Customer Reviews

"Hi we had a fabulous time, The Blue Oyster is fabulous, we were wanting to have a quiet get-away-from everything holiday, and thats what we got, the hotel is quiet, peaceful and the staff are fantastic. Jambiani village is also very quiet and very friendly. When we felt like getting out, we simply organised a tour, all our tours were great. we had a fab time and would love to go back."

Vanessa B., January 2006 · Blue Oyster Hotel

Our service: ★★★★☆ (4 out of 5) · Hotel: ★★★★☆ (4 out of 5)

"Hi There, Thank you very much for such a great holiday. We had an absolute blast and will definitely look at going back again sometime. The atmosphere at the resort was great, and although we were told the resort was at 100% capactity, it never felt crowded and impersonal. The food was fantastic and the setting great. The rooms were well equipped and up to standard. There are only a few things which need to be commented on: - Non motorised water sport was meant to be free of charge, although when we enquired about this at the resort we were told that this was not true. The only free non motorised water sport was canoeing. [Every resort is different. We make it clear in our quotes and invoices that different resorts define non-motorised water sport differently.] Something worth mentioning to future travellers is the $25 departure tax when leaving Zanzibar. This is obviously a given, but advising future holiday'ers would be good. [This was clearly indicated on your intinerary and quotation. Our advice to travellers would be to ensure they read the quotation carefully] Other than that, all was great. And I will definitely recommend the Ocean Paradise Resort to future travellers, especially at such a good price. Once again, many thanks for your assistance with this booking. And a special thank you to Salome who organised the whole trip. She had her hands fill with our booking, but she was always professional and well mannered. She is truely an asset to your company. Thanks Regards Rob M."

Rob M., January 2006 · Ocean Paradise Resort

Our service: ★★★★★ (5 out of 5) · Hotel: ★★★★★ (5 out of 5)

"The holiday was a great experience and I would recommend Zanzibar as a destination to anyone. It is still relatively unspoilt and the locals were friendly and I can say that we didn't have any negative encounters. The service that I experienced from exotic vacations was good. Everything was organised well from SA and because I don't live in Gauteng but in Cape Town, all correspondance was by email but I found that they were really professional and friendly. We unfortunately had a couple of problems upon arrival in Zanzibar. Firstly, our transfers to the hotel from the airport had not been arranged.[Your transfers were arranged. The hotel made an administrative error. We agree that it not acceptable and we will take it up with the hotel]. Pascal was not particularily friendly or apologetic. His favourite saying throughout our week there was "These things happen in Africa", a taxi was finally arranged and we were picked up. Our experience with freelance tourist guides was extremely positive, they were never late and arranged to most awesome trips for us at much cheaper prices than what the Lodge offered. So naturally we used these guides as opposed to the services offered by the Lodge. We would definately have spent more on food and drink and other services had they offered a service to accept credit card as many of the other establishments did. All was not bad though. As far as our stay at the Lodge, we had everything we needed. The rooms were spacious and clean and very comfortable. The swimming pool was also a bonus! The setting is beautiful (the photo's about the lodge are true!) We would recommend the lodge to other travellers, but at the very least more information about the place has to be given before you leave SA so that you can plan accordingly."

Reneé P., January 2006 · Hakuna Majiwe Lodge

Our service: ★★★★☆ (4 out of 5) · Hotel: ★★★☆☆ (3 out of 5)

"Ons is nou al 'n week terug en praat elke dag steeds van ons wonderlike vakansie. Baie dankie vir al jou moeite, ons het elke oomblik van die vakansie baie geniet. Paje by night was 'n fees wat ons enige tyd sal aanbeveel, Marko was 'n uitstekende gasheer, die kos was lekker en billik en ons sal enige dag teruggaan soontoe. Dankie weer en mooi wense vir die feesgety. groete Jannie en Loïs D."

Lois D., December 2005 · Paje By Night

Our service: ★★★★★ (5 out of 5) · Hotel: ★★★★★ (5 out of 5)

"Hi We had a fantastic week at Ocean Paradise. Excellent food,beautiful rooms,super weather and good service. The only minor irritations on this island are the local 'beach boys'and the manner in which they harrass tourists the minute we put our foot on the public beach. Is there any way to end this nuisance? We went on a tour to Stonetown with Exotic and also the Safari Blue. Both very enjoyable if a little on the expensive side, particularly for South Africans paying in dollars! We would definitely go back-if we hit the jackpot!!! Nelia"

