Zanzibar, located in Tanzania, is one of the popular destinations in Africa. This is no surprise for a city that is an island itself, with over 50 other islands, islets, and idyllic beaches. If you’re looking for a perfect balance between relaxation and adventure, Zanzibar might just be the perfect location for you. Many places in Zanzibar offer comfort to make your stay enjoyable, from luxury resorts on private islands to villas and hotels on sandy beaches. You can choose one based on your budget, whether large or small. Choosing the best places to stay in Zanzibar depends on why you’re going there. Is it for a family vacation, for you and your partner, or a destination wedding? To get the best of Zanzibar, let’s explore the best places to stay there.
1. Zuri Zanzibar
Located along the Kendwa beach is the Zuri Zanzibar, a stunning beach resort situated on the northwest coast. The place is a comfortable 5-star hotel that caters to all your needs. It offers a dreamy ambiance that instantly puts you at ease from the moment you enter. From its 56 bungalows, suites, and villas, you can pick your haven for the next couple of days. All of these 56 buildings feature a beautiful and stylish blend of modern and traditional elements.
The basic amenities offered when booking any bungalow include Wi-Fi, air conditioning, a spice garden tour, pool snacks, and more. All of these options may vary depending on the plan you choose, as some rooms also feature a jacuzzi. For a night at Zuri Zanzibar, you can expect an average price of $1,000, which might be higher during peak seasons. You can also check for discounts, as Zuri Zanzibar offers a discount if you meet some specified requirements.
Located at one of the most beautiful white sandy beaches you would ever come across, Zuri Zanzibar promises to make your stay a wonderful experience. Whether you're seeking relaxation or activity, there’s something for everyone. You can also enjoy a fusion of different cuisines to activate your taste buds. Exploring the Zuri Zanzibar photo and video gallery is another way to take in the beautiful views and surroundings, and don’t forget to capture the moment with pictures and videos. Another thing you should know is that Zuri Zanzibar is one of the best places for a destination wedding. If you’re looking forward to a destination wedding, this might be a good option.
2. Essque Zalu Zanzibar
Here’s another beach resort where you can stay if you are on a getaway kind of vacation. It’s located in Nungwi, and it’s a place to escape all your worries and relax in one of the Exquisite accommodations that the Essque Zalu Zanzibar resort provides. This calming resort features 40 suites and 8 residences, allowing you to select one that suits your needs. This resort is designed with its guests' experiences in mind, offering mesmerizing views. Irrespective of the suite or residence you’re going for, you will be greeted with an idyllic turquoise lagoon, a calm Indian ocean, or a beautiful, lush garden. This beautiful escape is also perfect for destination weddings and honeymoons. You can book a consultation to discuss prices and receive discounts.
At this beautiful escape, you can enjoy different activities that will stick with you for a long time. You can have a relaxing spa treatment at the ‘All You Can Spa,’ where you enjoy all African products aimed at revitalizing your skin and rejuvenating your body. Another similar, yet more traditional, spa is the Maasai ritual, a local spa that offers a foot ritual, African facial, singo scrub, and aromatherapy. Children are not left out of the fun, and if you bring your children on the trip, they can try the Tinga Club at the resort. They can get creative at the resort with various child-friendly activities to keep them engaged, including arts and crafts, swimming, gaming, and more.
3. Pongwe Beach Hotel
If you’re all about the calm and chills of vacations, the Pongwe Beach Hotel should be your stop when visiting Zanzibar. Located on the east coast of Unguja Island, Pongwe Hotel is one of the best places to stay in Zanzibar, where you can truly appreciate nature at the sight of its clear lagoons, swaying palm trees, and powdered sand that can melt between your fingers. The Pongwe Beach Hotel is a more intimate resort with 23 rooms and suites. Aside from being a private beachfront, it’s one of the places that offers fantastic food service at its restaurants.
Other things you can do at the resort include spa and wellness treatments, cooking classes, private snorkeling, and touring spice farms. The beach also offers personalized wedding, honeymoon, and romantic packages for couples. This Idyllic escape and amazing beach experience costs between $327 and $565 per adult for a night, depending on the room you’re going for.
