Pongwe Beach Hotel enjoys a wonderful location in a secluded cove on Zanzibar's quiet eastern coast, overlooking a stretch of pristine beach.
Pongwe is a fairly simple beach lodge, lacking the facilities and lavish comforts of Zanzibar's more prominent resorts. What it does have, however, is something that is becoming an increasingly rare asset on Zanzibar, and that is near-private beach access. Guests at Pongwe enjoy privileged access to a long, secluded stretch of beach, away from the crowds of Zanzibar's overdeveloped western coast. Tucked away in its secluded cove, its beautiful beach cut off from the rest of the island at high tide, Pongwe Beach Hotel really does have the most enviable of locations.
There are a number of other features that place Pongwe Beach Hotel a cut above other Zanzibar lodges of a similar category, like its beautiful infinity swimming pool and open-air restaurant. (The rooms, admittedly, do rather less to stand out – they are fairly ordinary beach bungalows, not unlike those found in many other beach lodges on Zanzibar, though they are a good size and very comfortably furnished). But it is the beach that makes Pongwe special.
Laid-back and unassuming, Pongwe is one of our favourites of Zanzibar's many mid-range beach lodges, thanks to its superb location and lovely atmosphere. Along with Matemwe Beach Bungalows on the northern coast of Zanzibar, it is one of the best options on the island for those who want access to a secluded beach but don't want to pay luxury resort prices.
Accommodation
Pongwe's twenty beach cottages are scattered around the lodge's pretty gardens and along the edge of the beach. They are all attractively furnished, with carved Swahili fittings and large Zanzibari beds. They feature large en-suite bathrooms with walk-in showers and double basins. Each cottage also has a quiet terrace where you can enjoy a private breakfast or just sit and admire the ocean.
Dining
Under the guidance of the English head-chef, Pongwe's cooks make the most of the local sea food in order to produce a range of Zanzibari and international dishes. Lovely three-course dinners are served daily.
Facilities
- Swimming pool
- Bar and restaurant
- Long boat for water-based activities
Activities
- Spice tour
- Art and architectural tour
- Snorkelling and diving (nearby dive centre)
- Sea fishing
Child Policy
Children of all ages can be accommodated at Pongwe Beach Hotel. Those under the age of four stay free.
We can easily recommend Pongwe to families. The easy atmosphere and spacious rooms make it a good choice of hotel for those travelling with young children.
