Gay Friendly Hotel Zanzibar

Guide to Gay Friendly Hotels in Zanzibar (2024 Updated)

Zanzibar is a holiday paradise. But it’s better to know the island and your way around. You can have the best holiday of your life time exploring the whole island on daily trips from the main island. There are plenty of gay friendly hotel Zanzibar.

Tanzania is not very gay friendly at all, lacking any comprehensive pro LGBT legislation. But despite this, Zanzibar can be the perfect holiday or honeymoon!

1. DoubleTree Resort by Hilton Zanzibar – Nungwi – Gay Friendly Hotel Zanzibar

Gay Friendly Hotel Zanzibar
Gay Friendly Hotel Zanzibar

This 4* gay friendly hotel in Zanzibar is 1 minute walk from the beach. Located on a white sandy beach on the northern tip of Zanzibar, this DoubleTree Resort offers luxurious rooms with ocean views. The lush tropical gardens contain an outdoor pool and bar.

Each room is air-conditioned and equipped with a flat-screen TV with satellite channels. The beds are surrounded by a mosquito net and the private bathrooms come stocked with free toiletries. Free Wi-Fi is provide.

The rooms are tastefully decorated and furnished with aircon and ceiling fans so you can enjoy the cooler weather (it gets very hot!). The service of all hotel staff is impeccable – nothing is too much trouble and they go out of their way to accommodate people. Their friendliness and hospitality sets the bar high! The bed also had a mosquito net and was sprayed and turned down every night.

The turndown service at night is a really nice touch, where the cleaners come in and spray the room and put the mosquito nets into position and make the bed anew. Wifi fast and good bandwith. Hot water 100% of the time. Plenty of towels. Plenty of good quality toiletries. Plenty of tea and coffee making facilities. Impeccably clean.

Dinner outside the Fisherman’s grill with the ocean gently lapping against the Quay, literally 2m away, with what I regarded as top class food, served by the lovely Agatha, was an unforgettable experience

The hotel goes out of its way to offer a huge variety of different food options and menus to cater to all people and every so often there is live entertainment on the beach. What makes this hotel so distinct is its private beach (a major decision-making factor in our selection of hotel in Zanzibar) because you can enjoy the beach without being pestered by beach boys or people from other hotels, which means you can relax and leave your belongings on a lounger without being concerned of lost or stolen items.

It has also got 24h security which made me feel safe and no need to worry about leaving your stuff by the sun bed while you go for a swim in the turquoise sea.

How much does a room costs at DoubleTree Resort by Hilton Zanzibar – Nungwi?

Prices start 180$/night for the Queen Room with Pool View. The Queen Room with Sea View is 205$night.

This room features views the ocean and the pool.

Each comes equipped with a flat-screen TV, minibar and air-conditioning

Where to book DoubleTree Resort by Hilton Zanzibar – Nungwi – Gay Friendly Hotel Zanzibar – you can find the best resort deals in Zanzibar on Booking.com and Agoda.com.

 

2. Pongwe Beach Hotel – Gay Friendly Hotel Zanzibar

Our next recommendation for a gay hotel in Zanzibar is a excellent 3* resort with a magnificent beach and services.

Offering an outdoor pool and a restaurant, Pongwe Beach Hotel is located in Pongwe. WiFi access is available.

Each room here will provide you with a patio and a seating area. Featuring a shower, the private bathroom also comes with bathrobes and free toiletries.

This hotel is about an hour’s drive from Stonetown in a very quiet, unspoilt part of the island. If you want a lot of “action” then it is not for you as there is no entertainment, discos or beach activities.

The rooms are basic but very charming – the bed is a giant fourposter with mosquito nets (we didn’t get any mozzy bites at all). Salt water showers were not a problem in the slightest and added to the charm of the place.

The bungalows are exquisite in their simplicity. The only sounds are those of the tide coming in and out and also the birds and other creatures

Pongwe beach hotel must be on of the most beautiful stretches of beach on the whole east African coast. The hotel is really beautiful and well run with extremely helpful and friendly staff.

The service was excellent, with friendly waiters, drinks on the beach and coffee/tea on our porch in the mornings.

Pongwe Beach Hotel
Pongwe Beach Hotel

The food is fantastic, especially the seafood option each night. Dishes such as kingfish, lobster, mahi-mahi, octopus and other daily fresh catches were brilliant each night. A snack menu and drinks menu help you through the day if you are somehow not full after each meal.

The breakfast is plenty and delicious, we enjoyed besides the buffet with toast, jam, fresh fruits also waffles or pancakes and eggs in all variation.