4. Neela Boutique Hotel
Here’s an accommodation where you can stay if you want to explore Stone Town and enjoy a bustling atmosphere. It’s a 10-room hotel embedded in a historical building right at the heart of Stone Town. These rooms range in price from $330 to $385 per night, depending on the room type. While you’re at Neela, you can explore Stone Town, and aside from that, you can explore cafes, bars, and lounges while watching the city’s jaw-dropping scenery.
5. Diamonds La Gemma
With its proximity to the Dar es Salaam airport and about an hour’s drive to Stone Town, Diamond La Gemma is a perfect place to stay if you’re visiting Zanzibar in Tanzania. It is one of the largest and most recent hotels in the northern part of Zanzibar, featuring approximately 150 meticulously built and curated rooms. Diamonds La Gemma is a home away from home, providing every ounce of comfort you need, all at an affordable rate. You can expect a price starting from $297 per night.
Diamonds La Gemma is an ideal destination for family holidays, honeymoons, and relaxation. At this barefoot luxury resort, you can enjoy various activities, including water skiing, windsurfing, scuba diving, sailing, banana boat rides, deep-sea fishing, and canoeing, at the on-site water activity centers. If you want to stay out of the water and still enjoy your stay, you can take a spice tour, explore Tanzania’s cultural heritage, or visit Stone Town and simply enjoy yourself while experiencing the vibrant African culture.
6. Blue Oyster Hotel
Also known as the Pearl of the Indian Ocean, Blue Oyster is situated on one of the best sand beaches and offers perfect accommodations for tours and adventures. It’s a small yet cozy hotel with 18 rooms, located near Jambiani Beach, a key attraction on the island of Zanzibar. It’s a perfect place to enjoy your day, being surrounded by swaying palm trees and a stunning beach. During your stay at Blue Oyster Hotel, there’s a list of activities lined up for you.
By now, you should know that Zanzibar has a thing with spice, so taking a spice tour as you explore the local African spices should be one of the activities you should do. You can taste the spice and decide if you want to buy it. In addition to the spice tour, you can attend a local cooking class where you learn how to make at least one African dish.
Beyond enjoying your time relaxing at the beach, you can explore the Jambiani village, a fishing village where you can learn about the locals and their traditions. Another peaceful village you can explore is the Muungoni traditional village. This place gives you an idea of what the Zanzibari people are like, and you get to learn about activities such as coconut grinding, coconut rope making, and many more. You can take it a step further and explore the infamous Stone Town. Other fun activities you can enjoy include water sports, such as sailing around the island and sunset dhow sailing, which can be complemented with a tasty seafood barbecue at Pungume Island.
7. Makofi Guest House
Here’s another tropical paradise and one of the best places to stay in Zanzibar. It’s located in Nungwi, a short walking distance from Nungwi Beach. Not only is it beautiful and comfortable, but it's also super affordable. Staying here for a night costs between $15 and $142, depending on the room you choose. You can also check for discounts when you’re ready to make a reservation. You should also be aware that the final price you pay includes a tourist tax of $4 per person per night.
When it comes to experience, Makofi offers different packages that keep you engaged during your stay. You can book a private tour on the Makofi boat or opt for an Island excursion, which includes visiting Safari Blue, Jozani Forest, and a spice tour. If you are up for a dopamine rush, you can go on a quad adventure as you explore Nungwi, Kendwa, and other parts of the island. You should not miss out on the safari at the Mikumi National Park, where you can go for nature walks, hikes, spot wildlife, and birdwatch.
8. Zanzibar White Sand Luxury Villas
This mesmerising luxury accommodation features a total of 21 rooms, comprising 15 luxury villas, 3 Cinnamon rooms, and 3 deluxe rooms, all offering lovely views. The villas are also categorized into garden villas, which have 5-bedroom villas, and beachfront villas, which have 1, 2, or 3 bedrooms. Since it’s all luxury, the cost is $750 per night. During your stay, you can enjoy complimentary daily activities, depending on the package you choose. This primarily covers attending cooking classes, watching movies under the stars at night, and engaging in other enjoyable activities.
In addition to this, the Zanzibar White Sand Luxury Villa is one of the vacation accommodations that is family-oriented and offers an all-inclusive resort experience. If you want to have a swell time with your family, there are facilities in place to make things easier for you, especially if you have a baby. If you don’t want to miss out on your fitness journey while you’re on vacation, you can make do with the villas’ fitness and sports facilities.
