Pongwe Beach Hotel in Pongwe

We settled on Pongwe Beach after doing a lot of research in the months leading up to our trip. We wanted something with a boutique and personal feel but also with a beautiful beach and pool area, to celebrate my 50th. Pongwe exceeded our expectations- from the minute we arrived until our departure date. The staff were exceptional- special mention to Moodi, Jasmine, Kenny and Irene- who always greeted us warmly and went out of their way to make every meal and experience special. Moodi and Jasmine prepared a special 50th birthday celebration for me, on the beach, where we ordered the seafood platter. Absolutely delicious, as was every single meal we ate in the restaurant. Our bedroom was a cliff room with private pool and was simply stunning. We were a few steps from the beach and loungers, where we watched the sunrise every morning. We would not hesitate returning to Pongwe Beach or recommending it to others looking to visit Zanzibar.

My partner and I have just returned from our second holiday to Pongwe Beach Hotel, celebrating our anniversary. The hotel itself has a personal boutique feel with a quiet private beach. It is very relaxed, there is also an infinity pool. We were spoilt for choice when it came to swimming, there were also Kayaks and Paddleboards to use. Our stunning room was quite large and private with a lovely terrace, plunge pool and view of the sea. As a gardening enthusiast I appreciated the landscaping of the gardens as this encourages biodiversity and privacy. We were delighted to see bush babies, we were given a banana to feed them. We also saw a rare sight of a Colobus Monkey swinging from the trees. The Island has the most stunning coastline and the Indian ocean is very warm and welcoming. We visited a Spice Farm on the way to Stone Town, this was very informative, we tried some of the local jackfruit and coconuts. Afterwards we visited Stone Town and hired a guide to show us around and explain the history of the area and help us buy a few local souvenirs. This was all kindly arranged via Pongwe Beach hotel including a driver. The staff were very helpful and polite, the breakfasts were delicious, a different special everyday. There was a variety of food choices including the menu of the day and cocktail of the day. The evening entertainment was enjoyable, local music and dancing in which we were all included. The ambiance of the area was very calming and relaxed. I feel fully recharged and hope to revisit this wonderful slice of paradise in the not too distant future. Bye Bye Pongwe for now ;-)

After doing a safari in Tanzania, we were so looking forward to our stay at Pongwe Beach hotel. It did not disappoint, it is a beautiful and peaceful beach hotel and we had a very comfortable beach side room. The staff were extremely attentive and made a real fuss of me on my special birthday. The views across to the turquoise sea from the infinity pool were stunning. We spent a lot of time on the beach too and it was incredible to see how the landscape changed with the tide. We enjoyed walking along the beach looking for shells and loved watching the crabs and starfish. If you want to get away from it all, relax and eat excellent food, this hotel will give you all that and more. You have to get up for the sunrise - it's so worth it!

Thank you so much for eight wonderful nights! We truly managed to relax and enjoy the sun, warmth, and beach life with you after our safari in Kenya. The place is beautiful, and we will never forget Pongwe. The staff were incredibly friendly and helpful. The food was excellent and varied! We can truly recommend this place. Peaceful and quiet ☺️

What a beautiful location for us to unwind after a hectic 10 days safari in Southern Tanzania. Our beach room was beautiful with all amenities including a terrace overlooking the beach with our own plunge pool. The private beach was great to walk when the tide was out in the morning. From the swimming pool and beach area we could watch the dhows passing by. Food was superb with a buffet breakfast plus hot food cooked to order. Lunch was available on the beach, at the pool, in the dining room in fact wherever we wanted. Prior to dinner we could enjoy happy hour drinks in the bar/lounge area while listening to the various musicians playing on different nights. At the same time we watched the bush babies come into the roof space to collect fruit that staff had laid out for them. Magical. Dinner menu was varied with great choice. All staff were friendly and helpful. We would love to return. Thank you Monika and teamfor looking after us so well. .

