Zanzibar. The name itself is almost the embodiment of exoticism and adventure. This famous African archipelago beckons travelers to countless diverse beauties. Zanzibar is a tropical pearl off the coast of Tanzania, where beautiful beaches lined with palm trees, perfectly crystal clear seas, but also ancient cities and authentic culture await you. Therefore, lovers of nature, history and the lively bustle of the present and pulsating life will find their place. And because this place really has a lot to offer, we have prepared for you today a ranking of the best hotels and resorts in Zanzibar, in which you can comfortably stay on your way here.
Where to go for the best hotels and resorts in Zanzibar
1. Tulia Zanzibar Unique Beach Resort
📌 Our winner: the best hotel resort in Zanzibar
On the Zanzibar archipelago, you won’t find a large number of vast hotel palaces with hundreds of apartments, which are typical for Turkey or Egypt, for example. However, this certainly does not mean that you will not have a place to lay your head. On the contrary. Since it is a world-class tourist destination, accommodation facilities abound here. However, it retains a character that does not stand out, rather it harmonizes pleasantly with the overall natural and cultural character of the islands.
This is also the case with Hotel Tulia. It consists of scattered bungalows in a typically local style. That is, made of wood and with a straw roof. They are also covered by the shadow of the ubiquitous palm trees. However, you definitely don’t have to worry about discomfort. On the contrary. The residences are furnished with maximum luxury and comfort in mind. After all, it is a five-star resort, which also has a full rating on Invia.cz – that is, 5 points out of 5.
The resort is located in the popular destination of Pongwe. On the east coast of the island of Unguje, opposite the city of Zanzibar, the center of which is located about 30 km from here. It is a beautiful, peaceful destination with long, clean beaches. In addition, they are directly connected to the resort, so the sea is just a stone’s throw away. The resort itself also offers a restaurant and bar, swimming pools with attractions, a fitness center or facilities for various water and land sports and activities. Meals at the hotel are possible in the form of breakfast, half board or even an all inclusive program. This place represents a clear destination for a perfect holiday.
Info and reviews of portals
- Tripadvisor.com rating – 5 out of 5 (fantastic) from over 252 visitors
- Google rating – 4.8 out of 5 (fantastic) from over 187 visitors
- Rating on Booking.com – 9.6 out of 10 (fantastic) from more than 166 visitors
- Price of stays: find out the prices of stays
2. Melia Zanzibar Hotel
📌 Zanzibar, Kiwengwa
The next five-star addition to our ranking will be the Melia hotel. It is located again on the east coast of Unguje Island, in the destination of Kiwengwa, which together with the already introduced Ponqwe forms a long, narrow and practically continuous strip along the coast dotted with hotels and resorts. Melia belongs to the very luxurious ones. It consists of stylish bungalows and villas, but the heart is the modern and beautiful main building.
As is customary here, the resort is located in the lap of palm groves and is quite extensive. You will find several bars and restaurants here, there are also shops – mainly with souvenirs – or swimming pools if you don’t feel like going to the sea. But the beach is directly connected to the resort.
Lovers of sports, such as tennis or beach volleyball, will also get their money’s worth. Of course, there is also the possibility of various water sports and activities, including the popular diving. You can even go on a kayak trip – it’s definitely worth it. This hotel has a rating of 4.7 out of 5 points on Invia.cz and is the perfect place for a luxury vacation.
Info and reviews of portals
- Tripadvisor.com rating – 4.5 out of 5 (excellent) from over 2605 visitors
- Google rating – 4.7 out of 5 (fantastic) from over 962 visitors
- Rating on Booking.com – 8.8 out of 10 (excellent) from more than 374 visitors
- Price of stays: find out the prices of stays
3. The Residence Hotel
📌 Popular and well-rated resort
Hotel The Residence skilfully combines modern architecture with authentic style. It maintains a character that harmonizes with its surroundings and provides a clean, well-maintained, new and very comfortable environment. You can admire the sophisticated and extensive gardens, among which there are individual buildings, villas and bungalows. The resort is again right on the beach, where you can relax on the deckchairs and watch the beautiful sunsets. The resort is located on the west coast, in the southern part of the island of Unguja.
The resort hides two restaurants, bars, a shopping arcade with shops, also a popular infinity pool and, above all, over sixty accommodation villas and bungalows. All are perfectly and exclusively furnished. This accommodation will delight even demanding travelers.
Info and reviews of portals
- Tripadvisor.com rating – 5 out of 5 (fantastic) from over 2,298 visitors
- Google rating – 4.6 out of 5 (great) from over 437 visitors
- Rating on Booking.com – 8.8 out of 10 (excellent) from more than 339 visitors
- Price of stays: find out the prices of stays
4. Hotel TUI BLUE Bahari Zanzibar
We have already introduced you to Kiwengwa a few bars above. The next hotel in our ranking will again be located in this lucrative and popular tourist destination. Specifically, it will be the Tui Blue resort, which hides a luxurious background with swimming pools, sunbeds, a number of restaurants, bars and shops and a beautiful beach under the canopy of tall and slender palm trees.
Of course, there is a wide range of sporting and less sporting activities. From volleyball to diving to trips on a canoe or a stylish catamaran or fishing. There is also plenty of entertainment for children, including the offer of animation programs and the possibility of babysitting. A really beautiful place even for very demanding visitors.
