My sister and I had the pleasure of staying at Hekaya Zanzibar, and I can confidently say that it is one of the most extraordinary places we have ever been to. This hotel is simply a magical retreat! The rooms at Hekaya Zanzibar are stylishly minimalist with carefully chosen and handcrafted details. The blend of modern design and traditional elements creates a unique atmosphere. The spacious rooms offered breathtaking views of the ocean, and waking up to the gentle sound of the waves was a dream come true. One of the highlights was the ability to enjoy our meals on our own terrace at any time. This private dining experience made our meals truly special. We savored the delicious hotel dishes while admiring the stunning view of the sea and the beach from our terrace. The hotel staff went above and beyond to provide us with valuable tips for exploring the surrounding area. Thanks to their recommendations, we were able to discover the beauty of Zanzibar and explore some of the most fascinating places on the island. These insider tips made our stay even more unforgettable. The hotel also offered a serene pool area, which provided a relaxing oasis away from the beach. We could unwind, swim, and soak up the sun in the well-maintained facilities. Another noteworthy aspect was the reliable Wi-Fi throughout the hotel. We had no issues staying connected with our loved ones back home and sharing our experiences on Zanzibar. It was great to have this modern convenience without compromising the tranquil atmosphere. The breakfast at Hekaya Zanzibar was fantastic. The wide selection of dishes and the exceptional quality of the food exceeded our expectations. Each morning, we looked forward to a rich and delicious breakfast that delighted our taste buds. The hospitality of the Hekaya Zanzibar team was outstanding. They were always available to ensure our stay was unforgettable. We can’t wait to return!

I recently stayed with my girlfriend at Hekaya and we couldn’t be happier with our experience. This small-scale hotel is located about an hour’s drive from the airport, and the round-trip transfer (120 euros) was arranged seamlessly by the hotel. Our friendly driver was waiting for us as soon as we landed, which set the tone for an excellent stay. After a busy seven-day safari, our main goal was to relax on Zanzibar—and Hekaya proved absolutely perfect for that. Each morning, we enjoyed a delicious breakfast that included eggs, pancakes, fresh fruit, and fresh juices. The pool and the garden are also truly stunning, providing even more spaces to unwind and take in the island atmosphere. The hotel sits right on a beautiful beach, where you can easily walk 100 to 200 meters into the ocean at low tide and only be knee-deep in water. Nearby, there are several other hotels and restaurants that you can reach by strolling along the shore. One small thing to be aware of is that if you walk along the beach during the day, you might be approached by locals offering boat trips (for snorkeling, starfish viewing, and more). It’s understandable, though sometimes you just want a bit of quiet. Throughout our stay, we were helped by (I hope I’m spelling their names correctly) Dissua, Mohammed, and Jackline. Our room was cleaned every day, and each evening someone came by to spray it with mosquito spray. The service was truly top-notch, and all of these details combined to make it a fantastic stay. I would highly recommend Hekaya to anyone looking for a laid-back, welcoming place to enjoy the beauty of Zanzibar.

If there’s one minor suggestion for improvement—though it in no way detracts from the overall experience—it would be to include more fresh fish options on the menu. Given the gorgeous beach and crystal-clear sea, offering a freshly grilled fish dish would be a fantastic touch.

We stayed in Hekaya during early november 2024,this was our second time there and we spent a very pleasant time.I had the opportunity to chat many times with the new owner,a gentleman from Austria.The room was ample and had all necessary amenities.The staff is nice and efficient.After many times in different parts of Zanzibar,we can say that its location is insurmountable ,just in front of an amazing sandbar and sea lagoon that can be enjoyable during high and low tides.We surely will come back,thank you very much,

I did not give five stars because of its kitchen that in our opinion should improve in terms of ingredients and creativity,however this is not a big problem since there are several good and affordable restaurants nearby like Baladin and Mathlai and also after my comments I hope they will work on this.

Extraordinary! Pingwe is maybe the most beautiful beach of Zanzibar, with its various colours and tides, just in front of your place. Our room was perfect, at the first floor with an astonishing view of the sea. The entire building was perfect and romantic, very clean and cared for, and also typical and reserved (just five room, with a fantastic pool). The staff was very available and nice, mention of honor to Jackline first of all, then John (barman) and John (gardner). They also helped us with some tour, choose Moody in order to visit the Starfish place, Blue Lagoon and Sandbank. The cuisine was excellent, so compliments to the cook. Each dinner has a different main dish and starter, all very tasty and typical, with a lot of care in it.We highly recommend this place and Pingwe!

