Looking for a dream vacation in idyllic, colorful surroundings? Discover the 12 best hotels in Zanzibar!
For an unforgettable holiday, the Zanzibar archipelago off the coast of Tanzania is a must! It comprises 2 main islands: Unguja (also known as Zanzibar) and Pemba.
Discover without delay this land of contrasts, rich in incredible nature and an endearing culture of mixed and oriental influences. The turquoise waters of the surrounding Indian Ocean invite you to rest and relax in all circumstances.
And to make the most of this exceptional setting, your choice of hotel will be crucial. That’s why we’ve selected the best hotels in Zanzibar for you, based on various criteria. Get away from it all!
Genuine
1. Tembo House Hotel
- Hotel assets: downtown location, free parking, room comfort
- Budget: €€€
- Service: ★★★★
Among the best hotels in Zanzibar, discover the Tembo House Hotel! Housed in a magnificent colonial-style building, this Zanzibar hotel offers rooms that combine comfort with traditional charm.
Each room features a comfortable sitting area, carved wooden furniture and Swahili four-poster beds. You’ll also be charmed by the local and international cuisine on offer at the Bahari restaurant, which will delight every palate. And for a refreshing swim, the hotel’s swimming pool is ideal.
Ideally located in the heart of the city, this Zanzibar hotel lets you explore its treasures. Like the old fort, for example, or the House of Wonders, both less than 3 minutes away. Fancy a little idleness? Good news: the beach is less than a minute’s walk away.
2. Zanzi Resort
- Hotel assets: excellent welcome and service full of personalized attention, quality restaurant
- Budget: €€€€
- Service: ★★★★
Looking for a little piece of paradise? Check into this Zanzibar hotel today!
The Zanzi Resort welcomes you to the heart of lush tropical vegetation on the shores of the Indian Ocean. It’s what you might call an idyllic setting.
The establishment offers magnificent villas and bungalows, spacious and intimate. Here, you’ll enjoy fine, refined local cuisine and a pleasant, relaxing pool in the heart of the garden.
Would you like to discover the island? The historic town of Stone Town is 15 kilometers from the establishment, and excursions can be organized on request.
3. The Seyyida Hotel and Spa
- Hotel assets: the view from the rooftop terrace during meals, the hotel’s location
- Budget: €€€
- Service: ★★★★
This Zanzibar hotel is a real gem, located right in the center. You’ll fall under the spell of this traditional, elegant and beautifully decorated establishment.
The rooms are spacious and comfortable, and the staff very welcoming. A special mention goes to the rooftop terrace, where you can enjoy delicious local cuisine.
Thanks to its ideal central location, it’s easy to explore the city. Don’t miss a visit to the Palace of the Sultan of Zanzibar, the Peace Memorial Museum or the Hamamni Persian Baths, just a 4-minute walk away!
The moderns
4. Hotel Verde Zanzibar – Azam Luxury Resort and Spa
- Hotel assets: setting, proximity to city center
- Budget: €€€€
- Service: ★★★★★
The Azam Luxury Resort and Spa is a Zanzibar hotel that will delight young and old alike! As soon as you walk through the door, you’ll feel the warm, welcoming atmosphere.
The hotel offers top-quality services, modern, carefully crafted decor and spacious, cosy rooms. All in a calm and pleasant environment. The 2 outdoor swimming pools and the gym will help you relax, while the children enjoy their own play area or club.
Just 1 kilometer away, don’t miss the fabulous Natural History Museum, or the Ithnashiri dispensary, 3 kilometers away.
5. Golden Tulip Zanzibar Airport Hotel & Spa
- Hotel assets: recent hotel, airport nearby
- Budget: €€€€
- Service: ★★★★★
Open the door to one of the rooms at the Golden Tulip Zanzibar Airport Hotel & Spa. You’ll discover spacious, pleasant common areas and made-to-measure services.
The rooms, meanwhile, invite you to relax, as does the swimming pool and its sunny terrace. The restaurant serves a buffet of local flavors to delight your taste buds!
The Golden Tulip Zanzibar Airport Hotel & Spa is 7 kilometers from the city center, where you can visit the Peace Memorial Museum and the Zanzibar Curio store. The sublime private nature reserve Chumbe Island Coral Park, a true natural gem, is just 8 kilometers away (and a 30-minute boat ride). Not to be missed!
6. DoubleTree By Hilton Zanzibar – Stone Town
- Hotel assets: breakfast, friendly staff
- Budget: €€€€
- Service: ★★★★★
Just a 3-minute walk from the beach, the DoubleTree By Hilton Zanzibar – Stone Town is a historic hotel. Recently renovated, it beautifully combines modern decor with traditional local style, including hand-carved furniture.
The classic, elegant rooms offer exquisite comfort and perfect service. As for the restaurant, it’s quite simply an explosion of colors and flavors awaiting you on your plate.
