Zanzibar Hotel - February/March
Discussion
Hello!
We plan to holiday in Zanzibar next Feb/March and would like hotel recommendations from the PH hive mind.
Last February we spent a glorious couple of weeks in a Goan hotel recommended to us by PH members on a similar thread. 'Elsewhere' was so special that we plan to return. However, Mrs B would like to try Zanzibar next year.
So..........
.......does anyone have any recommendations for a small, quiet beachside hotel on the island?
Is there a 'good' and a 'bad' coast? Did you go on any excursions, safaris, etc? Anything to avoid? Basically, what's it like as a holiday destination?
We're not tooooooo bothered about budget. But, the PH syndicate didn't win the Euromillions this week.
Thank you.
We plan to holiday in Zanzibar next Feb/March and would like hotel recommendations from the PH hive mind.
Last February we spent a glorious couple of weeks in a Goan hotel recommended to us by PH members on a similar thread. 'Elsewhere' was so special that we plan to return. However, Mrs B would like to try Zanzibar next year.
So..........
.......does anyone have any recommendations for a small, quiet beachside hotel on the island?
Is there a 'good' and a 'bad' coast? Did you go on any excursions, safaris, etc? Anything to avoid? Basically, what's it like as a holiday destination?
We're not tooooooo bothered about budget. But, the PH syndicate didn't win the Euromillions this week.
Thank you.
ffc said:
We stayed at the residence last year. It's a lovely place albeit isolated. You'll need transport to go anywhere outside the resort.
That's one that caught our eye. Was it busy? Did your room meet expectations? ETA: Did you stay in a garden view or a sea view room?
Thanks.
Edited by Blib on Sunday 8th September 09:28
I can give you some insight on Stone Town hotels.
For traditional, African style, the Tembo Hotel is worth a look. Only 4-Stars but I rather liked it.
This is the breakfast 'room':
As you can see, I was there during the rainy season!
Jafferji House in the centre is really nice but no beach.
You then have the Park Hyatt and Zanzibar Serena.
Few pics of the Serena
All of these have the advantage of being town hotels so you have loads of really interesting things to see on your doorstep and no end of restaurants to try out.The trade off is that the beaches whilst nice and 'technically' private are roped off parts of public beaches. Didn't bother me (although I was there for work) but if you're looking to the sumptuous all-inclusive resort type establishment, these 'aint them.
Other than that, I'd aim for February rather than March. March is the start of the first two rainy seasons there. The rain is absolutely biblical. Some days it can last half an hour, others it can last hours and hours. Though, 10 minutes after the rain stops, you'd never know it had been raining.
Another reason to avoid March is next year is that's the month of Ramadan which means access to alcohol outside of the resorts will be restricted. You'll still be able to get a beer but not quite as freely at other times.
You'll encounter Hawkers everywhere. More than any place I've been. An abrupt 'no' sends them off to annoy others.
Fascinating place. Still very much a nation in transition and the five-star luxury masks some serious social deprivation that exists there but remains a culturally rich place to visit.
Enjoy!
For traditional, African style, the Tembo Hotel is worth a look. Only 4-Stars but I rather liked it.
This is the breakfast 'room':
As you can see, I was there during the rainy season!
Jafferji House in the centre is really nice but no beach.
You then have the Park Hyatt and Zanzibar Serena.
Few pics of the Serena
All of these have the advantage of being town hotels so you have loads of really interesting things to see on your doorstep and no end of restaurants to try out.The trade off is that the beaches whilst nice and 'technically' private are roped off parts of public beaches. Didn't bother me (although I was there for work) but if you're looking to the sumptuous all-inclusive resort type establishment, these 'aint them.
Other than that, I'd aim for February rather than March. March is the start of the first two rainy seasons there. The rain is absolutely biblical. Some days it can last half an hour, others it can last hours and hours. Though, 10 minutes after the rain stops, you'd never know it had been raining.
Another reason to avoid March is next year is that's the month of Ramadan which means access to alcohol outside of the resorts will be restricted. You'll still be able to get a beer but not quite as freely at other times.
You'll encounter Hawkers everywhere. More than any place I've been. An abrupt 'no' sends them off to annoy others.
Fascinating place. Still very much a nation in transition and the five-star luxury masks some serious social deprivation that exists there but remains a culturally rich place to visit.
Enjoy!
Edited by StevieBee on Sunday 8th September 09:52
Blib said:
That's one that caught our eye. Was it busy? Did your room meet expectations?
ETA: Did you stay in a garden view or a sea view room?
Thanks.
