Zanzibar City, Victoria Street, Vuga Road-6.166008,39.189918(Show on Map)
6.9
Rated
+5 Photos
+5 Photos
+ 3 Photos3
Checkin - Checkout dates
1 Room2 Guests
Info
Summary of reviews
Retro, situated in the heart of Stone Town, boasts an exceptional location that effortlessly combines accessibility with tranquility. Guests greatly value its proximity to key attractions and amenities, allowing easy exploration of historic streets, vibrant markets, and local beachfronts on foot. The charming colonial architecture enriches the cultural experience while providing a comfortable haven.
The breakfast experience at Retro consistently impresses guests with its quality and variety, served in a historic setting next door. Generous servings of hearty dishes, fresh fruits, homemade toast, and coffee highlight the meal, often deemed a morning highlight that adds to the hotel's value for money.
Rooms at Retro are primarily spacious and clean, providing a comfortable environment for guests. Basic amenities like Wi-Fi are included, and daily cleaning is appreciated. Minor issues such as small bathrooms and occasional mattress discomfort exist but generally do not detract from the overall positive impression.
Cleanliness at Retro, while praised by many, has some mixed reviews. Rooms are typically well-maintained, although occasional concerns about bathrooms and linens are noted. Guests appreciate the friendly and helpful staff, particularly the hotel manager, David, who frequently goes above and beyond to ensure a pleasant stay, contributing to an overwhelmingly positive guest experience.
Wi-Fi at Retro receives mixed reviews, with connectivity being reliable on the rooftop but inconsistent in rooms. Guests seeking stable internet access often favor the rooftop area.
Comfortable beds are frequently acknowledged as an asset, with King-size beds and additional amenities like netting and air conditioning enhancing the sleep experience. While there are occasional remarks about the firmness or shortness of the beds, most guests enjoy a restful night.
Overall, Retro offers a budget-friendly stay with a high standard of service, cleanliness, and excellent value for money. Despite being a three-star hotel with certain limitations, it exceeds expectations in numerous key areas, delivering a satisfactory and charming experience for travelers.
Categories
3 Star
Located on Victoria Street in Vuga Road, Retro offers a stylish and comfortable stay with easy access to Stone Town's attractions. Its central location makes it a convenient choice for exploring the city.
Beach
Family
Small
Room Types
Double or Twin Room with Private BathroomThis twin/double room's standout feature is the hot tub. This twin/double room is air-conditioned and features a private bathroom, a private entrance and garden views. The unit offers 1 bed.
Twin RoomThis twin room provides a hot tub. This twin room is air-conditioned and features a private bathroom, a private entrance and garden views. The unit offers 1 bed.
Family Room with Private BathroomThis family room features a hot tub. The spacious family room features air conditioning, a private entrance, as well as a private bathroom boasting a shower. The family room has tiled floors and offers a wardrobe, a safe deposit box and garden views. The unit has 3 beds.
Guest Reviews
6.9
Rated
Review Summaries
Location
Nestled in the heart of Stone Town, Retro enjoys an exceptional location that offers both accessibility and tranquility. Guests appreciate its proximity to key attractions, making it easy to explore the historic streets of Stone Town on foot while being just minutes away from restaurants, cafes, and the beach. The hotel strikes a perfect balance, positioned close enough for convenience yet situated in a calm area that offers restful nights. The charming colonial architecture adds a unique character, enhancing the cultural experience of being in Zanzibar while providing a comfortable retreat. Retro’s strategic location serves as an ideal base for discovering the best of the city, whether strolling through vibrant markets or enjoying a quiet moment at the nearby beachfront.
Breakfast
Retro offers a breakfast experience that consistently impresses its guests with quality, variety, and value. Nestled in a location that complements its charming vintage decor, the hotel provides a morning meal that is often described as spectacular and wonderfully delicious. The breakfast, included in the stay, unfolds in a historic building next door, under the same management, providing a setting that further enriches the dining experience. With generous servings and an array of choices, including hearty dishes, fruit platters, homemade toast, and fresh juices, the breakfast proves to be excellent and plentiful, often leaving nothing to be desired. Although there are occasional mentions of a modest or simple setup without a buffet style, the quality of the food remains high, featuring dishes like Spanish omelet and pancakes alongside fresh coffee. Guests appreciate the value for money, noting the breakfast as a highlight that complements the spacious rooms and friendly service at Retro. Overall, Retro strikes a balance between simplicity and satisfaction, making it a commendable choice for travelers seeking a delightful start to their day.
