Pongwe Beach Hotel

Tanzania , Zanzibar
ZANZIBAR, P.O. Box 297 .
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50 reviews shown

10/10

Exceptional

06 Feb 2026

Joshua

Best hotel I have ever stayed at in my life. This place deserves 10 stars.

10/10

Exceptional

25 Oct 2025

Luke

Lovely stay. Quiet relaxing great views.

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

24 Oct 2025

Christopher

Fantastic beach experience. Special service by the staff. Highly recommend.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

05 Nov 2024

hao wen

Very private and beautiful beachfront, spacious villa walkable to the beach. Very friendly and welcoming staffs.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

20 Sep 2024

Joan

Gorgeous!!

Hotel was lovely! Customer service and food great. Would highly recommend.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

22 Feb 2024

John

The staff were all very friendly and welcoming. The overall service was excellent.
This is a wonderful place to relax - it may not be 5 star luxury but it is authentic African hospitality - just what we had hoped for.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

26 Dec 2023

mark

We just left after spending 6 night at this wonderful resort. My family and our travel friends had a wonderful time, and were sad to leave.
The staff are super amazing, the resort was a wonderful place to relax, the food very delicious, I can’t really say enough great things about this resort.
Without a doubt, I would highly recommend the Pongwe Beach Hotel!

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

04 Nov 2023

James

The staff and management were all very friendly and professional. Our room was delightful and had everything we could wish for and more. The beach was beautiful, clean and private. The food was of a high standard with a menu that changed daily. Would recommend Pongwe Beach to anyone wishing for a relaxing holiday in the sun.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

23 Sep 2023

Marcos

Excellent location, beautiful views, great customer service. Shower water pressure can be definitely improved but overall great experience!

Leisure

10/10

Exceptional

21 Aug 2023

Wambura

Amazing resort. Excellent staff. Beautiful hotel. Very clean.

Family

10/10

Exceptional

13 Jan 2023

Amazing Zanzibar retreat

Excellent quiet retreat. Amazing staff , good food and beach and pool beautiful. Staff could not do enough for you and Hati in the restaurant was great fun . Definitely recommend if a peaceful , restful holiday is your thing .

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

29 Dec 2022

sarah

Overall we had a wonderful stay at Pongwe Beach Hotel. The property is very unique in Zanzibar in that it has its own almost private beach pretty much immediately near bungalows and its very beautiful and quiet, the sea is very clean with less seaweed than others we visited. Beautiful swimming pool overlooking the sea.

The resort facilities and bedrooms could be improved in that the decor feels a little dated in terms of interior design, but generally very comfortable and very well serviced by the ever cheerful and kind staff working at every level. Food is very good, the menus are changed daily and offer two options plus two vegetarian options at lunch, and others at dinner.

The rooms could be improved by offering air conditioning in every room. Some rooms only offer a fan with a bed-cooling air con system which we didn’t enjoy.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

18 Jul 2022

Verified traveler

Awesome weekend - staff were great and food was excellent

Partner

8/10

Excellent

27 Feb 2021

Logan

Amazing boutique hotel

Really amazing boutique hotel. Would highly recommend & certainly recommend staying here again.

Self

10/10

Exceptional

06 Jan 2021

Verified traveler

Great staff ! very nice and welcoming. Very helpful front desk especially Martin.
The pool and beach are great, be aware of the tide but in my opinion this added to the charm of the hotel, allowing us to walk on the beach alone :)

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

06 Dec 2019

Stu

We visited Pongwe Beach after a week bumping around on safari, like most visitors. The hotel was the perfect place to slow down, relax and enjoy the beautiful beach, pool and ocean. The small beach was perfectly lovely and private, with lounge chairs always available and just the right amount of sun and shade for the hot days of summer. Service was great and the folks made themselves available on just the right frequency. Happy hour drinks were beautiful and delicious. Breakfast was a highlight, with perfect omelets, a buffet full of fruit and delicious morning coffee. Oh, and speaking of coffee, the early morning delivery of coffee and tea to the bungalow patios was an unexpected treat. Up with the sunrise, enjoying a cup of delicious Tanzanian coffee on the beach was an absolute joy. We did enjoy lunch and dinner as well, with the menus changing daily. Food was good, but not over the top excellent, but no real complaints.

