Different Types of Accommodation in Zanzibar
All-Inclusive Resorts: Luxury and Serenity
Resorts are upscale establishments typically located on the beachfront, offering a turnkey experience with all-inclusive packages. These Zanzibar accommodations concentrate all services on-site: restaurants, bars, pools, spa, water sports, and entertainment.
Advantages of Resorts:
- Maximum comfort with quality hotel service
- All-inclusive package that simplifies budgeting (meals, drinks, activities included)
- Well-maintained private beaches, pools, spa and wellness areas
- Perfect for families with children (kids’ clubs, entertainment)
- Ideal for honeymoons or romantic getaways
Disadvantages:
- High prices (from $150-300 per night)
- Sometimes standardized and less authentic experience
- Little contact with local culture and Zanzibaris
- Risk of staying “confined” in the resort without exploring the island
Best locations for resorts: Nungwi, Kendwa, Matemwe, Pingwe
Boutique Hotels and Charming Hotels
Boutique hotels and charming hotels offer an ideal compromise between comfort, authenticity, and quality services. These Zanzibar accommodations, often intimate in size (10-30 rooms), focus on refined décor inspired by Swahili architecture.
Advantages:
- Intimate and personalized atmosphere
- Preserved local architecture (carved doors, interior courtyards)
- Attentive service with personalized advice
- Good value for money ($80-150 per night)
- Pools generally included (important with the tides!)
For Whom? Couples, travelers seeking authenticity without sacrificing comfort, architecture and design enthusiasts.
Best locations: Stone Town for cultural immersion, Paje and Jambiani for beaches
Local Guesthouses and B
Guesthouses are Zanzibar accommodations run by local families, offering an authentic and friendly experience. These small establishments (typically 4-10 rooms) allow genuine immersion in Zanzibari life.
Advantages:
- Very affordable prices ($20-60 per night)
- Direct contact with Zanzibari owners
- Valuable local tips for discovering the island differently
- Authentic family cuisine
- Direct support to the local economy
Disadvantages:
- Variable comfort (not always air conditioning or hot water)
- Limited services (no pool, restaurant sometimes closed off-season)
- Not always right on the beach
Ideal for: Backpackers, budget travelers, people seeking authenticity and cultural exchanges.
Ecolodges and Eco-Friendly Accommodations
Ecolodges combine responsible tourism, sustainable architecture, and environmental respect. These Zanzibar accommodations prioritize local materials, renewable energy, and employment of local staff.
Features:
- Bungalows or bandas made from natural materials (wood, thatch, coral stone)
- Responsible water and waste management
- Menus featuring local and organic products
- Activities focused on discovering nature and culture
Price: $60-120 per night typically
Where to find them: Jambiani, Paje, Michamvi, rural areas
To discover Zanzibar in an authentic and responsible way, explore our cultural and nature excursions with passionate local guides!
Where to Choose Your Accommodation in Zanzibar: The Best Areas
Stone Town: Cultural and Historical Immersion
Stone Town, the UNESCO-listed historic capital of Zanzibar, is the ideal place to start or end your stay. This old coral stone town offers a unique cultural experience with its labyrinthine alleys, carved doors, and bustling markets.
Why Choose Accommodation in Stone Town:
- Close proximity to the airport (10-15 minutes)
- Exceptional cultural and historical richness
- Restaurants, cafés, markets, and lively nightlife
- Wide choice of accommodations for all budgets
- No tide issues (no swimming beach)
Disadvantages:
- No paradise beach for swimming
- Significant heat and humidity in the narrow alleys
- Constant noise and activity (not the most relaxing place)
Our advice: Spend 2-3 nights in Stone Town at the start of your stay to discover Zanzibari culture before heading to the beaches. Discover Stone Town with our guided tours so you don’t miss a thing!
Nungwi and Kendwa: Dream Beaches and Entertainment
Northern Zanzibar (Nungwi and Kendwa) features the most beautiful beachfront accommodations with one major advantage: the tides are almost non-existent here, allowing swimming all day long!
Advantages of Nungwi/Kendwa:
- Swimming possible 24/7 (low tides)
- Pristine white sand beaches and turquoise waters
- Spectacular sunsets over the ocean
- Wide choice of resorts, hotels, and guesthouses
- Lively nightlife (beach bars, Full Moon Parties in Kendwa)
- Starting point for snorkeling and diving
Disadvantages:
- Very touristy area, sometimes crowded in high season
- Less authentic than the east coast
- Generally higher prices
- Beach vendors sometimes persistent
For Whom? Families with children, party lovers, divers, travelers wanting to swim without tide constraints.
Paje: Kitesurfing Paradise and Young Vibe
Paje, on the southeast coast, is THE kitesurfing mecca in Zanzibar with its consistent winds and shallow lagoon. This lively village attracts a young, sporty crowd in a laid-back atmosphere.
Why Choose Accommodation in Paje:
- Best kitesurfing spot in East Africa
- Festive and international atmosphere
- Excellent value for money for accommodations
- Long white sand beach (3 km)
- Restaurants, bars, and lively nightlife
- Natural pools at low tide
Disadvantages:
- Very significant tides (swimming limited to high tide)
- Can be noisy in the evening with the bars
- Less authentic than neighboring Jambiani
Ideal for: Kitesurfers, travelers aged 25-35, backpackers, festive atmosphere.
