The beach was amazing! It was the nicest beach on the island, in our opinion. Even at high tide, we had lots of beach to play on. And the sand was the finest, softest, coolest sand we have ever experienced. We booked a snorkelling excursion straight out from the resort and enjoyed a fun ride in a dhow, followed by a wonderful hour of exploring the reefs and seeing so many beautiful fish. The Indian ocean is warm and crystal clear. The breakfast was great! There was a wonderful selection of dishes, and we especially appreciated the omelet/pancake/crepe station. Coffee was delicious and the staff was lovely. We ate a few meals at the restaurant and all were excellent, and good value for the money. There were two nights of entertainment. On the first occasion, we were introduced to traditional Maasai dancing which included guest participation. And on another night there was a band of musicians performing while a few young women showcased their dancing talents. Our "room" was more like a two bedroom apartment; very spacious, with two bathrooms (awesome!) and a lovely private courtyard. It was much nicer than we had anticipated. There is onsite 24 hour security on the beach and at the entrance, so we felt very safe. One more thing . . . we arrived in the wee hours of the morning and were pleased to find that the staff had left two trays of pastries and fruit for us so we could sleep in and not have to worry about missing breakfast. We realize that many people prefer to stay in Nungwi or near Stone Town but we would highly recommend Pongwe for the peaceful setting and beautiful beaches.

$3 USD for 750 ml of water. We recommend buying water at a local store. We were able to purchase six 1.5 litre bottles for $4 USD. One night we had cold water for our shower, but this was the only time.

We have just returned from a truly wonderful stay at Pongwe Bay resort. We paid for beach front accommodation and were thrilled with our room (301), in our opinion 'the best' the views from our very large and comfortably furnished balcony were breath taking. Staff were attentive and friendly and our room kept spotlessly clean with change of bedding and towels daily. The pool was beautiful and never crowded. We particularly enjoyed our breakfast, good choice with fresh fruit, cereal, pastries, hot food selection and freshly cooked omelette and pancakes to order. We also liked that the hotel was small and was wonderfully laid out with direct access to the beach. The new restaurant built on the jetty was beautiful. We would recommend for anyone wanting a relaxing carefree stay away from the hustle and bustle of busier resorts. The only thing to note is that the beach is tidal and when the tide is out you are not able to swim; we loved this because we were able (with beach shoes) to walk around the bay and enjoy the stunning rock pools and colours that are a dream.

There was absolutely nothing not to like. We had a fabulous time.

For solitude it is great. The spa is wonderful but for activities, there's absolutely nothing to do. It's an hour drive to everything. The property always provided transportation when requested. The tour operator on site will customize anything you want. The low tide is so far out, you can't swim in the ocean. It's a nice property with one restaurant but I wanted activities and the ability to swim in the ocean. The staff was wonderful!!

No activities. Can't swim in the ocean

The staff were super nice and friendly. The room was clean and comfortable. The food was delicious.

The resort is in front of the ocean but the ocean is very low tie and it is not possible to swim there are also many rocks. This is not the hotel’s fault though. You can take private tour from the hotel with the local boats to go deeper and enjoy the beauty of the ocean. Moreover, there is a very bad smell when you turn on the shower . This could be improved.

We chose Pongwe Bay Resort for our honeymoon and it was absolutely amazing. The place is truly magnificent. We stayed in a very clean and cozy bungalow. The staff were kind, friendly, and always smiling. Every day around midday, they came to clean the bungalow, and in the evenings they would spray inside for mosquitoes. I really appreciated that the bed had a mosquito net as well. The food was delicious and varied. There were two restaurants, one of them located on a pontoon over the ocean, with a great vibe and beautiful views. I loved the themed dinner nights, with unique food experiences and live music. The staff were so much fun and even danced with us during the evenings. The manager, Stefano (an Italian gentleman) was very friendly and welcoming. We had some great conversations, he’s clearly very involved and passionate about the resort. One of the highlights for me was the friendly cat that lives around the resort. I really hope they continue to take good care of her, I’d love to see her again next time we visit. The resort is perfectly located, right on the beach, and we truly had an unforgettable experience. Thank you for everything!

