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Zanzibar hotels: where to stay, areas and prices compared

Last checked: October 2026

All 28 places to stay in one table

Compare all 28 places to stay
Dhow under a white sail in turquoise water off the beach

Pick your coast first

Zanzibar hotel areas compared

Most stays are on Unguja, one of Zanzibar’s two large islands in the Indian Ocean3. Pick your coast first: the table compares who each area suits, room prices and the drive from the airport.

Nungwi from the airport: about 70 min40

Zanzibar's hotel areas side by side
AreaWho it suitsRoom pricesFrom the airportWhat it's like
Stone Town
History and the cheapest rooms
TSh 25,000 (budget double) to €86 (Maru Maru)
20-minute drive (Maru Maru)
UNESCO-listed historic centre
Nungwi and Kendwa
Swimming at any tide, Full Moon Parties
US$61 (Rafiki) to US$344 (Riu Palace)
About 70 minutes (Rafiki, Nungwi)
Village at the northern tip
Matemwe, Kiwengwa and Pongwe
Quiet stays, couples and families
US$216 (Matemwe Attitude) to €431 (The Mora)
About 60 minutes (Matemwe Attitude)
Long sandy beach, fishing and seaweed farms
Paje, Bwejuu, Jambiani and Michamvi
Kitesurfing and laid-back beaches
US$96 (The Loop) to US$297 (Michamvi Sunset Bay)
1-hour drive (Breezes, Bwejuu)
Fewer beach boys and merchants
Kizimkazi
Dolphin trips
Ask the hotel
60.2 km (Tunu Beach)
Dolphins seen from the shore

Wikivoyage; hotel websites; booking agents (Priceline, KAYAK, halalbooking.com, Kuoni, hotels.com.au)

Picks by traveller type

Each pick fits one kind of trip, chosen on price, location and what the rate covers.

On a budget

Bottoms Up

Stone Town, Unguja (Zanzibar Island)

Doubles from US$28 a night with breakfast, 0.1 km from the Night Market in Stone Town.

From US$28 a night (KAYAK, late Oct search)

For nightlife

Kendwa Rocks Beach Hotel

Kendwa Beach, Unguja (Zanzibar)

Hosts Kendwa's Full Moon Parties, on a beach where you can swim at any time of day.

US$187–252 per night for 2 (Nov 2026, agents differ)

Own site

For families

Hotel Riu Palace Zanzibar

Nungwi Beach, Unguja (Zanzibar Island)

A family hotel since 1 November 2025, with a RIU Land kids' club and 24-hour all-inclusive on Nungwi Beach.

US$195–550 on riu.com (Jr. Suite courtyard view to Villa; dates not given); agents US$343–344 a night for 2

Own site

For quiet

Matemwe Attitude

Matemwe Beach, Unguja (Zanzibar Island)

Adults-only villas in Matemwe, one of the quieter coasts, from US$216 a night.

From US$216/night (Swim-Up Villa, half board, for two)

Own site

For divers

Breezes Beach Club & Spa

Bwejuu Beach, south-east coast, Unguja (Zanzibar Island)

PADI dive centre on site and half board included, from £124 a night by Bwejuu Beach.

From £124 a night (i-escape); from US$235 per person sharing, Sep–Oct 2026 (Safari.com)

Own site

For a splurge

&Beyond Mnemba Island

Mnemba Island, off the north-east coast of Zanzibar, Mnemba Island (off Zanzibar/Unguja)

Island lodge off the north-east coast from US$2,150 per person a night, with three meals, house drinks and a PADI dive school.

US$2,150–3,000 per person per night (2026)

Own site

Picks are based on location, price and what each place says it offers, not on our own stays.

From dorm bed to island lodge

Price ladder

Wikivoyage reckons Zanzibar doesn’t offer much cheap accommodation, and beach stays cost more, with the cheapest from TSh 50,0004. Its quoted prices are after bargaining, and low season is a good time to bargain4.

