My husband and I travel a lot. We’ve stayed in all kinds of hotels, from hostels, all the way up to 6*. And Boy were we seduced by this concept! Exceptional service from the moment we stepped in. I loved the vibe in the lobby from the moment we checked-in and I knew our stay was going to be great! Every staff member was proactive and always ready to help. Communication with the front-desk is possible via WhatsApp, and all requests were answered in less than 5 min. The hotel’s location is good. Not on the busy beach of Paje, but the shuttle service was great, we never had to wait, and the hotel provides beach towels. After a 5 min ride, you’re on a pristine beach. We walked back from the beach once to get our steps in, it’s a 10min easy walk. Our room (big studio) was a spacious and elegant sanctuary with top-notch amenities, including a luxurious king-size bed, an outdoor shower, separated toilets, double sinks, plenty of storage space and a private balcony. Sandals, bathrobe, yoga equipment, you name it! AC/fan worked great. Unfortunately, there was some construction behind the hotel, so the view was not ideal, but there was no noise at all. Breakfast was delicious! Healthy, yet very filling options on the menu. Trying the beef bacon is a must (well… everything really. Just try it all). The pool area and rooftop were nice to hang out. Lots of restaurants, bars, stores within walking distance. Both on the beach, and in town. Bento food court is about 10min away by foot. What a pleasant stay! Small hotel, real “boutique” vibe, dedicated staff. We couldn’t have asked for more! Perfect blend of comfort and luxury. Don’t even think twice, book Samawa!

Our stay was too short

Id Like to thank all the staff for an absolutely memorable stay :) Amani,Abdullah, Mushraf and Israel were providing top tier service during the stay. They deserve a big pay rise and they are an asset to the team. Also would like to thank the ladies. Khadogo for the kindness she showed us aswell as Baby, Asha and Katherine. Absolutely amazing people. Take care of them ! The resort is 10/10. Been all over Europe and Arabia but this one felt special. Everything you need the team are more than happy to accommodate your needs. The pool area is great for relaxing. They are always happy to take you to the beach with the buggy (alternatively you can walk five minutes). The food is unreal. The breakfast is very tasty and so fresh ! The lunch and dinner menu is amazing too. The Grilled Chicken was 10/10. The chef came out and introduced herself to us. I forgot her name. Please forgive me. Amazing food Our room was clean, spacious and comfortable. The outdoor shower was a vibe and a very cool feature. 24/7 Security so you felt safe all the time. Convenience store across the road. Currency exchange down the road. Highly Recommend Samawa Living. Not going to get this quality in many places these days.

The Beach Boys on the beach. But they are all over Zanzibar

Location: Brand new boutique hotel very well located 3 min walk to the beach. And if u cross the road from other side u have one of the main tourist attractions caves. Cleaniness: Everything was tidy clean and cozy. the room, pool, tables, chairs, lavatories… I’m very meticulous about cleaning and I can tell you SAMAWA living is emasculatory clean. Comfort: very comfortable beds (which is rare to find in the island) strong air conditioning ( trust me u need it ).very calm and noise free ( u can have good night sleep and recharge your energy for next day activities) Amenities: Very good WiFi, big Pool , nice Gym with high quality equipment Staff and Service: I would like to take this opportunity and thank every single one of the team for their hospitality , dedication and attentiveness. They made our stay memorable . You guys were awesome. Food&Beverages: if it’s ur first time to Zanzibar you should know that food is challenging and u can’t find good food everywhere but I can assure you the food is this place is AMAZINGGGGG. I’ll be back soon 🥰😘

Simply put, the easiest 10/10 rating. Can’t recommend this place enough! We spent two weeks at Samawa Living for our honeymoon, and it was absolutely amazing. I have been to hotels all over the world, but Samawa is my favorite hotel experience! Everything was just perfect. Hotel rooms were large, super nice and really well equipped (even yoga mats and beach bag). They also keep them very clean. We really enjoyed chilling on the sunbeds in a quiet pool area, working out in the gym and in yoga classes. As well as the general vibe of the place, which is in large part due to the most friendly and helpful staff I have met! I also have to mention that the a la carte breakfast was a whole other level compared to regular hotel breakfast buffets (freshly made passion fruit juice is the best juice ever!). The food in general was by far the best we had in Zanzibar. Even though we had lunch and dinner other places in Paje and Jambiani, and normally don’t eat much at hotel restaurants, we ended up eating much more at the hotel than we had planned for. Big qudos to the chefs! It is not a large and overcrowded hotel, which allows for a much more pleasant stay than big hotels or resorts. Even though it’s not located on the beach, the beach is just a very short walk (or complimentary buggy ride) away - and we enjoyed the option of hanging out at a place with more peace and quiet than right on the beach itself. While we were there, they put on live music nights, movie nights and helped us with recommendations and bookings for tours and experiences. All in all, if you are going to Zanzibar, do yourself a favor and stay at Samawa! Thank you for so much for making our honeymoon perfect! Asante sana!

