Chuini Zanzibar Beach Lodge by Newmark

Tanzania , Zanzibar
ZANZIBAR, Chuini Palace Ruins, Bububu
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75 reviews shown

10/10

Exceptional

15 Jan 2026

Tewodros

Great place! Humble resort team! This place is for the people who like to decompress!

Leisure Partner

8/10

Excellent

23 Oct 2025

Neel

Property, rooms beach view and staff wonderful, food limited and overpriced by a mile, very limited options specially for vegetarian but sunset view was amazing, overall a good stay

Leisure Friends

10/10

Exceptional

11 Oct 2025

Nancy

Property was beautiful! Great views, wonderful rooms, delicious food. Staff was super helpful in assisting to our every need.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

15 Sep 2025

Abeed

Staying here was a dream. It was such a beautiful place to spend time. The staff is so very hospitable. The meals overlooking the ocean were wonderful

Leisure Self

8/10

Excellent

29 Aug 2025

Alison

Mixed experience

Leaking air conditioning unit with a flood of liquid on the floor affecting clothes and shoes. Some amazing staff but had a sense there was a lack of direction. Very expensive food and drinks. Very poor knowledge of food allergies despite emailing weeks in advance and speaking with staff at check in.

Friends_and_family Family

6/10

Pleasant

08 Aug 2025

Bruck

The lodge is good with a nice view to the ocean and the staff are great. We did not enjoy the lodge food and it's expensive for the quality we tasted. There aren't any nearby dinning places near the lodge and not is the place convenient for transportation to go to other places

Leisure

6/10

Pleasant

05 Jul 2025

Emeka

Quaint location. You may have to contend with load (power) sharing. No TVs (fine with me). Good location for solo travelers.

10/10

Exceptional

05 Apr 2025

Jimmy

The environment was very welcoming and everyday i saw how hard everyone on the staff worked in unison to provide me comfort and convenience. Elisha and Zebron i dealt with daily and they made sure everything was in order and that i enjoyed myself. The cooks serce some of the best food i have tasted it was so i tried food i have never tried. The property was secure and i had no worries of unfavorable events occuring. First place i have stayed wjere housekeeping comes in person at least 3 times a day to ensure the room is in order or to check if anything is needed. I didn’t just meet people that work at a lodge there, no i made friends and i will be visiting again. Asante sana to the entire staff and managers

Leisure Self

10/10

Exceptional

08 Jan 2025

HARRISON

A wonderful gem in Zanzibar. I can’t recommend this place enough, beautiful, tranquil, delicious food and clean comfortable bedrooms. It was the perfect few days I needed. The hotel is also very helpful in organising excursions, spa treatments etc
. Would recommend to anyone.

Leisure Self

10/10

Exceptional

15 Nov 2024

Charonne

Very friendly staff and helpful!

Self

10/10

Exceptional

15 Oct 2024

Rouja

A unique location and superb staff and restaurant! Loved it and will go back! Highly recommended!

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

10 Oct 2024

Lauren

A Zanzibar Gem: Chuini Beach Lodge

Our stay at Chuini Zanzibar Beach Lodge was nothing short of exceptional. The staff, led by the incredibly helpful and friendly General Manager, Cameron, went above and beyond to ensure our comfort and satisfaction. The two ladies behind the bar, whose names unfortunately escape me, provided impeccable service with warm smiles and attentive care. The food was simply divine, thanks to the talented chefs in the kitchen. We particularly enjoyed the delicious breakfasts, which featured a wide variety of fresh fruits, pastries, and cooked-to-order dishes.

The hotel’s beautiful setting was a major highlight of our stay. The main pool, with its stunning views of the local beach and fishermen, was the perfect place to relax and unwind. The ruins of Chuini, located within the hotel grounds, added a touch of history and intrigue. We were also impressed by the cleanliness and well-maintained condition of our room and the hotel facilities.