Stone Town dorm beds from US$141

  • Bottoms Up · Stone Town guesthouse, double room from US$28
  • Rafiki Hotel Nungwi Beach · Nungwi, per room, no dates given US$61 – US$90
  • The Loop Beach Resort · Jambiani, agent prices US$96 – US$183
  • Michamvi Sunset Bay Resort · Michamvi, agent prices US$206 – US$297
  • Hotel Riu Palace Zanzibar · Nungwi, all-inclusive, agent prices US$343 – US$344
  • &Beyond Mnemba Island · Mnemba, per person, meals and house drinks US$2,150 – US$3,000

Per night. Most are booking-agent quotes for set dates, so check your own dates. Mnemba is per person; the rest are per room.

Compare all 28 places to stay

Places to stay compared
Place to stay Price fromBreakfast Closed Good forWebsite
Meliá Zanzibar Kiwengwa, north-east coast
€344or US$410 a night (booking-site quotes, dates vary)
–
–
  • Families: family rooms and kids' club
  • Honeymooners
  • Private pool villas (The Level)
Own site
Sea Cliff Resort & Spa Kama Village, Mangapwani (north-west coast)
–
Included: per Preferred Hotels
–
  • Garden rooms for families or couples
  • Zanzibar's only golf course
Own site
Zuri Zanzibar Kendwa Beach
US$929(HalalBooking); US$395–705 per person sharing (Go2Africa)
Included
–
  • Couples and families
  • Scuba diving and PADI courses on site
Own site
Kendwa Rocks Beach Hotel Kendwa Beach
US$187per night for 2 (Nov 2026, agents differ)
Included
–
  • Beach Houses for families and groups
  • 2 family-sized bungalows
  • Full Moon Parties
Own site
Hotel Riu Jambo Nungwi Beach
–
–
–
  • Families: RIULand kids' club for ages 4–12
  • Five pools, including one for children
  • Couples (according to a booking agent)
Own site
Maru Maru Hotel Stone Town (Gizenga Street, Shangani)
–
–
–
  • One family room; babysitter on request
  • Conference halls for business groups
  • Rooftop pool and bar in Stone Town
Own site
TUI BLUE Bahari Zanzibar Kiwengwa / Pwani Mchangani, east coast
£141per room per night (TUI BLUE website, sample stay Apr 2027)
–
–
  • Families and couples
  • Children of all ages welcome
Own site
Stone Town House Stone Town
–
–
–
–
–
ZAN Ocean Soul Jambiani Beach Jambiani (Kibigija)
Rate on request
Included
–
  • Couples (no children allowed)
Own site
Atlas Hotel Paje Paje
–
–
–
–
–
Tembo Kiwengwa Resort Kiwengwa Beach
€209a night for 2 (Booking.com, no dates given)
–
–
  • Couples and families
  • Family rooms
  • Diving centre and Mnemba snorkelling
Own site
Pongwe Beach Hotel Pongwe, east coast
–
–
For the rains from mid-April to 31 May (start date varies by source)
  • Couples and honeymooners
  • Families, in the 2-bedroom beachfront suites
Own site
Tunu Beach Zanzibar Kizimkazi
–
Included
–
  • Couples (ocean-view double)
  • Families and small groups (garden rooms)
Own site
Hotel Riu Palace Zanzibar Nungwi Beach
US$195on riu.com (Jr. Suite courtyard view to Villa; dates not given); agents US$343–344 a night for 2
–
–
  • Families: RIU Land kids' club
Own site
The Mora Zanzibar Muyuni Beach, Matemwe
€431a night (Halalbooking, 2 guests, Nov 2026)
–
–
  • Couples and families
  • Kids' play spaces for ages 3–12
Own site
The Royal Zanzibar Beach Resort Nungwi Beach
US$250per person sharing (to Oct 2026) or US$617 per room (2 adults, Nov 2026)
–
–
  • Couples, families and friends
  • Family suites, kids' pool and game room
Own site
Breezes Beach Club & Spa Bwejuu Beach, south-east coast
£124a night (i-escape); from US$235 per person sharing, Sep–Oct 2026 (Safari.com)
–
–
  • Popular with couples, with a honeymoon stay-7-pay-5 offer
  • Good for kids; up to 2 under-12s stay free in Garden View and Deluxe rooms
  • PADI dive centre on site
Own site
Turaco Nungwi Resort, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel Nungwi
US$278a night
–
–
–
Own site
Sansi Kendwa Beach Resort Kendwa Beach
US$110(Priceline, no dates given; other agents differ)
Included: per Trip.com
–
  • Ocean-front rooms for up to 4
  • Children of all ages welcome
Own site
Sea Side Resort Zanzibar Paje
From AED 365 a night for 2 adults before tax (Expedia, 3 Nov 2026); Booking.com shows from MYR 423.50
–
–
  • Families: Kids Club and children's pool
  • Couples: private dining for romantic occasions
Own site
The Golden Blue Luxury Hotel Bwejuu beach
–
–
–
–
–
Michamvi Sunset Bay Resort Michamvi Kae, Chwaka Bay (south-east coast)
US$206a night (agent prices, Oct–Nov 2026)
–
1 Apr–10 Jun (per an agent)
  • Family rooms for up to 4, plus a kids' pool
  • Honeymoon package for newlyweds (5+ nights, booked direct)
Own site
Matemwe Attitude Matemwe Beach
US$216/night (Swim-Up Villa, half board, for two)
–
–
  • Adults only
  • Couples, friends or solo travellers
Own site
Bottoms Up Stone Town
US$28a night (KAYAK, late Oct search)
Included
–
  • Children of all ages welcome
–
Rafiki Hotel Nungwi Beach Nungwi Beach
US$61per room per night (no dates given)
Included: rooftop terrace
–
–
Own site
Kendwa Crystal Coast Hotel Kendwa
–
–
–
–
–
The Loop Beach Resort Jambiani
US$96a night (agent prices, late Oct 2026)
Included: per KAYAK
–
  • Water-sports enthusiasts
  • Adults only: no children
Own site
&Beyond Mnemba Island Mnemba Island, off the north-east coast of Zanzibar
US$2,150per person per night (2026)
Included
8 April–20 May
  • Ideal for romance and relaxation
  • Family Banda with an extra en-suite room for children
  • PADI dive school on the island
Own site

