The best available hotels & places to stay near Zanzibar Archipelago

August 11, 2022 Stefan Strunk

A group of islands and islets some 25 miles off the Tanzanian coast, the Zanzibar Archipelago is headlined by Unguja (often referred to simply as Zanzibar) and Pemba. Once a separate nation, Zanzibar has a long history of trade with the Arab world, dating back to at least the 11th century. The capital, Stone Town, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and has many interesting historic attractions. Zanzibar's bright white beaches and nearby coral reefs make it very popular with the sun and sea set.
Things to do in Zanzibar Archipelago

1. Melia Zanzibar

Kiwengwa 200 Tanzania
Excellent
76%
Good
16%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 2693 reviews

Melia Zanzibar

The Melia Hotel and Resort is Zanzibar's leading international resort, situated on the north-east coast of the island. Melia Zanzibar is built on a 40 acre estate with a beautiful beach of pearlescent white sand lapped by warm ocean waters, 300 meters long, situated at the very end of the property to procure the perfect combination with nature. The resort is ringed by a natural coral reef, making bathing a relaxing and safe experience. The hotel is the perfect destination for honeymoon or wedding vacations as well as meetings & incentives.

Not at all amazing or wonderful

Reviewed By Tony10005

The hotel itself is very nice, the gardens exceptionally so. The room (we chose The Level Ocean View) was also nice with views as expected from all the pics on the web. The restaurants themselves were all nicely set out too, the staff were nice, and the beach was extremely nice.....and that's as far as it goes, nice, because the thing that lets this hotel down is the food, which was not nice at all. Simply put, when you go to an up market hotel, you expect well prepared food, and we did not get any. Think lovely inspired menus, and not having trained chefs to deliver them..... First impressions tend to linger. We arrived at the hotel at breakfast time after a long journey. Entering the small air conditioned room where they have all the breakfast food laid out, there were dozens of flies crawling all over the meats, pastries and fruits. The ever so nice staff who insisted on opening the door for you were oblivious to the fact that the food was covered in insects - Yuk!! The food was not covered, and those blue electric lights that zap flies in the butchers at home? Nope. Glass covers over the food? Nope. Staff waving the flies away? Nope. Ordering an omelette, it was presented as uncooked slop. Bacon served almost raw. The fact that their eggs have white yolks is not their fault, but when the eggs are served snotty, yuk. Leaving the air conditioned room, our breakfast table needed the burning coffee granules to deter the flies, but of course they don't work. Then the cold coffee and horrendous tasting juices just added to the misery. Great start. It became worse, as we discovered the beach bar was infested with flies. They just arrive for their lunch when your meal is delivered to the table, and it was a very unpleasant experience. We caught the last week of the raining season, and whilst it did not rain at all, and was constantly sunny, it was very humid and apparently, that's why the place is plagued by flies at this time of year. The climate and the flies are not the hotel's fault, but the lack of attention to hygiene and poor food most certainly is. We did not get Delhi Belly, thankfully, but we did get the distinct impression that we would never return to this hotel. Fortunately, we only stayed for 3 nights before going to Botswana on safari. Unfortunately, we wanted to leave the day we arrived.

2. Baraza Resort and Spa Zanzibar

Bwejuu 2284 Tanzania 011 254 733 777173
Excellent
92%
Good
6%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5 based on 1449 reviews

Baraza Resort and Spa Zanzibar

This beautiful All-Inclusive resort evokes the heritage of Zanzibar dating back to the era of the Sultans. A fusion of Arabic, Swahili and Indian design, with beautiful arches, hand carved white stone décor, beautiful antiques, hand made furniture and intricate brass lanterns, Baraza offers unparalleled standards of luxury on the Island of Zanzibar. Baraza has set a unique standard of luxury accommodation on the island.

Unforgettable experience

Reviewed By 81Nien

Our stay at Baraza was truely unforgettable. The staff is excellent and super friendly. Always a heartwarming smile & very thoughtful. We loved our absolutely amazing vila, decorated with so much attention to detail and cleaned to perfection. Food & ambience at the restaurants is amazing, very delicious. Service at the beach & pool is superb. As so is staff at the watersport centre. Everyone cares about making your stay unforgettable! And it was... Hope to be able to return again!