Overall, our experience at Chuini Zanzibar Beach Lodge was unforgettable. We highly recommend this exceptional hotel to anyone seeking a luxurious and relaxing vacation in Zanzibar.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

04 Oct 2024

David Alan

Lovely property, just down the coast from Stone Town (you can see the capital from the terrace). Opted for a sea view lodge and ended up in a beautiful, self contained cottage on a private beach. Staff are attentive and very helpful. Room was clean and spacious. All in all I would have no issue with recommending a stay here.

Leisure Self

10/10

Exceptional

07 Sep 2024

Rachel

Spectacular property! The customer service was outstanding and so were the views. They even packed me lunch for free to take on the plane when I was checking out. What a great experience I had!

Leisure Self

10/10

Exceptional

07 Sep 2024

Molly Mukiri

Stayed in this hotel for three days and experience was great.The staff were so helpful and welcoming especially kassim big up to him.The rooms very clean and airly.I will visit again.

10/10

Exceptional

03 Sep 2024

Harold

Great facility

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

24 Aug 2024

Kyle

Very attentive staff

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

17 Aug 2024

Simangele Angel

Friendly staff very friendly

Access to the lodge is not great

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

24 Jul 2024

Ann

Small property as to number of rooms. Staff very helpful and personable. Food was good, sometimes slow other times within minutes of ordering. Lovely party for guest one evening with
music and celebration of food and maybe for full moon. Not easy to ambulatory the step and walkway. They were uneven and nights the walkway not lite very well. On the ocean and a fishing area, some times isand petroleum and the burning smells...overall Avery pleasant stay would recommend and would love to visit again.

Leisure Family

8/10

Excellent

26 Jun 2024

Pritha

The staff at Chuini Zanzibar Beach Lodge are the best thing about property. They are extremely friendly and really strive hard to provide excellent customer service.

The surroundings are stunning and provides an amazing backdrop during sunset.

We did suffer a few issues. On our first evening, there was no water in any of the villas for several hours.

A day later, water from the toilet in our villa was leaking and flooded the cubicle. Kasim tried to resolve the problem the same evening but informed us that it would need to be fixed by a plumber the following morning.

Kasim offered us a move into a different villa, which we declined since we were not keen to pack up so late in the evening. Hence he left us the keys of the adjoining villa so that we could use the bathroom there since the water supply had to be turned off in our villa to stop the leak.

The lodge was offering 15 minute complimentary massages to all guests but due to the problems we suffered during our stay, Kasim arranged for the two of us to enjoy complimentary one hour massages each.

We both opted for the deep tissue massages and this was amazing and very relaxing as it helped to soothe our aching muscles.

We really enjoyed the food at Chuini, with the chef using an array of fresh produce to create a variety delicious dishes. We particularly enjoyed the tuna tartare with the mango and avocado salad as well as the wraps and fried rice. Esther was always a smiling presence in the dining area.

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

14 May 2024

Enam

Chuini Stay Feedback

Chuini was great to stay! We will recommend it hands down to anyone visiting Zanzibar for the first time as long as they are okay stay a few miles away in the suburbs!!

Friends_and_family Family

8/10

Excellent

13 May 2024

Asha

The surrounding areas at night had loud noises it the room was stunning. It could have just been the situation of our room as it was close to the gate. The room unfortunately also didn’t have a telephone so when my husband got food poisoning and i wasn’t feeling my best I had to go to reception to ask for some help. The staff were super accommodating and always friendly.

Leisure Partner

8/10

Excellent

17 Apr 2024

Abdulla

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

17 Mar 2024

Carlos Milano

Zanzibar's Best Kept Resort Secret!!

I think this place is just a BEST KEP SECRET. It was absolutely stunning, the staff and manager are just so warm and hospitable. I have been telling all my U.S. friends about it because I would come again in a heart beat!

