Hotel Slipway takes its name from the waterfront area on the Msasani peninsula that it sits beside, and that is the main reason to choose it. The Slipway has long been the city's favourite place for an unhurried evening, with craft shops, restaurants with sea views, boats moored in the bay and a lively family atmosphere at weekends. Staying close to it means you can walk or take a very short ride to dinner, browse the Tingatinga paintings and Makonde carvings in the morning before the heat, and catch an early boat to Bongoyo Island without a long drive through traffic. For visitors who want the relaxed side of Dar es Salaam, it is one of the more convenient bases.
Rooms are generally modern and comfortable, with air conditioning, good beds, a desk and private bathrooms, and the better ones have views over the surrounding gardens or the bay. Check when you book whether breakfast is included, which room types are available for families and whether there is a quieter side of the building, because the peninsula can be busy on weekend evenings.
On site, expect a restaurant and bar, and a pool or garden area where you can recover from the heat. Facilities and opening hours change, so check when you book. The real dining advantage is outside the door: the Slipway has seafood restaurants, Italian kitchens, cafes and ice cream, and the wider peninsula has more choices within a short ride.
The location suits a beach-led trip. Bongoyo Island, with its sandy shore, snorkelling and grilled fish lunches, is a short boat ride from the Slipway, and Mbudya and Sinda can be reached with a tour. Coco Beach, the peninsula's public seafront, is the place for sunset, mishkaki skewers and coconut water among families and friends. When you want history, plan a day in the old town with a guide and driver, and expect a twenty to forty minute transfer each way.
A few tips make the stay smoother. Weekends are lively around the waterfront, so ask for a quieter room if you want an early night. Carry small notes for boat crews and market stalls. Ride-hailing apps are easy to use on the peninsula, and the airport transfer can take thirty to ninety minutes depending on the hour. The dry months from June to October and the year-end period are the busiest, so reserve early and compare flexible rates.
Dress lightly for the day and bring a layer for air-conditioned rooms and breezy evenings by the water. Sun protection, insect repellent and a small dry bag for boat trips are worth packing, and the hotel can usually help with advance bookings for tables at the busiest restaurants on weekend nights.
Why stay here
- ✓Peninsula location
- ✓Air-conditioned rooms
- ✓Restaurant and bar
- ✓Close to the Slipway waterfront
- ✓Pool area
- ✓Breakfast options
- ✓Fitness facilities
- ✓Airport transfers on request
Good questions
Is it close to the Slipway waterfront?+
Yes. The hotel takes its name from it and is beside the shopping, restaurant and boat area on the Msasani peninsula.
Can I reach the island beaches easily?+
Boats to Bongoyo Island leave from the Slipway area. Check tide times and boat schedules with your operator.
Is it far from the old town?+
It is usually twenty to forty minutes by car, depending on traffic, so plan old-town sights as a single day.
