Chuini Zanzibar Beach Lodge by NEWMARK
Location: Chuini Ruins, Bububu, Bububu, TZ
Star Rating: 4 Stars
Property Type: Lodges
About this Property
Luxurious Spa
Indulge in massages, body treatments, and facials at the exquisite spa.
Exciting Recreational Activities
Swim in the outdoor pool, relax in the spa tub, or explore the area on rented bicycles.
Delightful Dining Options
Experience international cuisine with a beachfront view at the Restaurant or enjoy a drink at the bar/lounge.
By the ocean
To book your stay at Chuini Zanzibar Beach Lodge by NEWMARK and experience these fantastic amenities, click now.
Important Information
- Only registered guests are allowed in the guestrooms.
- Cashless payment methods are available for all transactions.
Policies
Check-in: 02:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Check-out: 11:00 AM
Instructions: There is no front desk at this property. The host will greet guests on arrival.
Amenities & Facilities
- Full-service spa
- Boat tours on site
- Free WiFi
- Terrace
- Garden
- Luggage storage
- Designated smoking area
- Elevator
- Gift shops or newsstand
- Scuba diving nearby
- Library
- Safe-deposit box at front desk
- Multilingual staff
- Full-service spa
- Wedding services
- Pool umbrellas
- Billiards or pool table
- Tours/ticket assistance
- Snack bar/deli
- Ecotours on site
- Snorkeling on site
- Free self parking
- Computer station
- Airport transportation - pickup (surcharge)
- Pool sun loungers
- Boat tours on site
- Mosquito nets
- Horse riding nearby
- Accessible airport shuttle
- No accessible airport shuttle
Rooms Available
-
Junior Suite, Ocean View (Single)
1 King Bed
376-sq-foot individually decorated room, patio with ocean views
Layout - Bedroom and sitting area
Food & Drink - Electric kettle and room service (limited hours)
Sleep - Pillowtop bed, premium bedding, and turndown service
Bathroom - Private bathroom, shower, bathrobes, and free toiletries
Practical - Laptop-compatible safe and desk
Comfort - Air conditioning and daily housekeeping
Need to Know - No cribs (infant beds) available, bed sheets not available
Non-Smoking
Max Occupancy: 1 (1 Adults)
- Shower
- Telephone
- Air conditioning
- Hair dryer
- Bathrobe
- Desk
- Private bathroom
- Slippers
- Electric kettle
- Room service (limited hours)
- Daily housekeeping
- Ceiling fan
- Premium bedding
- Separate sitting area
- Turndown service
- Pillowtop mattress
- No cribs (infant beds)
- Bed sheets not available
-
Superior Bungalow
1 King Bed
645-sq-foot individually decorated room, patio with sea views
Layout - Separate sitting area
Food & Drink - Electric kettle and room service (limited hours)
Sleep - Pillowtop bed, premium bedding, and turndown service
Bathroom - Private bathroom, shower, bathrobes, and free toiletries
Practical - Day bed, laptop-compatible safe, and desk; cribs (free) available on request
Comfort - Air conditioning and daily housekeeping
Need to Know - Bed sheets not available
Non-Smoking
Max Occupancy: 3 (2 Adults)
- Shower
- Telephone
- Air conditioning
- Hair dryer
- Bathrobe
- Desk
- Private bathroom
- Slippers
- Electric kettle
- Room service (limited hours)
- Daily housekeeping
- Ceiling fan
- Premium bedding
- Separate sitting area
- Turndown service
- Pillowtop mattress
- Free cribs/infant beds
- Day bed
- Bed sheets not available
-
Deluxe Room, Garden View
1 King Bed
376-sq-foot individually decorated room, patio with garden views
Layout - Separate sitting area
Food & Drink - Electric kettle and room service (limited hours)
Sleep - Pillowtop bed, premium bedding, and turndown service
Bathroom - Private bathroom, shower, bathrobes, and free toiletries
Practical - Laptop-compatible safe and desk; cribs (free) available on request
Comfort - Air conditioning and daily housekeeping
Need to Know - Bed sheets not available
Non-Smoking
Max Occupancy: 1 (1 Adults)
- Shower
- Telephone
- Air conditioning
- Hair dryer
- Bathrobe
- Desk
- Private bathroom
- Slippers
- Electric kettle
- Room service (limited hours)
- Daily housekeeping
- Ceiling fan
- Premium bedding
- Separate sitting area
- Turndown service
- Pillowtop mattress
- Free cribs/infant beds
- Bed sheets not available
-
Deluxe Bungalow, Ocean View
1 King Bed
376-sq-foot individually decorated room, patio with ocean views
Layout - Separate sitting area
Food & Drink - Electric kettle and room service (limited hours)
Sleep - Pillowtop bed, premium bedding, and turndown service
Bathroom - Private bathroom, shower, bathrobes, and free toiletries
Practical - Day bed, laptop-compatible safe, and desk; cribs (free) available on request
Comfort - Air conditioning and daily housekeeping
Need to Know - Bed sheets not available
Non-Smoking
Max Occupancy: 3 (2 Adults)
- Shower
- Telephone
- Air conditioning
- Hair dryer
- Bathrobe
- Desk
- Private bathroom
- Slippers
- Electric kettle
- Room service (limited hours)
- Daily housekeeping
- Ceiling fan
- Premium bedding
- Separate sitting area
- Turndown service
- Pillowtop mattress
- Free cribs/infant beds
- Day bed
- Bed sheets not available
-
Villa, 2 Bedrooms, Sea View
2 King Beds OR 2 Twin Beds
1453-sq-foot individually decorated room, patio with sea views
Layout - 2 bedrooms and sitting area
Food & Drink - Electric kettle and room service (limited hours)
Sleep - Pillowtop bed, premium bedding, and turndown service
Bathroom - Private bathroom, shower, bathrobes, and free toiletries
Practical - Day bed, laptop-compatible safe, and desk; cribs (free) available on request
Comfort - Air conditioning and daily housekeeping
Need to Know - Bed sheets not available
Smoking And Non-Smoking
Max Occupancy: 3 (2 Adults)
- Shower
- Telephone
- Air conditioning
- Hair dryer
- Bathrobe
- Desk
- Private bathroom
- Slippers
- Electric kettle
- Room service (limited hours)
- Daily housekeeping
- Ceiling fan