Self

10/10

Exceptional

04 Feb 2024

wokie

Room was spacious and very comfortable. Ideal location if you are looking for somewhere away from the hustle and bustle.

Leisure Self

10/10

Exceptional

14 Aug 2023

Adele

Staff great food good location too far away from town. Biggest cost is travel

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

20 Jul 2023

Nancy

I thought I had died and gone to heaven!!! The property is gorgeous. The plants were beautiful and well cared for. The option of 2 pools was appealing. I loved the welcoming drink. Staff lugged by baggage to my room. I was afraid I wouldn't have enough money for dinner, but boy, was I glad I went. The entertainment was amazing. Food was great and the service impeccable. I wanted to take all of your staff home with me, they were so welcoming, friendly, helpful. You arranged for the transport from the airport to the hotel. It worked out great. I treated myself to a massage and it was wonderful. I can't say anything bad about the property. The only thing I was somewhat wanting was a gift shop. I would love to have purchased a tee shirt or a cap with Chuini or Bububu Zanzibar on it. There were plenty of things like that in Stonetown, but not with Chuini or Bububu on it. The next time I come (I must come back), I hope to stay there and do outings from the property. I wish you much success and I can't wait to return!

Leisure Self

10/10

Exceptional

08 Jan 2023

Shital

Excellent stay
Wonderful staff
Superb scenery

Friends_and_family Family

10/10

Exceptional

22 Nov 2022

Florence

This hotel far exceeded my expectations. To be honest I was a bit dubious as the driver was turned and drove through the alleyways pulling up in front of the hotel . U should never judged a book by its cover because Once the gates were opened -stunning it's only words I can use. However the staff themselves were the highlight of my trip. Honestly they were all lovely And I hope they all get a pay rise😇😉. Also I need to
shout out at the chef -I had some of the best meals at this hotel- even when we went out to eat it did not compare to the hotel food. I'm beyond ecstatic that I chose this hotel. All in all 1000/1000

Leisure Self

10/10

Exceptional

23 Oct 2022

Stetson

Amazing stay at a beautiful resort. The vistas of the nearby palace ruins are stunning and the pool areas open and comfortable. The food in the restaurant is delicious and I highly recommend the dinner set menus. If you visit on a Friday evening, the Tanzanian meal is incredible. Staff is friendly and attentive. The only drawback is the boat maintenance going on in the bay below and adjacent to the resort, which draws local labourers. The bay is loud and full of rubbish so keep your eyes to the sea, which has a killer sunset! I would definitely return.

Leisure

10/10

Exceptional

25 Sep 2022

SAMY SADRADDIN

Everything was spectacular, the workers are so friendly and kind. Probably the best guest service I’ve ever experienced, they were very helpful and understanding.

The rooms were nice not that big and not that small, I also liked that they do housekeeping service twice a day.

The food was delicious and the portions were good for one person, I don’t know why most reviews say that portions were small! They weren’t small at all. But to be fair prices of drinks and food were not cheap, they were average.

Thank you for everything i had an amazing stay and definitely an unforgettable memory.

Leisure Self

8/10

Excellent

25 Jun 2022

Belaout

Staff are great
All is good

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

19 Feb 2022

Simon

The staff were very friendly and helpful

Leisure Self

10/10

Exceptional

12 Jan 2022

GLORIA

The hotel was very clean and up
To standard . The staff were very welcoming and did not hesitate to ask with our needs. The hotel manager offered lots of recommendations and Made sure we were comfortable during our stay. We stayed at the hotel for 7 days and spent our new year there. We were very happy and super satisfied with everything. Thank you to the team and hotel manager. Highly recommended place right by the water :)

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

15 Sep 2021

Dominique

The staff at this Villa — like resort were the nicest people I have ever met in my life!

