Pongwe Beach Hotel

It’s risky going back somewhere you loved on your first visit. But there was no cause for concern at Pongwe Beach Hotel. The accommodation has been ungraded since we were there in 2018, and the food was even better. But what remains the same is the can-do attitude of the amazing staff. They are always smiling, always happy, always helpful and always trying to please their guests. This little corner of paradise won our hearts again.

Cet hotel est incroyablement cosy. L'emplacement est ultra intimiste. Toutes les équipes ont été particulierement accueillantes et dévouées pendant notre séjour. Un remerciements tout particulier à Anna et Aman, ainsi que Lafael. Rien à dire donc : Si vous recherchez un lieu isolé pour vous ressourcer cet hotel est idéal.

Absolutely stunning setting, the most beautiful sandy beach you can imagine, wonderful staff who are not in your face, but are there to help you launch a kayak or bring a beer to your room, honestly this in one of the best hotels we've stayed in. Its tastefully designed - pretty much every room seem to have a view of the sea, but set back so blend into the landscape and gardens perfectly. The food is amazing - they have a really really good team and head chef, the quality of the cooking and presentation was beyond anything I expected in Zanzibar. We came for out honeymoon and it was all prefect to the last detail- thanks for a wonderful stay

if you like barefoot luxury this is one of the best places I've been in the entire world. The staff are lovely and welcoming, nothing is too much trouble, it is great and warm service without being overdone. The beach is pristine and beautiful and we have stayed in two different rooms (we came back) and both were gorgeous. I can only praise the excellence of this beautiful place, thank you

Relaxing 3 nights after a cruise . The hotel is authentic and well appointed . Food excellent and stall ALL amazing. No TV in the room so ideal disconnect . Pool and beach really nice , big tidal range and no snorkeling close to hotel .

We stayed for four very enjoyable nights at Pongwe Beach Hotel. It is a small tranquil hotel right on the white sandy beach of the turquoise Indian Ocean. It really is a slice of paradise. Our thatched African styled semi-detached accommodation was as close to the beach as you could get with a spectacular view of the ocean from the sunbeds resting on the terrace. Our room was clean and spacious. It had good quiet air conditioning and a ceiling fan. There was also a mosquito net over the four poster large firm but comfortable double bed. There were also four firm but comfortable pillows. There was a good hot shower in the large shower area which keeps the bathroom floor dry. There were complimentary toiletries and a large bottle of water which is replenished daily. The staff are very friendly and attentive. In fact we thought it was too much so. We had a problem with the latch on our door which was replaced soon after I mentioned it to reception. The swimming pool again by the beach is sparkling clean warm and inviting. There seemed to be enough sunbeds by the pool for the number of guests during our stay but there were not enough parasols and the few in the shade disappeared very quickly. The breakfast is good with a reasonable variety of choices. The freshly cooked part of breakfast is as close as you will get to a full English breakfast in Zanzibar. Lunch and dinner are available in the restaurant. There is a limited choice from the à la carte menu which changes daily. The food is of an excellent quality although by African standards it is extremely expensive and the portions are small. When we arrived on Friday night it was 'buffet night' but as my wife does not like buffets we could choose from the lunchtime menu. There is complimentary tea and coffee with biscuits and cake available all day from the restaurant and at four o'clock a waiter comes round the pool and beach with an afternoon snack of freshly cut fruit. The only thing we didn't enjoy was the extremely loud live musical session on Sunday evening. It was so loud it kept guests from going for a pre-dinner drink at the bar. Also, there was continual inane background music playing which in our opinion is wholly unnecessary and destroyed what is otherwise a peaceful and tranquil environment. Which at the end of the day is why you come to a place like this. Insufficient Parasols: There weren't enough parasols by the pool, and those in the shade were quickly taken. * Loud Live Music: The extremely loud live musical session on Sunday evening disturbed the peaceful atmosphere. * Unnecessary Background Music: we disliked the continual inane background music, which we felt ruined the tranquil environment. * Expensive and Small Portions: The evening menu, while of excellent quality, was considered extremely expensive for African standards with small portions. * Overly Attentive Staff: in our opinion we found the staff to be too attentive.