The hotel is slightly out of the way, so be prepared to pay a lot for transportation should you want to visit other parts of Zanzibar, like Stonetown, or eat at other restaurants on the Island (we do recommend The Rock, if just for the experience). As with most visitors here, we were sad to leave and were wondering how we can find an excuse to return someday in the not too distant future.

Friends_and_family Family

10/10

Exceptional

20 Mar 2019

Verified traveler

Just the nicest staff and environment, perfect place

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

27 Feb 2019

LisaD

loved the pool, the beach, the staff, the food, the very comfy and unique robes in the rooms

10/10

Exceptional

24 Jan 2019

marco

One of the best

Second time, always the best! Rooms are great, people fantastic and great food! Unique atmosphere

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

22 Oct 2018

Annette

The best hotel I have ever stayed in

I have never stayed anywhere quite like this and would advise that you install another option that is higher than \"exceptional\". Cannot rate the hotel high enough, for quality, location, scenery, facilities, food, drink, flag and best of all, the staff.

Partner

6/10

Pleasant

10 Sep 2018

Not Provided

Good not great beach hotel

Pongwe Beach Hotel was a much-needed detox from our 7-day mt Kilimanjaro climb. Location was good not great. It’s located in a lesser developed region of the eastern coast without easy access to Nungwi to the north or Jambiani/Paje to the south—both would have been >30 min cab rides amounting to >$50 USD. The beach/pool and the food were definitely highlights. I would have gone with the full board option instead of just breakfast included had I known the lack of alternative options in the area. Our first night the AC broke and the management graciously spent an hour from 3-4 am repairing it. However, when they relocated us the next day to another room, the water pressure on the shower was minimal. All in all, it was a nice hotel with extremely friendly staff, but we’d likely stay in nungwi or paje next time around.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

20 Aug 2018

Ian

Great hotel with lovely staff

We have never stayed in a tropical beach hotel before and we found the whole place wonderful. The facilities are great (we had a room with plunge pool), the staff are amazing and the location is beautiful. The food was also delicious and we highly recommend this hotel.

Partner

8/10

Excellent

12 Aug 2018

David

Fabulous resort and staff but a couple of points

The stay was amazing. Staff, food, beach, and the beachfront room with private plunge pool was very spacious. Two things to note:- 1) our room (20) was great but right next door to the Tulia resort just a few metres away and right next to their evening entertainment area. Quite loud but very pleasant music some nights. Earplugs are provided in the room but we didn't use them a) music was good, and b) stopped at 10pm so not a problem. 2) We tried to reduce our stay from 5 nights to 4 in the free cancellation period but 'system doesn't allow' !! We were offered the 5 night refund and a new booking elsewhere - not at all what we wanted. The hotel would clearly have preferred to sell the 5 nights to someone else rather tha to us and maybe not sell the one cancelled night. Disappointing but Hotels.com did help us out.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

06 Aug 2018

AVML

Excellent hotel in a very quiet area which is what we wanted. Food very good. The beach is just incredible.

10/10

Exceptional

18 Jul 2018

Verified traveler

Great staff, excellent service. Restaurant is really good

10/10

Exceptional

10 Jun 2018

Ann

Idyllic vacation

Our stay was all that we hoped for. The site is beautiful and the service is impeccable. We found the staff to be gracious, welcoming, and all helped make our stay a vacation we will always remember.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

10 Jun 2018

Angela

very pleased with the beach and staff,excellent food.

