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Summary of reviewsZava Nungwi is highly praised for its idyllic beachfront location in Nungwi, offering guests easy access to pristine white sands and captivating sunsets. The hotel strikes a balance between vibrant local attractions and a sense of seclusion, positioning itself as a prime choice for beachside retreats in Zanzibar. Guests enjoy the convenience of nearby shops, bars, and restaurants, making it an ideal spot for exploration.
The dining experience at Zava Nungwi receives accolades, particularly for its breakfast and dinner offerings. Breakfasts are noted for their delicious and fresh options, with ocean views adding to the appeal. The on-site restaurant is a standout feature, drawing praise for its diverse menu and exceptional cuisine, making it one of the top dining choices in Nungwi. Guests enjoy dining by the beach, complemented by the friendly and attentive staff who enhance the overall experience.
Accommodations at Zava Nungwi are spacious and well-kept, with daily housekeeping ensuring cleanliness throughout the property. While the decor is simple, the rooms are equipped with essential amenities, providing a comfortable and pleasant stay. Although some guests encountered issues with water pressure and outdated fixtures, the overall comfort and value for money are frequently highlighted.
The staff's hospitality is a significant asset, with the team noted for their friendliness and attentiveness. The personalized service, led by remarkable managers, contributes to a memorable stay and reflects a genuine commitment to guest satisfaction. Their efforts in organizing tours and fulfilling requests are widely appreciated.
While WiFi experiences vary, with occasional connectivity issues, the hotel strives to provide stable service amidst regional infrastructure challenges. The beach remains a cherished aspect of Zava Nungwi, offering clean, well-maintained surroundings with private sun loungers and umbrellas for guests. The location, coupled with the scenic beauty, makes it an enticing retreat for those seeking a connection to Zanzibar's natural splendor.
Despite mixed opinions on bed quality, with some finding mattresses firm and others highlighting discomfort, Zava Nungwi maintains its appeal due to its striking location and welcoming atmosphere. Enhancements in bedding could further elevate the guest experience. Overall, Zava Nungwi offers a harmonious blend of accessibility, comfort, and spectacular views, making it a recommended choice for travelers exploring Nungwi. Show more
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Hotel near The Beach
Situated on Nungwi Beach, this hotel offers direct access to the shoreline. Its prime location allows guests to easily immerse themselves in the beach environment.
Dog Friendly Hotel
Located on Nungwi Beach, offering easy access to the beach for dog walks and play.
Small Hotel
Located on Nungwi Beach, Zava Nungwi offers a beachfront experience with cozy accommodations. The intimate setting and beautiful surroundings make it perfect for a relaxing getaway.
Hotel Taking Steps Towards Sustainability
Room Types
Double RoomThe double room offers air conditioning, a private entrance, as well as a private bathroom boasting a walk-in shower. Among the room amenities are a tea and coffee maker, a wardrobe, a tiled floor as well as outdoor furniture and an inner courtyard view. The unit has 1 bed.
Triple RoomThe triple room features air conditioning and a private entrance, as well as a private bathroom boasting a walk-in shower. Among the room amenities are a tea and coffee maker, a wardrobe, a tiled floor as well as outdoor furniture and an inner courtyard view. The unit has 2 beds.
Guest Reviews
Location
Zava Nungwi boasts an exceptional beachfront location that consistently impresses its guests. Situated directly on one of Nungwi's most picturesque sands, this hotel offers immediate access to the pristine, white shores and mesmerizing sunset views. Its proximity to the lively village atmosphere means that shops, bars, and restaurants are all within walking distance, making it a convenient spot for exploring local attractions. The location strikes a perfect balance between the vibrancy of the area and a sense of seclusion, providing guests with a uniquely private yet central beachfront stay. Combined with the welcoming and attentive staff, Zava Nungwi offers excellent value for money and stands out as a prime choice for those seeking a beachside retreat in Zanzibar.
Breakfast
Zava Nungwi receives high praise for its breakfast offerings, with many guests highlighting the abundant and delicious options available each morning. The breakfast spreads range from omelets with sausages to wholesome oatmeal and fluffy pancakes, complemented by fresh fruit and freshly squeezed juices. Served on the terrace, guests can enjoy their meals with stunning ocean views, enhancing the dining experience. Mornings at Zava Nungwi are marked by the freshness of ingredients and the warm atmosphere created by the friendly staff.