3. DoubleTree Resort by Hilton Zanzibar - Nungwi

Nungwi Tanzania
Excellent
52%
Good
30%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
5%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 2606 reviews

DoubleTree Resort by Hilton Zanzibar - Nungwi

Unwind at DoubleTree Resort by Hilton Zanzibar-Nungwi, Boasting a traditional Zanzibar style with Makuti palm leaf roofs, this resort offers spectacular sea views and direct beach access on the most northern tip of Zanzibar in Tanzania. Rest in a spacious guest room with a balcony or terrace and enjoy the views of the pool, exotic gardens or Indian ocean, relax on white sand with sun beds and shade umbrellas and explore the tropical waters while scuba diving or snorkeling. Plunge into the outdoor, freshwater pool or sip on cocktails and freshly squeezed fruit juices from Dolphin swim up pool bar. Savor innovative international and fusion specialties at Fisherman Seafood & Grill before admiring the Zanzibar sunset followed by a traditional, live entertainment at Ngalawa Restaurant. We offer complimentary parking on site and WiFi throughout the hotel.

Zanzibari paradise

Reviewed By Conrad O

Beautiful property, stunning views and incredibly friendly staff. Special thanks to the lady at Zee bar, unfortunately didn’t catch her name, for the special attention. And the food at fisherman’s grill is perfection. Would definitely recommend and can’t wait to come back!

4. TUI BLUE Bahari Zanzibar

Pwani Mchangani Tanzania
Excellent
66%
Good
23%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
3%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 2582 reviews

TUI BLUE Bahari Zanzibar

At TUI BLUE Bahari Zanzibar, your holiday dream of a tropical paradise will come true. Located directly on the picture-perfect sandy beach of Kiwengwa and nestled in an exotic garden full of palm trees, this 5-star hotel, styled like an Arabian palace, is the perfect choice in Zanzibar. Plan a comfortable and relaxing beach holiday for one or two or the whole family completely to your personal taste. The TUI BLUE Bahari Zanzibar entices with four restaurants and three bars for feasting. Train with our BLUEf!t team in front of a dream backdrop, and let your body and senses be pampered in the BLUE Spa. Enjoy the luxurious sweetness of doing nothing at one of our two picturesque pools. You won't want to miss out on the highlights of the spice island of Zanzibar, which you can discover with tips from the BLUE Guides. The TUI BLUE Bahari Zanzibar is also the perfect hotel for a relaxing beach retreat after taking a safari holiday on the mainland.

Great holiday destination!

Reviewed By R80CGchrism

We had an amazing time at TUI Blue Bahari Zanzibar. The resort is beautiful, and the staff are so friendly and welcoming. The food quality is very good for an all inclusive concept. You have several special dinners arranged at the beach or around the pool which include a nice buffet and BBQ or fresh tuna/sashimi. Special thanks to Winfrida and Ally, for making our stay extra special. Would highly recommend this resort.

5. Nungwi Dreams by Mantis

Nungwi Tanzania
Excellent
76%
Good
13%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
3%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 252 reviews

Nungwi Dreams by Mantis

Nungwi Dreams Boutique Hotel in Nungwi, Zanzibar is the absolute paradise island escape. A truly idyllic spot where mind and body is reinvigorated, and where the sands of time stand still.The perfect warm weather of the island makes it the ideal place for water activities and excursions. Surrounding the beach is a stunning house reef that is teeming with abundant marine life that can be appreciate

Dreamy hotel

Reviewed By sarad123456

The moment we arrived to the hotel, we were mesmerized. The color of the water is unreal. It is similar to the Maldives. The infinity pool is stunning, the trees, the surroundings, everything. The room is spacious and clean. You HAVE TO book the tour to Mnemba island. Wow wow wow ! Definitely worth it. The boat picks you up from the beach of the hotel. So convenient!

