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The best guest houses in Zanzibar

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Superb: 9+ Very good: 8+ Good: 7+ Pleasant: 6+
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Featuring a garden and views of inner courtyard, Garden pearls is a recently renovated guest house located in Nungwi, 1.3 km from Kendwa Beach. This property offers access to a patio and free private parking. The guest house provides garden views, a sun terrace, a 24-hour front desk, and free WiFi is available throughout the property. Our stay at this guesthouse was wonderful. The rooms were spacious and very clean. The staff was friendly and helpful. Breakfasts were delicious, varied, and filling. The location is great, as you can walk to two of the best beaches — Kendwa or Nungwi. It takes about 25–30 minutes on foot to reach each beach. We are very satisfied with our stay. There’s also a great restaurant just about 50 meters away, where the food is excellent.

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9
Superb
115 reviews
Price from
US$35.20
per night

All units come with a terrace with pool views, a fully equipped kitchen with a toaster and a fridge, and a private bathroom with walk-in shower. A patio with an outdoor dining area and garden views is offered in all units. At the guest house, each unit is fitted with bed linen and towels. First time I stay at a place that is actually better than the photos! Absolutely incredible place, our best in Zanzibar by far. The villa in perfectly maintained, the chef’s food is best we had so far. Ralu and Lee and very welcoming. Really really recommend.

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9.1
Superb
236 reviews
Price from
US$99
per night

The units at the inn are fitted with a seating area. With a private bathroom fitted with a shower and free toiletries, some units at Chokoro House also feature a terrace. All rooms will provide guests with a fridge. The place is amazing, the room is stylish, comfortable and well equipped. Very close to the beach, with free access to the beach through the hotel nearby. The breakfast was delicious.

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9.1
Superb
290 reviews
Price from
US$78.40
per night

The air-conditioned guest house consists of 1 separate bedroom, 1 bathroom with a hair dryer, and a seating area. Guests can take in the ambience of the surroundings from an outdoor dining area. The guest house offers bed linen, towels and housekeeping service. Absolutely Amazing! The breakfast, the staff, definitely will be staying here again.

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9.4
Superb
467 reviews
Price from
US$76.50
per night

Each unit is equipped with a private bathroom, while some rooms are equipped with a terrace and others also offer a sea view. At the guest house, some units are soundproof.

For guests with children, the guest house features an indoor play area and outdoor play equipment. The guest house also offers outdoor fireplace and a picnic area for a day out in the open. We loved the atmosphere, the place is decorated very beautifully. The details are remarkable. The staff and food are great.

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9.7
Exceptional
287 reviews
Price from
US$82.50
per night

Set in Jambiani, in the middle of a local village , Zanzistar Lodge boasts a sun terrace with outdoor pool and is located just a short stroll away from the beach.

Surrounded by banana trees, guests can enjoy a meal at the garden restaurant and a fresh fruit juice or cocktail at the bar. Free WiFi is available. I really enjoyed my time in Jambiani. The lodge is adorable and very laid back, which was perfect for me. As a solo traveler, I particularly appreciated the beach bar, which allowed me to leave me stuff while I went in the water, went for walks on the beach. Value for money is great as well - the staff was very friendly, they organized transfers, the food was great, etc. I hope I’ll be back soon!

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9.3
Superb
440 reviews
Price from
US$70
per night

Offering a restaurant and a private beach area, Helwas Zanzibar Beach Hotel is located in Bwejuu. Free WiFi access is available.

Each room here will provide you with air conditioning and a terrace. Private bathroom also comes with a shower. Location of the hotel on the beach was amazing. Staff were incredibly friendly and helpful. Overall had a great experience.

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9.5
Exceptional
194 reviews
Price from
US$78.20
per night

The Amka Guesthouse consists of two building complexes and is privately managed.

Guesthouse No. 1 has five different rooms and one apartment in various categories, ideal for singles, couples, and backpackers. This place was beautiful! We loved that it was set back from the beach so it was quiet, yet we had easy access to the ocean and we had a wonderful view of the turquoise waters from our large covered balcony. The balcony was an extension of our huge and pleasant room. A delicious and plentiful breakfast was delivered to our balcony each morning. The owner was very kind! He allowed us to stay extra time, since our taxi wasn't arriving until after check-out time.

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9.1
Superb
209 reviews
Price from
US$35
per night

Located in Nungwi, on the quieter north east coast of Zanzibar, Game Fish Lodge is situated along the beachfront and features an in-house restaurant, bar and a sun terrace. Free private parking is offered on site. The place is very special and therefore might not be right for everyone. I typically don't write reviews, but as the place is so special (and as I just missed a flight ;)) I would like to help directing the right people into the place: Come here if you are looking for: - a very personal experience with your hosts. After a very short time you will rather feel like visiting friends than being at a hotel. - amazing self-cooked food. Breakfast and dinner is also just like friends cooking for you. Collin is an amazing chef. Try his tuna steak. You will get cheaper offers for dinner in local restaurants, but in terms of quality and quantity they can't compete with Collin. Mind that Collin might not cook every night for you (e.g. when rugby is on), so talk early to him when you want to eat at the lodge. - a calm and spacious place in which you can sit directly at the sea in an exclusivity you will not have in all the nearby high-end hotels. You will have a huge property almost for your own. - very nice other guests. People are chilled and it's true what's written in the other reviews. Collin kicks out people who spread negative vibes ;-) - great views and a lonely sandbank. From the sand beach and pool terrace on the rocks right next to the sea and from the terraces of your bungalow you will have amazing views to the sea. Don't come here if you are looking for: - "Zanzibari 5-star service" in which you have a waiter every 5 meters serving you a cocktail and cleaners cleaning your room twice per day. It's just the 2 people owning the place and 1 employee. - A new hotel with a lot of standardization which was just build 1-2 years ago. The place was built over the past 20 years by the owners. Collin used to be in the construction industry himself so everything is built nicely. He does not like edges and standardization, so you will not feel like in a branded hotel. - Sand beaches to swim. Go to the west side of Nungwi.

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9.1
Superb
106 reviews
Price from
US$142
per night

Situated on a private sand beach overlooking the Indian Ocean, Zanzibar House in Matemwe features a swimming pool and bar. Scuba diving and snorkeling opportunities are also available.

Our House Keeping is done twice a day, Morning and during Dinner time.

Guests at Zanzibar House can enjoy both International and traditional Zanzibari dishes at the restaurant. I have visited Zanzibar before and stayed at a few hotels (large and small) and this is by far my favorite hotel, my kids and I did not want to leave. It was a hidden gem! The staff were very friendly, the owners were always available and very sweet and kind, the food was the best in Zanzibar. It’s a very quiet and lovely getaway. The beach felt like a private beach away from the overbearing Masai and tourists. The hotel was very cozy, authentic and unique. The rooms were spacious, the balcony was stunning and watching the sunrise every day was beautiful, AC was working perfectly, rooms was always clean and they clean twice a day. If you want to relax.. this is the place to stay! The owners and staff quickly became our family. Thank you for the most beautiful stay, we will be back again! Thank you Milo, Max, Lena, Frank, Michael, Hamed, and Rahma.

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9.1
Superb
199 reviews
Price from
US$84.60
per night

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