The Best Hotels for First Time Visitors in Zanzibar

Where to Stay on Your First Trip to Zanzibar

Are you looking for a hotel for your first trip to Zanzibar? With plenty of activities and sites, this is a great destination for first-time visitors. So if you're deciding where to stay on your first trip to Zanzibar, don't worry, we've got you covered. We've analyzed the hotels in Zanzibar to find out which are the best for first timers based on price, amenities, location, reviews, and guest ratings. In this guide, we'll be showcasing the best hotels for first-time visitors in Zanzibar, taking into consideration all of these important factors. Whether you're traveling solo, with family, or with friends, there's a hotel that caters to every traveler's needs to make the most of your first trip here. So, if you're visiting Zanzibar for the first time, the hotels below will be great options, as many of them have pools, breakfast, and plenty of comforts to help you relax. So, here they are, the best hotels in Zanzibar for first time visitors.

(Prices are listed in U.S. Dollars.)

The Residence Zanzibar

5-star Hotel with prices starting at $375 (before taxes) - See All Prices
Great Hotel for First Time Visitors
  • Beach

Located at Mchangamle, Kizimkazi, The Residence Zanzibar has great rooms from $375 (before taxes). It offers an outdoor pool, a pool bar, room service, a restaurant, and a fitness center. It has a terrific 8.80 rating out of 10 from previous guests who have stayed here. Only 31.6 km from the city center, first time visitors will especially love scuba diving, snorkeling, a bar, breakfast, and outdoor tennis at this relaxing hotel. Don't forget to spend some time at the terrific pool bar where you can unwind and relax.

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Outdoor pool
  • Room service
  • Snorkeling
  • Breakfast included
  • Free breakfast
  • Spa
  • Beach
More Great Amenities
  • Pool bar
  • Restaurant
  • Fitness center
  • Bar/Lounge
  • Babysitting / Child Care
  • Laundry service
  • Hot tub
  • Game room
  • Free parking
  • Table tennis
  • Bicycle rental
  • Fishing
  • Family rooms
  • Playground
  • Breakfast in the room
  • Kids' club


Tulia Zanzibar Unique Beach Resort

5-star Resort with prices starting at $430 (before taxes) - See All Prices
Perfect for Your First Visit to Zanzibar
  • High Quality: guest ratings are higher than average.
  • Beach

A great place to stay is Tulia Zanzibar Unique Beach Resort which has nice rooms starting at $430. Offering an outdoor pool, a pool bar, room service, a restaurant, and a fitness center, it also has a great guest rating of 9.60 out of 10 from many previous guests. It's located at Pongwe Pwani. This convenient hotel is also nice because it offers scuba diving, snorkeling, a bar, breakfast, and hiking which visitors will enjoy. Also, it's just 13.7 km from the city center. The service at the restaurant is terrific, and so is the food.

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Outdoor pool
  • Room service
  • Snorkeling
  • Breakfast included
  • Free breakfast
  • Spa
  • Child pool
  • Beach
More Great Amenities
  • Pool bar
  • Restaurant
  • Fitness center
  • Bar/Lounge
  • Hiking
  • Babysitting / Child Care
  • Laundry service
  • Pets allowed
  • Hot tub
  • Free parking
  • Bicycle rental
  • Fishing
  • Family rooms
  • Breakfast in the room


La Madrugada Beach Hotel & Resort

3-star Hotel with prices starting at $90 (before taxes) - See All Prices
A Good Stay for Your First Trip
  • Great Value: the price is lower than average for 3-star hotels.
  • High Quality: guest ratings are higher than average.
  • Beach

We found La Madrugada Beach Hotel & Resort to be a great place to stay, and the price starts at $90. We loved that is has an outdoor pool, room service, a restaurant, a fitness center, and scuba diving, and it also has a terrific guest rating of 9.10 out of 10 from previous guests. It's located at Makunduchi. You'll also find snorkeling, a bar, a kid-friendly buffet, breakfast, and child care which travelers will love. And this fun hotel is just 38.4 km from the center of town. The swimming pool is fantastic and lots of fun, too. It's a great value, too, because it's less than the average price for first time trip hotels.