10/10

Exceptional

24 Mar 2018

Verified traveler

Great beach and superb hotel and staff

Food on half board was great with a change of 3 course menu every day. Superb happy hour cocktails and very safe location. Beach is to die for, dont hesitate book it, im glad we did.

10/10

Exceptional

23 Mar 2018

Verified traveler

A truly beautiful spot with nice facilities and kind, hospitable staff and management! The only possible downside is the fairly firm mattress, but this was overshadowed by the beuaty of the surroundings!

Family

10/10

Exceptional

17 Mar 2018

Christo

Experience of a lifetime

Amazing staff, plenty activities, beautiful beach. Food was fine, but nothing to rave about. Our room was amazing

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

13 Mar 2018

Ant

Wonderful beach experience

We stayed for a really magical two nights three days at Pongwe Beach Hotel. From our first contact with efficient and welcoming Heidi to our last drop off at airport by friendly driver All staff were kind smiling hospitable and genuinely helpful without being intrusive. The beach is lovely with about an 1/8th of a mile difference between low and high tide. The facilities are tasteful and comfortable. Food was delicious- especially anything with seafood. My only thought while writing this review is a selfishness that I don’t want to share this experience with anyone else as it was such a special holiday for me and my wife. But that wouldn’t be fair to the staff so please accept our thanks and this review of your special hotel.

10/10

Exceptional

06 Mar 2018

vicki

Paradise

A fantastic slice of paradise. The staff are amazing, so friendly and helpful, they really helped make our stay. The private beach is beautiful and the hotel is perfect. The rooms were clean and beautifully kept, ours overlooked the sea and had a balcony to sit on. The food was excellent, the chefs were absolutely amazing. Couldn’t fault it and can’t wait to go back again!!!!

10/10

Exceptional

19 Feb 2018

Julie

Everything was perfect. The pool was well maintained and the food was really above my expectations. Lots of vegetarian options as well.

Family

10/10

Exceptional

07 Jan 2018

Hilmy

The best Place in pongwe

It was just perfect...

Partner

8/10

Excellent

26 Nov 2017

Matthew

No Worries

Breathtaking beach. Fantastic food. Unbelievably beautiful. No worries for the rest of your days.

Family

10/10

Exceptional

06 Nov 2017

Stephen

A little bit of heaven

Pongwe Beach is a wonderful little boutique hotel, on a private beach that is possibly the most beautiful on the island. The room are hidden between the palm trees to maintain the idyllic situation and are built in traditional style - no concrete monstrosities here! The food is extremely good and always beautifully presented. The beach changes by the hour, as the most gorgeous expanse of sand opens up at low tide. But the greatest accolade must go to the staff; without exception, they are the friendliest, happiest and best bunch that we have ever met. They make the holiday.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

26 Oct 2017

Verified traveler

Pongwe Hotel was amazing. Everything about the visit was as close to perfect as possible. The environment of the hotel and the bungalow style rooms helped you disconnect. Most of all, the staff was incredible! I have never had better customer service anywhere in the world.

10/10

Exceptional

18 Oct 2017

Verified traveler

Extraordinary Establishment!!

Wonderful friendly Staff and guests! Location is beautiful - the best! 2nd visit for us! Fabulous food too! Very well managed and will be hard to beat! Hakuna Matata at Pongwe.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

05 Oct 2017

Sharon

Great location to relax after a safari.

We enjoyed the beautiful relaxing location. The gorgeous turquoise Indian Ocean. The Iinfinity pool. The kayaks which were free to use as well as the bicycles. Beach walking and beach combing.
We did not do any excursions from Pongwe as it is quite remote. We chose to fully enjoy this location.
One must remember the sun is very intense and protect skin accordingly.

10/10

Exceptional

21 Sep 2017

marco

PARADISE

a piece of paradise! a Heidi and the whole team are amazing! outstanidng service, attention for details and guest relation!
Great job

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

12 Aug 2017

gem

Beautiful hotel, definitely worth a visit.