Leisure Self

10/10

Exceptional

31 Aug 2021

ARTHUR GOMES

I want to take this moment to thank the entire staff at Zanzibar Palace Ruins, from the security team up to General Manager Jagath Meyn. Ana & I have stayed in many 5 & 7-stars hotels around the world. Whenever we take a vacation, we carefully review and measure the level of customer services, as we use this time to really catch up in our day-to-day life goals and also work on pending projects.

Without any doubt, this is one of the best resorts we have stayed in a long time based on theoverall level of customer service. Upon arrival we were immediately & warmly welcomed by the staff and general manager JM, and we were upgraded to PREMIUM ROOM w/ Oceanfront. The staff was extremely friendly, the restaurant very flexible (appreciate this!) and we can’t forget to mention our morning bartender-guy “ REMMY D.” His morning smile and level of positive energy are out of this world! Every morning we looked forward to seeing him and suck all the energy that we need for the rest of the day. He’s definitely a character for any movie. We love him! – He’s a keeper and deserves the HIGHEST level of recommendation.

But again, the entire staff there had such a warm personality and they were always highly motivated & willing to help whenever we needed. We felt we were the only ones there – actually we felt like ROYALS! We truly enjoyed how well you guys kept the property, and walking through the scenery of the resort was beautiful and it was a relief to walk in such a quiet and pea

Business_and_leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

28 Mar 2021

Verified traveler

We absolutely love the layout and beauty of the grounds, room and views. Our masseuse was top notch and made us feel reborn. The food was very tasty, but the meat tends to be a bit more well done than you order it. All of the staff gave us top notch treatment. There were just a few detractors we could mention among the scores of great experiences. We found insect bites about 5 days into our stay. They would magically pop up each remaining morning. The closest I could equate them to is flea bites. She got way more bites than I did. They didn’t itch much but they were annoying all the same. Also the billiard table was in the worst shape I’ve ever seen. It should be replaced or removed. Lastly, the resort based car service was way too expensive. We used an independent taxi to get to the resort, and the in house service to return. The return trip was more than twice the price. There was also another patron who had a large amount of her money turn up missing. Hmm... Overall, we had an very good time. I recommend the place.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

31 Dec 2019

Rowena

Honeymoon

A lovely stay at Chuini, the staff looked after us well and couldn’t have done more for us. There was even a nice surprise on arrival in our room decoration wise for our honeymoon. You could quite happily spend your entire holiday at the hotel, alternatively the hotel will organise tours outside. Be aware Zanzibar is very expensive and you will pay tourist prices for everything.. taxis are the most expensive, and the levels of service you may expect to receive for the price you are paying on the tours may not live up to your expectations.

Partner

8/10

Excellent

26 Dec 2019

Fatemah

the view is amazing, staff are so friendly, i will sure visit the place again

Leisure Self

10/10

Exceptional

15 Sep 2019

Verified traveler

WOW, the property is very relaxing. It’s very beautiful and the staff , I mean there perfect from the manager to the waiters/bartenders and women that keep the rooms immaculate. They treated me so well, the food is amazing and the views from the bungalows are very beautiful. I would definitely recommend this place if you want a beautiful experience of Zanzibar and the spectacular ocean views it has to offer.

Leisure Self

8/10

Excellent

17 Jul 2019

David

Good for recharging batteries between safaris

Lodge is located in a less then appealing area, 12 km form Stone Town. It has beautiful grounds but the beach is dirty with washed up used tires, clothes, old shoes, empty bottles and other garbage. Stench of rotten seaweed is overwhelming, Staff does not seem to care about cleaning the garbage. In low tide local families come right under bungalows to dig for clams and watch sunset. Food was at best mediocre and definitely overpriced. Staff was friendly, place is quiet, the night club next door is gone. Our room had a lot of garbage under the armchairs which we moved to get better views and discovered all the trash. The staff was cleaning around furniture but not under.
Laundry service was good and inexpensive ($20 for the whole load), it helped between safari trips.

Partner

4/10

Poor

06 Jun 2019

Anonymous

Nice friendly staff..

but terrible cleanness.. the bed was not clean and full of blood spots!