- Premium bedding
- Separate sitting area
- Turndown service
- Pillowtop mattress
- Free cribs/infant beds
- Day bed
- Smoking and Non-Smoking
- Bed sheets not available
-
Deluxe Room, Garden View
1 King Bed
376-sq-foot individually decorated room, patio with garden views
Layout - Separate sitting area
Food & Drink - Electric kettle and room service (limited hours)
Sleep - Pillowtop bed, premium bedding, and turndown service
Bathroom - Private bathroom, shower, bathrobes, and free toiletries
Practical - Laptop-compatible safe and desk; cribs (free) available on request
Comfort - Air conditioning and daily housekeeping
Need to Know - Bed sheets not available
Non-Smoking
Max Occupancy: 3 (2 Adults)
- Shower
- Telephone
- Air conditioning
- Hair dryer
- Bathrobe
- Desk
- Private bathroom
- Slippers
- Electric kettle
- Room service (limited hours)
- Daily housekeeping
- Ceiling fan
- Premium bedding
- Separate sitting area
- Turndown service
- Pillowtop mattress
- Free cribs/infant beds
- Bed sheets not available
-
Deluxe Bungalow, Ocean View (Single Use)
1 King Bed
376-sq-foot individually decorated room, patio with ocean views
Layout - Separate sitting area
Food & Drink - Electric kettle and room service (limited hours)
Sleep - Pillowtop bed, premium bedding, and turndown service
Bathroom - Private bathroom, shower, bathrobes, and free toiletries
Practical - Day bed, laptop-compatible safe, and desk
Comfort - Air conditioning and daily housekeeping
Need to Know - No cribs (infant beds) available, bed sheets not available
Non-Smoking
Max Occupancy: 1 (1 Adults)
- Shower
- Telephone
- Air conditioning
- Hair dryer
- Bathrobe
- Desk
- Private bathroom
- Slippers
- Electric kettle
- Room service (limited hours)
- Daily housekeeping
- Ceiling fan
- Premium bedding
- Separate sitting area
- Turndown service
- Pillowtop mattress
- No cribs (infant beds)
- Day bed
- Bed sheets not available
-
Superior Bungalow (Single)
1 King Bed
334-sq-foot individually decorated room, patio with ocean views
Layout - Separate sitting area
Food & Drink - Electric kettle and room service (limited hours)
Sleep - Pillowtop bed, premium bedding, and turndown service
Bathroom - Private bathroom, shower, bathrobes, and free toiletries
Practical - Day bed, laptop-compatible safe, and desk
Comfort - Air conditioning and daily housekeeping
Need to Know - No cribs (infant beds) available, bed sheets not available
Non-Smoking
Max Occupancy: 1 (1 Adults)
- Shower
- Telephone
- Air conditioning
- Hair dryer
- Bathrobe
- Desk
- Private bathroom
- Slippers
- Electric kettle
- Room service (limited hours)
- Daily housekeeping
- Ceiling fan
- Premium bedding
- Separate sitting area
- Turndown service
- Pillowtop mattress
- No cribs (infant beds)
- Day bed
- Bed sheets not available
-
Junior Suite, Oceanfront
1 King Bed
376-sq-foot individually decorated room, patio with ocean views
Layout - Bedroom and sitting area
Food & Drink - Electric kettle and room service (limited hours)
Sleep - Pillowtop bed, premium bedding, and turndown service
Bathroom - Private bathroom, shower, bathrobes, and free toiletries
Practical - Day bed, laptop-compatible safe, and desk; cribs (free) available on request
Comfort - Air conditioning and daily housekeeping
Need to Know - Bed sheets not available
Non-Smoking
Max Occupancy: 2 (2 Adults)
- Shower
- Telephone
- Air conditioning
- Hair dryer
- Bathrobe
- Desk
- Private bathroom
- Slippers
- Electric kettle
- Room service (limited hours)
- Daily housekeeping
- Ceiling fan
- Premium bedding
- Separate sitting area
- Turndown service
- Pillowtop mattress
- Free cribs/infant beds
- Day bed
- Bed sheets not available
-
Villa, 2 Bedrooms, Ocean View (Single)
1 Twin Bed
1453-sq-foot individually decorated room, patio with ocean views
Layout - 2 bedrooms and sitting area
Food & Drink - Electric kettle and room service (limited hours)
Sleep - Pillowtop bed, premium bedding, and turndown service
Bathroom - Private bathroom, shower, bathrobes, and free toiletries
Practical - Laptop-compatible safe and desk
Comfort - Air conditioning and daily housekeeping
Need to Know - Bed sheets not available
Non-Smoking
Max Occupancy: 1 (1 Adults)
- Shower
- Telephone
- Air conditioning
- Hair dryer
- Bathrobe
- Desk
- Private bathroom
- Slippers
- Electric kettle
- Room service (limited hours)
- Daily housekeeping
- Ceiling fan
- Premium bedding
- Separate sitting area
- Turndown service
- Pillowtop mattress
- Bed sheets not available
Guest Reviews
- Nancy (10/5): - Property was beautiful! Great views, wonderful rooms, delicious food. Staff was super helpful in assisting to our every need.
- Abeed (10/5): - Staying here was a dream. It was such a beautiful place to spend time. The staff is so very hospitable. The meals overlooking the ocean were wonderful
- Alison (8/5): Mixed experience - Leaking air conditioning unit with a flood of liquid on the floor affecting clothes and shoes. Some amazing staff but had a sense there was a lack of direction. Very expensive food and drinks. Very poor knowledge of food allergies despite emailing weeks in advance and speaking with staff at check in.
- Bruck (6/5): - The lodge is good with a nice view to the ocean and the staff are great. We did not enjoy the lodge food and it's expensive for the quality we tasted. There aren't any nearby dinning places near the lodge and not is the place convenient for transportation to go to other places
- Manon (8/5): - Bon établissement, personnel accueillant. La chambre rend mieux sur les photos, les finitions sont très grossières, peignoirs, serviettes etc tachés… de plus l’hôtel est mal situé, pas possible de sortir à pied. Le restaurant est bof et cher. Sinon, la piscine est très bien, belle vue. Un mini accès à une plage où il y est impossible de se baigner, plutôt une plage des locaux.