6. Kiwengwa Beach Resort

Kiwengwa 2144 Tanzania
Excellent
75%
Good
18%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1159 reviews

Kiwengwa Beach Resort

Kiwengwa Beach Resort 5* is situated on the north east coast and is one of the best hotel in Zanzibar, the Spice island. The hotel has just been completely renovated into the bedrooms and in the public areas. The architect has chosen to combine the typical warm colors of Africa, used for the common areas, to the typical blue sea, used inside the rooms: the end result is a refined style that fully respects the ambient and present to the atmosphere something to special. Kiwengwa Beach Resorts have 120 rooms facing the longest white sand beach on the island. There is 30 suites and 90 standard rooms, all with en-suite bathrooms. There is 1 Honeymoon suite of 56 mq; it is directly on the beach with stunning view, private terrace, large en-suite bathroom, indoor jacuzzi, mini bar, tea & coffee facilities and free wifi. It have the possibility to be connect with a suite of 36 mq, with private entrance to make a Royal Family Suite of 92 mq. There are 17 Luxury bungalows & suites. They are room of 36/46 mq; they have: sea view, outdoor jacuzzi, private terrace, mini bar, tea & coffee facilities and free wifi. There are 12 bungalows, 2 with sea view and 10 with garden view. They are room of 30/36 mq and have outdoor jacuzzi, private terrace, mini bar, tea & coffee facilities, free wifi. There are 90 standard rooms, 30 with sea view and 60 with garden view. They are room of 30/32 mq. All rooms have been up-graded, with new bathrooms, furniture and fittings. About the restaurants Kiwengwa offer a Main Buffet and Grill Restaurant, with water-feature and view of the new swimming-pool and a Beach Restaurant, a la carte, directly on the beach with bar and lounge There is a Lounge bar with view of the beach and serving finger food and imported alcohol, this bar have a large lounge area and a zone with satelite TV. There is also a new extended beach bar, on the beach with music and dancing. Kiwengwa Beach Resort is directly on the beach of Kiwengwa, have a private zone with typical sunbeds and umbrella. For the guests are available the beach towels, for the beach and for the pool area. For who love the wellness and the relax of the mind there is a Spa near the beach with 2 massage room, hammam, hair and nails salon, outdoor relaxing tea and juice lounge. Upper floor Gym with panoramic view. Other facilities: reception area, swimming-pool and pool terrace, shuttle service or private limousine, water sports, beach volley ball, tennis court, mini golf, bike rental, 2 shops, travel agents front desk, beach massage area, beach disco, entertainment, live music and beach wear fashion show.

Best Beach Resort

Reviewed By alphaxadm

A truly outstanding place with very accommodating staff. Everything was excellent and they took care of everything really well . This was simply a wonderful experience and would love to visit the place again .

7. Park Hyatt Zanzibar

Shangani Street, Stone Town, Zanzibar City 4255 Tanzania
Excellent
80%
Good
13%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1204 reviews

Park Hyatt Zanzibar

Finding an ideal romantic hotel in Stone Town does not have to be difficult. Welcome to Park Hyatt Zanzibar, a nice option for travelers like you. Nearby landmarks such as Mercury House (0.1 mi) and The Old Fort (Ngome Kongwe) (0.2 mi) make Park Hyatt Zanzibar a great place to stay when visiting Stone Town. Guest rooms offer a flat screen TV, a minibar, and air conditioning, and Park Hyatt Zanzibar makes getting online easy as free wifi is available. You can also take advantage of some of the amenities offered by the hotel, including a concierge and room service. In addition, guests can enjoy a pool and free breakfast during their visit. As an added convenience, there is free parking available to guests. Stone Town has plenty of seafood restaurants. So when you’re here, be sure to check out popular spots like Lukmaan Restaurant, 6 Degrees South Grill and Wine Bar, and Emerson Spice, which are serving up some great dishes. Plus, during your trip, don’t forget to check out some of the popular historic sites, such as Christ Church Cathedral and House of Wonders (Beit-el-Ajaib). Park Hyatt Zanzibar looks forward to welcoming you on your visit to Stone Town.

Beautiful property and excellent hospitality on all fronts.

