Pongwe Bay Resort

4.5 star property
Hotel with private beach and full-service spa
your current months are December, 2024 and January, 2025.
December 2024
January 2025

Photo gallery for Pongwe Bay Resort

Beach/ocean view
Junior Suite | Terrace/patio
Gym
2 restaurants, breakfast, lunch served; local and international cuisine
Exterior

Reviews

9.2 out of 10

Wonderful

Guests liked:

Friendly staff

Popular amenities

  • Bar
  • On private beach
  • Gym
  • Pool
  • Spa
  • Room service
The price is AU$174
includes taxes & fees
5 Dec - 6 Dec

Room options

Available filters for rooms
Showing 6 of 6 rooms

Junior Suite

Highlights

Balcony or patio
Soundproofed
Air conditioning
Free cots/infant beds
Premium bedding
Bidet
Hairdryer
Electric kettle
  • 40 sq m
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 Queen Bed and 1 Single Bed

Family Room, Garden View, Courtyard Area

Highlights

Balcony or patio
Soundproofed
Air conditioning
Free cots/infant beds
Premium bedding
3 bedrooms
Hairdryer
Electric kettle
  • 92 sq m
  • Sleeps 6
  • 2 King Beds and 2 Single Beds

Bungalow

Highlights

Balcony or patio
Soundproofed
Air conditioning
Free cots/infant beds
Premium bedding
Bidet
Hairdryer
Electric kettle
  • 45 sq m
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 King Bed and 1 Single Bed

Junior Room, Sea Facing

Highlights

Balcony or patio
Soundproofed
Air conditioning
Premium bedding
Bidet
Hairdryer
Electric kettle
Desk
  • 40 sq m
  • Sea view
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Double Bed

Junior Suite, Garden View, Courtyard Area

Highlights

Balcony or patio
Soundproofed
Air conditioning
Free cots/infant beds
Premium bedding
2 bedrooms
Hairdryer
Electric kettle
  • 85 sq m
  • Sleeps 5
  • 1 King Bed and 3 Single Beds

Suite, Sea View (Master)

Highlights

Balcony or patio
Soundproofed
Air conditioning
Free cots/infant beds
Premium bedding
Bidet
Hairdryer
Shower/bath combination
  • 60 sq m
  • Sea view
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 Queen Bed and 1 Single Sofa Bed

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About the area

Map
10 Pongwe Road, Pongwe, Unguja North Region, 0581

What's nearby

  • Pongwe Beach - 4 min walk - 0.4 km
  • Kiwengwa Pongwe Forest - 11 min walk - 1.0 km
  • Uroa Beach - 6 min drive - 6.0 km
  • Kiwengwa Beach - 7 min drive - 6.4 km
  • Marumbi Beach - 17 min drive - 10.7 km

Getting around

  • Zanzibar (ZNZ-Zanzibar Intl.) - 76 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Sai marce - ‬8 min drive
  • ‪Obama Beach Bar - ‬8 min drive
  • ‪Sipano Reastaurant - ‬8 min drive
  • ‪The Island - ‬9 min walk
  • ‪Tartaruga - ‬7 min drive

About this property

Pongwe Bay Resort

Luxury hotel near Kiwengwa Beach
Consider a stay at Pongwe Bay Resort and take advantage of a poolside bar, a free daily manager's reception and a terrace. This hotel is a great place to bask in the sun with a private beach, beachfront dining and beach massages. Treat yourself to a hot stone massage, Ayurvedic treatments or a facial at Maji Spa, the on-site spa. At the two on-site restaurants, enjoy breakfast, lunch, dinner, children's meals and local and international cuisine. Enjoy the gym, as well as activities, such as snorkelling, kayaking and beach volleyball. In addition to 2 coffee shops/cafes and a garden, guests can connect to free in-room WiFi.
You'll also enjoy perks such as:
  • An outdoor pool with sunloungers and pool umbrellas
  • Free self-parking
  • A round-trip airport shuttle (surcharge), a free beach club on-site and wedding services
  • A porter/bellboy, coffee/tea in reception and multilingual staff
  • Guest reviews give top marks for the helpful staff
Room features
All guest rooms at Pongwe Bay Resort offer thoughtful touches, such as premium bedding and laptop-friendly workspaces, in addition to amenities, such as free WiFi and air conditioning.
Extra conveniences in all rooms include:
  • Free toiletries and hairdryers
  • Balconies or patios, LED light bulbs and highchairs

Languages

English, French, Italian, Swahili

Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
  • Available in some public areas: Free WiFi

Parking and transport

  • Return airport shuttle (surcharge)
  • Free self parking on site

Food and drink

  • 2 bars/lounges
  • 2 coffee shops/cafes
  • 2 restaurants
  • A poolside bar
  • Coffee and tea in common areas
  • Free daily manager's reception
  • Snack bar/deli

Restaurants on site

  • Pongwe Bay Resort
  • Pongwe Bay Resort
  • The Club
  • The Club

Family friendly

  • Baby toys
  • Children's games
  • Highchair
  • Outdoor pool
  • Snack bar/deli
  • Soundproofed rooms