Just returned from an amazing stay at a hotel in Pongwe Bay, Zanzibar, and I can’t stop thinking about the view! The room had a breathtaking sea view—waking up to that turquoise water every morning was unreal. The pool was a highlight too—clean, beautifully designed, and perfect for lounging with a cocktail. The beach was quiet and peaceful, almost like a private paradise. Staff were super friendly and always ready to help with a smile. The food was fresh and delicious, especially the seafood. If you’re looking for a relaxing, picturesque escape, this place is a gem. Would definitely go back!

Everything was perfect

Amazing stay! Huge thanks Mr Manjeet and his staff. A warm thank to each and everyone we encountered. Everyone is so welcoming, smiling and caring. My fiancée and I liked very much learning Swahili words with staff. Thank you Lucy for your big smiles since 9am at the morning. We stayed at a bungalow. It’s super clean. Bed is surrounded with a anti-mosquitoes net. I have asked for a special welcome gift for my fiancée birthday and they delivered. It was amazing! Room service came twice even 3 times a day: to clean and apply anti-mosquitoes product. There are lots of insects outside but none inside the bungalow. That was super important for my fiancée (haha). Electricity is often cut in the middle of the night but 2 minutes laters it was back on. I don’t know if there was a lot of people but we often enjoyed a calm moments with 3 to 5 people in the area with us. It was super calm. Swimming pool is clean and nice. Service by the pool is great. You need to wait a little bit for someone to show up but it’s fine. Beach installations are very nice! Last comment, about breakfast, lots of local cuisine mixed with foreign one. It was delicious and it will surely make you happy when you finish.

From the moment we arrived, we felt warmly welcomed and cared for, especially travelling with our two-year-old daughter. Every detail, from the hospitality to the facilities, made our stay unforgettable. A special thank you to: Manjeer (Hotel Manager), who went above and beyond for us. He was always present, attentive to our needs, and ready to resolve, suggest, or help with anything—his dedication truly elevated our experience. Caroline, who was always so kind to our baby and attentive at every meal. She made sure we had everything we needed for our daughter and made dining a joy. Salum, whose kindness and attentiveness during meals made every dining experience delightful. Muza (Heritage Tours & Safari), our guide to Stone Town. Born and raised in Zanzibar, his knowledge, passion, and storytelling brought the city to life for us. He answered every question with patience and detail, making our visit both insightful and enjoyable. Our driver from Heritage Tours & Safari (apologies for not remembering his name), who accompanied us on tours and transfers, including to the airport. His professionalism, responsibility, and care made us feel safe and relaxed at all times. The cleaning team also deserves special mention: they kept everything spotless, were thoughtful about mosquito protection, and added to the comfort of our stay. The resort itself is outstanding: The food is exceptional, with a variety of international options and incredible flavour at every meal. The pool and beach access are wonderful—relaxing and family-friendly, with thoughtful extras like balls and cards to play. The atmosphere is peaceful and ideal for families with children. Our daughter absolutely loved every moment here. This resort is highly recommended for families, especially those travelling with young kids. The warmth, safety, and genuine care from the staff made all the difference.

We enjoyed our time at Pongwe Bay Resort, a serene and romantic destination. The resort features two restaurants on-site, and there are additional dining choices within easy reach. While attractions such as the local fruit market, mangrove forest, Stone Town, and spice farms are approximately an hour's drive, our rental car made day trips completely hassle-free. The resort amenities include a swimming pool, beachside lounge chairs, and a massage spa – which we highly recommend! Although there were mosquitoes and bugs outdoors, the resort's proactive bug spray application in the rooms ensured we had no issues. A memorable evening was the Swahili night organized by the resort. It featured good local food, a live band, and energetic dancers, and we had a great time dancing along. Asante sana!

Our only small observation was that some of the towels appeared a bit worn, with holes and shredded edges.

Very nice pool and beach area, super big rooms with very good bathroom and well-functioning shower. we liked the big terrace and the sea view. Sunbeds are very comfy!

You have to register for dinner in advance (and it’s pricey) so we did not eat at the hotel. Pier in front of hotel is out of order at the moment so no swimming during low-tide. But our main concern - and really the reason why we would probably not come back despite the great facilities - is that this hotel really doesn’t have a vibe. You do not get a sense of family between the owners and the staff and the music they play (exact same playlist on two days) sounds more like Thailand than Africa. We felt more African and welcoming vibes in other hotels in Zanzibar, but that might just be us. :-)