostacei rigorosamente pescati la mattina e un prezzo veramente ragionevole. Lo staff, dalla cucina ai manutentori, fino ai guardiani Masai è gentilissimo. Una bella vacanza, fuori dai circuiti convenzionali, su una delle ultime spiagge "quasi intatte" di zanzibar.

For ein billeg penge fekk me det me betalte for, og litt til. M.a. nærleik til strand, kjekke folk. Masaiene er flotte, kloke folk.

I was initially in total shock when I checked into the hotel. This was due to the low level of "comfort" as I found it there. It is so very basic, you would not believe it. But after a very short time i realized that this lack of the standard comfort you find in all hotels all over the world made this hotel such a special thing. This is the way one should experience Zanzibar. If you want comfort you go to Waikiki, if you go to Zanzibar you want to be one with long white beaches, and to not stand out of the surroundings. So yes, this hotel is basic (all furniture seems to be hand made), but that so much added to the atmosphere.

Esattamente quello che cercavo, luogo incantevole, romantico, completamente diverso dai soliti villaggi vacanze. Personale cordiale, cibo ottimo servito a lume di candela e cucinato espresso per un numero limitato di persone (non più di 6 tavoli), responsabili italiani, precisi e professionali.

En bordure d'une plage de sable blanc. Confort sommaire. Cuisine convenable sans plus. Impression d'ensemble négative. Peu soucieux de l'impact environnemental.

My husband and I stayed in one of the beach front huts in July for 14 days. The room was simple & spacious. The bedding was clean, changed every other day. The room was sprayed for insects every night and the bed made up. A major criticism of the resort was the shower. The water trickled out, ran out completely, wasnt working or was cold. We had 2 days of hot water in total. We spoke to the owners daily about the shower and they did their best to appease us but this became a major encumbrance. The resort is set back from a beautiful beach front with the wonderful constant sound of the ocean, sea breeze and friendly staff, including the reassuring Masai security. Whilst the menu choice was limited, the food was freshly prepared and cooked well.There was no meat on the menu, cold drinks occasionally and no ice.The resort may be limited by generator power, storage may have been a problem. On our first night we were warned not to walk to the north past the Sunrise resort as men with machetes hide in wait in the bushes ready to rob you of watches, cameras etc. We did not hear of any problems whilst we were there but the advice was welcome.Hosts, Laura and Renato were friendly, arranged transfers from the airport and excursions. We went on the dolphin trip twice which was amazing to see wild dolphins below us whist snorkelling in the sea. Recommend the dive school at the nearby hotel Breezes run by Paul Shepherd. A friendly no frills resort ideal if you are travelling on a budget