Pongwe Beach Hotel

A fabulous hotel in a perfect location with a stunning well cared for beach. The service and friendliness of the staff was exemplary and totally exceeded our expectations. They were genuine and passionate and made everybody feel welcomed and special. Nothing was too much trouble . We absolutely loved everything about our stay there. Thank you

A perfect gem of a place. We could not fault this hotel. We found the food amazing, every meal was delicious. The chefs went out of their way to provide a variety of gluten free options. All of the staff were so helpful, kind, happy and could not do enough for us. We loved the location, the beach is idyllic, interesting tide changes. Great pool.

Pongwe Beach Hotel is truly a slice of paradise. From the moment we arrived, we were captivated by the stunning location—powder white sands, crystal-clear Indian Ocean waters, and swaying palm trees. It’s the perfect spot for complete relaxation after a busy week of safari. The sea was warm and really safe for swimming during high tide, and it was great to walk out in the shallows at low tide too. Our family suite was incredibly spacious, providing plenty of room to unwind. The highlight was having our own private plunge pool, which we made use of every single afternoon as the sun set. It was pure bliss, especially with a staff member always happy to bring us happy hour cocktails—a welcome treat that made our stay even more special. The staff at Pongwe Beach Hotel are exceptional. Always smiling and attentive without being intrusive, they go above and beyond to make sure guests feel pampered. The food was excellent, with a lovely breakfast selection of fresh bread, cheese, fruit, cereal, and a variety of cooked options, including a new special each day. Lunches were delicious and reasonably priced, and the evening meals were a highlight. The local buffet offered a true taste of Zanzibar a couple of times a week, while the other nights featured a varied and mouth-watering menu. The hotel is also wonderfully accommodating for families. Our 9-year-old was well taken care of, and we appreciated that the staff understood children might prefer to order from the lunch menu during dinner. Their flexibility and kindness made our stay even more enjoyable. Reception was incredibly helpful, arranging a variety of trips and excursions. Although we primarily wanted to relax, we opted for the spice tour, which was fascinating and informative, with the guides making sure it was engaging for our daughter as well. Pongwe Beach Hotel is a little piece of heaven, and we would love to return one day. If you're looking for a serene, beautiful, and welcoming place to unwind in Zanzibar, this is it.

And relax. Pongwe is like something from a magazine. Our rooms were practically on the beach with its white sand, sun beds, hammocks and free kayaks and SUP boards. The water is crystal clear, swimmable when the tide is in and when its out you can walk a long way in knee deep water. You can also walk a long way up the beach when the tide is out. The staff are attentive but not intrusive, and always smiling. The chefs work very hard and went the extra mile to look after food allergies and intolerances. And the bushbabies in the bar love to say hello in the evenings, especially if you have a banana! Relaxing stay in a small, very comfortable but not remotely pretentious place.

I cannot think of any way to improve this resort! Outstanding in every way. Great rooms, private beach, delicious food. Staff is very helpful. Spa services offer great massage. What else can I say! Perfect spot to go to unwind from a safari trip.

I had the pleasure of staying at Pongwe Beach Hotel for 3 nights in mid-June, 2024. The (beach front) room was spacious and clean. The pool, beach and grounds pleasant. The hotel's restaurant was consistently good for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Meanwhile, the staff was warm, friendly and highly professional. A special shout out to Zena, who helped me feed the resident bush baby "Armani" in between sips of my expertly prepared gin-and-tonic. Also, thank you to manager Sara, who advised me on the "must sees" among the many competing attractions of Zanzibar. Asante sana (thank you very much) Pongwe Beach Hotel!