Reviews of Pongwe Beach Hotel
Wildlife sightings and reviews
91 independent comments and wildlife information from our travellers who have visited Pongwe Beach Hotel and kindly agreed to share their thoughts. They do not necessarily represent the views of Expert Africa
Mr & Mrs ST
Cambridge
"Pongwe Beach Hotel review"
4 nights Arrived 16 Jan 2023
"A really magical white sand beach with beautiful palms and high quality beech front rooms.
Above average food, the fantastic infinity pool and really friendly staff made this visit very memorable.
Maybe a place for a good relax rather than full activity such as snorkelling/scuba/sailing." See all these reviews: 6n in Zanzibar; 4n in Tanzania
Above average food, the fantastic infinity pool and really friendly staff made this visit very memorable.
Maybe a place for a good relax rather than full activity such as snorkelling/scuba/sailing." See all these reviews: 6n in Zanzibar; 4n in Tanzania
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Good
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Ms E.
London
"Pongwe Beach Hotel review"
4 nights Arrived 7 Sep 2022
"Lovely location.
Nice rooms.
Super staff." See all these reviews: 11n in Tanzania; 6n in Zanzibar; 1n in Kenya
Nice rooms.
Super staff." See all these reviews: 11n in Tanzania; 6n in Zanzibar; 1n in Kenya
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Good
Facilities:
Good
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Average
Mr & Mrs J
Leeds
"Pongwe Beach Hotel review"
4 nights Arrived 1 Jul 2022
"Stayed at Pongwe Beach to chill out after 8 days safari. Very comfy room and loved the plunge pool in our garden area... Pool area was very quiet and relaxing ...loved the canoes and we were able to explore a bit further down the coastline.
Staff always friendly and helpful - food was of a very good standard." See all these reviews: 9n in Tanzania; 4n in Zanzibar
Staff always friendly and helpful - food was of a very good standard." See all these reviews: 9n in Tanzania; 4n in Zanzibar
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Good
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Good
B & C
London
"The food was excellent and the staff was lovely!"
5 nights Arrived 30 Jun 2022
"This was our final stop after 10 days of safaris. It was a great place to relax.
It has a beautiful private beach (and you can use their kayaks and paddle boards for free). It was also a perfect base for excursions such as snorkelling and the spice tour.
The food was excellent and the staff was lovely!" See all these reviews: 9n in Tanzania; 5n in Zanzibar
It has a beautiful private beach (and you can use their kayaks and paddle boards for free). It was also a perfect base for excursions such as snorkelling and the spice tour.
The food was excellent and the staff was lovely!" See all these reviews: 9n in Tanzania; 5n in Zanzibar
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Good
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Mr & MrsF
Northampton
"Pongwe Beach Hotel review"
5 nights Arrived 24 Jun 2022
"Pongwe beach hotel was perfectly positioned within a small cove on a white sandy beach kissed by the Indian ocean.
The room was immaculate and the staff led by Wilson were attentive and very friendly. allowing us to relax and enjoy our trip. The facilities were above our expectations allowing us to enjoy the luxory on offer.
The food was to a very high standard with fresh produce and locally caught fish." See all these reviews: 6n in Tanzania; 5n in Zanzibar
The room was immaculate and the staff led by Wilson were attentive and very friendly. allowing us to relax and enjoy our trip. The facilities were above our expectations allowing us to enjoy the luxory on offer.
The food was to a very high standard with fresh produce and locally caught fish." See all these reviews: 6n in Tanzania; 5n in Zanzibar
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Mr &Mrs W
Bamford
"Pongwe Beach Hotel review"
4 nights Arrived 28 Dec 2019
"Bliss!
Brilliant Wi-Fi connection even on beach!
New-over bed air-con
We felt very lucky to have been introduced to such an authentic characterful gem - private beach with no beach boys hassling. Plenty of space, spot-on service." See all these reviews: 8n in Kenya; 6n in Zanzibar
Brilliant Wi-Fi connection even on beach!
New-over bed air-con
We felt very lucky to have been introduced to such an authentic characterful gem - private beach with no beach boys hassling. Plenty of space, spot-on service." See all these reviews: 8n in Kenya; 6n in Zanzibar
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Good
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Good
Mrs H
Bristol
"A Great 60th Birthday Celebration "
7 nights Arrived 23 Nov 2019
"We spent a lovely week at Pongwe with our family and friends, to celebrate my husbands 60th birthday.
This was our third stay here and once again we had a fantastic time. We spent our days relaxing on the beach and swimming in the sea and our evenings in the bar and restaurant enjoying the excellent food and drinks including the lovely cocktails.
We love everything about Pongwe, the lovely spacious rooms, the wonderful beach, the great food served in the restaurant, the lovely friendly staff who cannot do enough to make your stay special, and the lovely relaxed atmosphere of the place.
We had dinner on the beach on my husbands birthday which was very special and all the staff joined in the celebrations.
When I think of beach holidays I cannot think of anywhere else I would rather be than at Pongwe......we hope to be back again soon." See all these reviews: 9n in Tanzania; 7n in Zanzibar
This was our third stay here and once again we had a fantastic time. We spent our days relaxing on the beach and swimming in the sea and our evenings in the bar and restaurant enjoying the excellent food and drinks including the lovely cocktails.
We love everything about Pongwe, the lovely spacious rooms, the wonderful beach, the great food served in the restaurant, the lovely friendly staff who cannot do enough to make your stay special, and the lovely relaxed atmosphere of the place.
We had dinner on the beach on my husbands birthday which was very special and all the staff joined in the celebrations.
When I think of beach holidays I cannot think of anywhere else I would rather be than at Pongwe......we hope to be back again soon." See all these reviews: 9n in Tanzania; 7n in Zanzibar
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Dr & Dr S.