What a simply delightful oasis in the Paje region of Zanzibar. The staff, in particular the attendants at the front desk, are so courteous and welcoming. Israel, Amani, Kadogo, Abdullah, Edwina, the list goes (sure there are several others I’m missing); plus the wait/cleaning staff and Chef at the onsite restaurant, were all brilliant. The property itself is also quite appealing. It’s a beautifully designed space that I found to be quite tranquil and relaxing. In addition, I appreciated the generously sized rooms (more than adequate for 2), dual sinks, indoor/outdoor shower, and the expertly orchestrated turndown service. Shout out to the cleaning staff. Well done.

Not much though I’d encourage the establishment to offer more plant-based choices on the restaurant menu and perhaps, for convenience, include food/beverage menus poolside.

It was my friend’s birthday and we needed an escape place to relax and rewind where by the rooms 218 and 101 met out expectations with comfy beds .The house keeping department staff were friendly,helpful and got a sense of professionalism (Patrick and Shawatu ) . We were served at the restaurant by Yusuph.He was so kin at collecting orders and the food was so scrumptious and more classical. More so all other staff were kind even to those we met and asked for any help for example Mr.Tom and Alex Joel they were kind. The best and unique experience was the ice bath.

More attention at the reception is needed .Our outstanding bill was higher compared to the usual bills that we were supposed to pay .

I wanted to take this opportunity to express my heartfelt gratitude for the incredible hospitality and warmth we experienced during our stay at Samawa Living. From the moment we arrived, we were welcomed with open arms, and the kindness of the manager and staff, who made our stay truly unforgettable. The attention to detail, willingness to assist, and genuine smiles created a comforting atmosphere that felt like home. I would like to thank mostly to Asha, Baby, Hashimu, and Kadogo for making our experience in Zanzibar so special. I look forward to returning in the future and will certainly recommend! Asante sana Samawa Living!

Nothing actually!

From our arrival to departure our stay at Samawa was amazing. There was a warm welcome, and the hotel/room was well designed, clean, spacious and comfortable. The tv worked and screen mirroring too but hardly used it as with by the pool or roof☺️. WiFi excellent. The free rides to the beach were a bonus. Kadogo (the face of Samawa and receptionist) was kind, friendly and warm towards us and others. She is a true representation of the culture and people of Zanzibar, and perfectly placed in her role at Samawa. She ensured we had hotel taxi, checked in with us during the stay and it was so nice to meet her and other staff around the hotel (Asante). Food/breakfast was excellent along with the rooftop and pool. The front garden is perfect …a break away from the pool to soak in the local shops and views of the city life and energy…overall it was all Definitely 10/10. Samawa is a must when we visit Paje again…Asante Sana Kadogo and All at Samawa, you made our stay a memorable one! (Although no smoking and alcohol you can take your own drinks there and the front garden is ideal for smokers - don’t be deterred by this). Also beach is 10 mins walk away or 5 minutes with the hotel buggy. Hotel is forefeet for families, couples or friends on a vacation 💯

Nothing - wished we stayed longer, and ate more!!!!

My wife and I spent part of our honeymoon at Samawa Living Hotel, and it was nothing short of magical. From the moment we arrived, the staff went above and beyond to make us feel welcome, with a warm and personal touch that truly set the tone for our stay. The room was beautifully decorated, incredibly clean, and offered a stunning view of the ocean, making it the perfect romantic retreat. Every detail was thoughtfully considered, from the delicious breakfast spread to the peaceful ambiance of the hotel. The location was perfect for us – close enough to explore Zanzibar’s vibrant culture but tucked away for some much-needed relaxation. Special mention goes to the staff, who made our honeymoon unforgettable with their exceptional hospitality and personalized attention. We couldn't have asked for a better experience and will forever cherish our time here. Highly recommend Samawa Living Hotel for anyone looking for a perfect getaway, especially for couples!

Breakfast was great! I like the fact that the location was not far from the beach. The baggy ride to and from the beach was cool. The staff were friendly and ready to help out, thumbs up especially to Kadogo. But the rest were great too. Your waiters were very friendly, Aisha, Zapharan, Baby and one other. Your chefs were accommodating; they did Jollof rice for us on request, and it was excellent! Your housekeeping staff were prompt and very service oriented, good job! Ideal and central location for visiting multiple tourist sites.

The menu is in the restaurant is quite limited. A wider variety of food would be great. The bathroom design is interesting, but I wish the wooden slants had a mosquito net on them to protect access by insects.