Just 300 metres away, don’t miss the town’s oldest and most important attraction: the Old Fort of Zanzibar, also known as Le Fort Arabe. In its inner courtyard is a stone amphitheatre hosting local music and dance performances. Ideal for discovering the popular local music, the Taarab.
Economic
7. The Manor House Zanzibar
- Hotel assets: the view, proximity to the airport and Stone Town, warm welcome
- Budget: € € € € € € € € € € € € € € € € € €
- Service: ★★
Discover here one of the best hotels in Zanzibar, particularly for its value for money. Situated just 6 minutes’ walk from the beach, it offers visitors a garden and a pleasant terrace. It also boasts a delicious restaurant and pleasant, comfortable rooms.
A trip to Zanzibar is a guarantee of heavenly beaches. Here, you’ll only have to walk a few hundred meters to lay down your towel on a white sandy beach, and enjoy the gentle sound of the Indian Ocean waves.
If you feel like it, get on a bike and ride the 4 kilometers to Zanzibar’s old town, with its historic treasures to be visited without moderation.
8. Spice Palace Hotel
- Hotel assets: value for money, location in the middle of Stone Town
- Budget: €€€
- Service: ★★★★
Put down your suitcases at this delightful hotel in Zanzibar, featuring a beautiful outdoor swimming pool, a large communal lounge and, above all, a warm atmosphere. You’ll be won over by the comfort of the rooms and their meticulous decoration.
The peaceful terrace and swimming pool are further arguments in favor of this establishment, which undoubtedly deserves its place in our selection of the best hotels in Zanzibar.
The neo-Romanesque St. Joseph’s Cathedral is inspired by the cathedral in Marseille, with twin towers on the façade and stained glass windows imported from France. Discover its splendor with an easy visit, as it’s just 100 meters from this Zanzibar hotel.
9. Antonio Garden Hotel
- Hotel assets: garden, pool, peace and quiet
- Budget: €€€
- Service: ★★★★
The Antonio Garden Hotel opens its doors to you for an unforgettable stay at an affordable price! Discover a veritable oasis of greenery, right in the center of Stone Town. Cosy rooms, garden, outdoor pool, bar, restaurant, city views… You’ll find everything you need for a perfect stay.
In addition to its pleasant surroundings, the hotel is located close to a popular place of interest: the Hamamni Persian baths. Built by Sultan Saïd Barghash in the late 19th century, they were the city’s first public baths. No longer open to the public, they can still be visited.
The luxurious
10. Park Hyatt Zanzibar
- Hotel features: excellent buffet breakfast, convenient location
- Budget: €€€€
- Service: ★★★★★
At the Park Hyatt Zanzibar, luxury and comfort are the watchwords. Discover this exceptional seafront establishment. The spacious rooms perfectly combine contemporary comfort with traditional elegance.
The common areas, patio and huge outdoor swimming pool overlooking the sea will only enhance your stay in this splendid setting. As for the restaurant, it offers elegant, refined dishes that reflect the image of the establishment.
Less than 500 metres away is the incredible Palace Museum, also known as the Sultan’s Palace. Entirely dedicated to the royal family of the Sultanate of Zanzibar, it is one of the main historical buildings in the old quarter of Zanzibar Stone Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
11. Le Mersenne Beach Resort Zanzibar
- Hotel assets: the incredible view, the attentive and helpful staff, the magnificent swimming pool.
- Budget: €€€€
- Service: ★★★★★
Located in Michamvi, 250 meters from Michamvi Pingwe beach, Le Mersenne Beach Resort is without doubt one of the best hotels in Zanzibar.
Here, the establishment is luxurious but unadorned. Its peaceful calm and uncluttered decor, dominated by wood and natural tones, make it a truly exceptional place, far from the hustle and bustle of the city. Everything here is luxury and pleasure.
The Rock is the must-visit restaurant in the area, because its surroundings are simply heavenly. It’s located on a rock, surrounded by crystal-clear waters. Just 700 meters from your hotel, don’t miss out on a table at this world-famous spot!
12. Sea Cliff Resort & Spa
- Hotel assets: beachfront location, attentive, helpful staff, relaxing, exotic decor
- Budget: €€€€
- Service: ★★★★★
Get ready, because we’ve unearthed a nugget for you, a real little luxury bubble. Among the best hotels in Zanzibar is the Sea Cliff Resort & Spa…
Imagine: a view of the Indian Ocean, 3 restaurants with local and international flavors, 4 bars with different atmospheres, spacious rooms with private balconies… But also, the Shwari Spa for a real moment of relaxation, original activities and unforgettable excursions… Here’s a quick overview of what awaits you if you choose to stay at the Sea Cliff Resort & Spa.
Do you love nature and animals? Then be sure to visit Cheetah’s Rock, less than 3 kilometers away. This unique place is a rescue and protection center for wild animals, where you can meet them and learn more about the protection and conservation of endangered species.
So which of these 12 best hotels in Zanzibar will you choose?