The mid-range Kendwa Rocks Beach Hotel is a rustic, laid-back property located on one of Zanzibar’s top beaches. Its 21 rooms range from small, basic economy units to cute beach bungalows, but all have traditional furniture made with reclaimed wood sourced from old fishing boats, air-conditioning, safes, mini-fridges, and mosquito nets. The property is known for its weekly beach parties, but the vibe during the day is quiet and relaxing, with a beach bar serving drinks, a PADI-certified dive center, and a casual restaurant on the sand serving decent local and international cuisine. Some of the beach bungalows share a pool, but a bigger one for all guests is currently being built (as of October 2018). Travelers wanting a more contemporary property with a pool should consider Eden Village Kendwa Beach Resort, which is just down the beach.
The mid-range Kendwa Rocks Beach Hotel is a rustic, laid-back property located on one of Zanzibar’s top beaches. Its 21 rooms range from small, basic economy units to cute beach bungalows, but all have traditional furniture made with reclaimed wood sourced from old fishing boats, air-conditioning, safes, mini-fridges, and mosquito nets. The property is known for its weekly beach parties, but the vibe during the day is quiet and relaxing, with a beach bar serving drinks, a PADI-certified dive center, and a casual restaurant on the sand serving decent local and international cuisine. Some of the beach bungalows share a pool, but a bigger one for all guests is currently being built (as of October 2018). Travelers wanting a more contemporary property with a pool should consider Eden Village Kendwa Beach Resort, which is just down the beach.
Gold Zanzibar Beach House & Spa is a 67-room, luxury beachfront property with a private vibe and an isolated location at the northern tip of Ungula Island. Rooms are elegantly decorated with lots of gold and have verandas with garden or ocean views. Suites are right on the sand, while villas have private hot tubs. Along with a wide white-sand beach with loungers and straw umbrellas, there's a Balinese-style spa with a serene outdoor covered lounge. Other features include a sleek outdoor pool, two restaurants serving local cuisine, and two bars -- one on the beach. Despite family-friendly features such as a kiddy pool and kids' club, the quiet atmosphere and secluded setting tend to draw primarily couples. Travelers may want to compare rates and amenities at the upscale Royal Zanzibar Beach Resort, which features four excellent freeform pools.
Gold Zanzibar Beach House & Spa is a 67-room, luxury beachfront property with a private vibe and an isolated location at the northern tip of Ungula Island. Rooms are elegantly decorated with lots of gold and have verandas with garden or ocean views. Suites are right on the sand, while villas have private hot tubs. Along with a wide white-sand beach with loungers and straw umbrellas, there's a Balinese-style spa with a serene outdoor covered lounge. Other features include a sleek outdoor pool, two restaurants serving local cuisine, and two bars -- one on the beach. Despite family-friendly features such as a kiddy pool and kids' club, the quiet atmosphere and secluded setting tend to draw primarily couples. Travelers may want to compare rates and amenities at the upscale Royal Zanzibar Beach Resort, which features four excellent freeform pools.
On the southeast coast of Zanzibar, Baraza Resort & Spa is among the island's most opulent, all-inclusive places to lay your head at night. This gorgeous five-pearl resort has 30 elegant villas, all of which have their own private plunge pools. Along with a few restaurants serving cuisine from around the world, the hotel also offers a water sports center, an incredible spa, fitness center, pool, and a kids' club. Overall, it's a beautiful and romantic place to stay, but expect to pay a premium; those not ready for a splurge should note that rates are considerably lower at the nearby Hotel Dongwe.
On the southeast coast of Zanzibar, Baraza Resort & Spa is among the island's most opulent, all-inclusive places to lay your head at night. This gorgeous five-pearl resort has 30 elegant villas, all of which have their own private plunge pools. Along with a few restaurants serving cuisine from around the world, the hotel also offers a water sports center, an incredible spa, fitness center, pool, and a kids' club. Overall, it's a beautiful and romantic place to stay, but expect to pay a premium; those not ready for a splurge should note that rates are considerably lower at the nearby Hotel Dongwe.
The largest and most affordable of the island's Zanzibar Collection hotels, Breezes Beach Club & Spa is a 74-room boutique resort popular with couples and vacationing families. Rooms and suites are large and feature locally crafted wooden furniture, though they lack TVs and the Wi-Fi is both expensive and unreliable. There's plenty available on site, including a dive center, a tennis court, fitness center, and a large swimming pool. There are also eight bars and restaurants, as well as a gorgeous spa with a whirlpool tub and beachside massages and treatments. Guests seeking something more luxurious may want to compare rates with the Baraza Resort & Spa, which has a chicer overall vibe and TVs in the rooms.