This place was fab, staff were really friendly and the food was excellent quality. They had a range of activities available of which we used the canoes, board games and bikes all complimentary.
Relaxing and stunning place to stay.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

07 Jul 2017

Verified traveler

Lovely hotel.

Beautiful setting and beach. Staff very accommodating and friendly. Food options limited and quite expensive.

Family

10/10

Exceptional

01 Jan 2017

Michael

Highly recommended! Wonderful place to relax

My fiancé and I recently stayed at Pongwe Beach Hotel for 2 nights at the end of a long weekend in Zanzibar. The hotel was by far and away the best property we saw and could have easily stayed for a week. The hotel, staff, beach and grounds (pool, gardens, etc) are absolutely wonderful. Although we enjoyed our night in Nungwi (the beach is beautiful, but busy), relaxing in Pongwe was just perfection. The food was very good, but not excellent... other than this, I cannot find a fault. I cannot wait to return... hopefully for a full week!

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

22 Oct 2016

Mark Hollanders

Paradise on earth

If you want to have piece of mind, and forget the turmoil of this world, Ponge Beach Resort is the place to go. Idyllic location, friendly staff, perfect setting. I do not what to ask for more. Exploring the lagoon at low tide, chilling on the beach or in the pool at high tide. Snorkeling is OK, but I suspect there are better places on Zanzibar. I am a birder and could complete lose myself lose myself looking for forest birds just after sunrise and for sea birds and waders at low tide in the lagoon. If you need the urge to go sightseeing, Stown Town and Jozani Forst NP are only 1 h drive away.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

29 Sep 2016

Victoria

Picture perfect beach

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

25 Sep 2016

Deb

Perfect setting by the beach - very tranquil

Loved everything about this Hotel. Staff made us feel very welcome and nothing was too much trouble for them. We had a beach front double room which was absolutely beautiful.
Tours to Stonetown and Spice Tour ( and others) can be booked from Hotel.
Meals were amazing. Looked forward to the evening visit around 6pm of the Bush Babies and fed them bananas.
The green flag idea was wonderful - as were the cocktails!

8/10

Excellent

14 Sep 2016

Habib

Fantastic !!

Fantastic place with gorgeous staff

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

04 Sep 2016

Verified traveler

An Excellent Exotic Hotel!

The hotel, with its numerous palm trees, white sand beach, and turquoise sea, is truly exotic. Undoubtedly, I could not have asked for anything better in terms of location, accommodation, facilities, or customer service. Indeed, I can state that the hotel was almost perfect.
The only area that could be improvemed is the restaurant. Whilst the food served is of excellent standard, the evening menu is very short, giving the guests very little choice.
I hope to stay here again in the future.

8/10

Excellent

30 Aug 2016

David

Good hotel for those who want peach and quiet.

For those wanting a secluded/quiet beach, Pongwe Beach Hotel would be perfect. The east side of Zanzibar has a lot less tourists and zero solicitors in the beach. However, the beach itself is not as good as the northern beaches, so what is ideal would depend on the individual. The Hotel was nice enough, but the dinning options are quite limited and dinner is expensive.

Family

10/10

Exceptional

03 Aug 2016

Lisa

Blissful beach holiday

If you are looking for a relaxing beach holiday in a safe and idyllic island setting this is it. We fell in love with this simple, elegant hotel and our beachfront cottage and made the most of the beautiful surroundings, family-friendly bar complete with bush babies, and the most amazing natural beach. The food was wonderful and the fixed menu made it easy - the local seafood, particularly the kingfish, was delicious, as was the Swahili buffet, especially the coconut and bean soup. The staff were friendly and efficient, especially Heidi who organised our transfer and got up to greet us at 3am due to a late flight, Stephen for whom nothing was too much trouble, and Khatibu, who made the best margaritas loaded with fresh local limes. A thoughtful parting gift from the hotel was a nice touch that will continue to remind us of this blissful week. Our only complaint is that a week was simply not long enough!