While many find the breakfast to be one of the best they've had in Zanzibar, some note that the variety could be expanded, as the current à la carte system provides limited options and may feel repetitive over an extended stay. A few guests also mention the breakfast could benefit from a buffet-style service to offer more choices, especially with fresh fruit.
Nonetheless, the alluring setting by the beach and the quality of food make for a memorable start to the day at Zava Nungwi, with a delightful combination of flavors and an unbeatable scenery, just a stone's throw from the sea.
Dinner
Nestled in a picturesque seaside location, Zava Nungwi offers a dining experience that consistently impresses its guests with a range of delectable options. The restaurant is known for serving delicious food with generous portions, making it a highlight of many visitors' stays. Guests frequently praise the freshly cooked meals, coupled with an impressive menu that caters to various tastes, including fish, meat, pizza, and more. Breakfast is a treat, offering fresh fruit, a choice of hearty dishes, and stunning ocean views.
Visitors rave about the exceptional quality of the cuisine, often describing it as some of the best they experienced in Tanzania, making the on-site restaurant stand out as one of the top dining choices in Nungwi. The ambiance is further enhanced by the restaurant's beachside setting, where diners can enjoy their meals with their feet in the sand, savoring excellent cocktails while watching breathtaking sunsets.
The attentive and friendly staff contribute significantly to the overall dining experience, ensuring that every meal is memorable. The chef and his team are acknowledged for their skill in preparing meals that tantalize the taste buds, adding to the welcoming atmosphere. Although some found alternatives across the street, the Zava Nungwi stands out for its vibrant culinary offerings, making it a must-visit for those exploring the Nungwi area.
Rooms
Zava Nungwi offers a pleasant stay with its well-maintained and spacious rooms, conveniently located just a few meters from the beach. Guests frequently highlight the cleanliness of the accommodations, noting that rooms are thoroughly cleaned every day, ensuring a welcoming environment and pleasant scents. While the decor is simple, it retains a charming and cozy ambiance with functional amenities that include air conditioning, a kettle, and a refrigerator. These practical touches contribute to the basic yet comfortable setting, along with comfortable mattresses and mosquito nets, enhancing the overall stay.
The rooms are noted for their simplicity but come equipped with all necessary essentials, such as wooden furnishings, ceiling fans, and functional air conditioning, although some guests have noted minor issues with water pressure and outdated bathroom fixtures. Despite some limitations in certain amenities, like basic sanitary facilities, the overall experience is positive, partly due to the hotel's human touch and excellent service. The rooms exude a comfortable feel with spacious layouts, adding to the relaxing atmosphere. For value-conscious travelers, the price-performant balance of Zava Nungwi offers an appealing option for a beachside getaway in Nungwi.
Beds
Zava Nungwi offers an idyllic beachfront location that appeals to beach lovers and swimmers alike, as the nearby sea remains calm and welcoming without drastic tidal changes. Guests appreciate the hotel's strategic positioning with direct access to the beach and well-equipped rooms. Many laud the comfortable mattresses and pillows, some rooms even boasting huge beds that enhance the restful experience. Regularly changed bed linens and towels contribute to the sense of cleanliness and comfort.
However, the reviews present mixed opinions on the quality of the beds. While some guests found the mattresses pleasantly firm, others experienced discomfort due to lumpy, worn-out, or hard beds. Noise from creaking beds became a notable issue for visitors sensitive to sound. The mosquito net coverage also raised concerns, as inadequate coverage and holes led to potential disturbances.
Overall, Zava Nungwi provides essential amenities like sun loungers and umbrellas on the beach for its guests, ensuring a welcoming coastal retreat. While the undeniable charm of the location is enticing, a few improvements in bedding could significantly enhance the comfort of the stay.
