Tulia Zanzibar Unique Beach Resort

"We stayed here at the end of our honeymoon, after 8 nights at a different hotel and then straight to a safari, we wanted our final 3 nights to be complete relaxation and that is exactly what we got. The hotel grounds & layout is great. There are only 16 rooms which means the hotel is very quiet, which is exactly what we wanted. Sometimes it felt like we were the only guests at the hotel. The food is absolutely excellent. A la carte dining for 3 meals a day as well as snacks on top. My only complaint with the food was that vegetarian options for dinner (for my wife) felt like a bit of an after thought. Dinner was the one meal you didn’t get a choice as it was a set 5 course menu. When my wife would mention to the waiter that she was vegetarian, you could see a bit of a panic and then after reassuring us it was in hand, we would be surprised by a random meal as there wasn’t a vegetarian menu. I must stress again though, the food was delicious and plentiful. The staff were all great and friendly. There wasn’t anything that felt impossible with the staff, they would make absolutely everything happen. A special shoutout to Joseph, he was super friendly and loved a chat. The drinks were also tasty and the menu was huge. The barman would also make any drink we requested off menu too. The room was very modern and clean. Bed was comfy and the mini fridge was filled daily by the cleaners. The cleaners were great and came twice a day which was nice. My complaint with the room is with the mosquito net. It isn’t a 360 degree net as there is a gap between the back wall behind the bed and the net. This doesn’t make sense to me since this leaves opportunity for mosquitoes to bite during the night. The pool area is very nice and clean and feels integrated with the main areas of the hotel. Nothing spectacular but definitely aesthetic. Evening entertainment was always locally themed which was nice and was during dinner which was also a good idea. The spa (each guest gets a free first massage) was great, the masseuse was good at what she does and we both left feeling relaxed. One thing we didn’t know about the hotel was that it had its own farm which is integrated within the grounds. They grow alot of their own spices, fruit and vegetables. They also keep chickens & ducks for eggs and meat. Overall a great stay and we would definitely return in the future."

Zawadi Hotel, Zanzibar

"People often say it’s the people that make a holiday, and I never really appreciated what that meant until now. Yes, Zawadi is beautiful. The villas are stunning, the ocean is mesmerising, and waking up every morning to that view is something I’ll genuinely miss. But beautiful places exist all over the world. What makes this place different is how it makes you feel. Somewhere along the way, we stopped feeling like guests. There was no script, no forced friendliness and no sense that anyone was simply doing a job. Every conversation felt genuine, every smile was real, and every interaction made us feel as though we belonged there. I’ll always remember walking towards the bar and seeing Amani and Hamad greeting us with a smile before we’d even reached them. Somehow, they always seemed one step ahead, remembering exactly what we enjoyed and making every evening something to look forward to. Meal times became another highlight of every day, thanks to Ally, Devis and Hidaya. Their warmth, humour and kindness never changed, whether it was breakfast on our first morning or dinner on our last night. They created an atmosphere that simply made you want to stay a little longer. It’s also impossible not to appreciate the people you don’t always see. The chefs consistently produced incredible food, housekeeping quietly worked their magic while we were out enjoying the island, the gardens were immaculate every day, and the reception team somehow made everything feel effortless. A heartfelt thank you to Evelyne, Pema and Razza. You can tell when a team genuinely enjoys working together, and I don’t think that’s something that happens by accident. The warmth and professionalism across every department is clearly a reflection of your leadership. I’ve been lucky enough to visit some amazing places over the years, but very few have left me feeling quite like this. When people ask me about Zanzibar, I’ll tell them about the beaches, the ocean and the sunshine. But more than anything, I’ll tell them about the people at Zawadi. Thank you for making our holiday so special."

Jaz Adonia

Karibu Beach Resort

"No smiles or warm welcome upon arrival. Treated more as an inconvenience from the start. Extremely disappointed with this stay. I splurged on an ocean view. Only to have a vendor directly below my balcony on the property providing no privacy whatsoever - and additional noise. There were holes in the mosquito nets, providing little protection. The open shower is on a decline that runs water into the vanity and toilet area. The floors are light in color so you cannot see it until you exit the shower and slip. I used every tail in the room to clean up the water. This was communicated with the staff with no apology, and worse - no offer to provide a different room. There were plenty as this was low season. They were up front about "beach boy" encounters But not to the extent I experienced. I was literally corralled buy so many that I could barely make it back to the hotel. There is zero security control over this on the property. There is construction going on on both sides of this property. BIG hotels going up with constant noise until sundown. I could not get out of this place fast enough. I booked and paid for 3 nights. I stayed only one. There was not one penny of reimbursement for any and convenience at all. They do have a non-refundable policy that is clearly stated in bold. At the very least, they should have offered a room that was equal to what I thought I was paying for. Unsafe. Uncomfortable. Unfriendly. In no way whatsoever, is this a quaint little resort. Management was unavailable. I left a personal letter at the desk ( loud TV noise coming from the check and desk - sounded like someone was playing a video game. I also emailed management. All communication was ignored. I sincerely hope this review helps someone else moving forward."

The Island Pongwe - Adult Only

"One of the best places we've ever stayed. After safari we came here on the second leg of our honeymoon for two unforgettable nights. The team upgraded us to the amazing honeymoon suite as the island was nearly empty which meant we had the run of the place. The staff were amazing, the food was incredible and the whole experience was just awesome. Would highly highly reccomend to anyone wanting to stay somewhere calm and unique and it's very good value for money considering what you get."

Sunny Palms Beach Bungalows

"I travelled to Zanzibar with my parents and we had an extremely comfortable stay at Sunny Palms - the suites are VERY spacious and well equipped. The staff is warm and helpful and the food is absolutely amazing. Everything was so fresh and delicious. Sunny Palms also facilitated us with local transport and sightseeing at an extra charge. We had a seamless airport pick up and drop off with them too. Highly recommended, especially if you are travelling with family and don't necessarily want to be on a crowded beach with parties."

Moayana Liora Zanzibar

"Our stay at Moayana Liora was absolutely amazing and exceeded all our expectations. The food was truly exceptional – everything was homemade, fresh, and sourced from local farms, giving every meal a unique and authentic flavor. We greatly appreciated the friendly and attentive staff, as well as the wonderful owners, who genuinely care for their guests and create a warm, family-like atmosphere. The hotel is located in a beautiful, peaceful spot away from the large resorts, perfect for those who don’t want to be typical tourists confined to a resort but want to experience a more authentic vacation. The beach is calm and free from constant souvenir vendors, allowing you to fully relax. We wholeheartedly recommend Moayana Liora to anyone seeking peace, tranquility, and a personal touch."

Oleza Boutique Hotel Zanzibar

Pongwe Beach Hotel

"Thank you for the best experience of my life. The management and hotel staff are the best. Always friendly and willing to help if and when needed. The chalets are outstanding. A really tranquil experience and will highly recommend Pongwe Beach Hotel to anyone wanting to visit Zanzibar."

Coral Bay Zanzibar