Must-see hotels in Zanzibar Island

  • Mangrove Lodge

    Zanzibar Town

    The delightful Mangrove Lodge is owned by a Zanzibari-Italian couple; their gentle style imbues the whole place, from the palm-thatched lounge overlooking…

  • Upendo

    Zanzibar Island

    Upendo offers luxurious villas and an excellent bar-restaurant (meals US$8 to US$25) that's also open to nonguests. Villas have between one and four…

  • Emerson Spice

    Zanzibar Town

    With its stained-glass windows, wooden latticework balustrades, tinkling fountains and soft-hued colour scheme, Emerson Spice is one of the most stylish…

  • Zanzistar Guesthouse

    Zanzibar Island

    A new addition to Jambiani's hotel scene, Zanzistar is simply delightful. Its small size and attentive management makes it feel homey and exclusive at the…

  • Mango Beach House

    Zanzibar Island

    With only 6 bedrooms and an open-plan living area like a lounge on the beach, Mango Beach House is a small and sociable place. Rooms are simple but neat…

  • Pongwe Beach Hotel

    Zanzibar Island

    The unassuming Pongwe Beach Hotel has 20 bungalows among the palms on a deep arc of bleached white sand. Most rooms are sea facing (three are garden view)…

  • Sele’s Bungalows

    Zanzibar Island

    This is a great little place, with friendly owners and just seven impeccably maintained rooms. There's a small swimming pool and convivial bar-restaurant,…

  • Demani Lodge

    Zanzibar Island

    Demani Lodge is a delightful budget option with neatly constructed cabins and bungalows. There's a seven-bed dorm and double rooms; some have private…

  • Jambo Guest House

    Zanzibar Town

    Probably the best-value budget accommodation in town and extremely popular with backpackers, Jambo runs like clockwork. Nine spick-and-span rooms with…

  • Unguja Lodge

    Zanzibar Island

    Set in a patch of forest, this secluded luxury lodge has 10 villas with high thatched roofs and curved walls reminiscent of seashells. They're impeccably…

  • Chumbe Island Coral Park Lodge

    Zanzibar Island

    Overlooked by its landmark historic lighthouse, about 12km south of Zanzibar Town, Chumbe is a real island getaway combining style, exclusivity and…

  • Bellevue Guesthouse

    Zanzibar Island

    Bellevue is deservedly popular for its efficient management and laid-back atmosphere. Set in lush gardens on high ground overlooking the sea, rooms are in…

  • Lost & Found Hostel

    Zanzibar Town

    Zanzibar's first dedicated backpackers hostel, Lost & Found is perfect for travellers on a tight budget. It's clean, modern, safe, friendly and well…

  • Zanzibar Bandas

    Zanzibar Island

    With a small collection of palm-thatched huts and bungalows in a garden on the beach, this place has a laid-back and welcoming atmosphere. Although simply…

  • Airborne Kite & Surf Village

    Zanzibar Island

    Closely linked to Airborne Kite Centre, this delightful place has rooms in a large house and safari tents (with private bathroom), plus a tree house, all…

  • Mustapha’s Place

    Zanzibar Island

    Mustapha’s has a relaxed Rastafarian atmosphere, creatively decorated rooms and a dorm, all in a large leafy compound, which also has a bar-restaurant,…

  • Kendwa Rocks

    Zanzibar Island

    This long-standing Kendwa classic has something for everyone, from basic bandas (thatched-roof huts) with shared bathrooms to luxurious bungalows with…

  • Mnarani Beach Cottages

    Nungwi

    On Nungwi's quieter eastern side, near the lighthouse, Mnarani is on a low cliff with a lovely waterside terrace with the beach just below. It's relaxed…

  • Kiponda B&B

    Zanzibar Town

    A long-standing and popular place with friendly and relaxed staff, the Kiponda has simple but clean rooms (all with fan, some with air-con) on three…

  • Seasons Lodge

    Zanzibar Island

    This delightful place has 10 rooms, with breezy coral stone bungalows set in a small patch of natural vegetation, each with louvre doors that open onto a…

