Best Hotels in Zanzibar

The best hotels in Zanzibar for 2026 include Baraza Resort & Spa in Bwejuu, Park Hyatt Zanzibar in Stone Town, Zuri Zanzibar in Kendwa, The Residence Zanzibar on the southwest coast, Kisiwa on the Beach on the southeast coast, Emerson Spice in Stone Town, Melia Zanzibar in Kiwengwa, and Tulia Zanzibar Unique Beach Resort on the east coast. The island offers options across every budget, from five-star resorts to affordable guesthouses, catering to a wide range of traveler styles. Whether you are planning a beach holiday, a cultural stay in Stone Town, or a honeymoon, the right hotel depends primarily on which part of the island you choose to base yourself.

Quick Comparison: Top Hotels in Zanzibar by Type and Location

Best Luxury Hotels in Zanzibar

Baraza Resort and Spa is a 5-star all-inclusive award-winning hotel in Zanzibar and has been voted one of the 60 best new hotels in the world by Condé Nast Traveler. Located on a beautiful stretch of white sand beach in Bwejuu on the east coast, the beach here is considered one of the best on the island. With only 30 villas in total, each featuring private pools, the feel is small and exclusive. A fusion of Arabic, Swahili, and Indian design elements, the property features hand-carved white stone décor, beautiful antiques, handmade furniture, and intricate brass lanterns. Note that the east coast experiences significant tidal variation, which means swimming is only practical at high tide.

Park Hyatt Zanzibar sits on the beachfront in the heart of Stone Town, a designated UNESCO heritage site, set amid winding alleys, markets, mosques, and the famous ornately carved Zanzibari doors. The property features 67 luxuriously appointed rooms, including 11 suites, that blend contemporary style, modern technology, and regional accents. Facing the ocean and overlooking the local beach, the infinity pool is the ideal place to enjoy a morning swim or relax after exploring Stone Town. Its central location makes it the practical choice for travelers who want to combine a cultural city stay with beach proximity.

The Residence Zanzibar, located on the southwest coast, combines luxury villas, private pools, and world-class dining with spa treatments, exclusive beach access, and personalized service. Drawing aesthetic inspiration from the island’s history, the design is a mix of Swahili, Omani, and Indian styles, and guests can even arrange butler service during their stay. The resort is positioned on a secluded beach, making it well-suited for those seeking privacy and exclusivity.

Best Boutique Hotels in Stone Town

Kisiwa House is an elegant boutique heritage hotel in the heart of Stone Town, steeped in over 170 years of history, and is currently ranked number one in Stone Town on TripAdvisor. The hotel is best known for its personable Swahili hospitality and modern elegant rooms, which include complimentary Wi-Fi, luxury toiletries, and flat-screen HD TVs. Each room also features an incense burner to provide the traditional “Udi” scent, a Zanzibari perfume made from a wide variety of local ingredients.

A meticulously restored merchant’s palace, Emerson Spice is regularly rated as one of the top boutique hotels in Stone Town. Built into one of the former residences of the island’s last Swahili rulers, the property features 10 individually styled rooms each inspired by an important person in Zanzibar’s history, with vintage furnishings including ornate Swahili beds. 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 dishes served at the restaurant.

Emerson on Hurumzi is a restored hotel located in the heart of Stone Town and one of the most popular hotels in Zanzibar, also housing the highest rooftop tea house restaurant on the island, serving traditional Swahili dinner experiences with live music. For travelers spending only one or two nights in Stone Town before moving to a beach hotel, staying 1 to 2 nights in Stone Town before 5 to 6 nights in one of the beach areas is a practical approach for trips of seven days or more.

Best Hotels on Zanzibar’s North and West Coasts (Nungwi and Kendwa)

Located on the northwest coast, Nungwi and Kendwa are known for their lively beach scenes and some of the best sunset views on the island, and these beaches are less affected by tides, making them good for swimming throughout the day. This is a meaningful practical consideration given that tidal beaches on the east coast restrict swimming hours.

Zuri Zanzibar, situated in Kendwa, provides stylish bungalows and an eco-friendly atmosphere, and its beach position makes it a favorite among upscale travelers. In contrast to standard resort models, Zuri focuses on community initiatives covering education, the environment, and waste management, all promoting a prosperous future for the local village of Kendwa. Guests can choose from yoga, meditation, or wellness programming, along with a spice garden walk and an outdoor fitness area.

Z Hotel is an adults-only boutique property in Nungwi with 39 luxury rooms ranging from rooftop suites to ocean-front cottages, and its al fresco restaurant serves seafood on a deck above the water while the rooftop bar offers views of the setting sun. Zuri Zanzibar and Essque Zalu Zanzibar are both well-regarded choices in this northern zone, with Essque Zalu offering dramatic ocean views and strong service ratings.

Best Hotels on Zanzibar’s East Coast (Pongwe, Bwejuu, and Paje)

Next door to Pongwe Beach Hotel, Tulia Zanzibar is an award-winning luxury boutique resort rated as one of the most romantic beach resorts in the world. The property features private water slides and a farm-to-table dining experience, making it a strong option for families and couples who want a small boutique feel.

Pongwe Beach Hotel, home to only 22 rooms on a good stretch of beach and operating for over 20 years with an emphasis on local community, serves fresh seafood at its restaurant and allows guests to snorkel on its own house reef just offshore. This is a practical option for travelers who want genuine beach character without paying luxury villa prices.

Paje on the southeast coast is the best location in Zanzibar for kitesurfing, with strong winds attracting the sport from June to August and between December and February. The Michamvi and Pingwe area on the southeast peninsula is well-suited for those seeking seclusion and barefoot luxury, and the area is also home to the famous Rock Restaurant. Upendo Beach Boutique Hotel offers infinity pools and a view of the Rock Restaurant, while Baladin Zanzibar Beach Hotel brings an eco-conscious approach with Swiss-Tanzanian character.

Best Family-Friendly and All-Inclusive Hotels in Zanzibar

Kiwengwa is a popular area for travelers looking for all-inclusive options with long sandy beaches, and the zone is well suited to families and honeymooners wanting a straightforward beach holiday. Melia Zanzibar is a 5-star luxury resort with a private beach, infinity pool, and top-tier dining, and is also frequently chosen for destination weddings.

Neptune Pwani Beach Resort & Spa on Kiwengwa Beach features spacious family rooms, a kids’ club, multiple swimming pools, and various activities to engage all ages. Dream of Zanzibar Resort in Kiwengwa offers family-friendly amenities including children’s pools, entertainment programs, and spacious accommodations.

At Baraza, children between 4 and 12 can use the professionally run Baraza Kids Club, and babysitting services can also be arranged to allow parents time to themselves. For all-inclusive resort seekers without a strict family focus, Riu Palace Zanzibar near Nungwi is an adults-only all-inclusive resort where spacious rooms come with climate control, satellite TVs, and fully stocked minibars, with three themed restaurants and a daily buffet breakfast.

Hotel Costs in Zanzibar 2026

Zanzibar hotel prices vary widely depending on location, season, and type of accommodation, with the island catering to a range from budget backpackers to high-end luxury seekers. Prices fluctuate significantly by season, with the high season running from June to September and December to February when demand is at its peak, while the low season from March to May brings lower rates.