Mnemba Island Lodge
Mnemba is a private island off the North east tip of Zanzibar. 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 nearly every client that we have ever sent there, an amazing accomplishment considering the price. The finest beach lodge in Africa. |
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Ras Nungwi
Located on the northern tipoff Zanzibar, Ras Nungwi is an old favourite in the office and has proved over the years to be one of Zanzibar's top hotels. The quality of the beach here is superb andthe overall good value that this hotel offers has ensured it remains a popular choice. At roughly $250pppn it is cheaper than its main competitors and manages to maintain a small boutique ambiance with the facilities of a large resort. |
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The Palms
Palms is the smallest and also the most luxurious of all the hotels we use on Zanzibar. With only six rooms, complete with private pools and outdoor double beds (sala's), Palms is the perfect getaway for honeymooners or private couples. You are very much left to do your own thing here and with the larger Breezes next door, this small boutique hotel has one of the best activity centres on the island. |
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Baraza
Baraza's ethos was to merge the qualities that have made Palms and Breezes work so wel - the luxury of Palms, facilities of Breezes and smooth management of both. With 32 luxurious rooms, Baraza was the first Zanzibar hotel to cater specifically to families, while still appealling to honeymooners. Baraza has been a great success and although doesn't offer the privacy you might expect at this price bracket, it is a superb lodge. |
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Ras Nungwi - The Ocean Suite
Located at the northern tip of Zanzibar, Ras Nungwi's Ocean Suite is a private villa located in the ground s of Ras Nungwi. The perfect place to hideaway but still have the facilities of a large resort, the Ocean 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 Zanzibar. |
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Matemwe Bungalows
Located infront of Mnemba Island, Matemwe is a classy small resort that offers very good levels of service and a great relaxed atmosphere. The only reason that Matemwe does not get 5 palms is the quality of the beach; it is so tidal as to disappear for long stretches, and the sea is rocky. The rest 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!) |
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Kilindi
Owned by the Elewana group, Kilindi is the newest of the top end hotels on Zanzibar. With some of the most beautiful rooms on the island Kilindi's design is certainly unique, allowing it to stand out on its own. The private pavilions with private pools and huge bathrooms are absolutely massive and offer privacy foiund nowhere else on Zanzibar. The only issue here is the quality of beach, but there really is no reason to be leaving the main hotel! |
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Echo Beach
Found just North of Breezes, Baraza and Palms Echo Beach has consistently delivered good quality accommodation at a good price. With a relaxed, unpretentious air, 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 good and the chef genuinely has cooked for prime ministers! |
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Breezes Beach Club
Breezes Beach Club has been around for years and is probably the best of the larger resorts. With approximately 75 rooms divided into standard rooms, deluxe and suites, Breezes Beach Club also has one of the best activity centres on the entire island. A superb choice for families and one that also appeals to honeymooners; a great all round resort. |
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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 so well, the luxury of Palms, facilities of Breezes and smooth management of both. Untried as yet, with 32 luxurious rooms, Baraza will be the first Zanzibar hotel to cater specifically to families, while still appealling to honeymooners! |
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Kasha
Kasha Boutique Hotel is located on the North East coast of Zanzibar, in the northern part of Matemwe. The Hotel has no beach which is its only downside, but the 11 luxury Villas come complete with small pools and are good value. The lodge has great views over the lagoon of the Mnemba Atoll coral reef. |
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Mchanga Beach Lodge
Mchanga Lodge is a laid back small beach hotel just south of Matemwe. With only eight rooms and a no children rule, this lodge offers well priced rooms and a laid back approach to beach accommodation. Mchanga is the sister hotel to Shooting Star and a great choice at a superb price. |
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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 have sent so many people here. A great little beach lodge. |
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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 newcomers nearby are upping the ante in terms of service and comparable prices. Nevertheless, Pongwe provides good value, and a great beach. |
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Unguja Resort
Much of what we love about Zanzibar is its 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. |
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Matemwe Retreat
On a recent visit to Matemwe Retreat we felt sadly let down by the quality of the rooms, the beach and value for money. The service was good and the food was good, but not to the standard we had expected. In summary, fine enough facilities and accommodation, but we prefer Matemwe Bungalows. |
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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 has poor beaches in comparison to virtually everywhere else... on the basis of failing Zanzibar beach appeal, Fumba will only ever get 2 palms! |
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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 prefer Breezes. |
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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 the food and service are notoriously poor. The up-side is that this is reflected in the price; .but in our view it sits alongside the worst of Zanzibar's large resorts. |
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The Z Hotel
The Z 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 for the activities on offer, but we were not impressed |
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Gemma D'ell Este
10 years ago Kendwa was Zanzibar's most sought-after traveller destination. A beautiful, unspoilt beach, with 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. |
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- Outstanding
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- Good
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