Leisure Self

8/10

Excellent

01 Jun 2019

Verified traveler

Very friendly, accommodating, but they were a lot of insects, i got bitten, the roof was leaking, they had to change my mattress. Overall i enjoyed my stay.

Leisure Friends

8/10

Excellent

01 Apr 2019

Verified traveler

Very peaceful and private . Staff is absolutely accommodating. Rooms are very spacious.

Business Self

8/10

Excellent

12 Feb 2019

Verified traveler

Beautiful spot, but you will need ear plugs to sleep. The club next door sounded like it was in my room all night long. Be ready to be up all night.

Business_and_leisure Self

8/10

Excellent

13 Jan 2019

Sarah

Perfect Boutique Hotel

Sunset was amazing

Partner

6/10

Pleasant

23 Dec 2018

Verified traveler

Very nice hotel, lovely welcoming staff. Would however note the food prices are extortionate relatively to some fantastic local restaurants in Stone Town.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

22 Dec 2018

Verified traveler

I recently did a solo trip to Chuini and had a wonderful experience. All of the positive reviews were spot on- the staff were so incredibly friendly and helpful! I could’ve asked for anything more from the great team of staff members (from Elisha, to Helen to Evans and others). The resort is a beautiful combination of historic old ruins and new, chic luxury, overlooking the ocean.

The food was also great- particularly breakfast. The menu options were excellent and quite delicious! Looking forward to coming back again!

10/10

Exceptional

13 Nov 2018

Jennifer

Fantastic stay.. out of this world!!! ❤️

We had the best stay at the Chuini.. perfect boutique hotel where the views will blow you away!
The staff are amazing & couldn’t do enough for us.
This really is a fantastic hotel in a great location we didn’t want to leave!
The management are so kind & friendly.
Can’t thank them enough.
We will be back 😍

Partner

2/10

Poor

08 Nov 2018

Scott

We booked the Ocean view premium room half board, our room was located next to a night club that played very loud music from 10pm to 6 am. At 2am we tried to locate the manage but the security guard had to handle our request to move. They moved us to the hotel down the road that actually owns the night club, we could not hear the music in this hotel. We requested a refund from the manager the next morning which was clearing not going to happen so we compromised and down graded to superior room but ask to have all our drinks included. To our understanding this was agreed. The superior room had bats living in the roof, there was a lot of activity through out the night . The room had a smell , not sure if it was damp or from bat droppings .Linen on the bed was too small for the bed it was a tug of war for the sheets at bed time. No mattress protector or pillow protectors. The food at dinner was good. The sea view at break fast was beautiful. When we came to settle or bill the deal was not honoured. We were charged for the 3 bottles of wine which we had with our dinner over 4 nights . Apparently bottles were not included which was not disclosed. After further discussion the wine was removed off the bill, unnecessary aggravation. Our transfer to the airport had not been booked. The other issue we tried to contact Expedia to assist in organising the refund each time we were transferred to the department the phone was disconnected, Expedia did not respond to our email .

10/10

Exceptional

14 Oct 2018

Olivia

Great Trip

We had a wonderful time! The grounds were stunning, right on the ocean with seating and view from the pool overlooking the water. There were multiple pools, a spa and some very cool history to learn about. I would highly recommend and hope to go back.

Friends

8/10

Excellent

17 Sep 2018

F.J.

The Location . .food was excellent and the staff are very friendly and helpful...

10/10

Exceptional

28 Aug 2018

Tamara

Great & quiet getaway

Loved everything about this place, it’s so scenic and beautiful, situated in these old ruins. The views from the rooms and the restaurant are amazing. Haven’t slept this good in ages, coming from a noisy and busy city, the silence surrounding us was just what we needed!
Highly recommend!

10/10

Exceptional

24 Jul 2018

Howard

Idyllic. Very helpful staff. Great food, rooms.
Bit far from Stone Town.

