5/5
I love everything about this place and my interactions with the staff from check-in to check out. The food was delicious and the prices were reasonable. Our driver was friendly and made sure we got to our destinations on time. The ocean view was so calm and relaxing!
We had an absolutely amazing time at the Zanzibari Boutique Hotel. The ocean was beautiful, beach very private, resort was relatively quiet and serene. Comfortable beach chairs with shade and towels always readily available. Salt water infinity pool overlooking the stunning clear blue ocean. Can walk out very far at low tide to sand bank and see tons of starfish and coral (with shoes the resort can provide). Overall very inexpensive compared to similar level hotels in US or Europe. Food was delicious, as were cocktails. Entertainment some nights of the week including acrobats, live music. Service was phenomenal - not too pushy but the appropriate level of helpfulness. Plans any tours you’d like to do. Gladly accommodates and arranges any transportation needs. Perfect place for a relaxing trip.
The site was attractive, but the room was sparsely furnished, and the food menu was not great. Biggest disappointment was there was no beach, only coral and rocks, the sea went out quarter of a mile and not possible to swim in the sea or walk on sand. The nearest beach was 20 minute walk or taxi ride. Not really a boutique hotel.
Thanks to all of you at the Zanzibari ! We spend a marvellous time and our marriage you organised on the beach will stay in our memories to the end of our lives.
And for the rest : excellent food, excellent service, room at the top (we had a private swimming pool). Congrats !
Fantastic service, food and facilities, if you are looking for an idyllic 'getaway' retreat, and only wish to relax, stay in one place and not go anywhere else, this would be a great choice. There are daytime excursions that can be booked through the hotel reception, however there is literally nothing to here at night.
For those like me who get bored easily it should be noted that the Zanzibari is set in a location that is very private, and there is not really anything else to do, especially at night. As a result, the prices for drinks and food are at a premium. The menu is very good but it doesn't change (apart from catch of the day).
Nungwi town is about a half hour walk away, where you can find a lot more choice, multiple bars and restaurants, lots of activities, far more competitive prices, and a lovely beach which does not disappear when the tide turns. BUT, it is difficult to reach by road from the Zanzibari due to how poor the road is, and due to the very tidal nature of the sea, it can only be reached on foot from the Zanzibari via the beach at low tide. This should also be borne in mind when choosing your destination.
Whilst the Zanzibari is 'on the beach' it is only possible to swim in the sea when the tide is in, and at this point the beach disappears. At low tide the sea drains so much that it can't be reached. If you have in mind lounging on a beach all day and being able to just go for a dip in the sea, this is not possible here. There is either no beach and sea right up to the hotel boundary, or miles of beach, but with the sea so far away you can't reach it. While I couldn't fault the quality of the Zanzibari, had I known that there were these issues due to its' location, I would have stayed somewhere closer to the town. If you are budget conscious and want choice and variety, plus a lovely beach which is always accessible, you may prefer to base yourself closer to Nungwi town.