The largest and most affordable of the island's Zanzibar Collection hotels, Breezes Beach Club & Spa is a 74-room boutique resort popular with couples and vacationing families. Rooms and suites are large and feature locally crafted wooden furniture, though they lack TVs and the Wi-Fi is both expensive and unreliable. There's plenty available on site, including a dive center, a tennis court, fitness center, and a large swimming pool. There are also eight bars and restaurants, as well as a gorgeous spa with a whirlpool tub and beachside massages and treatments. Guests seeking something more luxurious may want to compare rates with the Baraza Resort & Spa, which has a chicer overall vibe and TVs in the rooms.
The Palms is a four-pearl boutique resort consisting of six villas overlooking Bwejuu Beach, considered one of the finest in the world. The spacious villas are traditional, with rustic details that include pitched wood-beam ceilings plus sea-view verandas with plunge pools and daybeds. Dining is excellent and includes plenty of freshly caught seafood and homemade pasta. While prices are undeniably high, an all-inclusive rate covers most drinks and all meals. Unfortunately, while spa treatments are available on-site, facilities like a sauna and steam room are at Breezes resort next door. The Palms is adult-only, and children must be at least 16 years old to stay. Travelers might want to also consider the equally romantic Zanzi Resort, where pools are larger and rates are far lower, but the beach isn't as nice.
The Palms is a four-pearl boutique resort consisting of six villas overlooking Bwejuu Beach, considered one of the finest in the world. The spacious villas are traditional, with rustic details that include pitched wood-beam ceilings plus sea-view verandas with plunge pools and daybeds. Dining is excellent and includes plenty of freshly caught seafood and homemade pasta. While prices are undeniably high, an all-inclusive rate covers most drinks and all meals. Unfortunately, while spa treatments are available on-site, facilities like a sauna and steam room are at Breezes resort next door. The Palms is adult-only, and children must be at least 16 years old to stay. Travelers might want to also consider the equally romantic Zanzi Resort, where pools are larger and rates are far lower, but the beach isn't as nice.
The three-pearl Pongwe Beach is a quiet and secluded retreat with tons of local charm. The beach is one of the area's best, as is the hotel's infinity pool that overlooks the ocean. The property's 20 guest rooms have simple, attractive traditional decor and colorful accents. All units have balconies or terraces, but lack most modern amenities, including TVs, coffeemakers, and mini-fridges. Some rooms are located right on the beach, and others feature private plunge pools. There's a full-service restaurant that gets high marks from guests, which serves regional cuisine and offers breakfast for a fee. Travelers looking for a stay with more amenities can check out Uroa Bay Beach, which has a full-service spa and tennis courts.
The three-pearl Pongwe Beach is a quiet and secluded retreat with tons of local charm. The beach is one of the area's best, as is the hotel's infinity pool that overlooks the ocean. The property's 20 guest rooms have simple, attractive traditional decor and colorful accents. All units have balconies or terraces, but lack most modern amenities, including TVs, coffeemakers, and mini-fridges. Some rooms are located right on the beach, and others feature private plunge pools. There's a full-service restaurant that gets high marks from guests, which serves regional cuisine and offers breakfast for a fee. Travelers looking for a stay with more amenities can check out Uroa Bay Beach, which has a full-service spa and tennis courts.
The Karafuu Hotel is one of Zanzibar's oldest hotel, and it's starting to show. While common areas are grand, the 119 spacious rooms are a bit tired, with flat-screen TVs, electric kettles, and sometimes unreliable air-conditioning. Many rooms open directly onto the beach, but keep in mind that Wi-Fi isn't free and can be spotty. Additionally, the tides here are drastic, so swimming isn't always possible. There are four pools -- some with poolside bars -- to satisfy water lovers when tides are out, and the hotel has six restaurants, a gym, and a lovely spa. Unfortunately, all-inclusive rates do come with some restrictions. Those who'd prefer a hotel that's on a reliably swimmable beach should consider the Doubletree by Hilton Resort Zanzibar, which is cheaper.
The Karafuu Hotel is one of Zanzibar's oldest hotel, and it's starting to show. While common areas are grand, the 119 spacious rooms are a bit tired, with flat-screen TVs, electric kettles, and sometimes unreliable air-conditioning. Many rooms open directly onto the beach, but keep in mind that Wi-Fi isn't free and can be spotty. Additionally, the tides here are drastic, so swimming isn't always possible. There are four pools -- some with poolside bars -- to satisfy water lovers when tides are out, and the hotel has six restaurants, a gym, and a lovely spa. Unfortunately, all-inclusive rates do come with some restrictions. Those who'd prefer a hotel that's on a reliably swimmable beach should consider the Doubletree by Hilton Resort Zanzibar, which is cheaper.