Pongwe Bay Resort

We stayed here during our visit to Zanzibar. A beautiful place, great location, a walk to clean, well maintained beach. 5 mins walk to Kongowea Pier restaurant. Hotel rooms were great, cleaned daily, evening curtain drawn, insecticide sprayed, mosquito net drawn. Lovely relaxing porch, a ladder provided to hang swimming suits by the porch, Breakfast was well organised so was lunch and dinner. Pool was wonderful, small, exclusive and relaxing. The staff are amazing, friendly, helpful and always smiling My only frustration was the sand on the path, walking on with sandals at dinner time was always a challenge and frustrating but had to give in after a day, was time to relax so ditched the sandals and bare feet walking was the thing. Will definitely visit again.

RACIST HOTEL STAFF & GENRAL MANAGER (Marcus) I am writing to express my disappointment with the poor customer service and overall experience. There were numerous aunts and insects on the premises and bed sheets which made our stay uncomfortable and unpleasant and wanted to leave hotel earlier in which they confirmed to us that refund for the rest of the stay will be completed upon check out .however later we received email that no refund The experience was extremely frustrating as as When we tried to communicate with the General manager (Marcus), which eventually learned that he is so Racist against arabs; he yelled at us and refused to make any refund as promised upon check out ! And hung up the phone as soon as he found out we were Arab as his behavior became blatantly disrespectful. He began to mock us by using Arabic words in a rude and sarcastic manner, as if he was making fun of our identity and culture. This conduct was not only unprofessional but also deeply discriminatory. Based on this experience, I would not recommend this place to anyone. The lack of hygiene and professionalism, poor service, and disregard and for customer satisfaction were beyond disappointing.

We had an unforgettable stay at Pongwe Bay Resort! This hidden gem offers a truly tranquil escape with its stunning swimming pool and beautiful surroundings. Our room was spacious, clean, and cozy, decorated with elegance for ultimate comfort. The staff at Pongwe Bay Resort were exceptionally friendly and went above and beyond to ensure our stay was enjoyable. The beachfront location was picturesque and serene, ideal for leisurely walks and sunbathing. While swimming in the sea was affected by the tide, the resort compensated with a fantastic pool and water sports. Dining at the on-site restaurant was a highlight, especially the unique experience at the pier restaurant with breathtaking ocean views. The food was delicious, though some prices, like for beer, were a bit high. The resort's traditional architecture and well-maintained gardens added to its charm. Despite limited internet access in rooms, this minor drawback was overshadowed by the resort's many positive attributes. Go check the fitness center on the beach… that’s a must see. For anyone seeking a peaceful and authentic getaway with excellent service and stunning scenery after a safari or Kilimanjaro climb, Pongwe Bay Resort is an excellent choice. We can't wait to return! On the contrary, steer clear of activities promoted by Mr. Zanzibar at the resort, claiming to be 'the most affordable travel agency in Zanzibar.' Despite their low prices, they offer nothing but disappointment. Opting for their Silver package Safari Blue, we were greeted by a dilapidated boat with a dysfunctional sail, barely holding together with patches. Snorkeling in deep waters was lackluster, with only a few fish lured by chunks of watermelon, amidst the constant risk of being squeezed between other boats. The sandbank resembled a chaotic parking lot with over 40 vessels, and the nearby island coerced visitors into pricey souvenir shops, even charging for basic amenities like toilets ($1). While reputable agencies like Safari Blue offer genuine adventures and quality experiences, Mr. Zanzibar provides a dismal imitation at best. Expect dolphin encounters overshadowed by noisy boats and a relentless focus on extracting money from unsuspecting tourists, rather than delivering promised adventures.