Our favourite boutique hotels in Zanzibar

Zanzibar has it all – stunning beaches, fascinating local culture, incredible local cuisine and some of the most spectacular sunsets I have ever seen. Not only that, but the island is home to a handful of gorgeous places to stay. Here’s a rundown of our favourite boutique hotels in Zanzibar. Prepare to be inspired!

Why Zanzibar?

While you spend most of your time on safari in the back of a 4x4, you do get up incredibly early for the game drives and you’re constantly on high alert, hoping for a rare sighting of a cheetah or leopard. In the evenings, we set out on night drives or shared drinks around the fire telling tales of the day. It’s thrilling and exhausting at the same time.

That’s why it makes perfect sense to add a beach extension to the end of your safari – it brings some balance to your trip and allows you to recharge your batteries somewhere truly beautiful. It’s the perfect post-safari solution. After a few days of sunshine in Zanzibar, you’ll be refreshed and ready to take on the world again.

Getting to Zanzibar from mainland Tanzania

I flew from the tiny airstrip of Fort Ikoma through to Zanzibar (with a touchdown in Arusha) in a tiny aircraft that felt almost like a private jet. These scheduled flights run daily, and the total journey takes approximately three hours with Airlink. On arrival in Zanzibar, I was met by my transfer and taken on a short drive (approx. 15 minutes) to my first hotel in the historic area of Stone Town. In other words, it’s just a short easy hop from the bush to the beach.

When to visit Zanzibar

Zanzibar has a tropical climate, so the weather is warm all year round. However, if you're hoping to soak up some Zanzibari sunshine, it's best to avoid the two rainy seasons. The longer rainy season takes place between March and May, while the short rains occur from November to December. From June to October, the rains subside, making it perfect weather for a relaxing beach holiday beside the Indian Ocean.

Where to stay in Zanzibar

Zanzibar is fringed with picture-perfect beaches, so you really can’t go wrong. The north coast of the island is least affected by the tides, making it an excellent area for diving, snorkelling and other water-based activities. The two most popular beaches are Nungwi and Kendwa, while gorgeous Mnemba Island is just 1 kilometre offshore.

The east coast is home to arguably some of the best beaches in Zanzibar. In general, it’s a little quieter than the north, so it’s a wonderful place for a relaxing retreat. The beaches include Paje, Jambiani and Pingwe, which are all stretches of soft white sand dotted with palm trees, giving way to crystal clear waters.

While the beaches in Zanzibar are totally irresistible, I still think it’s worth spending a night or two in Stone Town, the atmospheric capital of the island. Set on a promontory poking out of the west side of Zanzibar, Stone Town is a maze of narrow streets that feels like stepping back in time. A former spice route and slave trade hotspot, it’s a cultural melting pot.

Our top boutique hotels in Zanzibar

From the heart of Stone Town to the beaches of the east and north, Zanzibar is scattered with beautiful boutique resorts. Here are a few of our favourites.

North coast boutique hotels

Z Hotel, Nungwi

Nestled around a tropical garden with steps to the lively white sands of Nungwi beach, Z Hotel is an adults-only boutique hotel that will blow you away. Home to 39 luxury rooms ranging from rooftop suites to ocean-front cottages, it’s an exclusive hideaway on one of the world’s top beaches. Its al fresco restaurant, Sexy Fish, serves top-notch seafood on a deck above the lapping waters, while its rooftop bar is a staggering place to watch the setting sun with a cocktail.

Emerald Zanzibar Resort, Matemwe

Opened in 2022, Emerald Zanzibar is an elegant new resort on a beautifully remote beach near to Mnemba Island. With 250 rooms, it’s not exactly boutique in scale, but it feels like a very exclusive and exotic retreat. It’s a deluxe all-inclusive resort, with incredible facilities including a spa and a kid’s club, making it excellent value for money. Home to four distinctive restaurants, two pool bars, one beach bar and two ice-cream parlours, it’s got plenty to keep you interested.

Zuri Zanzibar, Kendwa/Nungwi

One of our favourite boutique resorts on the island, Zuri Zanzibar is atmospheric, inviting and totally unforgettable. You’ll find an enticing mixture of 56 villas, bungalows, and suites all nestled within lush tropical gardens just a few steps from the beach. Each room is designed with an emphasis on total privacy, and each one comes with its own terrace and outdoor shower.

A quarter of the land owned by the resort has been turned into a fragrant spice garden, and these homegrown spices feature heavily in the delicious dishes served at the restaurant. There are all kinds of tours and activities on offer, ranging from sunset sailing trips and snorkelling tours to Mnemba Island to Jozani Forest tours.