- Emeka (6/5): - Quaint location. You may have to contend with load (power) sharing. No TVs (fine with me). Good location for solo travelers.
- Jimmy (10/5): - The environment was very welcoming and everyday i saw how hard everyone on the staff worked in unison to provide me comfort and convenience. Elisha and Zebron i dealt with daily and they made sure everything was in order and that i enjoyed myself. The cooks serce some of the best food i have tasted it was so i tried food i have never tried. The property was secure and i had no worries of unfavorable events occuring. First place i have stayed wjere housekeeping comes in person at least 3 times a day to ensure the room is in order or to check if anything is needed. I didn’t just meet people that work at a lodge there, no i made friends and i will be visiting again. Asante sana to the entire staff and managers
- ThefixerSA (10/5): Highly recommended - From the moment we arrived, we were enveloped in the warm and welcoming atmosphere of Chuini Zanzibar Lodge. The staff were absolutely amazing – genuinely friendly and always ready to assist with a smile. The luxury rooms were spacious and beautifully appointed, providing a perfect haven for relaxation. The culinary experience was exceptional; every meal was delicious, and the variety was impressive. And let's not forget the breathtaking sunsets – truly a sight to behold! The General Manager was incredible, clearly passionate about ensuring every guest had a memorable stay. You can definitely feel the Newmark touch – a testament to the high standards of service and quality. A special highlight was the surprise birthday celebration! The staff's enthusiastic singing and the delectable chocolate cake made my special day even more memorable. We had an absolutely fantastic stay and will definitely be returning. Highly recommend Chuini for a truly unforgettable Zanzibar experience.
- Verified traveler (6/5): Mittelmässiges Hotel an aussergewöhnlicher Lage - Um zum Hotel zu gelangen muss man eine lange Schotterpiste hinter sich bringen. Die Lage ist gut und direkt am Meer. Allerdings kann man nicht wirklich im Meer schwimmen, es gibt kaum Einstiegspunkte. Auf der einen Seite muss man über Steine auf der anderen vorbei an lokalen Fischerbooten. Die Aussicht, sowie Restaurant sind wirklich etwas spezielles. Auch der Komplex ist schön gestaltet. Das Restaurant braucht es auch, nach Stonetown ist man min. 30 minuten unterwegs und es gibt sonst keine Restaurants in der Nähe. Mein Zimmer war leider nicht sehr gut, sehr düster und nur minimal eingerichtet. Es ist auch renovierungsbedürftig, besser man befindet sich nicht allzu lange im Zimmer. Das Wifi im Zimmer ist ebenfalls miserabel, bei der Reception hingegen recht gut. Alles in allem kann ich das Hotel nur bedingt empfehlen, es gibt extrem viele gute Hotels auf Sansibar, das Chuini zähle ich leider nicht hinzu.
- Asbjørn (8/5): Hotell for voksne - Hotell bestående av små hus med to leiligheter. Som ellers på Zanzibar; totalt uegnet for handicappede. Fint område innafor murene. Vakter fra masaistammen passer på døgnet rundt. Tilnærmet slumområde utenfor murene. Ta taxi. Overmåte hyggelig betjening. Og det er mange av dem. Maten sånn passe. Ikke bestill pizza. Det kan de ikke lage.
- HARRISON (10/5): - A wonderful gem in Zanzibar. I can’t recommend this place enough, beautiful, tranquil, delicious food and clean comfortable bedrooms. It was the perfect few days I needed. The hotel is also very helpful in organising excursions, spa treatments etc . Would recommend to anyone.
- Road15188205403 (2/5): Terrible stay, rude Management and rundown hotel. 2 star hotel on a good day - Terrible experience. The pictures online are very misleading. Hotel is rundown and in need of a lot of work. There were so many bugs in our room and the mosquitoe net had large holes in it. The service was very poor. We typically waited over an hour for food in the restaurant. I would highly recommend avoiding this hotel
- Charonne (10/5): - Very friendly staff and helpful!
- Andreas (6/5): Romantisk men lidt slidt i krogene - Hotellets personale og køkken var super godt. Hotellet levede ikke helt op til billederne, nogle at tingene var fjernet og andet var slidt
- Rouja (10/5): - A unique location and superb staff and restaurant! Loved it and will go back! Highly recommended!
- Lauren (10/5): A Zanzibar Gem: Chuini Beach Lodge - Our stay at Chuini Zanzibar Beach Lodge was nothing short of exceptional. The staff, led by the incredibly helpful and friendly General Manager, Cameron, went above and beyond to ensure our comfort and satisfaction. The two ladies behind the bar, whose names unfortunately escape me, provided impeccable service with warm smiles and attentive care. The food was simply divine, thanks to the talented chefs in the kitchen. We particularly enjoyed the delicious breakfasts, which featured a wide variety of fresh fruits, pastries, and cooked-to-order dishes. The hotel’s beautiful setting was a major highlight of our stay. The main pool, with its stunning views of the local beach and fishermen, was the perfect place to relax and unwind. The ruins of Chuini, located within the hotel grounds, added a touch of history and intrigue. We were also impressed by the cleanliness and well-maintained condition of our room and the hotel facilities. Overall, our experience at Chuini Zanzibar Beach Lodge was unforgettable. We highly recommend this exceptional hotel to anyone seeking a luxurious and relaxing vacation in Zanzibar.
- David Alan (10/5): - Lovely property, just down the coast from Stone Town (you can see the capital from the terrace). Opted for a sea view lodge and ended up in a beautiful, self contained cottage on a private beach. Staff are attentive and very helpful. Room was clean and spacious. All in all I would have no issue with recommending a stay here.
