Blue Moon Resort — Hotel in Unguja

I wanted to write this review as ultimately my girlfriend and I felt a little disappointed with Blue Moon. We visited five hotels during our time in Tanzania, so we feel like we’ve got a good grasp on things to look for and the standards to expect. Blue Moon does have nice attributes, but falls short on other things and therefore falls short overall.||The positives:||1) The room (superior king) was fabulous. Both the room and the bathroom were sizeable, nicely decorated, quiet (except for birds which were easily drowned out with ear plugs), and cool. The bed was fantastic, and both myself and my girlfriend commented on how well we slept.||2) The staff were the best out of all the hotels we stayed out. They were genuinely superb: attentive, genuine, able, fun to chat to etc. This was a standout attribute from our trip, as the staff were several times better than at other places we stayed. ||The negatives:||1) The quality of food was very poor. Over two breakfasts, two lunches and one dinner, neither myself nor my girlfriend had a good thing to say about the food. Breakfast was poor, and not in the same league as other (much cheaper) places. On our middle day, we had lunch and dinner out in Jambiani, and the quality of cooking in these two places were significantly better than at Blue Moon. ||2) Parts of the hotel could do with a revamp. I appreciate it was early in the season, and there were people fixing things, but it had an air of one of those places which are permanently unfinished. For instance, the pool table had holes in so balls just fell out onto the floor. The pool area was less nice than other places - see Ndame in Paje. There was a weird section of 20+ hard wooden tables that only sit two people to the right of the bar, which nobody sat at during our entire stay. The bar area could also probably be a little sexier, in terms of vibes, music and places to sit. It was early in the season, so it might be more fun when it is busier, but it still just isn’t that inviting.||3) The owner made me feel a little uneasy. It’s a harsh point because she was probably very nice, and her staff were brilliant, but she didn’t feel too warm - and she also had a pet monkey in a nappy and on a chain. After spending time in Arusha on safari, it was a little sad to see, and made us uneasy, but perhaps there’s a benevolent back story to it.||Other things to note:|1. The hotel is a taxi away from the nearest things to do/places to eat etc. This was fine for us but it’s worth knowing. |2. The actual beach area is not very nice in comparison to those further up in Jambiani and in Paje. They have done their best with the pier, which is actually very nice, but ultimately beaches in other places are better. |3. They had a good amount of stuff for people (like myself) who have ants in their pants, including table tennis, pool, table football, jet skis and quad bikes. A darts board somewhere would top this list off! Also massages, canoes etc. ||I think ultimately this is a nice place, but as someone who does a lot of due diligence before trips, I did feel a little let down. Of mid-range places nearby, Ndame in Paje felt like better value, Bamboo in Jambiani was cooler for adults and Sharazad in Jambiani had a great beach and would be great for families. In hindsight, these places would have suited us more. There’s a good basis for a hotel at Blue Moon, just don’t think...

Blue Moon? More like the Dark Side of the Moon! If I could give 0 stars, I would. This was the worst experience I’ve ever had and the worst hotel I’ve ever stayed in. We arrived late at night, and even though our travel agency had booked dinner regardless of the time, we were told upon arrival that no dinner was available. Entering the room, we were hit with a disgusting smell, and cockroaches were everywhere. When we complained, the owner’s response was: “Have you taken a walk around the island?” Sir, if I wanted to cohabitate with cockroaches, I would have camped in the dirt. The doors had gaps at the top and bottom, letting in insects and other creepy crawlies. Breakfast was mediocre; dinner was terrible. No matter how many times you ordered the same dish, you never knew what you’d get—it was always a surprise. And you had to pray you’d get your food before waiting two hours with only bread. We had half board, which supposedly included an appetizer, a main course, and dessert. On the first night, in the presence of the head waitress, we asked if we could order the grilled king prawns as an appetizer. They agreed, so we proceeded. After waiting two hours for the food, we decided to skip dessert. Then, we were informed that we would be charged extra. We refused to pay because they should have told us beforehand. The next day, we were more cautious, and the owner’s son (or so we assume) told us there had been a miscommunication and that he would speak with the owner. That same night, I lost my room key inside the hotel and asked reception for a replacement. They had only given us one key for two people for security reasons (What security?! I’ve seen reviews about people getting robbed here). Reception asked for $20 for a new key—an outrageous amount. After complaining to the owner, he finally agreed not to charge me. The next morning, at check-out, our airport taxi was waiting outside, but there was no one at the reception desk. We asked the restaurant staff for assistance, and someone showed up 40 minutes later. More delays, more indifference. When we finally got the bill, some of us were charged for desserts, while others were charged for main courses—for both nights—even though these meals were already included in our package. We asked for the manager or owner, but he never showed up. We explained to the receptionist that we would only pay for the extras we had actually ordered. His response? “The boss said you have to pay for everything.” Then, the so-called “security guard” locked the door with a padlock, as if we were prisoners. The location was awful—far from everything. The pool was filthy, and the whole place was neglected. To top it all off, the owner had a monkey tied to a tree, an appalling sight. The poor animal even bit one of us. I travel eight times a year all over the world, and I have never encountered such unprofessionalism, rudeness, filth, and disrespect. (The towels in the bathroom smelled like dried vomit.) Stay away and book...

I recently had the misfortune of staying at what can only be described as a disaster zone. My experience at Blue Moon Resort was so abysmal that I felt compelled to share my ordeal and warn potential guests. The manager and the reservation department has been informed but didn't care to respond.

Facility: Firstly, I understand that rainy weather can be unpredictable, but what I cannot fathom is a hotel that crumbles under such conditions. The leaking roofs in all areas besides the bedroom. Only place to stay dry is your room. The porch out-front the room is soacking wet. not enjoying a supposedly luxurious stay. The pool, touted as a key attraction, was a major letdown. Far from the sparkling oasis I had anticipated, the pool water appeared murky and neglected. Debris floated on the surface, and the pool edges were stained and grimy. The on-site restaurant was submerged in water, leaving guests with the choice of wading through ponds just to grab a coffee from a wet buffet. I don't know about you, but I prefer my dining experiences to be dry and sanitary, not reminiscent of a flooded swamp.

Location: On the positive side, the resort's remote location offered breathtaking views. The natural beauty surrounding the property was truly awe-inspiring, providing a sense of tranquility that many seek when looking for a getaway. However, this isolation came with a downside that became increasingly apparent as the days went by. The resort's limited dining options and the absence of alternative establishments nearby made it feel like guests were held to the on-site restaurant's menu and prices. The Yeti is beautiful. And the rooms are very spacious.

Crawlers: Now, let's talk about the unwelcome guests that joined me during my sleep in my bed – cockroaches. Can happen. But shouldn’t.

Music: Mind-numbing playlist that blared from 8 am to 11 pm every day. Not sure if the concept of the hotel is remote and relaxing or remote to blast pop music. Our room was situated the closest to the bar which clearly did not help us to find sleep. The bar was empty in the evening and yet the music needed to be loudly played till 11pm.

Survaillance Cameras: numerous security cameras strategically placed. While I understand the importance of maintaining a secure environment for guests, striking a better balance between security measures and respecting the privacy of those who choose to stay there is needed.

In conclusion, I strongly advise anyone considering a stay at Blue Moon to think twice. This establishment not only failed to meet basic quality standards but also provided an experience that should not be remembered when thinking back to a holiday in Zanzibar. Save yourself the trouble and the money and find accommodations that matches the price...