A dash means our sources don't say. Each value comes from the sources listed at the end of this page.

Hotel types: all-inclusive, beach and luxury

Choose the hotel type alongside the area. The guides below compare all-inclusive, beachfront and luxury stays.

Zanzibar stays by kind: what a night costs, where to find them and who each one suits. Named stays are examples.
Kind of stayPrice per nightWhereWho it suits
Hostel (dorm bed)
From US$14 a dorm bed
Stone Town
Guesthouse
From US$28 a double (Bottoms Up)
Lots in Jambiani
Budget hotel
TSh 45,000–90,000 in low season
Stone Town
Beach hotel
From TSh 50,000
Beach villages
Boutique B&B (Rafiki Hotel Nungwi Beach)
From US$61
Nungwi, 70 m from the beach
Adults only (18+)
All-inclusive hotel (Riu Palace Zanzibar)
US$344 incl. fees, for 2 adults
Nungwi Beach
Families, says RIU
Adults-only villa hotel (Matemwe Attitude)
From US$216
Matemwe, north-east coast
Couples, friends, solo travellers
Private island lodge (&Beyond Mnemba Island)
US$2,150 per person, shoulder dates
Off the north-east coast
Romance and relaxation

Meal plans differ a lot, so compare all-inclusive resorts on Zanzibar before you commit. At Matemwe Attitude, everyone sharing a room must take the all-inclusive option5.

Want flights and hotel in one booking? Tropical Sky sells 7-night all-inclusive packages at Matemwe Attitude from £1,6696 per person, flights included. There are more Zanzibar holiday package options to weigh up.

Smaller stays

Guest houses, hostels, villas and beach houses

Smaller and self-styled stays exist, but they’re thinner on the ground than resorts:

Nungwi hostel dorms from US$208

  • Guest houses: Jambiani has many small hotels and guesthouses4. In Stone Town, Bottoms Up is a guesthouse 0.1 km from the Zanzibar Night Market7.
  • Hostels: a Nungwi backpacker hostel lists dorms from US$20 and private rooms from US$808 a night on its own site. In Stone Town, dorm beds start at US$141.
  • Villas: Matemwe Attitude calls itself an adults-only villa hotel, with 74 villas9. TUI BLUE Bahari lists a Classic Beach Villa with Private Pool at £63010 a night.
  • Beach houses: Beach House Zanzibar on Shangani Street is a restaurant and bar, not a place to stay11.
Mizingani Road in Stone Town with carved wooden balconies and palms
Mizingani Road in Stone Town with carved wooden balconies and palms

Area by area

Which beach should you stay on?