We stayed in a garden room which was huge. They supply bicycles (very ropey but good fun) to get around on. The resort wasn't busy and the quality of everything was very good. We were just chilling after a safari that nhad been hard work (early starts, long days, always moving lodge to lodge) so we didn't do a lot.ETA: Did you stay in a garden view or a sea view room?
Thanks.
Edited by Blib on Sunday 8th September 09:28
Been going to Zanzibar most years since 2013. It's a great.
You should if you can stay in Stone Town for at least a couple of nights. Lots to see but you can cover all in 2 days. Best to pay for a half day walking tour / personal guide. Make sure you go to Turtle Island...although the turtles are Giant long living tortoises.
Are you looking for party atmosphere or bit more laid back? Nungwi will fit the former but you can also find nice hotels. Personally it's not for me as there are nicer places on the island.
Feb / March should see the temperature falling after the hottest time of the year. Late March and you might hit rain as mentioned in another post. The " Big" rains used to start in April but now seem to be a be earlier The later into March the greater the risk of rain. The long rain season should stop in May but the last couple of years goes through to June
Budget is also key. Residence - it's a good resort.
Away from Stone town
Our favourite hotel is Zawadi but is budget blowing but worth a few days. You can then move on & go elsewhere on the island to balance the books ! Breezes Beach Club & Spa is a decent place. If diving is your thing the dive centre connected to the resort is very good.
We tend to stay in an area called Paje. It's fairly laid back as it is kite surfing beach and we never get bored with walking the beach watching the kites. Suggested places: Dhow Inn, Mr Kahawa, and Page by Night. All of which are on Booking.com There are lots of small b & b type places and a number of good restaurants in the area as well as a really good " food court' in the village. The next village down Jambiani has lots of smaller hotels - haven't stayed there but we go to some of them on a day ticket to use the pool as the beach is narrow. Paje beach is much wider beach and more places to stop for beer / coffee.
Jozani Forest National Park is worth visiting depending on where you stay. Mangrove swamp, monkeys It’s about an hour from Stone Town. $10 entrance + taxi,n
Aside from Visa purchase which you can complete online you will now need to buy Compulsory Travel Insurance from Zanzibar Insurance Company online. It's a Govt agency.
Zanzibar became a destination for some work from home travellers from Europe who have been living in Zanzibar long term and expecting Zanzibar Govt to cover even non emergency health care when "stuff' happens. If you don't buy the compulsory Insurance you will not be admitted to Zanzibar. Details here: https://visitzanzibar.go.tz/. I will still have my own travel insurance as the Zanzibar policy will not cover repatriation....and I expect the better Drs will not be on the Govt list! Treat it as an additional cost to the Visa !.
We have booked to fly out in November and return in December this year but haven't decided where we will stay yet.
Hope this helps.
You should if you can stay in Stone Town for at least a couple of nights. Lots to see but you can cover all in 2 days. Best to pay for a half day walking tour / personal guide. Make sure you go to Turtle Island...although the turtles are Giant long living tortoises.
Are you looking for party atmosphere or bit more laid back? Nungwi will fit the former but you can also find nice hotels. Personally it's not for me as there are nicer places on the island.
Feb / March should see the temperature falling after the hottest time of the year. Late March and you might hit rain as mentioned in another post. The " Big" rains used to start in April but now seem to be a be earlier The later into March the greater the risk of rain. The long rain season should stop in May but the last couple of years goes through to June
Budget is also key. Residence - it's a good resort.
Away from Stone town
Our favourite hotel is Zawadi but is budget blowing but worth a few days. You can then move on & go elsewhere on the island to balance the books ! Breezes Beach Club & Spa is a decent place. If diving is your thing the dive centre connected to the resort is very good.
We tend to stay in an area called Paje. It's fairly laid back as it is kite surfing beach and we never get bored with walking the beach watching the kites. Suggested places: Dhow Inn, Mr Kahawa, and Page by Night. All of which are on Booking.com There are lots of small b & b type places and a number of good restaurants in the area as well as a really good " food court' in the village. The next village down Jambiani has lots of smaller hotels - haven't stayed there but we go to some of them on a day ticket to use the pool as the beach is narrow. Paje beach is much wider beach and more places to stop for beer / coffee.
Jozani Forest National Park is worth visiting depending on where you stay. Mangrove swamp, monkeys It’s about an hour from Stone Town. $10 entrance + taxi,n
Aside from Visa purchase which you can complete online you will now need to buy Compulsory Travel Insurance from Zanzibar Insurance Company online. It's a Govt agency.
Zanzibar became a destination for some work from home travellers from Europe who have been living in Zanzibar long term and expecting Zanzibar Govt to cover even non emergency health care when "stuff' happens. If you don't buy the compulsory Insurance you will not be admitted to Zanzibar. Details here: https://visitzanzibar.go.tz/. I will still have my own travel insurance as the Zanzibar policy will not cover repatriation....and I expect the better Drs will not be on the Govt list! Treat it as an additional cost to the Visa !.
