Arya Boutique Resort

We stayed a couple of nights in Arya Boutique after an unexpected change of plans in Stone Town. Laura, the owner, was incredibly helpful and responsive, chatting with us via WhatsApp, answering all our questions and putting our mind at rest. The resort itself is beautiful. Perfect location only 60 paces from the beach, with a private area for you to sit on the beach if you don't want to speak to the tourist-hawkers. The resort staff are warm and friendly, and very helpful. They're always happy to chat and they're very kind. The chef made delicious food with an Italian focus, as the area is dominated by Italian tourists. All in all, a beautiful hotel in a beautiful location.

I have to agree with the review of RE. This is a small boutique resort, which appears wonderful on the internet but the reality is very different. It felt to me like the property has fallen into a state of disrepair: - the generator did not work; - the pool area was untidy - beer bottles and ash trays were not cleared up and were left by the pool over an afternoon and whole night in spite of several staff being on site. The cushions on the deck chairs were dirty as they are permanently left out and some were torn as they had perished due to exposure to the elements; - the pool needs resurfacing and has been “patched up” in several places; - the hotel restaurant seems to have closed. There is a beach bar across the road with a space for hotel guests, however it does not have wifi and there is limited hotel staff on-site, which meant that I was disturbed by hawkers several times trying to sell me their wares. There is no shortage of staff on the property, and while they are well meaning they seem to sit around as they are not being managed or supervised hands on. In spite of the above: - The breakfast is good - The rooms are clean, albeit basic. After a lengthy power cut I concluded that this hotel was not for me. Therefore I decided to check out early. I politely advised the staff that I was unhappy and wanted to check out and requested a refund for the nights I did not use. I was offered a 50% refund which I accepted and never contested. What I did not appreciate was that in finalising my refund, the staff handed me a mobile device on which they asked me to fill in my email address in a WhatsApp conversation they were having with the owner. While I was doing that messages from the owner came up to say that she will not tolerate me being rude or difficult and to tell them to tell me if I am I will get no refund. I did not raise this at the time as I did not want to inflame the situation, however I found this extremely offensive and unprofessional as I had been polite and factual in every interaction with the staff. Furthermore, there was no attempt by the hotel to own the issues I raised.

A hidden gem just next to the beach, a few quiet rooms surrounded by a very well taken care garden and a pool, a kind of magical atmosphere, perfect for couples or even solo travelers. Rooms well equipped, neat and clean, I would definitely recommed it to anyone who wants to take a break in a small paradise.

Arya is a cute smallish resort in Kiwenga, in a part that seems to be dominated by Italian investors. Rooms are cosy, beautiful, clean. Staff is very friendly and honest. Owner Laura was fantastic in welcoming us and arranged a wonderful surprise for us. The pool was warm and inviting. Breakfast is not on par with European (italian) breakfasts, however better than most others in Tanzania. The breakfast “dinning room” is fantastic though. They have a deal with local owner on the beach, where you get a free loungers for the day… The beach itself is pretty and there are much less beach boys comparing to Nungwi. But it is subject to tides. Definitely recommend it.