Zanzibar is a beautiful archipelago off the Tanzanian Coast, comprised of several pristine islands that include Mafia, Pemba, Nungwi, Thanda, Chumbe, and Mnemba Islands, as well as numerous smaller yet remarkable islands.
Stone Town is the capital of Zanzibar Island.
These islands not only boast spectacular attractions but also many outstanding and affordable accommodation facilities on the East, North, Northeast, South, and Southwest coasts.
Some of these accommodations include:
1. Ndame Beach Lodge
Ndame Beach Lodge is located on Zanzibar’s East Coast, offering guests views of turquoise blue waters, white sand beaches, and palm trees.
This beach lodge features 14 bungalows and 31 rooms accommodating 1-5 people, beautified by stunning verdant gardens and tropical palm trees.
It accommodates travelers of all ages and satisfies the needs of all guests.
This lodge also features the Blue Doors Restaurant and the Sun Sea Bar.
2. Mustapha’s Place
Mustapha’s Place offers comfort and the luxury of Mother Nature and is only a stone’s throw from the stunning blue ocean and white sands of Bwejuu Beach.
It is one of the classic and budget hotels in the area and boasts funky and cozy private rooms, a relaxed ambiance, a well-stocked bar, a large restaurant area, and massages.
It features charming bungalows and private rooms in the form of Zanzibar House, round rooms, as well as Bull & Hickman rooms.
3. Lost & Found Hostel
Lost & Found Hostel is the island’s premier hostel, situated at the heart of Stone Town right across from the Shangani Post Office.
The hostel is only about 2.2 kilometers from the City of Zanzibar, 28 kilometers from Kiwengwa, and about 47 kilometers from Kendwa.
It also features 16-bed mixed dorms and 16-bed female dorms with clean common areas and washrooms.
These rooms are also air-conditioned, with satellite TVs and spacious seating areas.
4. New Teddy’s Place
New Teddy’s Place is situated within the southern side of Paje, a small village on Zanzibar’s East Coast.
Paje is a serene village that offers guests opportunities for relaxing, but visitors interested in thrilling nightlife can also visit this place.
New Teddy’s Place features private rooms and dorms with clean shared bathrooms, and being close to an outstanding beach with white sand makes it ideal for unwinding.
5. Amaan Bungalows Beach Resort
Amaan Bungalows Beach Resort is set on the stunning northern coast of Zanzibar and is centrally positioned within the Nungwi area.
This resort is popular for offering breathtaking white sand beaches and verdant natural surroundings, in addition to rewarding visitors with amazing diving and snorkeling opportunities.
It features 33 rooms, with 16 being sea-view rooms with private balconies on the bluff overlooking the Indian Ocean, as well as en-suite tiled rooms.
The other 17 are deluxe rooms with air-conditioning, mosquito nets, ceiling fans, and en-suite tiled bathrooms with hot/cold water.
Other facilities here include 2 bars, 3 restaurants, a dive center, laundry services, massage services, a fully-functional water sports center, a volleyball court, a boutique, and many others.
6. Smiles Beach Hotel
Smiles Beach Hotel is a small and comfortable guesthouse set on the northern coast of Zanzibar in Nungwi Village, approximately 55 kilometers from Zanzibar International Airport.
It sits on a vast beach with soft white sand, verdant tropical gardens, and tall palm trees overlooking the crystal clear waters of the Indian Ocean.
It comprises 16 spacious en-suite guestrooms with private balconies, and visitors here are treated to complete relaxation while appreciating the serenity of the hotel.
Guests can relax at the beachside while listening to soft music or reading a novel under the palm trees.
Rooms here feature en-suite bathrooms with hot/cold water, satellite TVs, hairdryers, mosquito nets, and air-conditioning.
7. Zenji Hotel
Zenji Hotel is a laid-back accommodation facility within Stone Town, offering typical Zanzibar hospitality combined with western comfort.
This small, warm hotel is ideal for travelers interested in unwinding while touring the beautiful Stone Town.
The hotel features 9 stylish and air-conditioned rooms with free Wi-Fi, Zenji Café and Boutique, as well as opportunities to explore the white-sandy beaches, azure waters, and swaying coconut trees.
8. Balcony House Zanzibar
Balcony House offers beautifully decorated, comfortable, and fully-equipped rooms with shared bathrooms, ceiling fans, mosquito nets, closets, shared balconies, spacious living, kitchen, and dining areas.
Wi-Fi here is fast, beds are comfortable, and rooms are air-conditioned.
9. Ten to Ten Stone Town
Ten to Ten Stone Town is located at the heart of Zanzibar City, only about a one-minute walk from the pristine white sand beach and 0.9 kilometers from Peace Memorial Museum.
Rooms here are air-conditioned, equipped with kettles, and have shared bathrooms fitted with cold/hot showers.
They also have a shared lounge area, offer free Wi-Fi, and concierge services.