Rooms
At Retro, guests can expect rooms that are predominantly spacious and clean, providing a comfortable environment for their stay. The accommodations generally reflect what guests pay for, balancing affordability with functionality, including basic amenities such as Wi-Fi. Many visitors appreciate the tidiness and daily cleaning service, with sheets being particularly noted for their cleanliness. Despite being in a separate building, rooms maintain a level of tidiness consistent with the main facility. However, while many bathrooms are described as big and meet guests' needs, there are instances where they could be improved, with some noted as being too small or lacking amenities. The furniture and furnishing of the rooms are adequate, offering a pleasant experience without modern frills, making it suitable for budget-conscious travelers. A few minor issues were noted, such as occasional discomfort with mattresses and one instance of missing a toilet seat, but generally, the rooms match the online photos and are well-maintained. Overall, Retro provides a cost-effective and charming option for those looking for basic yet comfortable accommodations.
Beds
At Retro, guests frequently highlight the comfortable beds as an asset of the hotel. Many describe the beds as comfortable, with some appreciating the added details of netting, fans, and air conditioning for a pleasant sleep experience. The King size beds are particularly noted for their comfort. The decorative touches on the beds also receive positive mentions, adding an appealing aesthetic element to the room experience. However, there are occasional comments about the beds feeling a bit hard or short, and a few guests mention older or uncomfortable mattresses. Despite these minor drawbacks, the overall impression seems to lean towards a good night's sleep for most visitors.
Cleanliness
At Retro, guests have expressed mixed feelings about the cleanliness of the hotel. Many reviews highlight the hotel's positive aspects, with rooms being described as very clean and tidied daily. The property, well-kept and calm, impressed with its impeccable cleanliness and spacious, well-equipped rooms. Guests also appreciated the friendly and helpful staff, which complemented the clean and well-maintained environment.
However, some reviews raised concerns about the overall cleanliness, particularly regarding the bathrooms, and noted issues such as stained towels and bed sheets, mold, and dampness. A few descriptions hinted at neglect, mentioning dirty rooms and an unpleasant smell, suggesting that improvements could be made in maintaining the facilities. While the hotel succeeds in several areas, it appears that consistency in cleanliness is where it needs to enhance its services.
Staff
Situated in a welcoming ambiance, Retro is noted for its exceptional customer service, as highlighted by guests who have experienced first-hand the warm hospitality of its team. The staff consistently earn praise for their friendly demeanor, kindness, and accommodating nature, creating a pleasant stay for all visitors. David, a standout member of the team and the hotel's manager, is frequently mentioned for his helpfulness and extraordinary attention to guests' needs, often going above and beyond, from providing essential advice to ensuring a seamless check-in experience, even during late hours. Guests also appreciate the excellent breakfast service, where the staff maintain a friendly and attentive approach, enhancing the overall experience. Despite a minor mention of pushiness, the overwhelming sentiment is one of gratitude towards a team dedicated to making each stay as enjoyable and comfortable as possible.
Wi-Fi
Visitors to Retro have mixed reviews regarding its WiFi services. While the rooftop area provides a reliable connection, guests find that the WiFi in the rooms is inconsistent or non-existent. Some praise the WiFi for functioning properly and being great when it does work. Others note that the signal can be weak and occasionally fails even in proximity to the source. Overall, the rooftop seems to be favored for those in need of stable internet access.
3 Star
Retro offers a budget-friendly stay with a surprisingly high standard of service and cleanliness. Guests appreciate the excellent quality-price relationship, noting the value for money and affordable rates. The hotel's staff receives glowing remarks for their friendliness and helpfulness, enhancing the overall experience for visitors. The accommodation, while simple, provides a comfortable and clean environment, perfectly suitable for a short stay or a convenient stopover near the airport. While some guests acknowledge that the three-star status includes certain limitations, they emphasize Retro's ability to exceed expectations in many key areas. Located in a favorable spot, this cute hotel delivers satisfactory amenities, including a commendable breakfast, without the hefty price tag.
