The best hotels in Zanzibar

This small guesthouse sits on a quiet lane just off the Malindi waterfront in the heart of Stone Town. Rooms are basic but clean, with fans and shared or private bathrooms depending on the room type. The rooftop terrace has good views over the old town and is a decent spot for breakfast. Staff are friendly and helpful with arranging spice tours and ferry tickets. Do not expect luxury, but for the price it is hard to beat the location.

Flamingo is a simple, family-run spot tucked into the village side of Nungwi, about a five-minute walk from the main beach. Rooms are straightforward with air conditioning and en-suite bathrooms, which is more than most places at this price. The small garden area is a nice place to relax between beach trips. Meals are cooked to order and the grilled fish is genuinely good. This suits travellers who want beach access without paying resort prices.

Emerson Spice occupies a beautifully restored 19th-century merchant house on Tharia Street in the Hurumzi quarter of Stone Town. Each of the ten rooms is individually decorated with antique Zanzibari furniture, carved beds, and open-air shower bathrooms. The rooftop restaurant serves a set Swahili dinner most evenings and the views over the old town are exceptional. Breakfast is brought to your room or taken on your private terrace if you book an upper-floor suite. This is one of the most atmospheric places to stay in all of East Africa.

These cottages sit right on the western tip of Nungwi, overlooking the natural tidal pool and the open Indian Ocean beyond. The location means the beach here does not dry out at low tide, which is a real advantage over much of Zanzibar's east coast. Cottages are spacious with private verandas and the interiors are comfortable without being flashy. The onsite restaurant is reliable and the sunset views from the bar are among the best on the island. Book directly with the property for the best rate.

Pongwe Beach Hotel is a small, low-key property on a secluded cove on the northeast coast, roughly 45 minutes from Stone Town. There are only a handful of cottages here, so the beach rarely feels crowded. The food is consistently good, with fresh seafood prepared daily and a short but well-chosen wine list. Snorkelling off the beach is excellent and the hotel can arrange diving trips to nearby reefs. This is a proper quiet escape for couples who want minimal noise and maximum ocean.

This mid-sized resort sits on the southern end of the Michamvi Peninsula on the east coast, with water on three sides at high tide. The beach here is wide and relatively uncrowded compared to Paje or Kendwa. Bungalows are well-maintained with sea-facing terraces and the beds are genuinely comfortable. The dive center on site is well-run and the instructors are experienced with beginners. Kitesurfing conditions at the nearby lagoon are excellent from June through October.

Kilindi sits on a rocky headland above Kendwa Beach on the northwest coast and the setting is genuinely dramatic. The pavilion-style villas each have their own private pool and open-air bathing area with direct ocean views. Service levels are high without being intrusive, and the kitchen produces some of the best food on the island. Sunset from the clifftop infinity pool is a reliable highlight. Families with young children may find the uneven terrain on the property a minor challenge.

This boutique villa property is positioned directly on the wide white beach at Paje, one of the best stretches of sand on the east coast. Each villa has a private plunge pool, a large veranda, and interiors designed with a calm, contemporary Swahili aesthetic. The beach here is ideal for kitesurfing and the hotel works with a certified kite school just steps away. The restaurant focuses on fresh, locally sourced ingredients and the tasting menu is worth the extra cost. Couples and honeymooners consistently rate this among Zanzibar's top stays.

The Residence occupies a remote stretch of coastline near Kizimkazi on the southern tip of the island, well away from the more touristy north. Villas are enormous with private pools, butler service, and separate living and sleeping pavilions set in lush garden grounds. The spa is one of the best on the island and the treatments use local ingredients including clove and coconut. Dolphin watching trips depart directly from the hotel's private beach, as Kizimkazi is the best place on Zanzibar to see spinner dolphins. The scale and seclusion here justify the price for those who want true privacy.

Zuri Zanzibar sits directly on Kendwa Beach on the northwest coast, one of the few beaches on the island where swimming is possible at all tide levels. The resort is designed with an eco-conscious approach using driftwood, coral stone, and recycled materials throughout. Villas and suites are spacious with private terraces and the upper-category rooms have uninterrupted ocean views. The main restaurant, Spices, serves a strong mix of Swahili and international dishes with an exceptional breakfast spread. This is consistently rated among the top luxury resorts in East Africa.