Info and reviews of portals
- Tripadvisor.com rating – 4.55 out of 5 (excellent) from over 2540 visitors
- Google rating – 4.7 out of 5 (fantastic) from over 1156 visitors
- Rating on Booking.com – 8.4 out of 10 (very good) from more than 186 visitors
- Price of stays: find out the prices of stays
5. Royal Zanzibar Beach Resort Hotel
Hotel Royal already belongs to the resorts of a somewhat more classic design. It consists of a horseshoe of larger hotel buildings with many rooms. Other apartments and bungalows are scattered around. The surrounding areas are covered with gardens and interwoven with intricate paths. There are several swimming pools and the resort also has a beautiful wide beach. You can look forward to several restaurants and even more bars. Of course, there are also shops.
This resort is located in the busier and relatively large destination of Nungwi in the northwest of Unguja Island. Very nice place for a pleasant vacation. This is also evidenced by the favorable rating of 4.6 points out of 5 on Invia.cz. It is also a five-star hotel with full luxury for lovers of comfort.
Info and reviews of portals
- Tripadvisor.com rating – 4.5 out of 5 (excellent) from over 1,995 visitors
- Google rating – 4.5 out of 5 (great) from over 874 visitors
- Rating on Booking.com – 8.00 out of 10 (very good) from more than 89 visitors
- Price of stays: find out the prices of stays
6. Hotel Zuri Zanzibar Hotel & Resort
The Zuri Hotel and Resort is located in the tourist-heavy northwestern region, near the village of Kendwa, which is mainly a set of luxury hotel complexes. Zuri is one of the medium-sized resorts, offering over 50 accommodation units. Again, these are typical, stylish bungalows, apartments or villas. They are immersed in the surrounding lush greenery and offer direct access to the picturesque beach.
Of course, you won’t be deprived of entertainment in the form of restaurants and bars here either. There are also shops and a library for avid readers. There is also a swimming pool, wellness center and a host of sports activities and entertainment programs. You will definitely not be bored, and due to the luxurious five-star nature of the hotel, you can expect a high level of comfort and pampering.
Info and reviews of portals
- Tripadvisor.com rating – 4.5 out of 5 (excellent) from over 476 visitors
- Google rating – 4.6 out of 5 (great) from over 566 visitors
- Rating on Booking.com – 9.4 out of 10 (fantastic) from more than 616 visitors
- Price of stays: find out the prices of stays
7. Hotel Riu Palace Zanzibar
On the northwestern tip of the island of Unguja is the destination of Nungwi, which includes the Riu Palace hotel resort. The name Palace may be a hint that it will not be the smallest hotel in Zanzibar. It consists of stylish hotel buildings in Arabic architecture. These are interspersed with gardens that immediately connect to a pleasant beach bordered by a rocky slope. The resort is more open and sunny than most of the others on our list, which have been rather immersed in the shade of lovely, exotic green groves.
The Riu offers four restaurants and three bars. There are swimming pools, courts and a wellness center. The accommodation is very luxurious. After all, it is again a five-star affair. Children will also enjoy plenty of fun here. This resort has a very high rating on the Invia.cz portal, specifically 4.8 points out of 5. So it is definitely a place that will not disappoint you with its services and level.
Info and reviews of portals
- Tripadvisor.com rating – 4.5 out of 5 (excellent) from over 2,783 visitors
- Google rating – 4.5 out of 5 (great) from over 619 visitors
- Rating on Booking.com – 9 out of 10 (fantastic) from more than 1,213 visitors
- Price of stays: find out the prices of stays
What exactly is Zanzibar?
The term Zanzibar is chronically familiar. Everyone knows that it lies somewhere off the coast of East Africa. However, not everyone remembers exactly what Zanzibar is. It’s a bit more complicated. We have already mentioned that it is an archipelago, specifically two islands, which are sometimes collectively called Zanzibar.
However, the same name can also refer to only the southern of the two islands – the island of Unguja. The actual name of the northern island is Pemba. And Zanzibar is also the name of the capital city of the archipelago, which lies on the west coast of the island of Unguja – that is, on the side towards the African continent.
The Zanzibar archipelago has almost a million inhabitants. The capital itself is a little over 200,000. The city used to be divided by a river into two main parts. However, Creek Road currently runs here. This busy main artery is lined with markets and trees and separates the historic core of the city, called Stone Town in English, from the newer part of Ng’ambo or New City in English.
Why go to Zanzibar?
The Zanzibar archipelago attracts not only with its well-known and good-sounding name or the fact that it is the birthplace of one of the greatest singers of all time – Freddie Mercury. You can also look forward to beautiful and vast beaches of white sand, which are also often dotted with stylish hut-like structures. The world under the water surface is also perfectly colorful here, so divers will be in seventh heaven.
Zanzibar is also a gastronomic island. The islands are historically extremely important for the production of spices. Among the iconic ones here are cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon or even vanilla. You can buy them in first-class quality at every market. The difference between what you normally buy in our supermarket will amaze you.
The archipelago also has a few endemic species in fauna and flora. This, in turn, can interest visitors with a naturalistic bent. The nature here is generally breathtaking. Unfortunately, however, it also faces significant pressure despite efforts to protect it. Nevertheless, there are still areas of wonderful, wild forests.
With all its beaches, palm groves, spice farms, markets, historic and younger towns, jungles and other beauties, Zanzibar offers a handful of experiences and hides a special charm that every visitor must succumb to.
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