Stay on the north coast to swim at any tide, the north-east for quiet, the south-east for kitesurfing, and Stone Town for history. Here’s what each base gives you.

Stone Town

Stone Town is the historic centre of Zanzibar City and a UNESCO World Heritage Site3, so base yourself here for the lanes and history, not beach time. Maru Maru Hotel has a rooftop pool and bar13 and is a 20-minute drive14 from the airport.

Stone Town House is 300 m15 from Stone Town Beach. See what else Stone Town offers.

Nungwi and Kendwa

Nungwi is a charming little village at the northern tip16, and Kendwa is a fishing village a couple of miles from Nungwi4. Kendwa has only a few metres between high and low tide, so you can swim at any time of day17.

Kendwa Rocks hosts Full Moon Parties17, Riu Palace sits on Nungwi Beach18, and Sansi Kendwa Beach Resort is a few steps from Kendwa Beach19. Read more on Nungwi.

White sand and turquoise water at Nungwi, with a dhow at anchor
White sand and turquoise water at Nungwi, with a dhow at anchor

Matemwe, Kiwengwa and Pongwe

Matemwe is one of the quieter coastal destinations on Zanzibar20, and &Beyond Mnemba Island lies off the north-eastern coast2. The Mora sits on Muyuni Beach in Matemwe21.

TUI BLUE Bahari is in Kiwengwa / Pwani Mchangani10, and Pongwe Beach Hotel is in Pongwe village, between Kiwengwa and Uroa22.

Paje, Bwejuu and Jambiani

Paje is good for kitesurfing and keeps a laid-back beach atmosphere23. Atlas Hotel Paje is about 100 m from Paje Beach and 19 km24 from Jozani Forest.

Jambiani is a fishing village that stretches along the beach4, home to The Loop Beach Resort. Breezes Beach Club sits by Bwejuu Beach25.

Michamvi and Pingwe

Michamvi Sunset Bay Resort is on Chwaka Bay, on the south-east side of Zanzibar26, just steps from Michamvi Kae Beach27. It has a kids’ pool27 and offers bed and breakfast, half board and full board28. More on Michamvi and Pingwe beaches.

Kizimkazi

Kizimkazi is the starting point for dolphin tours4, on the south coast. Tunu Beach calls itself a small, personally-run beachfront hotel and says you can spot Kizimkazi’s resident dolphins from the shore29.

Before you pay

Extra costs

Expect city tax on top of almost every room rate, and budget for airport transfers, which are rarely included.

City tax: US$5 per person a night49

Extra costs on top of the room rate
CostAmountWhere it applies
City tax
US$5 per person per night
Riu Palace, The Mora, TUI BLUE Bahari, Maru Maru, Michamvi Sunset Bay
City tax (smaller places)
US$4 per person per night
Sea Side Resort, Tunu Beach
Card surcharge
4% at Maru Maru; 5% at some bigger hotels
Bigger hotels and restaurants that take cards
Airport transfer
US$50 to US$86 per vehicle, one way
Pongwe Beach Hotel to Royal Zanzibar Beach Resort
Festive gala dinners
US$90 to US$170 per adult
Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve at TUI BLUE Bahari and The Mora
Booking deposit
25% at booking, balance 28 days before arrival
The Z Hotel

halalbooking.com (booking agent); HalalBooking (booking agent); Expedia (booking agent); hotels.com.au (booking agent); Wikivoyage; marumaruzanzibar.com (resort); The Z Hotel (resort)

Zuri Zanzibar, which describes itself as a 5-star hotel and beach resort30, sets check-in at 14:00 and check-out at 11:0031. There, late check-out costs extra, and the hotel recommends booking a full night31 for an early or late flight.

Open and shut months

When to go

Zanzibar is warm all year round3, so the real choice is about rain, prices and which hotels are open. Michamvi Sunset Bay calls April to June26 its Green Season, when some rain may fall.