Nelia M., December 2005 · Ocean Paradise Resort

Our service: ★★★★☆ (4 out of 5) · Hotel: ★★★★★ (5 out of 5)

"We had a wonderful time. Very very relaxing, excellent food, friendly staff, and lovely warm lagoon for swimming and snorkelling. Only big disappointment was the rooms - our 'deluxe' room was nowhere near the sea and had a very small bathroom without a bath. At least the air conditioning worked! The Breezes prices for drinks were substantially higher than the prices of similar items at some other places we visited in Stonetown. We (and other guests) thought Breezes charges were excessive for almost everything. Other examples for our family of four people were R500 for 2 hours snorkelling at a nearby lagoon, and R1200 for a 3 hour tour of Stonetown."

Richard W., December 2005 · Breezes Beach Club

Our service: ★★★★☆ (4 out of 5) · Hotel: ★★★★☆ (4 out of 5)

"It was AMAZING! I think the pictures will definitely say much more than I could ever put in words about this little piece of paradise on earth... seriously, as cliche as this may sound, this REALLY is what I think heaven must be like. I've never met such a friendly nation before... the locals are so friendly and try to make each experience personal and memorable. You NEVER go hungry, as the food is always fresh and has that home-made quality to it. Time stands still in this place, so it's no wonder their local saying, which you would hear frequently every day, is "pole pole", meaning "take it slowly"! And yes, "hakuna matata" is not just a saying Walt Disney made up (Lion King)... it's actually Swahili, literally meaning "no worries!" - of which I had none, thanks to Exotic Vacations' brilliant + personal service."

Rochelle F., December 2005 · Paje By Night

Our service: ★★★★★ (5 out of 5) · Hotel: ★★★★★ (5 out of 5)

"From start to finish the most perfect break we have ever taken, and we have been all over!!!! 'Bluebay' lives up to it's standards and is a real jewel, 5 star service, crispy clean, rooms are spacious & 'fullhouse'. Well-stocked minibar and safe in rooms. We were amazingly surprised by superb entertainment while having dinner, every night something new. All staff members polite and very friendly and always extra helpful. I know now why it is always fully booked!!! From reception to our departure everything was on time and perfect like a well-oiled gear!!!! This hotel knows how to treat customers...like kings and queens, massages etc... .....the food......divine!!!!! .....the beach & swimming...superb, Breathtaking, the whitest and softest sea sand in the world!! And the locals are just as friendly, from the first ....karibu,,,and jambo... To the last goodbyes excellent!!! ....but..... Top of the list........ .........Exotic Vacations..... We will travel to the corners of the earth if you guys made the arrangements.....not the slightest hiccup, glitch or timing problem even with 'African time' in Africa........ You score..not a (5) but............. ....a perfect 10..!!! From the first click on the internet to the last step off the plane onto home soil you guys ......rock..!!! Regards K. rob Polokwane Limpopo South Africa"

Rob K., November 2005 · Bluebay Beach Resort

Our service: ★★★★★ (5 out of 5) · Hotel: ★★★★★ (5 out of 5)

"Die vakansie was regtig lekker, eintlik moet ek vir jou sê soos wat ek vir my vriende sê: dit was nie regtig n vakansie nie, meer n lewens-ervaring!!! Ons was aanvanklik bietjie on-kant gevang met die Taxi wat eers 2 ure na die tyd daar opgedaag het, maar toe ons eers op die eilandbewoners se golflengte was, kon niks ons keer nie!! Dit was uit en uit regtig baie lekker, en sal ek enige tyd weer gaan!!! Dankie vir jou moeite, Groete Igna"

Igna E., November 2005 · Paje By Night

Our service: ★★★★★ (5 out of 5) · Hotel: ★★★★★ (5 out of 5)

"WHAT AN ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC HOLIDAY!!!! We spent a week on the beautiful beaches of Zanzibar, and i would recommend this holiday for anyone wanting to get away from everything! Ocean Paradise is situated on the perfect spot. Beautiful beaches, swaying palm trees and fabulous weather. The staff are very friendly and accomodating and the food was great. Suppers at the pool with the resident band playing all the old time favourites was one of those tropical island moments that stay with you for a very long time. The rooms are beautiful and very spacious not to mention the cool bathrooms. This holiday gets a resounding 10!!!! Thank you Heidi for your wonderful service and friendliness. You made our holiday a dream come true!!!"

Jacqueline M., November 2005 · Ocean Paradise Resort

Our service: ★★★★★ (5 out of 5) · Hotel: ★★★★★ (5 out of 5)