East coast boutique hotels

Pongwe Beach Hotel, Pongwe

Home to only 22 rooms and set on a spectacular stretch of beach, Pongwe Beach Hotel is an intimate slice of paradise. Running for over 20 years with an emphasis on local community, it’s relaxed, friendly and extremely difficult to leave. The restaurant serves seafood fresh from the ocean, the bar is stocked with lip-smacking tropical cocktails, and you can snorkel on own its very ‘house reef’ offshore. What could be better?

Tulia Zanzibar, Pongwe

Next door to Pongwe Beach Hotel, Tulia Zanzibar is an award-winning luxury boutique resort rated as ‘the most romantic beach resort in the world’. If you’re looking to splash out on first-class barefoot retreat, this is the perfect place for you. With a total of only 16 bungalows, some of which come with private jacuzzis, it’s highly exclusive and super stylish. The service is faultless and the attention to detail is second to none.

When you stay at Tulia, you’ll be welcomed with a bundle of complimentary services, including a free airport transfer, a free massage and free yoga sessions. You can also use the resort’s e-scooters, bicycles, paddleboards, and kayaks free of charge. This is the tropical high life at its best, so take a breath and dive right in!

White Sands Villas, Paje

Like Tulia, White Sands Villas is a top-level luxury resort with just 11 villas and 3 rooms. Each villa has its own private pool, while the deluxe rooms come with hot tubs. White Sands is a Relais & Chateaux property, so you’re guaranteed unwaveringly high standards and service. The food is to die for, the setting is dreamy, and the sundowners are sensational. In other words, this is somewhere to seriously treat yourself.

Kisiwa on the Beach, Paje

Close to White Sands, Kiwisa on the Beach is more understated, offering laid-back luxury in a welcoming environment. It’s a beautifully tranquil property with handmade furniture and soft natural fabrics that blend effortlessly with its surroundings. With only 22 atmospheric villas, it’s an intimate resort that’s perfect for a honeymoon or couples retreat.

Stone Town boutique hotels

Kisiwa House, Stone Town

Partner with Kisiwa on the Beach, Kisiwa House offers warm Swahili hospitality and laid-back sophistication in the heart of Stone Town. Built in 1840 by a powerful Omani merchant, there’s a very romantic, almost mystical, feel to the property. The 9 rooms all include original features that have been lovingly maintained and the rooftop restaurant serves mouth-watering local dishes.

Emerson Spice, Stone Town

A meticulously restored merchant’s palace, Emerson Spice is regularly rated as one of the top boutique hotels in Stone Town. With just 11 spacious rooms set around a gorgeous tropical courtyard, it’s like stepping into the past. The hotel has two restaurants, both renowned for their top-notch cuisine. The first restaurant, named The Secret Garden, is built in the atmospheric ruins of an ancient walled garden, while the second, Emerson Spice Tea House, is located on the rooftop, overlooking the city. If you’re a foodie, this is the place for you.

Emerson on Hurumzi, Stone Town

The sister hotel to Emerson Spice, Emerson on Hurumzi is another lovingly restored property packed with nostalgia and storytelling. Once home to one of the richest men in the Swahili Empire, the 9 rooms are simply breathtaking, with antique furniture and rich fabrics. The rooftop restaurant offers authentic Zanzibari cuisine and Swahili-style seating with Persian rugs and low tables. The 360-degree view over Stone Town and the Indian Ocean is simply staggering, making it the perfect place to watch the sunset.  

Upendo House, Stone Town

Offering modern luxury in the historic heart of Stone Town, Upendo House is a boutique hotel with fresh ideas. Set in one of Stone Town’s liveliest neighbourhoods and home to just six chic rooms, it’s intimate and trendy. The rooftop infinity pool is a huge bonus here, and the adjacent bar serves up artisan cocktails. The fusion restaurant combines Indian, Swahili and Mediterranean cuisines and the whole place feels young and fashionable.

Ready to visit Zanzibar?

We’re experts in creating unforgettable trips with personal touches. We’ll plan your perfect tailor-made holiday to Tanzania, including Zanzibar. Set off on a Serengeti safari, see herds of elephants between baobab trees in Tarangire, soak up the sunshine in Zanzibar and even fly over to Pemba Island, a gorgeous tropical paradise. Simply give us a call on 1273 320 580 or send us a quote request via email and we’ll get to work.