We arrived a little exhausted after an amazing safari in mainland Tanzania Check in was quick relaxed and the staff are so welcoming and genuinely happy to help with anything Be aware there are no safes in the rooms but there is a service offered which we used without any problems This small beautiful resort is a little gem We had a beach view room which was large clean and comfortable The air conditioning was very good and quiet stepping down from the steps onto the beautiful beach every morning was wonderful Lots of little thoughtful extras were in the room beach baskets sun hats and a flag to gain attention on the beach for drinks and snacks The toiletries were so nice I didn’t use any of my own in fact I purchased some before leaving The Food was some of the best we had ever had the chefs took such pride in their dishes and we were there for 10 days and each meal was excellent and menu varied throughout our stay The pool was in an a great position and was so clean and once again staff were on hand for anything without being evasive .. a big shout out to Jasmine The beach was beautiful but be aware that the tide goes out for at least a mile for a good part of the day (which is when we moved to the pool) this does give you a chance to look at the sea life we arranged for a local to show us and this was well worth the $10 we paid him The sun beds are very comfortable and it struck us that although the hotel was full we felt that there was so much room and space it was lovely and private for the four of us If you walk along the beach you will be approached by locals trying to sell their wares a polite no thank you is enough to stop any hassle .. we did buy some bits but tbh they are very expensive! This hotel is relaxing and the service and comfort is 2nd to none however it is very quiet not much to do in the evenings and if you go out you will need a cab which reception organise and it is put on your bill On the whole it was an excellent stay Thank you Pongwe Beach

What a wonderful way to relax after 10 hectic days on safari... Pongwe Beach Hotel - a serene sanctuary where the ivory shore meets the turquoise sea.... a hidden jewel on the island of Zanzibar. What an idyllic place to relax and recharge our batteries with tasty food, tropical fruits and total relaxation, friendly staff and wonderful Maasai. We were greeted by the staff at reception and informed about all the facilities at the hotel. Everyone was extremely helpful and went out of their way to ensure you had everything you needed. The entire team at Pongwe Beach were really friendly, welcoming and attentive, nothing was too much trouble. It was great to learn some Swahili every day. The food was delicious and varied daily, the pastry chef Tahir went out of his way to find or create gluten free alternatives for our son Harry - and the view from the dining room - just perfect... We stayed in a Beach Front room - which overlooked the most delightful white sandy beach with a picturesque view of turquoise sea, palm trees, blue sky and soft sand... Pongwe Beach is a delightful place to stay, sheer paradise - this was our third visit andA slice of paradise at Pongwe Beach we hope to return again one day.

The hotel was immaculate and all staff work so hard and are so so friendly! We loved every minute of our stay at this hotel especially enjoying chats with Moody and Kenny although all the waitresses were lovely too and went the extra mile to talk to us! We didn’t meet the managers and it would have been nice to be able to compliment them on the way this hotel is run! The beach was beautiful and it was lovely to hunt for seashells and find cone shells, olive shells and calries washed up by the tide and take photos of them! I especially like the fact that they have 3 resident cats that they feed and care for although it would be nice to have a tip box for them maybe in reception or see the cats being fed at their feeding station? A young tabby cat called Tiger came to sunbathe at our ocean view room one day and it was the most relaxing day ever! I really hope that these 3 cats are looked after and fed when the hotel closes for the rainy season by one of the staff or maybe they go home with the manager of Pongwe beach hotel? It seems there are more and more pet friendly hotels on Zanzibar! It was also very special to see the bush babies in the restaurant each evening at dusk!

Our stay at Pongwe Beach Hotel was nothing short of spectacular, earning a well-deserved five stars! Nestled on a serene, private beach, the resort exudes a relaxed yet refined charm. The general managers, whose warmth and professionalism set the tone, ensured every detail was perfect, making us feel like cherished guests. Their hands-on approach elevated the entire experience. The resort’s cleanliness is impeccable, from the pristine grounds to the spotless infinity pool, which offers stunning views and a tranquil spot to unwind. Our room, spacious and well designed in a classic style, was a haven of comfort with every basic amenity thoughtfully included. The housekeeping staff, always smiling and attentive, kept everything flawless while adding a personal touch that made us feel at home. The food was a highlight—each dish was a masterpiece of flavor and presentation, showcasing fresh, local ingredients prepared with creativity. The service staff’s genuine warmth and friendliness made every interaction delightful, whether at the restaurant or by the poolside. Pongwe’s relaxed private beach was our favorite retreat, offering soft sands and crystal waters that felt like our own slice of paradise. From sunrise strolls to sunset cocktails, every moment was magical. We’re already counting down the days until our return next year, eager to relive this perfect blend of luxury, hospitality, and natural beauty. Pongwe Beach Hotel is a gem we’ll treasure forever!