Nothing.

The location is right on the beach, amazing views and in front of a Sand bank, with incredible rooms, comfortable and clean facilities, games, bar, books, pool and very cozy dining facilities. Few rooms and a very peaceful environment. Activities offered are for different tastes, time and price ranges and I thoroughly enjoyed the facilitation of the staff and the chosen guides for the activities. Staff was incredibly kind, welcoming, available and super responsive and very experienced. Dining was very nice and the menu for food and drinks variety allows for different choices for local and international cuisine at good value for money and generous portions. Overall I extremely recommend this facility as I had an amazing time and managed to rest and relax. Other restaurants and facilities and massages are available at very short beach walks from the hotel.

We loved pretty much everything about our stay at Hekaya Zanzibar: the location which felt very private (only 5 rooms), the direct access to the beach, the cleanliness, the multiple areas where you can relax, the beautiful garden curated by John (who is kind enough to arrange flowers for the guests relaxing by the pool), the food (especially the bruschetta!), the overall vibe and, last but not least, all the members of the staff who have been extremely polite, helpful and friendly and went out of their way to make our wedding anniversary special also by arranging a private dinner on the beach. We 100% recommend Hekaya to whoever is looking for quiet, peace and relax in a wonderful environment that makes you feel like home.

We think the restaurant service could be a little faster.

The Hekaya Hotel was simply outstanding! We wholeheartedly recommend this Zanzibar gem to anyone seeking peace, idyllic surroundings, genuine hospitality, and an incredible view of the breathtaking sea. With only five rooms, the hotel offers an intimate, uncrowded atmosphere. The breakfast is delightful, and the kitchen serves generous portions of excellent local cuisine. Front desk manager Jackeline did an exceptional job—the staff even took time to accompany us to a tailor and supermarket during their leisure hours. The beach is one of the most beautiful, and it exudes a uniquely intimate charm. Thank you very much Hekaya! We will definitely recommend you to our family and friends!😊

We spent 3 nights at Hekaya Zanzibar, including the New Year's Eve. We had a wonderful experience - the facilities were great, location perfect and everyone in the team did an outstanding job to keep us comfortable throughout our stay. A special thanks to Jackline and Godfrey for their fantastic responsiveness, and for going above and beyond to make us have a special time in the island!

This is not about Hekaya itself, but the continuous power cuts that folks in the Zanzibar island face do not do anything to help improve the tourism in the region, creating problems for the properties and their employees and discomfort to the visitors. Hekaya had a generator that would kick in every time we lost regular power, so that the problem for us was limited to a minute or two of interruption in most cases.

Loved it here! Would return. It was just perfect for 4 nights. Such a beautiful stay and the staff were fantastic. Loved the breakfast and afternoon treats. Food in restaurant was delicious. Thank you for an amazing stay!! Some reviews mention it's a bit isolated but it was perfect for us. There were about 5 other restaurants in walking distance (pre-book the Rock) and a scuba centre almost next door. The snorkelling tours leave just in front of the hotel. The friendly Masai kids looked for starfish and crabs with our toddler son in the early evening.

Nothing.

This is a true gem of a small boutique hotel. Worth travelling half way round the world for! The breakfast options are not huge but they are very good. The quality of the food in the restaurant is excellent (Far better than the very expensive but supposedly more illustrious nearby Rock restaurant.) The service is so good! There are also a lot of other eating options along the beach. The staff are just lovely and very efficient. The location allows you to wake up to a beautiful view and the sound of the waves and then to wander out directly onto the beautiful white sands of Michamvi Beach. Directly opposite the hotel, there appears a spit of white sand which leads you into the distance towards the lagoon which reappears every day at low tide, trapped between the outer reef and the beach and is a gentle joy to swim in. The hotel gardens are beautiful and immaculately kept. Lazing by the small pool looking through the entrance hall to the beach beyond is a refinement of relaxation. We will be going back!!

Nothing. It is perfect!