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Outdoor pool
  • Room service
  • Snorkeling
  • Breakfast included
  • Free breakfast
  • Spa
  • Child pool
  • Horse riding
  • Beach
More Great Amenities
  • Restaurant
  • Fitness center
  • Bar/Lounge
  • Kid-friendly buffet
  • Babysitting / Child Care
  • Laundry service
  • Free parking
  • Bicycle rental
  • Fishing
  • Family rooms
  • Refrigerator
  • Breakfast in the room


Fruit & Spice Wellness Resort Zanzibar

5-star Resort with prices starting at $188 (before taxes) - See All Prices
Perfect for Your First Time in Zanzibar
  • Great Value: the price is lower than average for 5-star hotels.
  • Beach

With terrific rooms from $188, Fruit & Spice Wellness Resort Zanzibar, at Mchangamle provides an outdoor pool, a pool bar, room service, a restaurant, and a fitness center. Its terrific guest rating is 8.60 out of 10 from previous guests staying here. New visitors will really like this amazing hotel which also offers scuba diving, snorkeling, a bar, breakfast, and rooms with kitchens. It's located just 30.6 km from the city center, too. It's always nice to have a kitchenette to cook some basic meals or have an easy breakfast. It's a great value, as the price is less than the average for first time trip hotels.

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Outdoor pool
  • Room service
  • Snorkeling
  • Breakfast included
  • Kitchen
  • Beach
More Great Amenities
  • Pool bar
  • Restaurant
  • Fitness center
  • Bar/Lounge
  • Kitchenette
  • Laundry service
  • Hot tub
  • Game room
  • Free parking
  • Table tennis
  • Bicycle rental
  • Fishing
  • Family rooms
  • Private pool
  • Microwave
  • Refrigerator
  • Playground
  • Breakfast in the room
  • Infinity pool


Zanzi Resort

5-star Resort with prices starting at $239 (before taxes) - See All Prices
Perfect for First-Timers
  • Great Value: the price is lower than average for 5-star hotels.
  • High Quality: guest ratings are higher than average.
  • Beach
  • Family-Friendly

Zanzi Resort has a great guest rating of 9.40 out of 10, and offers an outdoor pool, room service, a restaurant, a fitness center, and scuba diving. The great rooms here start at $239 before taxes and depending on the season. It can be found at Kama. Furthermore, it also offers snorkeling, a bar, a kid-friendly buffet, breakfast, and hiking, which is nice for first time visitors. Just 19.6 km from the city center, this fantastic hotel is a terrific choice. You'll enjoy relaxing while having room service delivered.

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Outdoor pool
  • Room service
  • Snorkeling
  • Breakfast included
  • Free breakfast
  • Spa
  • Horse riding
  • Beach
  • Family-Friendly
More Great Amenities
  • Restaurant
  • Fitness center
  • Bar/Lounge
  • Kid-friendly buffet
  • Hiking
  • Laundry service
  • Free parking
  • Bicycle rental
  • Fishing
  • Family rooms
  • Private pool
  • Coffee shop
  • Refrigerator
  • Breakfast in the room


The Sands Beach Resort

4-star Hotel with prices starting at $250 (before taxes) - See All Prices
Among the Best Places to Stay for a First Visit to Zanzibar
  • High Quality: guest ratings are higher than average.
  • Beach

The great guest rating of The Sands Beach Resort is 9.10 out of 10. This place has an outdoor pool, room service, a restaurant, scuba diving, and snorkeling. Prices for the terrific rooms are from $250, and it's located at P.O Box 791 Zanzibar. We also love the a bar, breakfast, child care, laundry services, and a free breakfast which are great for visitors. And since it's just 20.5 km from the center of the town, the location is great, too.

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Outdoor pool
  • Room service
  • Snorkeling
  • Breakfast included
  • Free breakfast
  • Beach
More Great Amenities
  • Restaurant
  • Bar/Lounge
  • Babysitting / Child Care
  • Laundry service
  • Game room
  • Free parking
  • Bicycle rental
  • Fishing
  • Family rooms
  • Private pool
  • Refrigerator
  • Playground


Pongwe Bay Resort

4-star Hotel with prices starting at $88 (before taxes) - See All Prices
Perfect Hotel to Make the Most of Your First Visit
  • Great Value: the price is lower than average for 4-star hotels.
  • Beach
  • Family-Friendly

A cool place is Pongwe Bay Resort because it has great rooms that start at $88. It has an outdoor pool, room service, a restaurant, scuba diving, and snorkeling, it also earned a great guest rating of 8.90 out of 10 from people who have stayed here before. It's found at 10 Pongwe Road. Only 13.6 km from the city center, travelers will especially love a bar, hiking, laundry services, a spa and wellness center, and a game room at this convenient hotel. It's also less than the average price for first time trip hotels, so it's a great value.