Michamvi Sunset Bay shut 1 April to 10 June27

Hotel openings by month
  • Most hotels open
  • Rains, some resorts shut

Resorts that close for the rains:

  • &Beyond Mnemba Island: closed 8 April to 20 May33
  • Pongwe Beach Hotel: closed 10 April to 31 May34 (HalalBooking says from 19 April35)
  • Michamvi Sunset Bay Resort: closed 1 April to 10 June27 (checked October 2026)

Riu Palace (year-round18), Breezes (open all year36) and Matemwe Attitude (all year37) stay open. That Nungwi backpacker hostel’s high season is July to August and December to January8.

Zuri Zanzibar’s 7-night discount excludes 23 December 2026 to 9 January 202738. For month-by-month detail, see how the rains shape a Zanzibar trip.

Reefs near your bed

Snorkelling from where you stay

Your base decides how close the reef is. On Mnemba Island, the house reef can be reached without a boat2.

Reefs and boat trips by base
Where you stayWhat's in the waterWho arranges it
Nungwi and Kendwa
Kendwa is good for scuba diving
Royal Zanzibar arranges reef trips; Rafiki charges extra
Kiwengwa
Snorkelling at Mnemba Island
Tembo Kiwengwa Resort's diving centre
Mnemba Island
House reef reached without a boat
PADI dive school on the island
Bwejuu
Diving from the resort
PADI dive centre at Breezes
Kizimkazi
Dolphins from the shore or a morning boat; sea turtles
Tunu Beach: free turtle swim with 3+ nights booked direct

Wikivoyage; Safari.com (tour company); Rafiki Hotel (resort); Tembo Kiwengwa Resort (resort); Chalo Africa (booking agent); Kuoni (booking agent); tunuzanzibar.com (resort)

Lionfish swimming over coral on the reef at Mnemba Atoll

Snorkelling · 4 hours · GetYourGuide

From Kendwa: Mnemba Boat Trip and Dolphin Snorkel Adventure

4.7 (1,465 reviews) on GetYourGuide, checked October 2026

Free cancellation · Pickup included

fromUS$55

See dates on GetYourGuide

Staying in the south? A turtle swim at Salaam Cave runs from Kizimkazi.

Questions people ask

Is The Mora Zanzibar a good hotel?

It suits couples and families who want everything included. The Mora calls itself a luxury resort, with 250 suites and all-inclusive dining on Muyuni Beach in Matemwe.

Is Zanzibar good for a beach holiday?

For beaches, yes. Unguja has sandy beaches with fringing coral reefs, and the islands are warm all year round.

What are the top hotels in Zanzibar?

This guide doesn't rank hotels. The stays table at the top lists every one with its price, and the picks match one stay to each kind of trip.