Reviewed By Jeff S

We stayed for 8 nights (May 25-June 2) and enjoyed all facets that the hotel and Stone Town had to offer. We were under a Guest of Honor booking and upgraded to a beautiful suite with a wonderful view of the water. The view was stunning at sunset but also to watch how the locals use the beach. The entire staff – front desk, experience managers, security guards, pickup driver, housekeeping and restaurant staff were as friendly and helpful as we have experienced anywhere in the world – true hospitality. The hotel is historic and is very picturesque. Great location and easy walk to everything in Stone Town. Breakfast buffet was excellent with plenty of variety and cooked to order egg station. Dinners were excellent too. The hotels recommendations for additional dining were spot on, as were their recommendations for a traditional Stone Town dinner with amazing city view and traditional local music/dance at Emerson on Hurimzi. They actaully don’t have much beach at high tide but a nice pool is always available.

8. Sandies Baobab Beach Zanzibar

Nungwi Road, Nungwi 73107 Tanzania
Excellent
67%
Good
22%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
2%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 327 reviews

Sandies Baobab Beach Zanzibar

A picturesque resort. Perfection.

Reviewed By N1499VUkimd

Pros: The resort is very spacious and has a comfortable environment. It has the best beach on the ridge. The staff are very friendly. The buffet is delicious, and it's delicious and cheap compared to other similar hotels in Nungwi. It is comfortable and the interior rooms are up-to-date. The room is spacious and the bed is big. Housekeeping twice a day and plenty of towels. Disadvantages: Sometimes electricity is cut off for a short time (less than 3 minutes twice a day). There is no TV in the room.

9. Breezes Beach Club & Spa

Paje Michanvi Road, Bwejuu 72111 Tanzania 011 254 733 777172
Excellent
80%
Good
15%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 2161 reviews

Breezes Beach Club & Spa

Zanzibar's most romantic hotel. Brezes offers a Half Board meal plan that includes your breakfast plus dinner. It features the Frangipani Spa, highest attention to detail, and personalized service second to none. This family owned and managed resort has set high standards for Zanzibar, and continues to lead the others in the right direction. -Kindly note: Gentlemen require long trousers for dinner (dinner only)

Fantastic experience staying in this hotel! ?

Reviewed By LondonE3Traveller

Amazing hotel, friendly staff and outstanding food. Stayed for 7 days and we thoroughly enjoyed our stay. Staff were fantastic…. A big shout out to Dorah who was amazing. We were also looked after by Maria, Martin, Eva, Sunday, Issa and Lucas who were fantastic. Everyone was so friendly and genuine. Food was very, very good. There were 4 courses on the half board dinner menu. Portions weren’t huge but staff asked if we wanted more. We didn’t ever need to ask for more as portions were the right size when you have 4 courses. Room was very nice and beach was lovely. Not much around the hotel so expect to spend most of your time in the hotel or on hotel booked tours (as outside taxis aren’t allowed on the premises). This was perfect for us as we really enjoyed spending the time relaxing. Thanks to everyone in the hotel. If you stay in Zanzibar I’d highly recommend staying here.

10. Sea Cliff Resort & Spa

Kama 1763 Tanzania
Excellent
64%
Good
24%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
3%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1628 reviews

Sea Cliff Resort & Spa

Driving into Sea Cliff Resort & Spa you know you have found something special. The 4 km road through a coconut plantation that leads to the hotel is a reminder of the Zanzibar of old. Peace and tranquility, no other hotels or busy roads just open space and palm trees.As you enter the courtyard filled with tropical flowers and palms the view of the ocean stands before you. With our traditional makuti roofs and Arabic towers lit by brass lights you know this is not a typical hotel. Its an hotel built with our location in mind. It is a unique combination of modern facilities mixed with the original exotic architecture of historical Zanzibar. Situated on our property is the first and only world-class 9 hold 18 tee golf course in Zanzibar. We boast a full size driving range, practice greens, Pro-Shop with all our golfing needs and apparel, clubs to hire, carts and Club House on the beach. A golf pro is in attendance at all times. Sea Cliff Resort & Spa really is the place to visit.

Not worth your money

Reviewed By asialg2022

I got the all inclusive option which is a joke because you end up paying for everything since you can only select very few options from all inclusive. There’s only 1 restaurant for all 3 meals. There’s no entertainment except on Sunday night and everything is shut down by 10/11. My money also disappeared which nothing was done about, just reminded me to lock everything up. The security asks for money for relatives hospital bill….. This is more for retired no active people who just want to sit around doing nothing and maybe swim, that’s it.

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