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Summary of reviewsHotel Totara, located in the coveted Masaki neighborhood of Dar es Salaam, stands out for its prime and serene setting. Its central position offers guests easy access to the ocean, the vibrant Slipway Complex, various dining options and supermarkets. Visitors appreciate the hotel's tranquil atmosphere, facilitated by its picturesque old architecture and lush garden. The neighborhood's safety and charm are highlighted and the availability of transport options like tuctucs and free shuttle services makes local navigation effortless.
Guests frequently commend the breakfast at Hotel Totara, noting the amazing and varied buffet that includes both savory and sweet options until 11:30 am, plus a delightful afternoon tea service with cookies and snacks. This is well-received by late risers. Although some guests desire more variety and better quality in certain items, the breakfast experience is generally considered a highlight.
The hotel’s rooms receive consistent praise for their spaciousness, cleanliness and comfort. Guests appreciate the well-furnished, airy interiors, modern utilities like good air conditioning and refrigerators and comfortable beds with high-quality bedding. Daily housekeeping and the provision of fresh towels and water further enhance the staying experience, although occasional minor issues like worn bathroom equipment are noted.
The cleanliness of Hotel Totara is also a highly praised feature with guests frequently mentioning the spotless rooms and bathrooms, as well as the well-maintained hotel surroundings. Regular housekeeping ensures the property’s pristine condition and amenities like clean towels and regular hot showers contribute to the overall sense of hygiene and comfort.
The outstanding staff at Hotel Totara significantly contribute to the positive guest experiences. Known for their friendliness, helpfulness and professionalism, the hotel employees—from reception to restaurant staff—make visitors feel welcome and well-cared-for. Guests appreciate the staff’s excellent communication, willingness to assist and thoughtful service touches like varied breakfasts and complimentary snacks.
While the WiFi service at the hotel has mixed reviews with some guests experiencing fast and reliable connections and others encountering slow and inconsistent performance, the overall feedback leans towards positivity with a recognition of occasional issues.
The hotel features a pleasant pool area that is appreciated for its cleanliness and suitability for relaxation, especially on hot days. The garden surrounding the pool adds to its charm, although some guests suggest improvements in maintaining the pool's condition.
In summary, Hotel Totara’s prime location, excellent breakfast, comfortable and clean rooms and exceptional staff make it a highly regarded accommodation choice in Dar es Salaam. Minor improvements in dining options, WiFi reliability and pool maintenance could further enhance the guest experience. Show more
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Categories
Hotel Taking Steps Towards Sustainability
Hotel for Honeymoon
Family Friendly Hotel
Dog Friendly Hotel
Romantic Hotel
Hotel with Swimming Pool
Outdoor Pool
Hotel with Parking
Small Hotel
4-Star Hotel
Hotel with Outdoor Pool
Room Types
Deluxe Double Room with BalconyThe double room includes a private bathroom, well-fitted with a shower, a bidet, a hairdryer and slippers. The spacious air-conditioned double room provides a flat-screen TV with streaming services, a private entrance, soundproof walls, a seating area as well as garden views. The unit offers 1 bed.
Executive SuiteBoasting a private entrance, this air-conditioned suite includes 1 living room, 1 separate bedroom and 1 bathroom with a shower and a bidet. Featuring a terrace with garden views, this suite also offers soundproof walls and a flat-screen TV with streaming services. The unit has 1 bed.
Junior Suite with BalconyBoasting a private entrance, this air-conditioned suite features 1 living room, 1 separate bedroom and 1 bathroom with a shower and a bidet. Featuring a terrace with garden views, this suite also features soundproof walls and a flat-screen TV with streaming services. The unit has 2 beds.
Standard Double RoomThis air-conditioned double room includes a flat-screen TV with streaming services, a private bathroom as well as a terrace with garden views. The unit offers 1 bed.
Budget Twin RoomThis air-conditioned twin room is comprised of a flat-screen TV with streaming services, a private bathroom as well as a terrace with city views. The unit has 2 beds.
Family SuiteThis air-conditioned family room includes a flat-screen TV with streaming services, a private bathroom as well as a terrace with city views. The unit offers 3 beds.
Guest Reviews
Location
Nestled in the coveted Masaki neighborhood of Dar es Salaam, Hotel Totara offers a prime location that guests frequently praise. Visitors revel in the hotel's central positioning, placing them a mere 5-minute stroll away from the ocean and the vibrant Slipway Complex. The hotel's vicinity to a plethora of nice restaurants and supermarkets, including a great pizza place directly across the street, adds significant convenience for travelers.
The peaceful and quiet street where the hotel is situated enhances the tranquility of the stay, helping guests to relax and unwind. The serene ambiance is complemented by the beautiful old architecture and lush garden, creating an inviting atmosphere.
For those interested in sightseeing and dining, the hotel's placement between Msasani and Masaki provides easy access to Coco Beach, Oyster Bay and numerous dining options within walking distance. Furthermore, the hotel's offer of a free shuttle service, akin to a golf car, ensures quick and convenient transportation around the local area.
The surrounding neighborhood of Masaki stands out for its safety and charm, making it an ideal spot for both relaxation and exploration. Transport options such as tuctucs are easily available, facilitating effortless navigation for guests.
In essence, Hotel Totara's exceptional location, combined with its quiet charm and proximity to key amenities, makes it a preferred choice for visitors to Dar es Salaam.
Breakfast
Many guests praise the breakfast at Hotel Totara, describing it as amazing, delicious, wonderful and excellent. The buffet offers a wide variety of dishes, including fresh options and a great selection of food. Guests appreciate the extensive and sumptuous spread with some highlighting the pleasant ambiance and the service provided by smiling staff.
