Zanzibar, an idyllic archipelago located in the Indian Ocean is the perfect place to come and enjoy the sun and beautiful white sandy beaches for a few days or weeks of holidays.
Zanzibar offers many varied activities that can easily be done. Among these activities, we find in particular, diving, kite surfing, swimming with dolphins etc.
However, when you are not familiar with this place, you may wonder where is the best place to stay on the island depending on your budget.
Having lived on the Zanzibar archipelago for two months, I was able to tour the island and I therefore offer this article to help you choose where to stay in Zanzibar.
Where to stay in Stone Town?
Stone Town is the capital of Zanzibar. Arrivals on the island of Zanzibar by boat are made in Zanzibar and arrivals by plane are made through the airport located only a few kilometers from Stone Town.
Stone Town is part of one of the most important cities in Zanzibar, this city with its mix of Arab, Indian and African culture is a must visit.
In Stone Town, you will find many establishments to stay in according to your budget. Stone Town is perfectly located in order for you to visit the whole island. Indeed, it is as easy to go north as south of the island to visit the island. There are also many day trips from Stone Town.
However, please note that the island of Zanzibar is not extremely large so you can easily visit it by taking the bus (dala-dala) or taxi.
By choosing to stay in Stone Town, this is not the place to have the best hotels by the water.
Where to stay in Stone Town on a small budget (5$ to 30$ per night)?
For travellers with a very tight budget, I advise you to opt for youth hostels or Guest Houses. There are not many on the island, but you will still find some.
Among the good quality youth hostels and Guest Houses in Stone Town, I recommend the following:
| Hotels | Price 1 pers./night | Price 2 pers./night | Hotel review |
| Zlife Hostel | Approx. 10$ for bunk in dormitory | Approx. 19$ for private room | 8.6/10 |
| Lost & Found Zanzibar | Approx. 12$ for bunk in dormitory | Approx. 24€ $ for double bed in dormitory | 8.8/10 |
| Malindi Guest House | Approx. 7$ for bunk in dormitory | Approx. 20$ for private room | 7.3/10 |
| Bottoms Up Hostel | Approx. 13$ for bunk in dormitory | Approx. 27$ for private room | 8.2/10 |
| Ten To Ten Stone Town | Approx. 15$ for bunk in dormitory | Approx. 32$ for private room | 8.7/10 |
| Amira’s Roomz Zanzibar | Approx. 11$ for bunk in dormitory | Approx. 20$ for private room | 8/10 |
| Balcony House | Approx. 27$ for private room | Approx. 27$ for private room | 8.5/10 |
Where to stay in Stone Town with an average budget (30$ to less than 100$)?
For travellers with a larger budget but who still want to spend no more than 100€ per night, I recommend one of the following hotels:
| Hotels | Price 2 pers./night | Hotel review |
| Retro 3* | Approx. 30$ | 7.3/10 |
| Shangani Sea View | Approx. 36$ | 8.9/10 |
| Apco Zanzibar | Approx. 50$ | 8.1/10 |
| Mizingani Seafront Hotel 4* | Approx. 76$ | 8.9/10 |
| Spice Palace Hotel 4* | Approx. 60$ | 8.7/10 |
| Forodhani Park Hotel 4* | Approx. 67$ | 8.5/10 |
| Al-Minar Hotel 3* | Approx. 54$ | 8.8/10 |
| Dhow Palace Hotel 4* | Approx. 75$ | 8.6/10 |
Where to stay in Stone Town with a big budget (more than 100$)?
Some travellers want to enjoy their stay in Stone Town, I recommend one of these hotels:
| Hotels | Price 2 pers./night | Hotel review |
| Beyt Al Salaam 4* | Approx. 103$ | 8.3/10 |
| Park Hyatt Zanzibar 5* | Approx. 376$ | 9.1/10 |
| Kisiwa House 4* | Approx. 200$ | 8.8/10 |
| Mizingani Seafront Hotel 4* | Approx. 110$ view over the sea | 8.9/10 |
| Maru Maru Hotel 4* | Approx. 142$ | 8.5/10 |
Where to stay in the northern part of Zanzibar?
If you want to enjoy the island’s beautiful fine sandy beaches, I advise you to pack your bags on the edge of one of Zanzibar’s beaches. Zanzibar has a lot of beautiful beaches, so making a choice can be complicated.
In the northern part of the island, the waterfront villages where you can stay are mainly:
- Nungwi : located at the Northern edge of the island
- Matemwe : on the northeast coast of the island
- Kiwengwa : located below Matemwe on the east coast
- Pongwe : located below Kiwengwa on the east coast
Where to stay in the northern part of Zanzibar with a small budget (5$ to 30$ per night)?