Jambiani: Authenticity and Tranquility
Jambiani is the authentic fishing village par excellence. This long 7 km beach on the southeast coast offers a perfect balance between natural beauty and preserved local life.
Advantages of Jambiani:
- Authentic Swahili village with real local life
- Spectacular, uncrowded beach
- Affordable accommodation prices
- Meeting seaweed farmers at low tide
- Fresh fish restaurants run by fishermen
- Calm and relaxing atmosphere
Disadvantages:
- Significant tides (swimming only at certain times)
- Fewer tourist facilities than Nungwi
- Far from Stone Town (1h15 drive)
For Whom? Couples seeking authenticity, tranquility lovers, responsible travelers, photographers.
Matemwe: Discreet Luxury and Coral Reefs
Matemwe, a fishing village in the northeast, combines a magnificent 10 km beach, peaceful atmosphere, and proximity to Mnemba Atoll (Zanzibar’s best snorkeling spot).
Matemwe Highlights:
- Huge, uncrowded beach
- Charming accommodations and luxury resorts
- Proximity to Mnemba for snorkeling and diving
- Preserved authentic village
- Absolute calm
Disadvantages:
- Significant tides
- Generally higher prices
- Few restaurants outside hotels
- Remote (1h15 from Stone Town)
Ideal for: Honeymooning couples, diving and snorkeling enthusiasts, travelers seeking calm and luxury.
Go on a snorkeling excursion from Matemwe to Mnemba Island with our local guides!
Practical Tips for Choosing Your Accommodation in Zanzibar
Understanding the Tide Question
Tides are THE major criterion for choosing your accommodation in Zanzibar! On the east coast (Paje, Jambiani, Matemwe), the tidal range is spectacular: at low tide, the sea recedes several hundred meters, creating vast sandbanks.
North coast (Nungwi, Kendwa): Almost no tides = swimming possible all day
East coast (Paje, Jambiani, Matemwe): Significant tides = swimming limited to high tide (check tide times)
Solution for the east coast: Choose accommodation with a pool! This allows you to enjoy the water even at low tide.
Accommodation Budget by Category
Small Budget (Backpackers):
- Guesthouses and hostels: $20-50/night
- Best places: Stone Town, Jambiani, Paje
Medium Budget:
- Charming hotels, boutique hotels: $60-120/night
- Best places: Paje, Jambiani, Stone Town
Comfort Budget:
- 4-star hotels and small resorts: $120-200/night
- Best places: Matemwe, Nungwi, Kendwa
Luxury Budget:
- 5-star resorts and private villas: $200-500+/night
- Best places: Matemwe, Michamvi, Nungwi
Should You Stay in One Place or Change Accommodations?
Option 1: Single Accommodation (7-10 Days)
- Advantages: No moving around, you really settle in, less tiring
- Disadvantages: You only see one side of Zanzibar
- Recommendation: Choose Kiwengwa (east coast, central) to easily explore the area
Option 2: Two Accommodations (Our Recommendation!)
- Stone Town: 2-3 nights for culture
- Beach (Jambiani, Paje, or Matemwe): 5-7 nights for relaxation
- Advantages: Complete culture + beach experience
- Disadvantages: One move to plan
Option 3: Three or More Accommodations (10-15 Day Stays)
- Stone Town: 2 nights
- Jambiani: 3-4 nights (authenticity)
- Matemwe: 3-4 nights (luxury and snorkeling)
- Nungwi: 2 nights (party and easy swimming)
- Advantages: Complete discovery of the island
- Disadvantages: Multiple moves
To organize your travel between accommodations, check out our article on transportation in Zanzibar.
Booking Your Accommodation: When and How?
High Season (June-October and December-February):
- Book 3-6 months in advance
- Higher prices (+30-50%)
- Best accommodations fill up quickly
Low Season (March-May and November):
- Booking 1-2 months in advance is sufficient
- Negotiable rates, frequent promotions
- More rain but fewer tourists
Where to Book:
- Booking.com and Airbnb to compare prices
- Official hotel websites to negotiate
- Local agencies for excursion + accommodation packages
To plan your stay according to the seasons, check out our guide on when to visit Zanzibar.
Check Before Booking
Essential criteria to check for your Zanzibar accommodation:
- Exact location on the map (beachfront or 500m back?)
- Pool available (crucial on the east coast!)
- Air conditioning (hot temperatures year-round)
- Mosquito net (malaria present in Zanzibar)
- Recent reviews from French-speaking travelers
- Flexible cancellation policy
- Airport transfer included or not
Find the Perfect Accommodation for Your Zanzibar Stay
Choosing your accommodation in Zanzibar depends primarily on your priorities: culture or beach? Entertainment or tranquility? Limited budget or maximum comfort? Significant tides or constant swimming? By combining Stone Town for cultural immersion and a beach on the east or north coast for relaxation, you’ll experience the complete Spice Island adventure.
Our local team supports you in organizing your tailor-made stay with personalized advice on the best accommodations according to your profile and preferences. Contact Chudy, your passionate French-speaking guide, to create the perfect itinerary combining charming accommodations and authentic excursions!
For more information on accommodation in Zanzibar, check out specialized guides like Lonely Planet and Le Routard.