9. Nungwi Beach Resort by Tunaco
If you are thinking of the best places to stay in Zanzibar at an affordable price, say no more, as the Nugwi Beach Resort offers good service for the best price. The accommodation rate is between $157 and $210 per night, which includes breakfast. The resort has a main dining hall where breakfast, lunch, and dinner are served. If you want to explore other food options, you can check out the fisherman’s seafood and grill venue, where you can try a variety of international delicacies. Other food hubs you can try include the Kasuka cafe, where you can choose from their variety of coffee options with pastries of your choice to kickstart your day. You can also check out the Dolphins’ Bar and Zeebar, where you can just relax and enjoy good food, drinks, and vibrant nightlife.
10. Be Zanzibar Boutique Hotel
Here is another hotel located on Zanzibar Island, and it’s a hotel with limited space but with an experience that sticks. It’s an 18-room luxury hotel. From rooms with private bathrooms to suites featuring a private pool, this tropical island with crystal-clear waters is an ideal place to rejuvenate the body. There are numerous activities available at the resorts, including kayaking, kitesurfing, and exploring the Jambiani beach. Beyond the hotel, you can explore the blue safari, spice markets, Jozani Forest, and some cave adventures.
11. Sunshine Hotel
White beach, Indian Ocean, and a typical Swahili landscape, that’s what the sunshine is about. It’s a small beach hotel with just 15 rooms and one of the best places to relax and stay in Zanzibar. These rooms are spacious and are decorated to give the Swahili vibe. Located on the northeast coast of Matemwe, this Sunshine Hotel offers a range of amazing features. It offers an exclusive white sand beach where guests can relax and bask in the sounds of the Indian Ocean. There’s also a massage room at the hotel, which is a perfect opportunity for you to get a massage and have a good sleep.
Comfort is good, but you should also step out of your comfort zone to explore and have thrilling experiences. You can start by trying international cuisines at Sunshine Bay. Diving and snorkeling are also a good way to get into the adventure groove. Sailing across the Safari Blue Ocean is another activity you can explore. And if you’re going to Zanzibar with your partner, you can enjoy the sunset cruise while you relax in a romantic moment.
12. Jambiani Villas
Jambiani villas feature a total of 12 rooms, each located on a separate floor, and are equipped with amenities to ensure a comfortable stay. Located close to the Indian Ocean, staying at Jambiani Villas is a perfect way to enjoy peace and tranquillity. The Jambiani villas offer rooms for relaxation as well as dining and services to make your stay stress-free. This includes welcome drinks, food delivery, room service, housekeeping, and internet, among other amenities.
13. Emerson Spice Hotel
With just 11 rooms, the Emerson Spice is one of the best places to stay in Stone Town, Zanzibar. Emerson Spice is a historic neighborhood, offering accommodation rates starting from $175. This lovingly restored merchant’s house is beautifully furnished and features ample yard space. It’s one of the hotels located in the Stone Town neighborhood, adjacent to the Emerson Spice Tea House, a prominent attraction in the city. If you would like to take a break from the whole beach houses and resorts thing, you can explore Stone Town. This neighborhood is popular for its numerous attractions and activities.
If you’re all about the activity, staying in the Stone Town neighborhood will be worth your while. Stone Town is a place rich in history and filled with iconic landmarks, such as the Old Fort, Forodhani Gardens of Zanzibar, House of Wonders, and many more, most of which date back to the 18th and 19th centuries. The Zanzibar Spice Market community shop is an activity you shouldn't miss; it's a place where you can interact with various spices and purchase some that appeal to you.
14. Lux Marijani
Near Zanzibar is Mount Kilimanjaro, a popular mountain that attracts both African and international tourists. Most of the time, tourists have stopovers at the island where Lux Marijani is located, making it a good spot for accommodation due to the influx of tourists. It’s a resort beautifully situated on the Pwani Mchangani beach. This might be a perfect place for you to explore Kilimanjaro, enjoy the beach, or just explore the city. Staying at this 82-villa resort costs about $130 per night. The price varies according to the time of year and other subscription plans, such as meal plans and other extras.
Conclusion
Vacation is all about making memories, and having comfortable accommodations during your holiday makes it more enjoyable. For a place like Zanzibar, where you have plenty of activities to do, returning to a comfortable place of rest is important, and that's why we’ve listed the best places to stay in Zanzibar. Select locations that complement your interests and travel preferences.