If you want to enjoy a hotel or a youth hostel on the beach at an affordable price, I recommend one of these hotels:
| Hotels | Price 1 pers./night | Price 2 pers./night | Hotel review | Village |
| Makofi Guest House | Approx. 20$ for bunk in dormitory | Env. 40$ for private room | 9/10 | Nungwi |
| Badolina Bungalows | Approx. 21$ for bunk in dormitory | Env. 65$ for bungalow | 9/10 | Nungwi |
| Baby Bush Lodge | Approx. 15$ for bunk in dormitory | Env. 25$ for private room | 7.2/10 | Kiwengwa |
| PolePole House Kiwengwa | Approx. 18$ for bunk in dormitory | Env. 27$ for private room | 8.2/10 | Kiwengwa |
| Keys Bungalows | Approx. 27$ for private room | Env. 40$ for private room | 7.6/10 | Matemwe |
| Mohammed Bungalows | Approx. 29$ for private room | Env. 40$ for private room | 8/10 | Matemwe |
| Kigwedeni Villas 3* | Approx. 32$ for private room | Env. 32$ for private room | 7.7/10 | Nungwi |
Where to stay in the northern part of Zanzibar with an average budget (30$ to less than 100$)?
If your budget allows it, by choosing one of the hotels below, you will enjoy very good facilities on the edge of a beach in northern Zanzibar.
| Hotels | Price 2 pers./night | Hotel review | Village |
| Jua Appartment | Approx. 48$ | 9/10 | Kiwengwa |
| Baridi villa | Approx. 42$ | 9.4/10 | Kiwengwa |
| Sunrise Lodge Zanzibar | Approx. 74$ | 8.8/10 | Kiwengwa |
| Sea Crest Hotel | Approx. 70$ | 9/10 | Kiwengwa |
| Kamili View Appartments | Approx. 142$ | 9.3/10 | Kiwengwa |
| Salama Mbuyuni Bungalows | Approx. 47$ | 10/10 | Matemwe |
| Villa Kiva Boutique Hotel | Approx. 90$ | 9.1/10 | Matemwe |
| Tamani Villa- Annex | Approx. 54$ | 9.3/10 | Matemwe |
| Seles Bungalows 3* | Approx. 70$ | 8.9/10 | Matemwe |
| Zanzibar Bahari Villas 4* | Approx. 80$ | 8.5/10 | Matemwe |
| Green’s Nungwi | Approx. 44$ | 9.5/10 | Nungwi |
| Maama Nungwi Lodge | Approx. 62$ | 9.4/10 | Nungwi |
| Amaan Beach Bungalows | Approx. 62$ | 7.8/10 | Nungwi |
| Aluna Nungwi 4* | Approx. 90$ | 8.9/10 | Nungwi |
| Season Lodge Zanzibar | Approx. 70$ | 9.1/10 | Pongwe |
| Azao Resort & Spa 4* | Approx. 75$ | 8.5/10 | Pongwe |
Where to stay in the northern part of Zanzibar with a big budget (more than 100$)?
If you want to enjoy exceptional services in a paradisiacal setting with a big budget, enjoy yourself and choose one of these hotels:
| Hotels | Price 2 pers./night | Hotel review | Village |
| Pongwe Beach Hotel 3* | Approx. 187$ | 9.5/10 | Pongwe |
| The Island – Pongwe Lodge | Approx. 447$ | 9.4/10 | Pongwe |
| Tulia Zanzibar Unique Beach Resort 5* | Approx. 627$ | 9.6/10 | Pongwe |
| White Paradise Zanzibar 4* | Approx. 194$ | 9/10 | Pongwe |
| Marafiki Bungalows | Approx. 118$ | 8.9/10 | Pongwe |
| Amaan Beach Bungalows 3* | Approx. 100$ | 7.8/10 | Nungwi |
| Double Tree Resort (Hilton) 4* | Approx. 232$ | 8.4/10 | Nungwi |
| Warere Beach | Approx. 169$ | 8.4/10 | Nungwi |
| Kiganja | Approx. 114$ | 9.4/10 | Matemwe |
| Zanziblue 4* | Approx. 180$ | 9.4/11 | Matemwe |
| Zanzibar Pearl 4* | Approx. 170$ | 9.1/10 | Matemwe |
| White Dream | Approx. 110$ | 9.6/10 | Kiwengwa |
| Marafiki Bungalows | Approx. 120$ | 8.9/10 | Kiwengwa |
| Kiwengwa Beach Resort 5* | Approx. 277$ | 9/10 | Kiwengwa |
Where to stay in the southern part of Zanzibar?