Photos: Wikimedia Commons and Pexels. Authors and licences: image credits

Checked against 96 sources · last checked October 2026
  1. Wikivoyage · checked October 2026
  2. Chalo Africa (booking agent) · checked October 2026
  3. Wikipedia · checked October 2026
  4. Wikivoyage · checked October 2026
  5. Hotels Attitude (resort) · checked October 2026
  6. Tropical Sky (booking agent) · checked October 2026
  7. Trip.com (booking agent) · checked October 2026
  8. Hostel 197 (resort) · checked October 2026
  9. Hotels Attitude (resort) · checked October 2026
  10. TUI BLUE (resort) · checked October 2026
  11. Hyatt Restaurants (resort) · checked October 2026
  12. Expert Africa (tour company) · checked October 2026
  13. marumaruzanzibar.com (resort) · checked October 2026
  14. marumaruzanzibar.com (resort) · checked October 2026
  15. hotele.pl (booking agent) · checked October 2026
  16. Wikivoyage · checked October 2026
  17. Wikivoyage · checked October 2026
  18. RIU (resort) · checked October 2026
  19. Priceline (booking agent) · checked October 2026
  20. Wikivoyage · checked October 2026
  21. The Mora (resort) · checked October 2026
  22. Pongwe Beach Hotel (resort) · checked October 2026
  23. Wikivoyage · checked October 2026
  24. Destinia (booking agent) · checked October 2026
  25. Kuoni (booking agent) · checked October 2026
  26. Michamvi Sunset Bay (resort) · checked October 2026
  27. halalbooking.com (booking agent) · checked October 2026
  28. Michamvi Sunset Bay (resort) · checked October 2026
  29. tunuzanzibar.com (resort) · checked October 2026
  30. Zuri Zanzibar (resort) · checked October 2026
  31. Zuri Zanzibar (resort) · checked October 2026
  32. The Z Hotel (resort) · checked October 2026
  33. africaa-z.travel (booking agent) · checked October 2026
  34. siyabona.com (booking agent) · checked October 2026
  35. halalbooking.com (booking agent) · checked October 2026
  36. i-escape (booking agent) · checked October 2026
  37. Expert Africa (tour company) · checked October 2026
  38. Zuri Zanzibar (resort) · checked October 2026
  39. halalbooking.com (booking agent) · checked October 2026
  40. Rafiki Hotel (resort) · checked October 2026
  41. Priceline (booking agent) · checked October 2026
  42. halalbooking.com (booking agent) · checked October 2026
  43. Hotels Attitude (resort) · checked October 2026
  44. Priceline (booking agent) · checked October 2026
  45. Priceline (booking agent) · checked October 2026
  46. hotels.com.au (booking agent) · checked October 2026
  47. KAYAK (booking agent) · checked October 2026
  48. KAYAK (booking agent) · checked October 2026
  49. HalalBooking (booking agent) · checked October 2026
  50. halalbooking.com (booking agent) · checked October 2026
  51. Expedia (booking agent) · checked October 2026
  52. Hotels.com.au (booking agent) · checked October 2026
  53. marumaruzanzibar.com (resort) · checked October 2026
  54. halalbooking.com (booking agent) · checked October 2026
  55. Safari.com (tour company) · checked October 2026
  56. Tembo Kiwengwa Resort (resort) · checked October 2026
  57. The Mora (resort) · checked October 2026
  58. halalbooking.com (booking agent) · checked October 2026
  59. Priceline (booking agent) · checked October 2026
  60. Blue Bay Travel (booking agent) · checked October 2026
  61. meetings.preferredhotels.com (booking agent) · checked October 2026
  62. Sea Cliff Zanzibar (resort) · checked October 2026
  63. Sea Cliff Zanzibar (resort) · checked October 2026
  64. halalbooking.com (booking agent) · checked October 2026
  65. go2africa.com (tour company) · checked October 2026
  66. Zuri Zanzibar (resort) · checked October 2026
  67. Priceline (booking agent) · checked October 2026
  68. halalbooking.com (booking agent) · checked October 2026
  69. Kendwa Rocks (resort) · checked October 2026
  70. Kendwa Rocks (resort) · checked October 2026
  71. RIU (resort) · checked October 2026
  72. RIU (resort) · checked October 2026
  73. Vacation Express (booking agent) · checked October 2026
  74. marumaruzanzibar.com (resort) · checked October 2026
  75. expertafrica.com (tour company) · checked October 2026
  76. marumaruzanzibar.com (resort) · checked October 2026
  77. Safari.com (booking agent) · checked October 2026
  78. zanzibarone.com (booking agent) · checked October 2026
  79. Booking.com (booking agent) · checked October 2026
  80. Tembo Kiwengwa Resort (resort) · checked October 2026
  81. Pongwe Beach Hotel (resort) · checked October 2026
  82. Pongwe Beach Hotel (resort) · checked October 2026
  83. The Mora (resort) · checked October 2026
  84. The Mora (resort) · checked October 2026
  85. Royal Zanzibar (resort) · checked October 2026
  86. Royal Zanzibar (resort) · checked October 2026
  87. Safari.com (booking agent) · checked October 2026
  88. Priceline (booking agent) · checked October 2026
  89. Trip.com (booking agent) · checked October 2026
  90. Trip.com (booking agent) · checked October 2026
  91. Sansi Hotels (resort) · checked October 2026
  92. Booking.com (booking agent) · checked October 2026
  93. seasidehotelzanzibar.com (resort) · checked October 2026
  94. Michamvi Sunset Bay (resort) · checked October 2026
  95. Michamvi Sunset Bay (resort) · checked October 2026
  96. The Loop Zanzibar (resort) · checked October 2026
Page history · last changed 21 October 2026