Things started well- I emailed the hotel direct, as I had a last minute opportunity to spend a long weekend on Zanzibar and thought it would be good to have a change from the hotel I usually stay at (and which offers and EA residents rate, as opposed to Mbewi which does not). I enquired about the availability of the 'spa' offer than was detailed on the website. A subsequent phone confirmation confirmed that the offer was still valid so I booked. Met at hotel, transfer fine. On registering the manager (?) told me that, as it was a public holiday, the spa was not open that day and advised I return the following afternoon. No drama- pool, restaurant, room...all very nice. The next day I took the shuttle into Stone Town in the morning, much appreciated to offer this complimentary service, though a mid-afternoon option back from town would go down even better. Returning from town around 3.30 I went back to reception, only to be told that the therapist was busy with other people. Okay, this time I was advised to return at 8.30am on Sunday...which I dutifully did. No therapist, so I went to breakfast and the therapist showed up around 9. I went with her to check out the spa- the first time that anyone mentioned that it was a room actually in the ruins, that was undergoing renovations. Strangely enough, the room was finished, with retail products (soap etc) priced and displayed. The room looks lovely, and I agreed to return at 11am (the therapists suggestion) so she could make sure everything was ready. Just before 11am, when I was dropping things off in my room, there was a knock at the door. The 'boss' had told the therapist to do the treatment (a facial) on my balcony. Stupidly, I agreed- any opportunity to arrange something elsewhere was now long gone though. So, onto the balcony we went. I was sat in a deckchair...another deckchair was put 'back-to-back' with a towel to add support. Bizarre. On checkout I felt it was reasonable to ask for a discount, as the service was not as advertised, not as agreed upon and certainly not a 'spa' treatment. The woman at reception told me all she could do was waive the charge on using my credit card.... As I left to go to the airport she told me 'I am sorry we did not meet your expectations'- I thought this was inappropriate as it totally lacked sincerity.
Had the hotel told me from the outset that the spa was not operating there would have been no disappointment, I would still have stayed and simply booked a treatment somewhere in Stone Town.
Food was fine. As mentioned by others, the mattresses are ordinary. Day one there were not enough 'lounges' by the pool/beach. The mangroves are interesting but beware of sandflies- far worse than mosquitoes. Cleaning the room twice daily and spraying for bugs in the evening meant that the room always felt clean.
If not for the spa business I would rate it 4+, make sure you inquire if you plan to avail yourself of the services at Bustani Spa.

First of all I would like to say how friendly and helpful the staff were. However the prices the hotel were charging were high in relation to what was offered.My travel agent ,Zanzibar Travel ,who recommended this hotel said he had himself stayed in every room and we were looking forward to our stay, (our mattress was so uncomfortable that it had to be changed!) I don't believe our standards are unrealistic as we have travelled extensively and stayed in hotels 1-6 star rated ! It was like going back to the 70's and certainly does not rate 4 * We were booked in for 7 nights and left after 3!

I had the pleasure of staying at Mbweni Ruins for a week in June after a period of overland travel through East Africa with a group of friends. We were collected from the ferry port without any fuss and upon arrival at the hotel we were personally greeted by the manager and staff.

After enjoying a welcome drink at the bar overlooking the mangrove trees and beach I was shown to my room which was beautifully furnished and decorated. Staff turned down the bed every evening, closed the mosquito nets and would deal with any insects that may have got in during the day.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner menus had plenty of variety and were cooked to an excellent standard. Staff were even able to recommend food and wine if I wasn't quite sure what I felt like.

The hotel organised some fantastic trips for us. We went on the Spice Tour and a boat trip from the hotel's own pier which took us to Prison Island and back into Stone Town where the courtesy bus meet us.

I would recommend a stay at Mbweni Ruins for anyone needing peace and quiet but still wanting the convenience of what Stone Town has to offer. I can't thank the hotel management and staff enough for paying close attention to our requirements and giving me so many wonderful memories of Zanzibar.

This place was exactly what we were looking for! After a very stressy time, me and my daughter just wanted to relax and have some fun. We found both at Mbweni. The manager with his wife and also the whole crew were formidable. Our very nice Room was just above the beach. If we wanted to go to the sandbank for snorkeling or to some of the islands,the Boat was always ready for us. And excitement, lots of people and Stores were reachable in 10 Minutes by the Hotel own Shuttle or a Taxi. We will go back as soon as possible!