In Zanzibar, it is possible to find accommodation on many of the beaches along the coast. Choose to stay in the southern part of the island if you want to enjoy kitesurfing, visit Jozani Forest, or swim with dolphins.
If you wish to stay in the southern part of the island, you have the choice between these main villages:
- Paje : an idyllic place for kitesurfing
- Jambiani : adorable and authentic village with possibilities for kitesurfing as well.
- Around Chwaka Bay
Where to stay in the southern part of Zanzibar with a small budget (5$ to 30$ per night)?
I recommend the following hotels and hostels for backpackers and small budgets:
| Hotels | Price 1 pers./night | Price 2 pers./night | Hotel review | Village |
| Summer Beach Paje | Approx. 22$ for bunk in dormitory | Approx. 34$ for double bunk in dormitory | 9.3/10 | Paje |
| Summer Dream Lodge | Approx. 18$ for bunk in dormitory | Approx. 30$ for double bunk in dormitory | 8.9/10 | Paje |
| Simba Garden Lodge | Approx. 17$ for bunk in dormitory | Approx. 50$ for private room | 7.5/10 | Paje |
| Moringe Homestay | Approx. 14$ for bunk in dormitory | Approx. 21$ for private room | 9.4/10 | Jambiani |
| New Teddy’s on the Beach | Approx. 23$ for bunk in dormitory | Approx. 63$ for private room | 9.1/10 | Jambiani |
| Barbara House | Approx. 22$ for bunk in dormitory | Approx. 31$ for private room | 9/10 | Jambiani |
| Sangado Bungalows | Approx. 16$ for private room | Approx. 32$ for private room | 8.8/10 | Michamvi |
| Milele Lodge | Approx. 13$ for private room | Approx. 31$ for private room | 8.6/10 | Michamvi |
Where to stay in the southern part of Zanzibar with an average budget (30$ to less than 100$)?
For a higher budget, I recommend these hotels:
| Hotels | Price 2 pers./night | Hotel review | Village |
| Mbuyuni Beach Village | Approx. 42$ | 8.5/10 | Jambiani |
| SafiSana Lodge | Approx. 46$ | 9.3/10 | Jambiani |
| Molly House | Approx. 31$ | 9.9/10 | Jambiani |
| Kasuku Villa | Approx. 36€ | 9.8/10 | Jambiani |
| Blue Oyster Hotel | Approx. 90$ | 9.2/10 | Jambiani |
| Ifa Beach Resort 3* | Approx. 90$ | 8.7/10 | Jambiani |
| Uhuru Beach | Approx. 57$ | 8.6/10 | Jambiani |
| Lemon Drop Zanzibar | Approx. 31$ | 9.4/10 | Paje |
| Ebb and Flow Apartment | Approx. 80$ | 8.9/10 | Paje |
| Arabian Nights Hotel 4* | Approx. 90$ | 8.3/10 | Paje |
| Jaribu Beach Hotel | Approx. 67$ | 9.1/10 | Paje |
| Mnanas Beach Bungalows | Approx. 90$ | 8.8/10 | Pingwe |
| Bellevue Guest House | Approx. 70$ | 9.1/10 | Bwejuu |
Where to stay in the southern part of Zanzibar with a big budget (more than 100$)?
Finally, large budgets will turn to these types of hotels with luxurious amenities.
| Hotels | Price 2 pers./ night | Hotel review | Village |
| Spice Island Hotel & Resort 4* | Approx. 133$ | 8.6/10 | Jambiani |
| The Loop beach resort | Approx. 107$ | 9.3/10 | Jambiani |
| Fun Beach Resort | Approx. 100$ | 9.2/10 | Jambiani |
| B4 Beach Club | Approx. 126$ | 9.3/10 | Paje |
| Waterfront Zanzibar Beach Hotel | Approx. 100$ | 8.8/10 | Paje |
| Arabian Nights Hotel 4* | Approx. 106$ | 8.3/10 | Paje |
| Kisiwa on the Beach | Approx. 335$ | 9.3/10 | Paje |
| Milele Beach Resort | Approx. 167$ | 9.4/10 | Pingwe |
| Karafuu Beach Resort & Spa 5* | Approx. 207$ | 7.5/10 | Pingwe |
Zanzibar is full of luxurious beachfront hotels. You will find an extraordinary choice of hotels in paradisiacal and magnificent spots.
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