- 259abdullrahmana (10/5): IT WAS AMAZING DAY - It was amazing day with sultan was good day with my friends and know one can believe US. The rate of usd was very smart.And with my girlfriend to enjoy my honeymoon and my friend are very smart charming hakkdnd hajkdndbm bsjkd jskkd. Jskkf jakkdnd
- Rachel (10/5): - Spectacular property! The customer service was outstanding and so were the views. They even packed me lunch for free to take on the plane when I was checking out. What a great experience I had!
- Molly Mukiri (10/5): - Stayed in this hotel for three days and experience was great.The staff were so helpful and welcoming especially kassim big up to him.The rooms very clean and airly.I will visit again.
- Harold (10/5): - Great facility
- Kyle (10/5): - Very attentive staff
- Simangele Angel (10/5): - Friendly staff very friendly Access to the lodge is not great
- Ørnulf (10/5): Flott, roleg anlegg - Flott hotell med bungalower i ulik storleik. Me hadde ein som låg rett ved stranda. Flott sjøutsikt i etesalen. God mat. Gode solsenger ved bassenget. Ikkje så mykje å gjere i området, men me såg litt på dei som fiksa båtar på den lokale stranda, og me gjekk til ei nabostrand. Når det var lågvatn gjekk me ein tur på stranda, men her var det ein del søppel, som me plukka. Me tok også ein dhow inn til Stonetown, i staden for å ta vanleg taxi. Fin båttur.
- Ann (10/5): - Small property as to number of rooms. Staff very helpful and personable. Food was good, sometimes slow other times within minutes of ordering. Lovely party for guest one evening with music and celebration of food and maybe for full moon. Not easy to ambulatory the step and walkway. They were uneven and nights the walkway not lite very well. On the ocean and a fishing area, some times isand petroleum and the burning smells...overall Avery pleasant stay would recommend and would love to visit again.
- Desy_re1 (10/5): wonderful experience - Wonderful experience at Chuini Zanzibar beach lodge! We are impressed with the attitude of everyone who works there and made our stay great. Ester, Nacha, Heppy, Elisha, Zabron, Cassimo and everyone else there - thank you! The way they treat guests is unmatched anywhere else. The attention to the details, to the individual and his moods help each client feel special. And the plants, trees that are in the whole place give the feeling that you are in a fairy tale. Thank you!
- Pritha (8/5): - The staff at Chuini Zanzibar Beach Lodge are the best thing about property. They are extremely friendly and really strive hard to provide excellent customer service. The surroundings are stunning and provides an amazing backdrop during sunset. We did suffer a few issues. On our first evening, there was no water in any of the villas for several hours. A day later, water from the toilet in our villa was leaking and flooded the cubicle. Kasim tried to resolve the problem the same evening but informed us that it would need to be fixed by a plumber the following morning. Kasim offered us a move into a different villa, which we declined since we were not keen to pack up so late in the evening. Hence he left us the keys of the adjoining villa so that we could use the bathroom there since the water supply had to be turned off in our villa to stop the leak. The lodge was offering 15 minute complimentary massages to all guests but due to the problems we suffered during our stay, Kasim arranged for the two of us to enjoy complimentary one hour massages each. We both opted for the deep tissue massages and this was amazing and very relaxing as it helped to soothe our aching muscles. We really enjoyed the food at Chuini, with the chef using an array of fresh produce to create a variety delicious dishes. We particularly enjoyed the tuna tartare with the mango and avocado salad as well as the wraps and fried rice. Esther was always a smiling presence in the dining area.
- Enam (10/5): Chuini Stay Feedback - Chuini was great to stay! We will recommend it hands down to anyone visiting Zanzibar for the first time as long as they are okay stay a few miles away in the suburbs!!
- Asha (8/5): - The surrounding areas at night had loud noises it the room was stunning. It could have just been the situation of our room as it was close to the gate. The room unfortunately also didn’t have a telephone so when my husband got food poisoning and i wasn’t feeling my best I had to go to reception to ask for some help. The staff were super accommodating and always friendly.
- Abdulla (8/5): - Ok
- Carlos Milano (10/5): Zanzibar's Best Kept Resort Secret!! - I think this place is just a BEST KEP SECRET. It was absolutely stunning, the staff and manager are just so warm and hospitable. I have been telling all my U.S. friends about it because I would come again in a heart beat!
- Mariam27998626 (2/5): The worst hotel experience ever in Zanzibar ( this is my 15 trip to this amazing country) - The worst hotel I stayed in ZANZIBAR … They don’t get back to you when you call The Wi-Fi work good only around the reception Check in took 2 hours with unprofessional stuff and the first thing he asked after we get the room is ( when you’re checking out tomorrow) !!!! The stuff want us to pay 75 usd because he will add one person to the room although we are only 3 ppl and we reserve 2 rooms for 4 adults !!!! One room was too hot and they moved us after 1 hour to another room same category There are worms and bugs on the bed in this five-star hotel THE ONLY THING GOOD IN THAT HOTEL IS THE RESTAURANT AND THE STUFF WORKING THERE
- woodyt2019 (10/5): Great beachfront resort. - The hotel sits on the ruins of an ancient palace. Each room was a private cottage and the ocean views are spectacular. The resort is small very quaint and exceptional. The food prepared tremendous. The staff is very friendly and very accommodating. We felt very safe at this location especially since it is guarded by the Massai!
- wokie (10/5): - Room was spacious and very comfortable. Ideal location if you are looking for somewhere away from the hustle and bustle.
- Anders (8/5): - Store rom med gode senger og dyner men rommene er litt store i forhold til A/C enheten. Sengen føltes litt fuktig og klam. Servicen er bra og maten er kjempegod. Ikke så mye å gjøre rundt dette stedet men hyggelig for et par dager.
- Laura (10/5): Beautiful and unique hotel with amazing staff - We felt so comfortable staying at this hotel, and the staff did everything in their power to make it a perfect stay. We had an amazing stay at Chuini Beach Lodge. The hotel is a perfect size if you don’t like the big commercialized resorts, and are looking for a more personal experience. The service was definitely the best we experienced in Zanzibar (we stayed at different hotels). In addition, it’s location makes it super easy to visit Stone Town and the northern part of the island. However, you won’t get the crystal blue water on this side of the island, so I’d recommend to combine your stay at Chuini with some days on the East coast to experience the beautiful water Zanzibar has to offer.