We have booked to fly out in November and return in December this year but haven't decided where we will stay yet.
Hope this helps.
Blib said:
Thank you.
One last question. Some reviews bemoaned the beach and tide. Saying it was rocky, swimming wasnt too enjoyable and that the tide went out a very long way.
What was your experience with that ?
We didn't swim in the sea and weirdly I can't remember much about the beach state from a tidal perspective. Sorry about that.One last question. Some reviews bemoaned the beach and tide. Saying it was rocky, swimming wasnt too enjoyable and that the tide went out a very long way.
What was your experience with that ?
This from TripAdvisor may illustrate what you want to see.
Edited by ffc on Sunday 8th September 17:17
Tides: Zanzibar beaches tend to have tides which go out a long way. The island is surrounded by coral reef and the beaches have a low shelve. For instance on Paje beach the reef is around 1km from the shore line at low tide. You can pretty much walk to the reef at some points - but wear some cheap beach shoes as some if the sea creatures burrow into the sand and if they have sharp claws and it hurts when you step on them😀. Sea weed can be left behind closer to the shore. On almost all beaches at low tide you will see local ladies picking sea weed which will then be dried & used for food. Most of the larger hotels will clean the beach immediately infront every day…..but some days they will forget! Sweeping beaches is not very eco friendly and I know Zanzibar like many of the Indian Ocean islands are becoming more concerned about rising sea levels so leaving the weed might relate to that. Some hotels may be following this principal. Most of the larger hotels and some of the smaller ones will have their own pools and if you want to swim that might be the best solution and then enjoy the walk on the sandy beach
We stayed at Mapenzi Beach resort way back in 2004.
All inclusive and they rely on excursions which were over-priced. Lots of hawkers but, as they pointed out, paying the resorts means the money goes back abroad and does not benefit the locals. We missed the Monkey Reserve trip which was expensive and when we were disappointed, they booked a minibus and driver for a fraction of the price.
Not much of a tide. A big long shallow shelf full of sea urchins before a big drop-off that was pummelled by waves we didn't venture into as it looked dangerous. The Blue Safari took you elsewhere to sandbars, islands and lagoons.
Stonetown was faded and run down but Prison Island with the giant tortoises was the best part of the trip.
All inclusive and they rely on excursions which were over-priced. Lots of hawkers but, as they pointed out, paying the resorts means the money goes back abroad and does not benefit the locals. We missed the Monkey Reserve trip which was expensive and when we were disappointed, they booked a minibus and driver for a fraction of the price.
Not much of a tide. A big long shallow shelf full of sea urchins before a big drop-off that was pummelled by waves we didn't venture into as it looked dangerous. The Blue Safari took you elsewhere to sandbars, islands and lagoons.
Stonetown was faded and run down but Prison Island with the giant tortoises was the best part of the trip.
Thanks for your post. The tides are the tides I suppose. 
We've now swung wildly away from our original choice. We're looking at a cheap and cheerful place between Paje and Jambiani.
We've done our fair share of luxury over the years and last February we spent a fantastic two weeks staying in a tent on a beach in Goa. Albeit, one with air-conditioning.
So, we're considering a little place called Mbuyuni Beach Village.
We just need a base and a place to sleep. It has a small pool, which will suffice. And paying extra for spas, a choice of bars and other things that we won't use seems a bit pointless.
Mbuyuni Beach looks on the map to be quite well placed. Yes, it's across the island from Stone Town and the like. But, I think that it may well do for us.
It's a long shot. But, does anyone here have experience of Mbuyuni Beach?
We've now swung wildly away from our original choice. We're looking at a cheap and cheerful place between Paje and Jambiani.
We've done our fair share of luxury over the years and last February we spent a fantastic two weeks staying in a tent on a beach in Goa. Albeit, one with air-conditioning.
So, we're considering a little place called Mbuyuni Beach Village.
We just need a base and a place to sleep. It has a small pool, which will suffice. And paying extra for spas, a choice of bars and other things that we won't use seems a bit pointless.
Mbuyuni Beach looks on the map to be quite well placed. Yes, it's across the island from Stone Town and the like. But, I think that it may well do for us.
It's a long shot. But, does anyone here have experience of Mbuyuni Beach?
Edited by Blib on Monday 9th September 06:52
Blib said:
Thanks for your post. The tides are the tides I suppose.
We've now swung wildly away from our original choice. We're looking at a cheap and cheerful place between Paje and Jambiani.
