Pongwe Beach Hotel: Zanzibar, Tanzania
Abide by the tides instead of an itinerary and lounge on powdery white sand beaches next to crystal blue waters and swaying palms. Go barefoot and embrace “slow travel” on the eastern shore of Zanzibar at a resort prized for its solitude and beauty.
Pongwe Beach Hotel is made up of 23 charmingly thatched rooms and suites tucked into a private beach cove and sheltered by an offshore coral reef. It’s popular with quiet couples and honeymooners seeking to unplug from the world and connect with nature.
There are no crowds, no loud music, no televisions, and forget about the WiFi — there’s just soft breezes, the rhythm of the Indian ocean, and candle-lit seafood dinners under the stars.
The concept of “slow travel” means trading fast-paced routines for mindful moments.
Guests call Pongwe Beach Hotel a gem on arguably the best beach in Zanzibar. The east coast of the island is more serene and offers tide-dependent beaches, while those seeking out nightlife and tide-free swimming generally head to resorts on the north coast.
The calmer, clear waters during high tide at Pongwe Beach are best for swimming, paddle boarding and taking boat rides. Come back at low tide to explore exposed reefs, walk to seaweed farms, and photograph sand patterns and tidal creatures.
A recent guest called it “a pure haven of relaxation away from the world and on the most heavenly beach… We were going to do so much on Zanzibar but following a safari just spent the time enjoying this beautiful hotel and chillin!”
The service is warm and attentive, and frequent visitors report that you get good value for your money. They appreciated the hotel’s relaxing atmosphere with its Zanzibari design merged into the surrounding garden and beach — enhanced by an infinity pool, complimentary games and water sports equipment.
Some people found the location a bit too secluded and were surprised by the dramatic differences in the beach’s high and low tides, but the majority of this hotel’s guests came here to embrace the tranquility, enjoy good food and drinks, and experience the ocean’s natural rhythms.
Romantic, candle-lit dinners serve as one of the greatest highlights: In the evenings, the staff lights the beach up with torches and invites couples to kick off their shoes and dine barefoot in the sand.
Pongwe Beach Hotel’s restaurant serves fresh local seafood, tropical fruits, and island-grown spices from a menu that changes daily. Almost every guest who wrote a review for this hotel on TripAdviser had something nice to say about the food, which can be partially included in the price of your stay, depending on which boarding option you choose.
The lodging choices vary as well, with some bungalows offering air conditioning and others with fans. There are 11 traditional beach-front rooms, three garden rooms, four Sea View Suites, two Cliff Ocean Suites, a couple of two-bedroom Beach Front Suites, and a Cliff Ocean Superior Suite.
Rooms are spacious and come with hand-carved furniture, great views and quick access to the beach. Those who splurge on the suites get private plunge pools.
One honeymooner wrote that booking her Cliff Ocean Superior Suite was “absolutely worth it. The room featured a stunning deck with a private plunge pool, lounge chairs, a dining area and even steps leading straight down to the beach, complete with an outdoor shower to rinse off the sand. It truly felt like our own private paradise and was the highlight of our trip.”