- Per (10/5): Fantastisk plats med höga ambitioner - Fin klassisk Lodge på belägen på en klippa och en udde vid havet ! Höga ambitioner och underbar personal och miljö ! Finns skavanker att åtgärda!
- Charlotte (10/5): - Nous avons séjourné dans différents hôtels sur zanzibar et Chuini a retenu notre attention avec ses chambres décorées avec goût. L’endroit est superbe et le personnel très agréable. Les sunset sur la terrasses valent le déplacement.
- Adele (10/5): - Staff great food good location too far away from town. Biggest cost is travel
- Nancy (10/5): - I thought I had died and gone to heaven!!! The property is gorgeous. The plants were beautiful and well cared for. The option of 2 pools was appealing. I loved the welcoming drink. Staff lugged by baggage to my room. I was afraid I wouldn't have enough money for dinner, but boy, was I glad I went. The entertainment was amazing. Food was great and the service impeccable. I wanted to take all of your staff home with me, they were so welcoming, friendly, helpful. You arranged for the transport from the airport to the hotel. It worked out great. I treated myself to a massage and it was wonderful. I can't say anything bad about the property. The only thing I was somewhat wanting was a gift shop. I would love to have purchased a tee shirt or a cap with Chuini or Bububu Zanzibar on it. There were plenty of things like that in Stonetown, but not with Chuini or Bububu on it. The next time I come (I must come back), I hope to stay there and do outings from the property. I wish you much success and I can't wait to return!
- lisabO9175IS (8/5): Stay in nature - Staff super friendly, lodge and nature are very nice and relaxing. You are staying in nature though and can hear all the sounds at night. On the weekends music from the hotel next door might drift over but still very nice stay. Breakfast is amazing and the dinner menu was also very good! Two pools to choose from and peace and quiet during the stay. Stone town is around 20-30 minutes depending on traffic so great location.
- chern2023 (8/5): Coastal Retreat - We had 5 days to relax in Zanzibar after a 10 day safari and we chose Chuini as it looked gorgeous. It is indeed lovely, but it is down a long dirt road with no other amenities around- that means you hire a driver to go somewhere or stay at the resort. Staying at the resort is not a bad thing- the pools are wonderful, the food is really good and varied and the grounds with the ruins is lovely. The beach is not a swimming beach so you are best going to the the north or east of the island for white sand beaches and swimming. The hotel staff were very helpful in organizing all of our day excursions and we got to see a lot of the island on these excursions. The rooms are beautiful suites with a sitting area and lovely patios too. Unfortunately our room backed on to the main road so it was very loud with fisherman leaving early in the morning (5am!) and then for most of the day with people passing back and forth. The spa is wonderful - we managed to get an excellent massage on our first day. But on Friday- our last day of relaxing we had looked forward to a day of pool and massage and chill, we were told the spa is closed on Friday- wish we had been told of that as it doesn't' state that anywhere in the spa literature! To add to our last day disappointment the resort ran out of beer on Friday- a bit strange for an upscale resort. Overall it was a very pleasant 5 day stay.
- dugster57 (8/5): Faded Glory - The location of the hotel is excellent for a trip to Stone Town and down to the airport. The two pool areas are lovely and offer different experiences...one being quite and the other overlooking the harbour. Whilst our room was spacious and spotlessly clean it is in desperate need of some TLC and upgrading.
- RMDEUS (8/5): Right hotel in the wrong coast - Everybody told me Zanzibar has two completely different “coasts”. Literally. One with the white sandy beaches you see in the pictures and the other one with villages overcrowded and dead coral that makes it impossible to swim. But I´m quite stubborn. Beside when I try to choose hotels with no more than 20 rooms and a great design. Chuini is just that. Located in a beautiful small bay, surrounded by some old Oman ruins (I love history). Everything is quite scenic and Instagram material (if you like those kind of things). Our room/bungalow was in the bay. We woke up with the fisherman leaving in the morning. You can’t get more native than that. Service is great and the all the staff has that “jambo” Tanzania mood. We read that some guests complain about the food prices - that´s important because you don’t have any restaurants nearby. It’s true. It´s expensive. But the food is also very impressive. I had the same benedict eggs for breakfast (5 star) and an incredible lobster in one of the dinners. Good quality products in Africa are simply not cheap. There´s a beach around the corner with a nice bar. There you will find a 5 or 6 meter strip of sand where you can take a “swim” without (many) dead corals around. And its beautiful. But its not the beach you are probably looking for. Chuini is a great option if you want to make a stopover before heading home – it’s a 30 minutes’ drive from the airport. Or if you just wand to hide away from the world.
- Shital (10/5): - Excellent stay Wonderful staff Superb scenery
- Florence (10/5): - This hotel far exceeded my expectations. To be honest I was a bit dubious as the driver was turned and drove through the alleyways pulling up in front of the hotel . U should never judged a book by its cover because Once the gates were opened -stunning it's only words I can use. However the staff themselves were the highlight of my trip. Honestly they were all lovely And I hope they all get a pay rise😇😉. Also I need to shout out at the chef -I had some of the best meals at this hotel- even when we went out to eat it did not compare to the hotel food. I'm beyond ecstatic that I chose this hotel. All in all 1000/1000
- Stetson (10/5): - Amazing stay at a beautiful resort. The vistas of the nearby palace ruins are stunning and the pool areas open and comfortable. The food in the restaurant is delicious and I highly recommend the dinner set menus. If you visit on a Friday evening, the Tanzanian meal is incredible. Staff is friendly and attentive. The only drawback is the boat maintenance going on in the bay below and adjacent to the resort, which draws local labourers. The bay is loud and full of rubbish so keep your eyes to the sea, which has a killer sunset! I would definitely return.
- SAMY SADRADDIN (10/5): - Everything was spectacular, the workers are so friendly and kind. Probably the best guest service I’ve ever experienced, they were very helpful and understanding. The rooms were nice not that big and not that small, I also liked that they do housekeeping service twice a day. The food was delicious and the portions were good for one person, I don’t know why most reviews say that portions were small! They weren’t small at all. But to be fair prices of drinks and food were not cheap, they were average. Thank you for everything i had an amazing stay and definitely an unforgettable memory.