10. Kendwa Rocks
Kendwa Rocks is located on the northern coast of Zanzibar Island, with remarkable sunsets being an everyday thrill in addition to moonlit dinners on the white coral and seashell beaches.
This accommodation facility is perfect for backpackers, with beach parties organized once a week.
Kendwa Rocks is surrounded by stunning coconut trees and verdant tropical gardens and offers opportunities for boat rides, diving, fishing, snorkeling, and many other activities on the turquoise waters.
11. Flame Tree Cottages
Flame Tree Cottages is a family-run beach hotel located within Nungwi Coastline, on the northwest coast of Zanzibar.
This accommodation facility is set within a private tropical garden, facing white-sand beaches, and Mnemba Atoll is only a short boat ride away.
It offers comfortable accommodation in the form of standard rooms, honeymoon suites, family suites, and many other facilities.
12. Shangani Hotel
Shangani Hotel is a small, rustic but clean hotel found at the center of Stone Town along Kenyatta Road, just adjacent to the famous old post office.
This hotel is ornamented with traditional Zanzibar furniture and is a stone’s throw away from the main tourist sites in Stone Town, in addition to rewarding guests with views over the town.
Shangani Hotel features 22 self-contained and air-conditioned rooms with satellite TVs, mini-fridges, and showers with cold/hot running water.
Amenities at this hotel include a laundry service, Curio shop, Snooker table, and transport services organized at the request of guests.
13. Antonio Garden Hotel
Antonio Garden Hotel is a classic and beautiful budget hotel overlooking Stone Town and is ideal for vacations and romantic getaways.
You will find beauty and luxury within Antonio Garden Hotel’s 30 double/twin rooms with private terraces offering views over Stone Town.
The rooms here feature kitchenettes, king-sized beds with mosquito nets, satellite TVs, and free Wi-Fi.
There is a Lagoon restaurant, a well-stocked bar, a stunning swimming pool, and Furaha Spa for unwinding after exploring the attractions of Stone Town.
14. Uroa Bay Beach Resort
Uroa Bay Beach Resort is set on the beautiful and private white-sand Uroa Beach, extending for 400 meters along the east coast of Zanzibar Island.
This resort is made up of 61 beautiful rooms equipped with mosquito nets, private terraces, private bathrooms, satellite TVs, free Wi-Fi, air-conditioning, ceiling fans, mini-bars, safes, and hairdryers.
Interestingly, Uroa Bay Beach Resort is the only accommodation facility in Zanzibar with full wheelchair access.
Key amenities at the resort include two well-stocked bars (under Makuti and Bar Rafiki), swimming pools, sports and wellness centers, and many others.
15. Mrusi House Hotel
Mrusi House Hotel is only a 5-minute walk from Shangani and Nakupenda Beaches, about 0.9 kilometers from Old Fort and Christ Church Cathedral.
The hotel features 10 guestrooms with private bathrooms, in addition to amenities such as wheelchair access, spa treatment rooms, and free Wi-Fi, among others.
16. Seyyida Hotel & Spa
Seyyida Hotel & Spa is a stunning boutique hotel & spa with 17 spacious and fully-furnished rooms in family suites, Deluxe Courtyard, Balcony Sea View, Deluxe Standard, and Mezzanine, with hand-carved furniture in typical Swahili styles.
All the rooms are air-conditioned and offer free Wi-Fi.
Amenities at this midrange/budget hotel include Lulu Rooftop restaurant, sundowner Terrace, Lounge Bar, Courtyard Garden pool, and Seyyida Spa, among others.
17. Coral Rock Beach Bungalows
Located on the southeast coast of Zanzibar, Coral Rock Beach Bungalows are referred to as the “jewel of Jambiani” and boast an unrivaled location for guests interested in relaxation while enjoying views of white sand beaches and turquoise blue waters.
This accommodation facility is set atop an ancient Coral Rock in the Indian Ocean and offers the perfect tropical island holiday experience.
Guests here are guaranteed to experience the breathtaking beauty of sea views from hotel rooms, the restaurant, or even the bar.
Interesting facilities at Coral Rock Beach Bungalows include an outdoor swimming pool, a fully-stocked bar, a restaurant, in addition to adventurous activities such as dhow cruises, fishing tours, diving, and island tours.
18. Barefoot Zanzibar
Barefoot Zanzibar is a family-friendly guesthouse located about 250 meters from Michamvi Sunset Beach, within Zanzibar’s east coast.
It features Zanzibar-style decorated rooms with desks and chairs, air-conditioning, mosquito nets, and free Wi-Fi for all guests.
There is also outdoor furniture, laundry services, barbeque facilities for roasting meat during bonfires, free parking, and a sun terrace.
Visitors can dine at Kae Funk Sunset Beach Bar, a stone’s throw from Barefoot Zanzibar for dining and wining.
Other amazing budget lodges in Zanzibar include Arabian Nights Hotel, The Kipepeo Lodge, Kilima Kidogo, Shungi Beach Resort, and Baobab Beach Bungalows, among others.