Pongwe Beach Hotel

I was literally lost for words when we turned up to the Pongwe Beach Hotel. What an absolutely beautiful place in a beautiful setting, truly a hidden gem. The staff are absolutely amazing! Warm, welcoming, polite and attentive. They go out of their way to make sure you have everything you need to have a memorable stay. It’s not surprising they have a high number of returning guests. It certainly is the best place we have ever stayed on our holidays over the years. The public areas are beautifully furnished and kept immaculately clean. We had a gorgeous beachfront room, lovely and quiet with fantastic views. The breakfast was fabulous with continental choices and delicious homemade jams. Always a hot full English style breakfast available. Evening meals were great and varied and the Swahili buffet we had one evening was fantastic. Overall the hotel is a laid back relaxing place that we loved and will certainly return. The only regret I have is that we didn’t stay for longer. Thank you to Sarah and the team for a wonderful stay. The fantastic memories we have will last a lifetime.

A fabulous hotel in a perfect location with a stunning well cared for beach. The service and friendliness of the staff was exemplary and totally exceeded our expectations. They were genuine and passionate and made everybody feel welcomed and special. Nothing was too much trouble . We absolutely loved everything about our stay there. Thank you

We thoroughly enjoyed our stay at this lovely retreat on the eastern side of Zanzibar. Secluded and serene, the location offers a true escape. Our room was a highlight, featuring an unobstructed ocean view, a private pool and a staircase that takes you down to the beach where you are only steps away from the pool, the restaurant and the bar. The rooms are cleaned twice a day, which includes a turn down service. If your visit falls on a Tuesday or Friday, you’re in for a treat, as the hotel hosts entertainment on those evenings. On Tuesdays, they also offer a lavish African BBQ - delicious, though a bit much unless you arrive with a healthy appetite. One evening, we requested the seafood platter for 4 and dined right on the beach. The staff set up temporary lights for us, creating a romantic atmosphere with the waves crashing softly in the background. The staff here is exceptionally friendly, with special thanks to Mudi, our restaurant supervisor, who ensured all of our needs were met with care and professionalism. We particularly loved his smile. A couple of things to keep in mind: Double check your massage appointment to ensure it’s been properly scheduled, as mine wasn’t recorded due to a mix-up at the front desk. Also, if you’re planning to visit Stone Town, consider arranging your own transportation. The hotel charges $120, but you can hire a private driver for around $35.

Pongwe Beach Hotel is truly a slice of paradise. From the moment we arrived, we were captivated by the stunning location—powder white sands, crystal-clear Indian Ocean waters, and swaying palm trees. It’s the perfect spot for complete relaxation after a busy week of safari. The sea was warm and really safe for swimming during high tide, and it was great to walk out in the shallows at low tide too. Our family suite was incredibly spacious, providing plenty of room to unwind. The highlight was having our own private plunge pool, which we made use of every single afternoon as the sun set. It was pure bliss, especially with a staff member always happy to bring us happy hour cocktails—a welcome treat that made our stay even more special. The staff at Pongwe Beach Hotel are exceptional. Always smiling and attentive without being intrusive, they go above and beyond to make sure guests feel pampered. The food was excellent, with a lovely breakfast selection of fresh bread, cheese, fruit, cereal, and a variety of cooked options, including a new special each day. Lunches were delicious and reasonably priced, and the evening meals were a highlight. The local buffet offered a true taste of Zanzibar a couple of times a week, while the other nights featured a varied and mouth-watering menu. The hotel is also wonderfully accommodating for families. Our 9-year-old was well taken care of, and we appreciated that the staff understood children might prefer to order from the lunch menu during dinner. Their flexibility and kindness made our stay even more enjoyable. Reception was incredibly helpful, arranging a variety of trips and excursions. Although we primarily wanted to relax, we opted for the spice tour, which was fascinating and informative, with the guides making sure it was engaging for our daughter as well. Pongwe Beach Hotel is a little piece of heaven, and we would love to return one day. If you're looking for a serene, beautiful, and welcoming place to unwind in Zanzibar, this is it.

Beautiful hotel with an amazing serviceminded staff, exelent food and nice beach. The perfect place to stay if you want to relax in Zanzibar! The staff is attentive and always greeting you with a smile. They really go to the extra length for the guests to ensure a optimal stay. You can swim in the pool or on the beach and relax in the beautiful rooms or in the resturant / bar area.

Pongwe beach hotel was an absolute paradise after a busy Safari. Our beachfront apartment was clean and spacious with a good shower and big bed (plus extra bed). The food both at breakfast and dinner was plentiful and delicious. We didn’t need lunch but the menu looked great. We loved sitting in the breezy bar for cocktail hour or ordering our drinks straight to our sun bed on the beach. The staff really go above and beyond to make sure you have the most wonderful, relaxing time. Thank you so much, we will definitely be back.