- Belaout (8/5): - Staff are great All is good
- Simon (10/5): - The staff were very friendly and helpful
- GLORIA (10/5): - The hotel was very clean and up To standard . The staff were very welcoming and did not hesitate to ask with our needs. The hotel manager offered lots of recommendations and Made sure we were comfortable during our stay. We stayed at the hotel for 7 days and spent our new year there. We were very happy and super satisfied with everything. Thank you to the team and hotel manager. Highly recommended place right by the water :)
- Dominique (10/5): - The staff at this Villa — like resort were the nicest people I have ever met in my life!
- ARTHUR GOMES (10/5): - I want to take this moment to thank the entire staff at Zanzibar Palace Ruins, from the security team up to General Manager Jagath Meyn. Ana & I have stayed in many 5 & 7-stars hotels around the world. Whenever we take a vacation, we carefully review and measure the level of customer services, as we use this time to really catch up in our day-to-day life goals and also work on pending projects. Without any doubt, this is one of the best resorts we have stayed in a long time based on theoverall level of customer service. Upon arrival we were immediately & warmly welcomed by the staff and general manager JM, and we were upgraded to PREMIUM ROOM w/ Oceanfront. The staff was extremely friendly, the restaurant very flexible (appreciate this!) and we can’t forget to mention our morning bartender-guy “ REMMY D.” His morning smile and level of positive energy are out of this world! Every morning we looked forward to seeing him and suck all the energy that we need for the rest of the day. He’s definitely a character for any movie. We love him! – He’s a keeper and deserves the HIGHEST level of recommendation. But again, the entire staff there had such a warm personality and they were always highly motivated & willing to help whenever we needed. We felt we were the only ones there – actually we felt like ROYALS! We truly enjoyed how well you guys kept the property, and walking through the scenery of the resort was beautiful and it was a relief to walk in such a quiet and pea
- Verified traveler (10/5): - We absolutely love the layout and beauty of the grounds, room and views. Our masseuse was top notch and made us feel reborn. The food was very tasty, but the meat tends to be a bit more well done than you order it. All of the staff gave us top notch treatment. There were just a few detractors we could mention among the scores of great experiences. We found insect bites about 5 days into our stay. They would magically pop up each remaining morning. The closest I could equate them to is flea bites. She got way more bites than I did. They didn’t itch much but they were annoying all the same. Also the billiard table was in the worst shape I’ve ever seen. It should be replaced or removed. Lastly, the resort based car service was way too expensive. We used an independent taxi to get to the resort, and the in house service to return. The return trip was more than twice the price. There was also another patron who had a large amount of her money turn up missing. Hmm... Overall, we had an very good time. I recommend the place.
- Rowena (10/5): Honeymoon - A lovely stay at Chuini, the staff looked after us well and couldn’t have done more for us. There was even a nice surprise on arrival in our room decoration wise for our honeymoon. You could quite happily spend your entire holiday at the hotel, alternatively the hotel will organise tours outside. Be aware Zanzibar is very expensive and you will pay tourist prices for everything.. taxis are the most expensive, and the levels of service you may expect to receive for the price you are paying on the tours may not live up to your expectations.
- Fatemah (8/5): - the view is amazing, staff are so friendly, i will sure visit the place again
- Verified traveler (10/5): - WOW, the property is very relaxing. It’s very beautiful and the staff , I mean there perfect from the manager to the waiters/bartenders and women that keep the rooms immaculate. They treated me so well, the food is amazing and the views from the bungalows are very beautiful. I would definitely recommend this place if you want a beautiful experience of Zanzibar and the spectacular ocean views it has to offer.
- David (8/5): Good for recharging batteries between safaris - Lodge is located in a less then appealing area, 12 km form Stone Town. It has beautiful grounds but the beach is dirty with washed up used tires, clothes, old shoes, empty bottles and other garbage. Stench of rotten seaweed is overwhelming, Staff does not seem to care about cleaning the garbage. In low tide local families come right under bungalows to dig for clams and watch sunset. Food was at best mediocre and definitely overpriced. Staff was friendly, place is quiet, the night club next door is gone. Our room had a lot of garbage under the armchairs which we moved to get better views and discovered all the trash. The staff was cleaning around furniture but not under. Laundry service was good and inexpensive ($20 for the whole load), it helped between safari trips.
- Anonymous (4/5): - Nice friendly staff.. but terrible cleanness.. the bed was not clean and full of blood spots!
- Verified traveler (8/5): - Very friendly, accommodating, but they were a lot of insects, i got bitten, the roof was leaking, they had to change my mattress. Overall i enjoyed my stay.
- Verified traveler (8/5): - Very peaceful and private . Staff is absolutely accommodating. Rooms are very spacious.
- Verified traveler (8/5): - Beautiful spot, but you will need ear plugs to sleep. The club next door sounded like it was in my room all night long. Be ready to be up all night.
- Sarah (8/5): Perfect Boutique Hotel - Sunset was amazing
- Verified traveler (6/5): - Very nice hotel, lovely welcoming staff. Would however note the food prices are extortionate relatively to some fantastic local restaurants in Stone Town.
- Verified traveler (10/5): - I recently did a solo trip to Chuini and had a wonderful experience. All of the positive reviews were spot on- the staff were so incredibly friendly and helpful! I could’ve asked for anything more from the great team of staff members (from Elisha, to Helen to Evans and others). The resort is a beautiful combination of historic old ruins and new, chic luxury, overlooking the ocean. The food was also great- particularly breakfast. The menu options were excellent and quite delicious! Looking forward to coming back again!
