Есть над чем подумать... Something to think about...

I stayed in this hotel with my husband from 08/18/2021. until 01.09. 2021 When choosing a hotel, they were guided by laudatory odes addressed to him, but the reality turned out to be somewhat different. They took all. From the threshold, I was surprised by a strange all: check-in at 14.00, and we arrived at 9.30, so we were denied breakfast and offered to have breakfast for an extra charge. I have not seen this in any country in 5 * or 4 * hotels. Usually they put a bracelet on you and you immediately use the services of the hotel, and you check into your room at 14.00. The request to give a room for 20 minutes to brush your teeth and change clothes was refused, but it was proposed to do this in a public toilet next to the reception. I don’t even know what star rating of the hotel to evaluate this fact, but I also meet such hospitality for the first time. Speaking of toilets on site, they really are akin to public in the most unsightly sense of the word (we are not talking about any super-new and beautiful condition), although they are clean. The paths in this hotel are a different story, walking along them even in flip flops is not convenient, and I don’t even stutter about heels, since all the paths are not even - either gravel or potholes.
1. Number. They took Superior (324 on the 2nd floor). In general, a normal room, but do not expect the effect of novelty (although the hotel was opened 2 years ago). Of hygiene items only shampoo, soap and toilet paper. Body lotion, toothpaste, etc. missing. There are no slippers and bathrobes in the room. This is not a 5* or 4* level. Iron and ironing board are available upon request. The room has an umbrella. There is no door to the shower and toilet (the toilet is separated by a curtain), therefore, if someone is sleeping, and someone needs to brush their teeth or go to the toilet, then you need to choose which is more important, since there is no sound insulation. Fan is excellent. Cleaning is normal. The bed is changed once every two days. towels are changed if you throw them on the floor in the shower (if you just throw them on the floor, they hang them back). The towels are badly worn and stained.
2. Nutrition. This is the biggest negative of this hotel. I do not know how they fed those who wrote good reviews before me, but now the food is disgusting. The chef is not an Italian, as they wrote, but a Hindu, and this explained a lot to us, in particular, why it is not tasty and tastes like Asian food. The cuisine of different countries of the world is declared every day, but in fact this cuisine has an Asian flavor. Breakfast is poor and not tasty. In general, most of the food is based on flour (cheap and you can’t eat much). There was practically no variety. Desserts are not tasty - mostly either mousses or tarts and biscuits with cream. Ice cream for 15 days was not even once. There was never a red fish. I don't drink champagne, but it's not there at all. All before 18.00 includes white, red and rosé wine and beer, and after 18.00 cocktails (not all on the list! ) and martini rosso, all other alcoholic drinks for an additional fee. It's not all! The quality of alcohol is poor. You must understand that in this hotel the food system is all like in other FB countries (only with dinner drinks included). There are no a la carte restaurants, food is only in one restaurant, a snack is only at the pool bar, but this is what is left of breakfast or lunch, or rather, two types of fruit, one type of sandwich and a couple of types of muffins. The restaurant is full of cats coming for breakfast, lunch and dinner from all around and constantly begging. And there are thoughtless lovers of pets who stroke, feed, and then, without washing their hands, go to get their own food. The hotel management does nothing about it. You should take into account that fresh water is brought to the island from the mainland, so the quality of washing dishes is not always up to standard, and even washing tongs for a set of food or plates already taken out into the hall is, as you understand, generally from the realm of fantasy.

3. Service. Service is good, everyone is friendly. Tips are welcome, but not extorted. My husband had a birthday, they congratulated him coolly (dance and song performed by the waiters + cake). For the fact that we lived 15 days at the hotel, the reception made a compliment from the hotel - a free late check-out (its cost for 7 hours is -140 dollars). Thank you, it was very nice. We rented a car through the reception - everything is ok, the car is far from new, but in very good condition. In one day we visited Stone Town, Prison Island, Jozani Forest. With car rental, gasoline, entrance tickets, payment for the boat (Prison Island), it cost us about $ 140 for two, only for an excursion to Stone Town + Prison Island they ask for $ 150 per person, and Jozani Forest . is another excursion. Take a car - you will save time and money. If you get to the airport on your own, order a taxi at the reception - $ 50, as a transfer from the hotel - $ 90. I still don't understand why the hotel overcharges its customers so much. And this despite the fact that if you take a taxi outside the hotel it will cost 30 -35 dollars.
4. Weather and beach. The weather was surprising, perhaps this is typical for August, but all the days were cloudy and windy until 13.00 (it is uncomfortable in a wet swimsuit), and after about 13.00 it was sunny and hot. The ocean is beautiful and clean. Swimming is possible during high and low tides. The hotel beach is separated from the municipal staircase, next to which there is a security guard and does not let anyone in except the hotel guests. Things were left on the beach, there were no cases of theft. There were enough sun loungers for everyone and always, you don’t need to borrow in advance.
In general, I got the impression that both in this hotel and in Zanzibar as a whole, a white tourist is a cash cow for them. Outside the hotel and on the beach, when you go down to the municipal territory, you are followed by a huge number of very intrusive merchants. The prices sound cosmic, during the bargaining the price falls by 4-5 times.
Based on the foregoing, I think this hotel is not 4 * or 5 *, it's 3 *. The price of this hotel is not just overpriced, but frankly, inadequate to the level of services offered. For example, without a flight, we paid 290 dollars / day here, and in the spring of 2021. in Mexico for Riu Palace Las Americas and Riu Palace Riviera Maya - 254 USD/day. But the level is not comparable! Riu has the most beautiful hotels, delicious food, 5 a la carte restaurants that can be visited in unlimited quantities, super animation, excellent alcohol.
I don't think Sandies Baobab is worth the asking price.