Conveniences

  • Limited-hour front desk
  • Luggage storage
  • Safe at front desk

Guest services

  • Concierge services
  • Dry cleaning/laundry service
  • Housekeeping (daily)
  • Multilingual staff
  • Porter/bellhop
  • Proposal/romance packages
  • Tour and ticket assistance
  • Wedding services

Outdoors

  • Beach loungers
  • Beach towels
  • Beach umbrellas
  • Garden
  • On a private beach
  • Pool loungers
  • Pool umbrellas
  • Terrace

Full-service spa

  • Aromatherapy
  • Ayurvedic treatments
  • Body scrubs
  • Deep-tissue massages
  • Detox wraps
  • Facials
  • Hot stone massages
  • Manicures/pedicures
  • Reflexology
  • Spa open daily
  • Sports massages
  • Thai massages

Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • Handrails in stairways (100 centimetre high)
  • No lift
  • Well-lit path to entrance

More

  • 2 floors
  • At least 80% lighting from LEDs
  • At least 80% of food locally-sourced
  • At least 80% organic food
  • Comprehensive food waste policy
  • Local culture and ecosystem education
  • Locally-owned and organised tours and activities
  • Mosquito nets
  • Smoke-free property
  • Traditional architecture
  • Vegan dining options
  • Vegetarian dining options

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Premium bedding

Bathroom

  • Free toiletries
  • Hair dryer
  • Towels provided

Food and drink

  • Electric kettle
  • Limited room service

More

  • Air conditioning
  • Desk
  • Laptop workspace
  • LED lighting
  • Safe
  • Soundproofed rooms
  • Water-efficient showers

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: 1:00 PM; check-in end time: 10:00 PM
Early check-in subject to availability
Contactless check-in and check-out are available
Late check-in subject to availability
Minimum check-in age - 18

Check-out

Check-out before 11:00 AM
Contactless check-out

Special check-in instructions

The property charges 5 per cent for credit card payments
The front desk is open daily from 7:00 AM - 11:00 PM
Guests must contact the property in advance for check-in instructions; front desk staffed during limited hours
To make arrangements for check-in please contact the property at least 48 hours before arrival using the information on the booking confirmation
If you are planning to arrive after 10:00 PM please contact the property in advance using the information on the booking confirmation
For more details, please contact the property using the information on the booking confirmation

Access methods

Front desk (limited hours)

Pets

Pets not allowed

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome
Rollaway/extra beds are not available.

Payment types

Important information

Fees

You'll be asked to pay the following charges at the property. Fees may include applicable taxes:

  • A tax is imposed by the city: USD 5.00 per person, per night

We have included all charges provided to us by the property.

Optional extras

  • Credit card charges are subject to a surcharge of 5 per cent

The above list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits may not include tax and are subject to change.

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
This property accepts credit cards and cash
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a security system and a first aid kit

We should mention

This property does not have any lifts
24-hour pool access
Reservations are required for massage services and spa treatments; reservations can be made by contacting the property prior to arrival, using the contact information on the booking confirmation

Property is also known as

Pongwe Bay Resort
Pongwe Bay Resort Zanzibar Island
Pongwe Bay Resort Hotel
Pongwe Bay Resort Pongwe
Pongwe Bay Resort Hotel Pongwe

Frequently asked questions

Does Pongwe Bay Resort have a pool?

Yes, this property has an outdoor pool. Pool access is available 24 hours a day.

How much does it cost to stay at Pongwe Bay Resort?

As of 1 Dec 2024, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Pongwe Bay Resort on 5 Dec 2024 start from AU$158.25, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.

Is Pongwe Bay Resort pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much is parking at Pongwe Bay Resort?

Self-parking is free at this property.

What time is check-in at Pongwe Bay Resort?

Check-in start time: 1:00 PM; check-in end time: 10:00 PM. Late check-in is available during limited hours.

What time is check-out at Pongwe Bay Resort?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Does Pongwe Bay Resort provide a shuttle to the airport?

Yes, there's an airport shuttle.

Where is Pongwe Bay Resort located?

Nestled on the beach, this Pongwe hotel is within a 15-minute walk of Pongwe Beach and Kiwengwa Pongwe Forest. Kiwengwa Beach and Uroa Beach are also within 6 miles (10 km).

Pongwe Bay Resort Reviews

Reviews

9.2

Wonderful

Rating 10 - Excellent. 56 out of 84 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 23 out of 84 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 2 out of 84 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 1 out of 84 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 2 out of 84 reviews" "

9.4/10

Cleanliness

9.6/10

Staff & service

8.8/10

Amenities

9.2/10

Property conditions & facilities

9.2/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Emily

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
We had a great stay at Pongwe Bay Resort! As soon as we arrived we felt taken care of and comfortable. We got to Zanzibar quite late but when we arrived we were welcomed with cool hand towels, our luggage was carried to our room for us, and our bed had beautiful hibiscus flowers laid on it. It was the perfect relaxing getaway! Prices were really reasonable, AC in the room was strong, and they arranged airport transfers for us which was convenient. WiFi was a bit of an issue- we had to go to the front desk in the morning most days and ask for the new password as they had to keep resetting it due to poor connection. The WiFi didn't seem to work in our room either so when we sent messages we had to go the main communal areas. Another small concern was when we wanted to explore the beach during low tide, as there were quite a few locals who would come up to us and try to take us on "tours" to find sea creatures or monkeys etc. They were always friendly and listened once we said we were not interested, but we felt bad always turning them all down. I didn't think it would be an issue since the resort has a "private beach," but we didn't like being followed around so it kept us close to the resort pool most days. Other than that though, we had an excellent time and would be back! :)
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Ed