- Jennifer (10/5): Fantastic stay.. out of this world!!! ❤️ - We had the best stay at the Chuini.. perfect boutique hotel where the views will blow you away! The staff are amazing & couldn’t do enough for us. This really is a fantastic hotel in a great location we didn’t want to leave! The management are so kind & friendly. Can’t thank them enough. We will be back 😍
- Scott (2/5): - We booked the Ocean view premium room half board, our room was located next to a night club that played very loud music from 10pm to 6 am. At 2am we tried to locate the manage but the security guard had to handle our request to move. They moved us to the hotel down the road that actually owns the night club, we could not hear the music in this hotel. We requested a refund from the manager the next morning which was clearing not going to happen so we compromised and down graded to superior room but ask to have all our drinks included. To our understanding this was agreed. The superior room had bats living in the roof, there was a lot of activity through out the night . The room had a smell , not sure if it was damp or from bat droppings .Linen on the bed was too small for the bed it was a tug of war for the sheets at bed time. No mattress protector or pillow protectors. The food at dinner was good. The sea view at break fast was beautiful. When we came to settle or bill the deal was not honoured. We were charged for the 3 bottles of wine which we had with our dinner over 4 nights . Apparently bottles were not included which was not disclosed. After further discussion the wine was removed off the bill, unnecessary aggravation. Our transfer to the airport had not been booked. The other issue we tried to contact Expedia to assist in organising the refund each time we were transferred to the department the phone was disconnected, Expedia did not respond to our email .
- Olivia (10/5): Great Trip - We had a wonderful time! The grounds were stunning, right on the ocean with seating and view from the pool overlooking the water. There were multiple pools, a spa and some very cool history to learn about. I would highly recommend and hope to go back.
- F.J. (8/5): - The Location . .food was excellent and the staff are very friendly and helpful...
- Tamara (10/5): Great & quiet getaway - Loved everything about this place, it’s so scenic and beautiful, situated in these old ruins. The views from the rooms and the restaurant are amazing. Haven’t slept this good in ages, coming from a noisy and busy city, the silence surrounding us was just what we needed! Highly recommend!
- Howard (10/5): - Idyllic. Very helpful staff. Great food, rooms. Bit far from Stone Town.
- Hannah (10/5): Relaxing End To The Trip - Chuini Zanzibar Beach Lodge was the last stop on our family trip to Tanzania. I went with my parents and my sister, and we were in love with the setting from the beginning. You leave the craziness of Stone Town, and the road to Bububu behind as soon as you enter the gates. Loved our room, the view, the pools, and the staff. So helpful and friendly. Good base to explore the rest of Zanzibar easily - close to Stone Town. 2 pools, a spa, cool ruins, and easy beach access. We were very happy to have such a nice relaxing end to our trip!
- Verified traveler (10/5): - Great resort to relax, amazing location and staff were amazing
- Hippo-starfish (10/5): A visit to paradise - Chuini is everything you'd ever wish for in a holiday destination ....and more. Great value for money. Fabulous natural setting and beach. Wonderful chic rooms. Outstanding food. Unbelievably great service. The best management couple you could ever meet. Tranquil. Mesmerising. Intoxicating. Welcoming. Would we return. Oh yes. It's the jewel in the Zanzibar crown.
- Ian (8/5): Idyllic boutique lodge on the beach. - Quiet, very relaxed week spent in a fantastic location. Excellent hosts and fantastic staff - nothing is too much trouble. Set menus but food is good and the kitchen will prepare alternatives if asked. Highly recommended.
- Daniel (10/5): Beautiful boutique hotel - Nice boutique hotel, the communal bar / restaurant area is fantastic with beautiful views and sunsets. Renovations start sometime soon to improve minor irritations such as low water pressure and regular power cuts (although these are common everywhere in Zanzibar).
- Philip (4/5): Disappointing - not recommended - The hotel is under new management, but has a lot of work to do to justify the prices charged. Facilities are old and need an upgrade. However, our real problem was the unresponsive management - lots of cheerful bonhomie in response to requests, but slow or no follow-up on each. The sea is tidal, and the tide retreated great distances each day, leaving only a rather sub-par swimming pool as the alternative. The hotel charges a lo for hotels to and from Stone Town. Not recommended.
- Verified traveler (6/5): clean - breakfast - very good dinner - quite expensive at $45 shower did not work - was not fixed
- Naser (10/5): Good value - Good place near attractions
- Verified traveler (8/5): Great privacy - Every thing was perfect but the beach is not very clean and private
- Verified traveler (6/5): Disappointed Guest - Don't stay at this hotel if you are wanting a beach holiday. There is virtually no beach except when the tide is out then it's mud and rocks. The drinks and food are expensive. There is not much to do and excursions booked through the agent at the hotel are double and sometimes tripple what others charge. The bed was as hard as a rock. We did not sleep at all and ended up sleeping on the sofa. We also only had 1 pillow each which was as flat as a pancake. The wifi is weak and only kind of works in the restaurant area. On the plus side, the owners, management and staff are extremely friendly and helpful. Our bungalow was clean and spacious, but the bed was a joke. The photos on the Internet are very deceiving, it's not quite as picturesque as it looks.
- Jaroslaw (10/5): Warm welcome to Zanzibar! - everything is great about the hotel. views, food , hosts, facilities. I would rate it 5 definitely! the effort to make your stay good was incredible! the hotel has a lot of terraces, private beach and lets you completely relax! on arrival we got an upgrade which was nice. the only thing that could be better was the air-conditioning not working like it should and the bed was a bit hard. the hotel is located slightly out of town which attracts quite a few wild creatures that will try and crawl on you whenever! overall I really recommend the hotel!
- christine (6/5): Just OK - When we got to the hotel they couldn't find our reservation which we had made & paid for 6 months earlier. Once we got that straightened out we were given a Welcome (virgin) hibiscus drink which was absolutely fantastic. We felt like some sort of mini orientation to the hotel and how things work would've been a good addition to the check-in process. There is a set dinner each night at a fixed cost but neither is explained to you at check-in. There's also confusion about the Internet usage & the cell phone provided for local calls. We also knew nothing about the option to do snorkeling activities through the hotel (until Fritz mentioned it on our last day) that was unfortunate because we would have taken advantage of that option if we had known. Most disappointing was the fact that there was no beach to speak of. There is a beach but it's not a beach that you would swim from. Coupled with the fact that most of the staff was unattentive and aloof with the exception of Fritz who was always cheerful & friendly. The breakfast is supposed to start at 8 AM but by 8:30 AM the buffet portion isn't set up so if you have plans for the day you just have to order what comes from the kitchen directly and miss out on the delicious, homemad breads, etc that are offered on the buffet. This stay came at the end of a ten-day Safari as well as three days in Istanbul. We rated all of our stays outside of Hakuna Mtata as exceptional.
