Must-see hotels in Zanzibar Archipelago

  • 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…

  • Pemba Lodge

    Pemba

    In a quiet spot on a small island off the coast of Pemba this lodge epitomises the word 'remote'. Overlooking the empty beach and ocean beyond are just…

  • 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…

  • Hotel Archipelago

    Pemba

    With its austere stairwells and utilitarian furniture (including inventory numbers) the Archipelago has the air of a government rest house – which it was …

  • 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…

  • Gecko Nature Lodge

    Pemba

    This lodge is a wonderfully relaxing place, under new management since 2016, with double rooms in high-roof bungalows, plus a six-bunk dorm. The…

  • 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…