10/10

Exceptional

17 Jun 2018

Hannah

Relaxing End To The Trip

Chuini Zanzibar Beach Lodge was the last stop on our family trip to Tanzania. I went with my parents and my sister, and we were in love with the setting from the beginning. You leave the craziness of Stone Town, and the road to Bububu behind as soon as you enter the gates. Loved our room, the view, the pools, and the staff. So helpful and friendly. Good base to explore the rest of Zanzibar easily - close to Stone Town. 2 pools, a spa, cool ruins, and easy beach access. We were very happy to have such a nice relaxing end to our trip!

Family

10/10

Exceptional

22 Jan 2018

Verified traveler

Great resort to relax, amazing location and staff were amazing

Family

10/10

Exceptional

12 Dec 2017

Hippo-starfish

A visit to paradise

Chuini is everything you'd ever wish for in a holiday destination ....and more. Great value for money. Fabulous natural setting and beach. Wonderful chic rooms. Outstanding food. Unbelievably great service. The best management couple you could ever meet. Tranquil. Mesmerising. Intoxicating. Welcoming. Would we return. Oh yes. It's the jewel in the Zanzibar crown.

8/10

Excellent

20 Aug 2017

Ian

Idyllic boutique lodge on the beach.

Quiet, very relaxed week spent in a fantastic location. Excellent hosts and fantastic staff - nothing is too much trouble. Set menus but food is good and the kitchen will prepare alternatives if asked. Highly recommended.

10/10

Exceptional

06 Mar 2017

Daniel

Beautiful boutique hotel

Nice boutique hotel, the communal bar / restaurant area is fantastic with beautiful views and sunsets. Renovations start sometime soon to improve minor irritations such as low water pressure and regular power cuts (although these are common everywhere in Zanzibar).

Family

4/10

Poor

27 Oct 2016

Philip

Disappointing - not recommended

The hotel is under new management, but has a lot of work to do to justify the prices charged. Facilities are old and need an upgrade. However, our real problem was the unresponsive management - lots of cheerful bonhomie in response to requests, but slow or no follow-up on each. The sea is tidal, and the tide retreated great distances each day, leaving only a rather sub-par swimming pool as the alternative. The hotel charges a lo for hotels to and from Stone Town. Not recommended.

6/10

Pleasant

25 Oct 2016

Verified traveler

clean

breakfast - very good
dinner - quite expensive at $45
shower did not work - was not fixed

10/10

Exceptional

20 Oct 2016

Naser

Good value

Good place near attractions

8/10

Excellent

16 Oct 2016

Verified traveler

Great privacy

Every thing was perfect but the beach is not very clean and private

6/10

Pleasant

26 Jul 2015

Verified traveler

Disappointed Guest

Don't stay at this hotel if you are wanting a beach holiday. There is virtually no beach except when the tide is out then it's mud and rocks.
The drinks and food are expensive.
There is not much to do and excursions booked through the agent at the hotel are double and sometimes tripple what others charge.
The bed was as hard as a rock. We did not sleep at all and ended up sleeping on the sofa.
We also only had 1 pillow each which was as flat as a pancake.
The wifi is weak and only kind of works in the restaurant area.
On the plus side, the owners, management and staff are extremely friendly and helpful.
Our bungalow was clean and spacious, but the bed was a joke.

The photos on the Internet are very deceiving, it's not quite as picturesque as it looks.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

26 Mar 2015

Jaroslaw

Warm welcome to Zanzibar!

everything is great about the hotel. views, food , hosts, facilities. I would rate it 5 definitely! the effort to make your stay good was incredible! the hotel has a lot of terraces, private beach and lets you completely relax! on arrival we got an upgrade which was nice. the only thing that could be better was the air-conditioning not working like it should and the bed was a bit hard. the hotel is located slightly out of town which attracts quite a few wild creatures that will try and crawl on you whenever! overall I really recommend the hotel!

