Mnemba Island Lodge
A private island with only 10 rooms and unquestionably the best beach in Africa....Mnemba is certainly worthy of our 5 paw rating. The island is surrounded by Zanzibar’s best diving and has exceeded the expectations of any client we have virtually ever had there. So very good indeed! |
|
|
|
Ras Nungwi - The Ocean Suite
Ras Nungwi's Ocean Suite received a surprise 5 palm rating due, if nothing else, to the fact that the suite has a private pool, bar and access to one of the best beaches on the island. This is without doubt the best private suite on the island! |
|
|
|
The Palms
Palms very nearly received our 5 palm rating - it is a very good hotel indeed. The rooms are certainly the most luxurious on the island and they have good access to a genuinely superb beach. The only issue (and reason for a 4 not 5 palm rating), is the size of the actual plot of land. |
|
|
|
Matemwe Bungalows
The only reason that Matemwe does not get 5 palms is the quality of the beach; the remainder of the hotel is very good. Gorgeous rooms, great food, good access to Mnemba diving and overall good value means that Matemwe gets a 4 palm rating. Some of us would give it 5! |
|
|
|
Ras Nungwi
The main reason for Ras Nungwi's 4 palm rating is the quality of the beach and its overall value. At roughly $200pppn it is certainly cheaper than its main competitors and not far of Zanzibars 3 star accommodations price wise. Certainly a steal for 2009 as prices have not been raised.....and what a beach! |
|
|
|
Echo Beach
Echo Beach receives 4 palms due to the value that this lodge offers and the fact that it has all the facilities of a resort yet remains small and personal. The beach is fantastic and the chef genuinely has cooked for prime ministers….a truly great choice for good value. |
|
|
|
Mchanga Beach Lodge
Mchanga lodge is the newest of the self confessed 3 star accommodations on Zanzibar, and a very welcome one. We actually prefer Mchanga to Pongwe due to its location near the island’s best diving and the fact that the rooms are separated from each other. A truly great choice at an absolutely superb price! |
|
|
|
Shooting Star
Shooting Star has been around for years and is an old favorite of ours. Privately owned by a local Tanzanian and with the best views of any Zanzibar lodge, this lodge is charming and beautifully unpretentious. Couple this with the fact that it is superb value and you can see why we nearly gave it 5!
|
|
|
|
Pongwe Beach Hotel
Pongwe has long been considered Zanzibar's best value hotel, simple and with a beach to die for. We have given it a 4 star rating, however, as we feel the levels that are now offered nearby for close to the same price have left the hotel standing slightly. Still offering good value and great beach. |
|
|
|
Baraza
A new addition to the nearby Palms/Breezes portfolio, the ethos has been to merge the qualities that have made Palms and Breezes work…luxury and facilities. Untried as yet, with 32 luxurious rooms, the lodge is set to appeal to families and honeymooners….we will keep an eye on their progress. |
|
|
|
Zamani Kempinski
This hotel is not a favorite of ours due to its sheer size and somewhat block styled accommodation. However we cannot deny that the Kempinski offers some of the most luxurious accommodation on the island. For those of us wanting a resort then this hotel is certainly worth a look....but it is not our cup of tea! |
|
|
|
Breezes Beach Club
Breezes caters for the package market and in all fairness is probably the best of the larger resorts. As a company, we aim to stay away from this style of accommodation, but it certainly does offer what a specific market is looking for. Great for families but for couples we prefer Ras Nungwi.... |
|
|
|
Matemwe Retreat
On a recent visit to Matemwe Retreat we were actually surprisingly let down by the quality of the rooms, the beach and value for money. The service levels were good and the food was again good, but nothing to write home about. In summary, good facilities and accommodation....we much prefer Matemwe Bungalows! |
|
|
|
Unguja Resort
We have always believed that Zanzibar is all about amazing beaches. Unfortunately, Unguja's beach is virtually non existent and for that reason alone we cannot give it any more than an average rating. It is a shame as the rooms and management are both fantastic. |
|
|
|
Fumba Beach Lodge
Fumba's unique selling point is that it is located away from the crowds of Zanzibar's east Coast. However the area the lodge is located in has poor beaches in comparison to virtually everywhere else. As the main reason to go to Zanzibar is the amazing beaches, Fumba will only ever get 2 palms!
|
|
|
|
Blue Bay
Blue Bay is your perfect example of a good package resort, sold to the masses on cheap package holidays. We are not fans of this style of accommodation but do realise the need for this kind of market and would say that Blue Bay can cater well for families. We however do prefer Breezes. |
|
|
|
The Z Hotel
The hotel fits into a market for young single professionals who are looking to enjoy Zanzibar's party atmosphere. It is certainly not a hotel for honeymooners and neither is it for more mature clients. Families may well enjoy the area as there are a range of activities on offer, but we were not impressed. |
|
|
|
Gemma D'ell Este
10 years ago Kendwa was Zanzibar's sought after traveller area. A beautiful beach played host to a handful of $20 a night bamboo and thatch bungalows. Then came Gemma, a 300 roomed colossus, loved by the Italian market. Needless to say we cannot stand it....but it really does have an exceptional beach! |
|
|
|
Ocean Paradise
Ocean Paradise is another example of package tourism at its nastiest. The hotel looks good from the outside and does have a good beach however food and service are notoriously poor. The upside is that this is reflected in the price....but in our view it is the worst of Zanzibar's large resorts. |
|
|
|
- Outstanding
- Very good
- Good
- Average