The breakfast runs until 11:30 am, which is appreciated by late risers and includes both savory and sweet options. Some guests also enjoy the afternoon tea with cookies and snacks, which is seen as a delightful addition.
However, there are a few less favorable comments about the breakfast quality with concerns about overcooked items, dryness of the bread and a desire for more variety. Overall, the breakfast experience at Hotel Totara is generally well-received with the majority of guests finding it to be a highlight of their stay.
Dinner
Hotel Totara offers a limited dining experience, providing only a continental breakfast in the morning and pastries for afternoon tea. Guests have noted the absence of an on-site restaurant for dinner, expressing a desire for more dining options. The hotel could benefit from adding more vegetables to their breakfast spread and addressing the current lack of sweet options. Staff responsiveness concerning room service needs improvement. Enhancing facilities to include a bar, a gym and a proper dinner arrangement might significantly elevate the overall guest experience. Overall, while breakfast and light afternoon meals are available, more comprehensive dining services are needed.
Rooms
Hotel Totara consistently receives positive feedback regarding its rooms. Guests appreciate the spaciousness with multiple mentions of large, airy rooms that are well-furnished and tidy. The rooms are described as clean, comfortable, modern and equipped with utilities like refrigerators, desks and good air conditioning. Daily housekeeping and the provision of fresh towels and water are also highlighted.
The beds receive specific praise for their comfort with many guests finding the bedding and pillows to be of high quality. The bathrooms generally meet guest expectations with mentions of cleanliness and a pleasant experience, although there are occasional reports of issues such as a lack of running water and worn equipment.
Overall, the hotel's rooms are regarded as clean, comfortable and spacious, providing a satisfactory stay for guests despite minor inconveniences.
Beds
At Hotel Totara, the beds are consistently praised for their exceptional comfort. Guests repeatedly commend the very comfy and large beds, highlighting the quality of the mattresses. The rooms, described as nicely decorated, enhance the overall experience, making the stay both cozy and restful. Cleanliness and comfort are clearly prioritized, ensuring a good night’s sleep for all visitors.
Cleanliness
Hotel Totara receives high marks for cleanliness, as evidenced by numerous guest reviews. Guests frequently describe the establishment as consistently clean and tidy with particular emphasis on sparklingly clean rooms and spotless bathroom facilities. Regular housekeeping ensures that the rooms are kept immaculate at all times and the hotel surroundings are also well-maintained. The hotel benefits from modern and clean aesthetics with attention to detail evident throughout the property. The swimming pool is a highlight, described as both fresh and clean, complementing the overall pristine condition of the hotel. Additional amenities like clean towels and regular hot showers add to the sense of hygiene and comfort. While one review indicated there is room for improvement, the overwhelming consensus confirms that Hotel Totara maintains a very high standard of cleanliness, further enhanced by friendly staff and thoughtful service.
Staff
Hotel Totara is known for its outstanding staff, who consistently receive praise for their friendliness, helpfulness and professionalism. Guests frequently mention the courteous and kind nature of the hotel's employees, from the welcoming reception to the attentive restaurant staff. Specific individuals, like Neema and Edina, stand out for their exemplary service. The staff's eagerness to assist, excellent communication and warm demeanor make visitors feel at home.
The welcoming ambiance, combined with well-maintained facilities like fish ponds, a swimming pool and lovely garden areas with rabbits, enhances the hotel experience. Many guests appreciate the thoughtful touches such as varied breakfasts and complimentary afternoon and evening snacks.
Despite a few isolated incidents of unfriendly reception, the general consensus highlights the hotel's dedicated and well-trained staff, who go out of their way to ensure a pleasant stay. Their prompt and responsible service, coupled with a respectful and cooperative attitude, contributes significantly to guests' positive experiences. Overall, the superb staff at Hotel Totara is a major factor in making it a highly regarded accommodation choice.
Wi-Fi
Hotel Totara's WiFi experiences appear to be mixed based on guest reviews. Positive comments highlight fast and great WiFi connections on several occasions. However, these are balanced by several mentions of slow, inconsistent and sporadic internet connectivity. Some guests experienced particularly poor WiFi performance and there were instances where electricity outages impacted the service. Overall, while the hotel has instances of strong WiFi, there are frequent reports of it being slow and unreliable.
Pool
Hotel Totara features a pleasant pool area praised by guests for its cleanliness and suitability for cooling down. Adjacent to some well-refurbished rooms, the pool provides a refreshing break, especially appreciated on hot days. The garden surrounding the pool adds to the overall charm, making it a delightful spot for relaxation. Daily housekeeping and inclusive meals like breakfast and afternoon tea further enhance the stay. However, some guests have noted that the swimming pool could benefit from some attention to keep it in top condition.
Outdoor Pool
Hotel Totara boasts a well-regarded outdoor pool, described by many guests as a much-needed feature during their stay. The pool is noted for its cleanliness and tranquil environment, making it a pleasant spot for relaxation. Cushioned chairs in the outdoor lounge area further enhance the poolside experience. However, while the pool itself is praised for being nice and clean, some guests have noted that the water temperature can be too warm and the tile edges might not be ideal for children. Despite these minor drawbacks, the swimming pool at Hotel Totara remains a positive aspect of the overall guest experience.
Yes, Hotel Totara has pool(s) that belong to one or more of the following categories: Outdoor Pool.
No, a spa isn't available at Hotel Totara.
Yes, Hotel Totara welcomes dogs.
Yes, parking facilities are available at Hotel Totara.