Cleanliness
Zava Nungwi consistently impresses with its exceptional cleanliness and well-maintained spaces, a highlight for many visitors. Guests frequently mention the sparkling cleanliness maintained throughout the day, whether in the rooms or across the hotel's facilities. The daily housekeeping service ensures thorough cleaning, with frequent changes of sheets and towels, contributing to a high standard of hygiene. Rooms are described as spacious, charming in the local Zanzibar style, and consistently tidy. The availability of a water dispenser for free cold drinking water adds to the convenience.
While the hotel's facilities might be somewhat dated, the cleanliness remains a standout feature, with even the simply designed bathrooms maintained to a high standard. Complimentary access to clean, hot water for showers adds to the comfort of the stay. Despite occasionally encountering beach vendors, guests can enjoy the clean and beautiful beach.
The staff at Zava Nungwi are noted for their friendliness and responsiveness, ensuring a pleasant stay alongside the clean environment. Overall, the commitment to maintaining a clean and comfortable atmosphere is evident, making it a recommended choice for travelers seeking a well-kept beachfront retreat in Zanzibar.
Staff
At Zava Nungwi, the hospitality and warmth of the staff have left a lasting impression on guests who stayed at the hotel. The owners are noted for their attentiveness and care, setting the tone for an incredible team effort. The staff, including receptionists, waiters, and housekeeping, exude friendliness and are consistently described as attentive, helpful, and accommodating. Known for fulfilling guests' needs with a smile, the team, led by remarkable managers such as Iman, Shafil, and Lisa, go above and beyond to ensure every visitor feels welcomed and well-cared for.
The service is characterized by thoughtfulness and readiness, with staff members often praised for their proactive assistance in organizing tours and attending to every request. Shout-outs to individual staff members like Fahmi, Musa, and Chef highlight the personal connections formed, where even the hotel's culinary staff takes the time to greet and assist guests. Despite a few mentions of disorganization, the overwhelming consensus is that the staff's friendliness and dedication significantly enhance the overall experience.
Whether facilitating trips, offering helpful advice, or simply being there to chat, the exceptional staff at Zava Nungwi consistently prioritize making guests' stays memorable. This high level of personal attention and genuine care from the team ensures that guests feel looked after from the moment they arrive.
Wi-Fi
At Zava Nungwi, guests have mixed experiences with the WiFi quality, reflecting a broader challenge found throughout Zanzibar. Many guests note that WiFi reception is generally good, especially in larger rooms with terraces and in the on-site café. However, some experience occasional connectivity issues and slow speeds. Power outages can temporarily disrupt service, but the hotel’s generator ensures quick recovery. While some find WiFi stable and functional in both rooms and the restaurant, others report poorer coverage, particularly in certain areas of the hotel. The management is proactive in resolving connectivity problems, and overall, the positive interactions suggest WiFi reliability depends on more than just Zava Nungwi's efforts, as regional infrastructure plays a significant role.
Beach
Situated on Nungwi's stunning beachfront, Zava Nungwi offers guests an unparalleled experience amid crystal-clear waters and soft sandy shores. This ideally located hotel, just steps from the beach, boasts clean and spacious rooms that are meticulously maintained every day. Visitors can indulge in the breathtaking views from the terrace and enjoy the picturesque setting of the beachfront restaurant while dining.
Guests revel in the convenience of private and complimentary sun loungers right by the sea, allowing them to immerse themselves in the vibrant beach atmosphere and relax under the free umbrellas available. Despite occasional crowding and bustling activity from boats, the beach remains a cherished spot for swimming, leisurely barefoot strolls, and soaking up the sun.
The hotel is acclaimed not only for its prime location but also for its attentive and lovely staff, enhancing the overall experience with their warm hospitality. Positioned directly on Nungwi Beach, it serves as the perfect retreat, catering to the needs of those seeking a more authentic Zanzibar experience. A short walk from the accommodations leads to a lively beach bar and several nearby restaurants, making casual stays enjoyable and convenient.
Whether lounging by the ocean or dining at the beachfront restaurant, Zava Nungwi offers a harmonious blend of accessibility, comfort, and spectacular views—ideal for travelers longing for a seamless connection with Zanzibar's natural beauty.
No, Zava Nungwi doesn't have any pool.
No, a spa isn't available at Zava Nungwi.
Yes, Zava Nungwi welcomes dogs.
No, parking facilities aren't available at Zava Nungwi.