We've done our fair share of luxury over the years and last February we spent a fantastic two weeks staying in a tent on a beach in Goa. Albeit, one with air-conditioning.
So, we're considering a little place called Mbuyuni Beach Village.
We just need a base and a place to sleep. It has a small pool, which will suffice. And paying extra for spas, a choice of bars and other things that we won't use seems a bit pointless.
Mbuyuni Beach looks on the map to be quite well placed. Yes, it's across the island from Stone Town and the like. But, I think that it may well do for us.
It's a long shot. But, does anyone here have experience of Mbuyuni Beach?
My wife and I spent 2.5 hard weeks on Zanzibar in Jan 2020, originally it was the first stop on our "Gap Yah!" but COVID turned us around mid Feb.We've now swung wildly away from our original choice. We're looking at a cheap and cheerful place between Paje and Jambiani.
We've done our fair share of luxury over the years and last February we spent a fantastic two weeks staying in a tent on a beach in Goa. Albeit, one with air-conditioning.
So, we're considering a little place called Mbuyuni Beach Village.
We just need a base and a place to sleep. It has a small pool, which will suffice. And paying extra for spas, a choice of bars and other things that we won't use seems a bit pointless.
Mbuyuni Beach looks on the map to be quite well placed. Yes, it's across the island from Stone Town and the like. But, I think that it may well do for us.
It's a long shot. But, does anyone here have experience of Mbuyuni Beach?
Edited by Blib on Monday 9th September 06:52
We stayed in Paje as our base, in a homestead 3 mins from the beach. The beach was stunning but the sea at low tide is on the bloody horizon, we attempted to walk out on the beach at 10am and quickly returned 30 mins later as the Sun was just brutal. UV Index of 12, so make sure you take plenty of SPF50 and apply regularly.
We travelled almost the length and breadth of the Island by scooter, be VERY aware of Potholes on the roads. If you intend to drive, either car or bike, make sure you keep your international driving license, passport and cash handy as the Police often operate checkpoints on roads in and out of towns and a little "fee" is often applied.
Paje, Jambiani and Matemwe all had lovely beaches, if not a bit barren at low tide. No experience of Mbuyuni, but we did spend 2 nights in Kendwa which was quite busy and the beach wasn't as nice as the others.
Kizimkazi (South of the Island) is primarily a fishing village and IMO not a very nice beach. Although, we were only there to charter a boat for a Dolphin tour wherein the wife got to swim with Wild Dolphins in open water for £10. Fibreglass bathtub, outboard motor and a plank of wood for a seat mind you. Several times on the trip I believed that was how I was going to die.
I would highly recommend getting a place with A/C, it can be obnoxiously hot and humid all day, we foolishly opted for a non A/C spot as to save on costs as we had a budget to try and get us across Asia
Don’t know Mbuyani Beach bungalows. Quick Look at the map and it is quite isolated - pretty much the last hotel in Paje main beach & not quite in Jambiani. It takes about 50 mins to walk the beach into Paje. I know more expensive but have you looked at The Loop in Jambiani. Not stayed but have been there for lunch which is good and a full day at their pool.
Two restaurants that we have been too nearby are Chez Hasan in Jambiani. Indian cuisine and they will tone down the spice if you ask ! Great fresh fish and not expensive. Demani Lodge on the main road good food - but wouldn’t stay….it has party nights with loud music… and service can be slow….
We booked our flights for our own trip in November last week. Booked through Swiss Air but flying Lufthansa -London Heathrow - Frankfurt - drop into Mombasa for a hour then onto Zanzibar. Return Zanzibar - Frankfurt - London City. Look at Turkish - although flight times seen to be based on encouraging a stop over for 1 - 2 nights in Istanbul. We don’t fly through Qatar / DBX as both seem to have found a way of losing our luggage…..When we fly Kenyan we always seem to be late!
KLM is okay but have mad scrambles through security at Schiphol to get the connection.
Two restaurants that we have been too nearby are Chez Hasan in Jambiani. Indian cuisine and they will tone down the spice if you ask ! Great fresh fish and not expensive. Demani Lodge on the main road good food - but wouldn’t stay….it has party nights with loud music… and service can be slow….
We booked our flights for our own trip in November last week. Booked through Swiss Air but flying Lufthansa -London Heathrow - Frankfurt - drop into Mombasa for a hour then onto Zanzibar. Return Zanzibar - Frankfurt - London City. Look at Turkish - although flight times seen to be based on encouraging a stop over for 1 - 2 nights in Istanbul. We don’t fly through Qatar / DBX as both seem to have found a way of losing our luggage…..When we fly Kenyan we always seem to be late!
KLM is okay but have mad scrambles through security at Schiphol to get the connection.
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