Family

6/10

Pleasant

23 Feb 2015

christine

Just OK

When we got to the hotel they couldn't find our reservation which we had made & paid for 6 months earlier. Once we got that straightened out we were given a Welcome (virgin) hibiscus drink which was absolutely fantastic.
We felt like some sort of mini orientation to the hotel and how things work would've been a good addition to the check-in process. There is a set dinner each night at a fixed cost but neither is explained to you at check-in. There's also confusion about the Internet usage & the cell phone provided for local calls. We also knew nothing about the option to do snorkeling activities through the hotel (until Fritz mentioned it on our last day) that was unfortunate because we would have taken advantage of that option if we had known.

Most disappointing was the fact that there was no beach to speak of. There is a beach but it's not a beach that you would swim from. Coupled with the fact that most of the staff was unattentive and aloof with the exception of Fritz who was always cheerful & friendly.

The breakfast is supposed to start at 8 AM but by 8:30 AM the buffet portion isn't set up so if you have plans for the day you just have to order what comes from the kitchen directly and miss out on the delicious, homemad breads, etc that are offered on the buffet.

This stay came at the end of a ten-day Safari as well as three days in Istanbul. We rated all of our stays outside of Hakuna Mtata as exceptional.

6/10

Pleasant

05 Jan 2015

Verified traveler

Relaxed, informal and personal hotel

Very relaxed environment. We stayed for honeymoon but building work meant that the honeymoon suite was overlooked by builders, so we moved to an executive villa. This was nice but not quite the special place we had been looking forward to.
The food was fantastic and we were pleased how well vegetarians were catered for. Although there is only 1 choice of meal a night, if you inform the kitchen in advance I am sure they would be happy to prepare alternatives.
The tours were well organised and good value for money. We had a private 5-course meal one night, it was lovely to be sat under the stars however this was the one time when the food was a bit disappointing. I think the cost covers the extra staff time as the food we were served was actually very similar to what we would have had if we had sat in the restaurant. If you do this, I would suggest taking up the offer of speaking to the kitchen about the menu in advance.
The private beach is a coral beach which means it's a bit tricky to get out for a swim. There are definitely nicer beaches in Zanzibar but to have a private one on your doorstep (even if it isn't perfect) is still a real bonus.
Overall, we had a lovely relaxing time but give it 3 stars as for the price we were expecting a more luxurious experience. We did however stay at peak season so at other times it would be better value. If you are expecting the honeymoon suite I would suggest calling ahead to check on the status of the building work.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

27 Nov 2014

Verified traveler

Incredible lodge in an idyllic setting!

My partner and I stayed here for 3 nights after a long safari in mainland Tanzania and 7 nights in the quiet, restful Michamvi. We wanted to stay close to Stone Town, but not in the center as we wanted to relax before the long flight home. Hakuna Matata did not disappoint - it was a beautifully kept lodge, respectful to the natural environment and showcasing the ancient ruins. The owners and staff were friendly and helpful, the food was delicious and the bungalow we stayed in was stunning with a view over the private cove. One of our best nights in Tanzania was having a cocktail on the terrace overlooking the sea, watching thousands of bats fly overhead from Prison Island to Stone Town - a real spectacle! Can't recommend highly enough for a peaceful, luxury break just outside Stone Town.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

29 Oct 2014

faye

Fantastic hotel a quiet paradise!

I booked this hotel after looking at reviews and the hotels website and the hotel did not dissapointed! I emailed asking what time I could check in and the hotel offered to organise a transfer for us which was cheaper than the one out other hotel had offered.

