Shanzu, Shanzu Beach Dolphin Hotel Review

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4.4 stars
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marama's Review of Shanzu, Shanzu Beach Dolphin Hotel Kenya

10th Jan 2006

Overall Rating

2.5 stars
  • Value for money
    2 stars
  • Board Basis
    Full board
  • Accommodation
    1.5 stars
  • Food
    2.5 stars
  • Location
    3 stars
  • Date of stay
    Jan 2006
  • Tour Operator
    Travel Counsellors
  • Customer Service
    4 stars
  • Resort
    2.5 stars
Good Points

Excellent service and cheerful helpful staff; good standards of cleanliness


Bad Points

Rooms shabby and tired-looking; no fridge; can't swim easily in the sea between about 11am-5pm because of low tide. No ice in drinks available.


General Comments

Main areas of the Dolphin hotel are pleasant and comfortable though adequate rather than luxurious.

Food - generous and varied though the standard was a bit 'school dinners' Nice dining room, although a few fans would be good.

grounds - attractive and well-maintained.

Rooms - clean but really shabby - desperately need updating and refurbishment. Beds very hard and towels really, really old and worn.

clientele - about 90% German with a sprinkling of Brits, French and Italians.

Beach/sea - both clean, but swimming was disappointing as the beach is shallow and the tide goes out by about 10 am. There is also an awful lot of seaweed that drapes itself all over you. After about 11 a howling wind gets up that makes the sea choppy and blows you around for the rest of the day.

Massage - look for Lucy who sells sarongs on the beach outside the Dolphin. She wears a red and black check dress and does a terrific massage - about 900 shillings for an hour. (£7/8) Take your own towel to lie on.

Mosquitoes - I only saw one the whole time.
Books - A lot of the staff and the Kenyans in the market outside the gate (good souvenirs) asked me for books. I left 4 behind - try and take some to give away if you can.

Shop - there are two shops at the flamingo hotel next door, including a little supermarket.

There is a bigger supermarket outside the hotel gate by the souvenir shops.

All in all I had a pleasant time but would probably go for somewhere a little more upmarket next time, with no seaweed.

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Members' Comments onmarama's Review

  • wanje1975 on 21st Apr 2007

    Sea weed is everywhere mate in Kenya! You were there at the time when sea weed was at it's worst, no matter where you go at that time, it's the same! You can't run away from it, if you are wondering, well I am a Kenyan who worked there for 5 years and now live in the UK, Samuel.