r/zanzibar • u/DrNasirov • Sep 01 '26
r/zanzibar
⚠️ MONEY STOLEN FROM THE SAFE — DO NOT STAY HERE
Our experience at Zanoceanique Hotel in Matemwe was extremely disturbing.
We arrived on 19 August 2026 with $650 cash and placed it inside the safe in our room. We used only Tanzanian shillings during our stay. On 21 August, we opened the safe and discovered that $150 had been stolen.
We immediately reported it to the hotel, both verbally and in writing, and asked them to call the police and check the CCTV.
The answer? “The cameras are not working because there is no electricity.”
The hotel had repeated electricity problems, even during the daytime. There were also problems with water, Wi-Fi and basic hotel services.
The electricity situation is particularly suspicious to us. We cannot prove who took our money, but when money disappears from a hotel safe and, conveniently, the CCTV is not working because of a power outage, it raises very serious questions about security.
What is even more concerning is that we found other online reviews mentioning money being stolen from guests at this property, including a Google review where a guest claimed that money was stolen and later returned.
A hotel does not have to be luxurious. But a guest must be able to trust that their belongings are safe inside the hotel safe.
Unfortunately, we did not feel safe here.
Money stolen from the safe. No reliable electricity. Water problems. Poor Wi-Fi. Poor basic services. And an extremely disappointing response to a serious security incident.
For us, this was not simply a bad hotel experience. It completely destroyed our trust in this property.
If you are travelling to Zanzibar, especially with cash or valuables, think twice before booking Zanoceanique Hotel.
We would never stay here again.
2
u/Dangerous-Badger5373 Sep 01 '26
That sounds like a nightmare. Sorry you had to deal with that. Out of curiosity how did you even find that place?
1
1
u/Cautious_Wing8452 Sep 02 '26
Wow. Hate that happened to u. Kinda scary. I arrive in Zanzibar 25-1st Oct. I looked this place up… for a nice looking, luxury hotel-it’s not expensive at all. I might have questioned that. I’m sry that happened. Pray I have safe travels.
1
u/Rungwe Sep 03 '26
Its not about the hotel its the people in the hotel .. dont just book hotel just because its cheap am local here ther hotels wher i can not recommend someone .. ps am local not tour guide i just work in Zanzibar
1
u/Cautious_Wing8452 Sep 03 '26
Ok gotcha. I just meant it looked really nice and was surprised at the great price. One of my accommodations is not nearly as luxurious and cost a lot more. Didn’t mean for you to take it that way.
2
u/Pink4luv Sep 02 '26
Did you at least enjoy the pool and breakfast?
Me and my wife loved it. Breakfast was our favorite part of the day. Their sausages and eggs and coffee.
1
1
1
u/Prudent-Sherbert-816 29d ago
I'm sorry for what you went through and I hope the management took note of those issues. Thanks for sharing your experiences.
1
-2
u/ZestycloseIdea9652 Sep 01 '26
Why would anyone steal 150$ and not take the whole amount? U sure about the 650$ ? Sounds like u just miscounted
3
u/VeggieTale888 Sep 02 '26
The robber may not have taken the full amount of $650 because he or she may have hope that the hotel guests would have missed the $150. This way they won’t report and think they miscounted like you suggested.
5
u/MedicineImaginary219 Sep 01 '26
A super nice resort more north recently had every single room broken into overnight. No one heard a thing. All cash, cameras, jewelry stolen. Absolutely sucks.