Independent, East Coast Zanzibar hotels

"What a wonderful island and hotel. No complaints at all, fabulous holiday. Now to start saving up to return "

"Amazing hotel and staff! My every need was met and there was always a staff member close by who was willing to help. We arrived early and our rooms were not ready, they took our bags from us and allowed us to get ready in the change rooms. We went to our excursion and came back to find our luggage in our rooms! They even offered late check out for us! Ahmed is the best bartender ever! Made the best drinks and always had a smile on his face! Too many amazing staff to call out. I will miss Lux Marijani and the memories I had made over that week! The only down side I would say is the location is a bit far from stone town and other excursions around Zanzibar. However, the remote location makes for relaxation, quiet and great beaches! Expect a minimum of 1.5 hours each way to commute into the city areas like Stone Town. Other than that, for what you get in quality and celebrity treatment, the distance is the minimum of your worries! The staff literally cater to your every need! One other story, I came back from an excursion and needed dental floss. A staff member was prepared to call a pharmacy to get someone to deliver it to my room. I declined because it wasn’t necessary but just goes to demonstrate how serious they take guest satisfaction! Loved this place and will miss it tremendously. "

"This was the perfect place for a holiday! The hotel is located in the best possible spot, with easy access to everything you need, yet surrounded by peace and nature — absolute harmony. The beach is simply stunning — the cleanest and most beautiful we’ve seen, with incredibly fine, soft sand like powder. A true paradise! We stayed in a villa with a private pool, and it was absolutely amazing! We especially recommend the overwater villas — it’s not just a stay, it’s a true experience. Housekeeping was done twice a day, everything was always spotless and perfectly maintained. The staff were exceptionally attentive — kind, welcoming, always ready to help. You can truly feel their genuine care and dedication to top-level service. The cuisine was outstanding — breakfasts and five-course dinners felt like dining at a Michelin-star restaurant. Delicious, refined, and beautifully presented. Evenings featured live music and shows, creating a wonderful, festive atmosphere. If you’re interested in local excursions, they’ll organise everything quickly and at great prices, including smooth, reliable transfers. And a special mention goes to their attention to detail: on our way to the airport, the staff called the taxi driver to make sure he wouldn’t make any stops and would get us there on time. I’ve never experienced such care and consideration — absolutely top-tier service! Highly recommended! "

"Absolutely loved our stay at Toa Hotel and Spa! The service was exceptional, with staff who truly go above and beyond. I wish I can give it a 10 star for their service! The rooms are stunning, with private pools and direct beach access. We enjoyed the delicious food made with love, and the beach dinners were unforgettable, complete with an amazing show under the stars. The pools are beautiful, and the whole property feels peaceful and luxurious. If you’re coming to Zanzibar, this is the place to stay. Highly recommended!"

"This place is AMAZING! If you want a luxurious stay with good food and kind people go! I enjoyed every minute of my stay here and I would gladly stay here again and again. I went for my birthday and it was the best experience of my life."

"This is a lovely quiet each front hotel, we stepped from our door onto the sand. Roo.s are good and the staff were wonderful! We stayed in four hotels in zanzibar, the staff here are exceptional, very attentive and friendly. Hotel even supprised us with a free trip to the 'rock resaurant' and star fish beach! We would stay again in a heart beat..."

"Highly recommend staying at Mvuvi if staying on the east side of the island! Staff was always attentive and made sure our stay was wonderful. Both restaurants were fantastic! It was easy to book all of our excursions through Mvuvi and made it super convenient. Overall, we had a fantastic stay. "

"Really nice stay here and they are very welcoming. "

"Our stay at the Bamboo Hotel was truly wonderful. The grounds are absolutely stunning, and the unique architectural design—where you can gaze out at the ocean as if it’s a living, breathing TV screen—is incredibly relaxing. The rooms were spotless and clearly well-maintained; the staff does an exceptional job keeping everything clean and comfortable. Service was excellent—everyone was warm, attentive, and eager to make our stay enjoyable. The food was delicious, and we especially loved the fresh juices—they were refreshing and full of flavor. Overall, we highly recommend the Bamboo Hotel to anyone looking for a peaceful getaway surrounded by beautiful waters and top-notch service."