- Verified traveler (6/5): Relaxed, informal and personal hotel - Very relaxed environment. We stayed for honeymoon but building work meant that the honeymoon suite was overlooked by builders, so we moved to an executive villa. This was nice but not quite the special place we had been looking forward to. The food was fantastic and we were pleased how well vegetarians were catered for. Although there is only 1 choice of meal a night, if you inform the kitchen in advance I am sure they would be happy to prepare alternatives. The tours were well organised and good value for money. We had a private 5-course meal one night, it was lovely to be sat under the stars however this was the one time when the food was a bit disappointing. I think the cost covers the extra staff time as the food we were served was actually very similar to what we would have had if we had sat in the restaurant. If you do this, I would suggest taking up the offer of speaking to the kitchen about the menu in advance. The private beach is a coral beach which means it's a bit tricky to get out for a swim. There are definitely nicer beaches in Zanzibar but to have a private one on your doorstep (even if it isn't perfect) is still a real bonus. Overall, we had a lovely relaxing time but give it 3 stars as for the price we were expecting a more luxurious experience. We did however stay at peak season so at other times it would be better value. If you are expecting the honeymoon suite I would suggest calling ahead to check on the status of the building work.
- Verified traveler (10/5): Incredible lodge in an idyllic setting! - My partner and I stayed here for 3 nights after a long safari in mainland Tanzania and 7 nights in the quiet, restful Michamvi. We wanted to stay close to Stone Town, but not in the center as we wanted to relax before the long flight home. Hakuna Matata did not disappoint - it was a beautifully kept lodge, respectful to the natural environment and showcasing the ancient ruins. The owners and staff were friendly and helpful, the food was delicious and the bungalow we stayed in was stunning with a view over the private cove. One of our best nights in Tanzania was having a cocktail on the terrace overlooking the sea, watching thousands of bats fly overhead from Prison Island to Stone Town - a real spectacle! Can't recommend highly enough for a peaceful, luxury break just outside Stone Town.
- faye (10/5): Fantastic hotel a quiet paradise! - I booked this hotel after looking at reviews and the hotels website and the hotel did not dissapointed! I emailed asking what time I could check in and the hotel offered to organise a transfer for us which was cheaper than the one out other hotel had offered. When we arrived we were offered a welcome drink which was lovely! The staff were so welcoming and helpful throughout our stay. Our bungalow had everything we needed it was clean and well presented. The hotel itself has lots of different things for you to do a private beach, cinema, bar and restaurant. We are all our meals here and all of the food was fantastic. We had a Swahili night and then dinner on the beach which was really beautiful. On our last day the hotel staff allowed us to check out late which meant we could swim and then have showed just before leaving. I highly recommend this hotel and the service was fantastic. Thank you for a wonderful stay!
- Adrian (10/5): Outstanding quality of service - This is a beautiful, very well run hotel in a delightful coastal location. The food is of outstanding quality and served with imagination in various locations on the property. The approach road is rather rough for the last few minutes, but this is due to be fixed on completion of a neighbouring hotel. It is about 45 minutes from Stone Town and taxis and tours are easily available on site.
- Mike (4/5): Hakuna Matata Beach & Spa Hotel, Zanzibar - A well located small hotel adjacent to the beach 15 km north of Zanzibar Town (Stonetown) off the main track. Supposedly had a 4 star rating but did not have the facilities - No TV/radio, no fridge, no tea/coffee making facilities in the room. Restaurant menu very restricted with few choices for lunch and only one choice for dinner! Lack of character in public areas.
- Tom (10/5): Relaxing, romantic and right next to the beach - Our five nights at Hakuna Matata were amongst the most comfortable and relaxed we have spent abroad. From the welcome drink on arrival to the daily assortment of flowers strewn around the bungalow every last detail was cared for. The onsite excursion desk arranged our numerous activities in Zanzibar, from sunset cruise to tour of historic Stonetown, and were accommodating and understanding when we provided our own agenda. The lodge itself shows so much attention to detail, and being sited amongst the historic ruins meant romantic nights in the Sultan's minaret or swimming in the (refurbished) old baths were daily activities. Our private beach was the setting for morning and evening swims, and walks during the day when the tide was out, as well as memorable dinners. The food is exquisite and again the attention to detail is obvious. The staff are friendly and welcoming without being obtrusive. All in all I do not have enough good to say about Hakuna Matata and would recommend this beach lodge and spa to anybody staying in Zanzibar. We had initially considered staying for one night on arrival due to its proximity to Stonetown and the airport before relocating to one of the resorts in the North or East but having visited those areas on excursions I can honestly say we lacked nothing by being on the West coast, and had the added benefit of seeing stunning sunsets every evening. Not only this but our relatively central location meant the whole island was within our reach.
- Jack L (10/5): Idillic seclusion. - If you want a little slice of Zanzibar beach life away from it all this us a great option. The service is attentive, and the food is excellent (although choice is restricted - evenings are a set menu). Rooms are spacious and to a luxurious standard. Stone Town is a short taxi ride away, and the markets are great. A trip to prison island and the Spice Tour are worth doing too - arrange your own in Stone Town.
- Verified traveler (10/5): This place is fantastic - Can't say enough about Hakuna Matata. Fritz and Rose are just a delight to chat with, helpful, and friendly. They treat you like family. They treat their staff that way too, which we really respect and appreciate. The location is perfect, close enough to Stonetown to get their quickly by cab, but charming and quiet in the mornings and evenings. The beach is a stones throw away, and the little tidal bay in front is an endlessly fascinating focal point. You can't imagine a better place to watch the sun set. H-M isn't cheap as places go, but I personally think it is a good value for the money, given the quality and level of service. We ate breakfast and dinner at the lodge each day. Breakfast menu is pretty limited if you are there for several days, but the dinners are fantastic every single night. You basically get what is being served, but be assured it will be top notch.
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