Knutsford
"Pongwe Beach Hotel review"
4 nights Arrived 13 Nov 2019
"We adored the picture perfect white sandy bay at Pongwe; swimming was limited to high tide only, but that meant there was a massive beach to explore by foot at low tide, where locals farm seaweed in tidal pools.
Pongwe is perfect for a few relaxed days after safari and/or a visit to Stonetown. It is unspoilt and has a laid back feel and isn't for people looking for lots of inclusive activities. We made use of the kayaks and swimming options, but were surprised that there was a charge associated with snorkelling, as some literature said that this was included.
The food at Pongwe was great - we ate all our evening meals there and indulged in a massive seafood feast on our final night." See all these reviews: 7n in Tanzania; 6n in Zanzibar
Pongwe is perfect for a few relaxed days after safari and/or a visit to Stonetown. It is unspoilt and has a laid back feel and isn't for people looking for lots of inclusive activities. We made use of the kayaks and swimming options, but were surprised that there was a charge associated with snorkelling, as some literature said that this was included.
The food at Pongwe was great - we ate all our evening meals there and indulged in a massive seafood feast on our final night." See all these reviews: 7n in Tanzania; 6n in Zanzibar
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Good
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Good
Mr & Mrs H
Scotland
"Paradise"
6 nights Arrived 12 Nov 2019
"Our six night stay at Pongwe was paradise. I cannot imagine anywhere better to relax and chill out. Superb beach and wonderful sea which was enhanced by the huge tidal variation. This allowed us to swim and also to wander along the beach for as far as you could wish.
The hotel makes relaxing so easy..... beach chairs , hammocks, swimming pool, sea, white sand, the sound of waves, palm trees softly swaying in the breeze, drinks and food brought to wherever you happen to be, the list goes on.
The food was exceptionally good with well cooked fish always on the menu.
All staff were helpful, friendly, cheerful and very good at their jobs.Nothing seemed to be too much trouble.
We had a room with a plunge pool for five nights. This was very spacious and comfortable. The bathroom , while perfectly acceptable, could do with a refurbish. We moved to a newly refurbished beachfront room for our last night and I just loved it. Beautifully decorated and well appointed.
We really didn't want to drag ourselves away but did do a day trip to Stonetown which is very interesting and well worth visiting as was a spice tour on the day of our departure. There are options to participate in various water activities although we passed on them.
Cannot recommend this relaxing piece of paradise too highly, you will be well looked after." See all these reviews: 11n in Tanzania; 6n in Zanzibar
The hotel makes relaxing so easy..... beach chairs , hammocks, swimming pool, sea, white sand, the sound of waves, palm trees softly swaying in the breeze, drinks and food brought to wherever you happen to be, the list goes on.
The food was exceptionally good with well cooked fish always on the menu.
All staff were helpful, friendly, cheerful and very good at their jobs.Nothing seemed to be too much trouble.
We had a room with a plunge pool for five nights. This was very spacious and comfortable. The bathroom , while perfectly acceptable, could do with a refurbish. We moved to a newly refurbished beachfront room for our last night and I just loved it. Beautifully decorated and well appointed.
We really didn't want to drag ourselves away but did do a day trip to Stonetown which is very interesting and well worth visiting as was a spice tour on the day of our departure. There are options to participate in various water activities although we passed on them.
Cannot recommend this relaxing piece of paradise too highly, you will be well looked after." See all these reviews: 11n in Tanzania; 6n in Zanzibar
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Mr Steve
Hope Valley
"Pongwe Beach review"
4 nights Arrived 23 Sep 2019
"4 nights here at the end of our trip. All good and excellent staff. Well located for scuba diving and snorkelling too."
See all these reviews: 12n in Tanzania; 4n in Zanzibar
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location:
Good
Service:
Good
Activities:
Good
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Good
Facilities:
Good
Holiday styles & special interests in Zanzibar
From birdwatching breaks to walking holidays, find great ideas for your trip in Zanzibar.
Other lodges in East Coast Zanzibar
Alternative places to stay in this same area.
Matemwe Lodge
Matemwe Lodge is one of our favourite beach lodges. With only 12 cottages right on the edge of the old coral cliff, it is personal and relaxing.
Shooting Star Lodge
Shooting Star Lodge has a friendly atmosphere and a beautiful infinity pool, sitting above a stunning stretch of beach on Zanzibar's east coast.
Mnemba Island Lodge
Mnemba is a private island resort with 11 chalets, fringed by some of the best coral reefs in the Zanzibar area.
Matemwe Retreat
Matemwe Retreat is one of the most exclusive lodges on Zanzibar, with four split-level villas each with their own veranda, sun terrace, plunge pool.
Sunshine Marine Lodge
Sunshine Marine (sister of Sunshine Hotel) is located in a secluded part of the east coast, with a first-rate, in-house dive centre.
Zoi Hotel
Located right on the beach, with bright rooms and a colourful garden, the Zoi Boutique Hotel has a lively, relaxed atmosphere.
Green & Blue
The pretty Green and Blue hotel has a picture-postcard setting on a sweep white sand in the Matemwe area of Zanzibar’s north-east coast.
Zanzibar Pearl
Formally known as Matemwe Beach Village, Zanzibar Pearl Boutique Hotel is one of the newest properties on the island
Melia Zanzibar
Melia Zanzibar is a very large resort hotel on Zanzibar’s east coast and is well equipped for business and leisure trips.
Matemwe Beach House
Located on Zanzibar's stunning east coast, Matemwe Beach House offers private accommodation for friends or families travelling together.
Tulia Zanzibar
Tulia Zanzibibar Beach Resort is a 16-room boutique beach hotel that opened in 2016 on Zanzibar's east coast.