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Outdoor pool
  • Room service
  • Snorkeling
  • Spa
  • Horse riding
  • Beach
  • Family-Friendly
More Great Amenities
  • Restaurant
  • Bar/Lounge
  • Hiking
  • Laundry service
  • Game room
  • Free parking
  • Fishing
  • Family rooms


Breezes Beach Club and Spa

5-star Hotel with prices starting at $182 (before taxes) - See All Prices
Great Hotel for First Time Visitors
  • Great Value: the price is lower than average for 5-star hotels.
  • Beach

Breezes Beach Club and Spa offers an outdoor pool, a pool bar, room service, a restaurant, and a fitness center which we really like. The terrific rooms here start at $182 (before taxes). It's located at Bwejuu Beach and has earned a guest rating of 8.70/10. This fun hotel is also nice because it offers scuba diving, snorkeling, a bar, parking, and breakfast which new visitors will enjoy. Also, it's just 21 km from the city center. It's a great value, too, because it's less than the average price for first time trip hotels.

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Outdoor pool
  • Room service
  • Snorkeling
  • Parking
  • Breakfast included
  • Free breakfast
  • Spa
  • Beach
More Great Amenities
  • Pool bar
  • Restaurant
  • Fitness center
  • Bar/Lounge
  • Laundry service
  • Bicycle rental
  • Family rooms
  • Tennis
  • Refrigerator
  • Breakfast in the room


Sunshine Marine Lodge

3-star Hotel with prices starting at $123 (before taxes) - See All Prices
Perfect for Your First Visit to Zanzibar
  • Great Value: the price is lower than average for first time trip hotels.
  • Beach
  • Family-Friendly

Located at Muyuni, Sunshine Marine Lodge has great rooms from $123 (before taxes). It offers an outdoor pool, a restaurant, scuba diving, snorkeling, and a bar. It has a terrific 8.70 rating out of 10 from previous guests who have stayed here. You'll also find breakfast, laundry services, a free breakfast, a spa and wellness center, and a spa which first time visitors will love. And this amazing hotel is just 36.2 km from the center of town. It's a great value, as the price is less than the average for first time trip hotels.

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Outdoor pool
  • Snorkeling
  • Breakfast included
  • Free breakfast
  • Spa
  • Child pool
  • Horse riding
  • Beach
  • Family-Friendly
More Great Amenities
  • Restaurant
  • Bar/Lounge
  • Laundry service
  • Free parking
  • Bicycle rental
  • Fishing
  • Family rooms
  • Coffee shop


Kasha Boutique Hotel

4-star Hotel with prices starting at $102 (before taxes) - See All Prices
A Good Stay for Your First Trip
  • Great Value: the price is lower than average for 4-star hotels.
  • Beach

A great place to stay is Kasha Boutique Hotel which has nice rooms starting at $102. Offering an outdoor pool, room service, a restaurant, scuba diving, and snorkeling, it also has a great guest rating of 8.60 out of 10 from many previous guests. It's located at Matemwe. Visitors will really like this fantastic hotel which also offers a bar, breakfast, child care, laundry services, and a free breakfast. It's located just 34 km from the city center, too. Having an indoor pool means that you can swim and have fun any time of the year. We found the price of this hotel to be a great value because the price is less than average for first time trip hotels.

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Outdoor pool
  • Room service
  • Snorkeling
  • Breakfast included
  • Free breakfast
  • Spa
  • Indoor pool
  • Horse riding
  • Beach
More Great Amenities
  • Restaurant
  • Bar/Lounge
  • Babysitting / Child Care
  • Laundry service
  • Pets allowed
  • Game room
  • Free parking
  • Fishing
  • Family rooms
  • Private pool
  • Refrigerator
  • Breakfast in the room


Also, take a look at the First Time Trip hotels in nearby destinations: Zanzibar, Dar Es Salaam, Jambiani, and Nungwi.

For more terrific hotel ideas in Zanzibar, make sure you also see Best Beach Hotels in Zanzibar, Best Cheap Hotels in Zanzibar, Best Luxury Hotels in Zanzibar, Best Pet-Friendly Hotels in Zanzibar, Best Hotels for a Weekend Getaway in Zanzibar, Best Hotels for One Week in Zanzibar, Best Hotels for One Night in Zanzibar, Best Romantic Hotels for Couples in Zanzibar, Best Hotels for Scuba Diving in Zanzibar, or Best Business Hotels in Zanzibar.


How much do hotels for first-time visitors cost in Zanzibar?

Zanzibar Average First Time Trip Hotel Price
$204

Travelers to Zanzibar will have a large number of terrific first time trip accommodation options with a variety of great prices. The price of first time trip hotels here can vary by amenities, dates, and the neighborhood. Based on thorough data from 23 first time trip hotels, their average price is a very reasonable $204. If you're interested in more information about hotels here, see our guide to hotel prices in Zanzibar.

The average prices of our suggested first time trip hotels by star rating:

  • 5-star hotels: $327
  • 4-star hotels: $138
  • 3-star hotels: $115


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