When we arrived we were offered a welcome drink which was lovely! The staff were so welcoming and helpful throughout our stay. Our bungalow had everything we needed it was clean and well presented. The hotel itself has lots of different things for you to do a private beach, cinema, bar and restaurant. We are all our meals here and all of the food was fantastic. We had a Swahili night and then dinner on the beach which was really beautiful. On our last day the hotel staff allowed us to check out late which meant we could swim and then have showed just before leaving. I highly recommend this hotel and the service was fantastic. Thank you for a wonderful stay!

10/10

Exceptional

30 Sep 2014

Adrian

Outstanding quality of service

This is a beautiful, very well run hotel in a delightful coastal location. The food is of outstanding quality and served with imagination in various locations on the property. The approach road is rather rough for the last few minutes, but this is due to be fixed on completion of a neighbouring hotel. It is about 45 minutes from Stone Town and taxis and tours are easily available on site.

Family

4/10

Poor

22 Sep 2014

Mike

Hakuna Matata Beach & Spa Hotel, Zanzibar

A well located small hotel adjacent to the beach 15 km north of Zanzibar Town (Stonetown) off the main track. Supposedly had a 4 star rating but did not have the facilities - No TV/radio, no fridge, no tea/coffee making facilities in the room. Restaurant menu very restricted with few choices for lunch and only one choice for dinner! Lack of character in public areas.

10/10

Exceptional

21 Sep 2014

Tom

Relaxing, romantic and right next to the beach

Our five nights at Hakuna Matata were amongst the most comfortable and relaxed we have spent abroad. From the welcome drink on arrival to the daily assortment of flowers strewn around the bungalow every last detail was cared for. The onsite excursion desk arranged our numerous activities in Zanzibar, from sunset cruise to tour of historic Stonetown, and were accommodating and understanding when we provided our own agenda.
The lodge itself shows so much attention to detail, and being sited amongst the historic ruins meant romantic nights in the Sultan's minaret or swimming in the (refurbished) old baths were daily activities. Our private beach was the setting for morning and evening swims, and walks during the day when the tide was out, as well as memorable dinners. The food is exquisite and again the attention to detail is obvious. The staff are friendly and welcoming without being obtrusive. All in all I do not have enough good to say about Hakuna Matata and would recommend this beach lodge and spa to anybody staying in Zanzibar. We had initially considered staying for one night on arrival due to its proximity to Stonetown and the airport before relocating to one of the resorts in the North or East but having visited those areas on excursions I can honestly say we lacked nothing by being on the West coast, and had the added benefit of seeing stunning sunsets every evening. Not only this but our relatively central location meant the whole island was within our reach.

10/10

Exceptional

07 Aug 2014

Jack L

Idillic seclusion.

If you want a little slice of Zanzibar beach life away from it all this us a great option. The service is attentive, and the food is excellent (although choice is restricted - evenings are a set menu). Rooms are spacious and to a luxurious standard.

Stone Town is a short taxi ride away, and the markets are great. A trip to prison island and the Spice Tour are worth doing too - arrange your own in Stone Town.

10/10

Exceptional

14 Apr 2014

Verified traveler

This place is fantastic

Can't say enough about Hakuna Matata. Fritz and Rose are just a delight to chat with, helpful, and friendly. They treat you like family. They treat their staff that way too, which we really respect and appreciate. The location is perfect, close enough to Stonetown to get their quickly by cab, but charming and quiet in the mornings and evenings. The beach is a stones throw away, and the little tidal bay in front is an endlessly fascinating focal point. You can't imagine a better place to watch the sun set. H-M isn't cheap as places go, but I personally think it is a good value for the money, given the quality and level of service. We ate breakfast and dinner at the lodge each day. Breakfast menu is pretty limited if you are there for several days, but the dinners are fantastic every single night. You basically get what is being served, but be assured it will be top notch.

Partner

6/10

Pleasant

11 Nov 2025

William

Værelserne var pæne og rene. Lokationen på hotellet er god da der ikke er så langt ind til byen. Dog ikke noget lige i nærområdet. Maden var svingende. Ikke noget fantastisk.

Friends_and_family Family