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Loved our stay at Pongwe Bay Resort. The beach is beautiful, the gardens are so beautiful and the staff is amazing. The east side of the island is so calm and quite which was exactly what we needed.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2024

8/10 Good

Hanif

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
This was our first experience staying on Pongwe beach. The beach isn't comparable to what one gets at Nungwi or similar. It is quite rocky and the tide stays receeded most of the day. The resort was sparsely occupied and therefore very quiet and peaceful apart from Wednesday night when there was loud music until past 3AM at an adjacent property. The service staff were terrrific and catered for every need of ours without complaint or delay. Upendo, Abdallah, Leila and their teams were excellent with their service. The spa on the site is middling and could be much better in terms of the setup, ambiance and hygiene. One peculiar annoyance was that the resort leaves ALL their outdoor lights on at night including the half a kilometre long pier which causes unnecessary light polution which totally washes out the otherwise spectacular skies of East Coast Zanzibar. Even The Club, which is the restaurant on the pier, keeps all its inside lights on all night! That is a waste of power for an island that struggles with its power supply. Food was OK at the resort and we mostly ate at a local shack called Shashas Restaurant a kilometre down the beach. They were reasonably priced but be prepared to pay tourist prices for all food and drinks on this coast.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Simon

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
My wife and I spent eight nights in August and enjoyed our stay at the resort. Our bungalow was very comfortable, and if you're looking for a quiet location where you can walk without sandals directly onto the beach, this is the place. The resort does not have fridges or TVs in the rooms to add to the laidback experience. The staff was very professional and assisted us with offsite trips, shopping areas, and arranging transportation. There are two restaurants; both are very good, but our favorite was the one situated on a pier overlooking the water.  Located on the east side of the island, low tide occurs every six hours, meaning you can't swim but can safely walk out almost a mile. The resort has sunbeds on the beach and next to the beautiful pool.
Stayed 8 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Alfred

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
It was fabulous 👌 love it
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

nadia

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Wonderfull place ! Clean and quiet.
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Mark

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Perfect holiday
Stayed 8 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Ryan

Stayed 5 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

Anne

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Gorgeous hotel, super relaxing, delicious pool. Staff super nice and helpful. Activities on certain days. Be aware of tide changes but that's across all the island.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Miriam

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Excellent
It was excellent vacation, the staff was very friendly and helpful. Everything was good, the room was very clean. Be sure we will return
Stayed 14 nights in Aug 2023

8/10 Good

Andrea

Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Maricela

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
I enjoyed my stay. The staff were courteous and professional. Attentive and were approachable. I enjoyed the atmosphere. The bed was uncomfortable but everything else was wonderful
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

Vilde

Stayed 7 nights in Mar 2023

8/10 Good

Viljar

Stayed 6 nights in Mar 2023

8/10 Good

Paseka

Stayed 6 nights in Feb 2023

10/10 Excellent

Sarah

Stayed 14 nights in Jan 2023

10/10 Excellent

Nanna

Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2023

10/10 Excellent

Lubomira, San Francisco

Stayed 7 nights in Dec 2021

10/10 Excellent

JEFFRREY A

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
From beginning to end, they were most welcoming and hospitable. Fantastic hotel.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022

8/10 Good

Hamza

Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2022

2/10 Terrible

Hasina

Travelled with family
Disliked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Worst Place for Family Getaway
The pictures will fool you! This place is filthy with cracked floors, overpriced room rates, beverages and zero customer care!
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2021

10/10 Excellent

Adam, Cracow, Poland

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Perfect place for a short rest time. Very good food. Resort place there is nothing other - restaurants or village.
Stayed 4 nights in Jan 2021

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Disliked: Staff & service
Stayed 4 nights in Jan 2021

6/10 Okay

Verified traveller

Travelled with group
Liked: Staff & service, amenities
Positive aspects: - Service is pretty good. Entire staff is unbelievably friendly, cordial, polite, and they are extremely attentive. - Precision Air cancelled my flight with extremely short notice (don't fly with them) and even though I had booked and paid for a taxi for an hour later, the resort got another taxi to show up within minutes to take me to the airport. I wouldn't have made it to my flight otherwise. - The drinks from the bar are pretty great, they take a little bit making them but it's worth it. They even told me when they had received not so good mangoes that would make the flavor of one of the drinks subpar l. Negative things: - Would get our meal order wrong. Even when they got it right, the food was bad. We should probably have stocked with burgers and the blue Marlin. - We got a couple's massage and the hygiene of the place was not ideal. Also, the massage was kinda weird.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2020

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Disliked: Amenities
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2020