  • Maru Maru Hotel

    Zanzibar Town

    In a grand old building just behind the Old Fort and House of Wonders, this hotel has historic credentials. Spaced over several floors around two…

  • Green & Blue

    Zanzibar Island

    This gorgeously designed place is nestled in luxuriant green gardens on a rocky bluff at the northern end of the village, almost opposite Mnemba Island…

  • Emerson on Hurumzi

    Zanzibar Town

    This hotel is simply brimming with character. Two adjacent historic buildings have been restored in a fantastical Arabian Nights style; each of the 15…

  • Fumba Beach Lodge

    Zanzibar Island

    Set on a secluded peninsula, Fumba Beach Lodge has 26 spacious cottages set in expansive grounds, with some overlooking the sea (about US$15 per person…

  • Diamonds La Gemma dell’Est

    Zanzibar Island

    On the northern end of Kendwa beach, this is a very large and luxurious all-inclusive resort (called simply 'Gemma' by the locals) with around 130 rooms…

  • Dolphin Safari Lodge

    Zanzibar Island

    Low-key, peaceful, friendly and well managed, this small lodge overlooks a quiet beach about 1km southeast of Kizimkazi Mkunguni. Rooms are in bungalows…

  • Ikala Zanzibar Stonetown Lodge

    Zanzibar Town

    Bright and cheerful in an unashamed 'economy' model, the Ikala is ideal if all you need is a clean room, friendly staff and efficient service. Extras …

  • Blue Oyster Hotel

    Zanzibar Island

    Personable and professional, Blue Oyster offers good-value and high-quality accommodation on the beach. Rooms are furnished in local style in two-storey…

  • Palm Beach Inn

    Zanzibar Island

    One of the Bwejuu originals, Palm Beach has seen some changes over the years, but it's still the same relaxed and friendly place with a great connection…

  • Jafferji House

    Zanzibar Town

    The historic former home of the Jafferji family, this beautifully decorated hotel is packed with traditional, modern and colonial artefacts, plus stunning…

  • Promised Land

    Zanzibar Island

    Tucked away on the coast, southeast of Kizimkazi Mkunguni, this is a little gem of a place, with a Caribbean vibe and rooms in simple thatched huts. The…

  • Kholle House

    Zanzibar Town

    This hotel was once a palace, built in 1860 for Princess Kholle, favoured daughter of Sultan Said. After meticulous renovation, it now offers bright and…

  • Nur Beach Hotel

    Zanzibar Island

    Relaxed, unfussy, cool, stylish. The Nur is this and more. Rooms are in two lines of thatched bungalows; they're straightforward and not massive but…

  • Warere Beach Hotel

    Nungwi

    Small, peaceful and relaxed, the Warere is 2.5km outside town on Nungwi's east beach. Two rows of cottages have an angular style, but the design ensures…

  • Kisiwa House

    Zanzibar Town

    The lovely Kisiwa House has nine spacious rooms and an excellent rooftop restaurant with sea views. Public areas have a traditional appearance, including…

  • Zan View Hotel

    Zanzibar Island

    An unexpected find among the large resorts along this stretch of coast, Zan View is a friendly little place with spotless rooms in a house overlooking a…

  • Paje by Night

    Zanzibar Island

    Located in the centre of Paje, at heart of the action, this long-standing and deservedly popular place has well-appointed bungalows in the slightly…

  • Park Hyatt Zanzibar

    Zanzibar Town

    At the time of research, the latest addition to Zanzibar Town's growing roll call of large luxury hotels, the Park Hyatt is in two attached buildings (one…

  • Mizingani Seafront Hotel

    Zanzibar Town

    In a renovated building between two Stone Town landmarks, the Big Tree and the Old Customs House, the Mizingani has a prime location. There's an…

  • Zenji Hotel

    Zanzibar Town

    The Zenji offers clean rooms, efficient service and a friendly welcome. On Malawi Rd, near the port, it's in the heart of the action, or a bit noisy,…

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