There’s a cocktail happy hour every day from 5-6pm, cocktails cost $5. Outside of that, the bar is well stocked and not too pricey.

How much does a room costs at Pongwe Beach Hotel?

Prices start 180$/night for the Double Room – Beach Front. The Sea View Suite is 265$/night.

Featuring a private plunge pool, This suite offers a private entrance and lovely views over the ocean. Complete with free toiletries and bathrobes, the private bathroom is fitted with a shower.

Where to book Pongwe Beach Hotel – Gay Friendly Hotel Zanzibar – you can find the best resort deals in Zanzibar on Booking.com and Agoda.com.

3. Golden Tulip Zanzibar Resort – Gay Friendly Hotel Zanzibar

Gay Friendly Hotel Zanzibar
Gay Friendly Hotel Zanzibar

Set in Zanzibar Region, 7 km from Stone Town, Golden Tulip Zanzibar Resort features a year-round outdoor pool and free WiFi is available in the rooms.

Each room has modern decor, is air conditioned and features a flat-screen TV with satellite channels. Certain rooms have a seating area for your convenience. Views of the sea or pool are featured in certain rooms. For your comfort, you will find a minibar, coffee machine, slippers, free toiletries and a hairdryer in the room.

The hotel is new, with high standard, and you get good value for your money. It takes 10-15 minutes to drive from the city centre. If you take an ordinary taxi, you may pay 10.000 to 15.000 shilling.

The hotel is just a year old and while it’s on a fairly small site, has the feeling of space. The rooms are wonderfully spacious, well appointed and spic and span! The beds are very comfortable and the shower is fabulous!

On the 5th floor is their Dhow Restaurant which offers you a wonderful Breakfast to you and good choice of Zanzibar and continental cuisine and the restaurant is an ocean view one too.

How much does a room costs at Golden Tulip Zanzibar Resort?

Prices start 80$/night for the Deluxe Double Room with Balcony. Suite with City View is 110$/night.

This suite features a balcony, seating area and minibar.

Where to book Golden Tulip Zanzibar Resort – Gay Friendly Hotel Zanzibar – you can find the best resort deals in Zanzibar on Booking.com and Agoda.com.

4. Nur Beach Resort Zanzibar – Gay Friendly Hotel Zanzibar

Offering an outdoor pool and views of the sea, Nur Beach Resort is situated in Jambiani in the Zanzibar Region, 41 km from Zanzibar City. The resort has a year-round outdoor pool and a private beach area, and guests can enjoy a meal at the restaurant. Free private parking is available on site.

A terrace or patio are featured in certain rooms. The rooms have a private bathroom. Nur Beach Resort features free WiFi .

Nur Beach Resort
Nur Beach Resort

If you are looking for a quiet getaway then this is one of the best places in Zanzibar for sure.

The beach view every morning is breathtaking and warm sea water is a huge plus. I would recommend this place to couples, honeymooners and kite couples.

It has 10 very unique and cozy bungalows (open bathroom within the bungalow), each with its own private terrace facing the Infinity Pool. Lobby/Restaurant/Bar all located in an open lounge, very nice sitting area on the first floor below the wooden roof (very nice view of the indian ocean during the day). A few private sun-loungers with beach umbrella facing the ocean.

They have a comfy restaurant area, a great infinity pool and the sun loungers by the sea are comfy and again that view.

The staff are all friendly and service was excellent we can enjoy the breakfast everyday, eggs cooked to order coffee or tea and fresh fruit juice and fresh fruit.

How much does a room costs at Nur Beach Resort ?

Prices start 80$/night for the Bungalow – Beach Front.

Air-conditioned rooms come with an flat-screen cable TV, in-room safe and private bathroom with hot showers and amenities

Where to book Nur Beach Resort – Gay Friendly Hotel Zanzibar – you can find the best resort deals in Zanzibar on Booking.com and Agoda.com.

5. Zawadi Hotel Zanzibar – Gay Friendly Hotel Zanzibar

Our last suggestion is a luxury 5* hotel in Zanzibar, located on South East Coast of the Island.

This property is 1 minute walk from the beach. Situated within 100 m of Board for Snorkelling in Michamvi, Zawadi Hotel, Zanzibar has free bikes and an outdoor swimming pool, as well as free WiFi. Boasting a terrace, this property is set near attractions such as Snorkelling Place. The property has a garden, as well as a restaurant that serves local cuisine.All rooms in the resort are fitted with a flat-screen TV. All rooms include air conditioning, and some rooms are fitted with a terrace.

Zawadi Hotel, Zanzibar
Zawadi Hotel, Zanzibar

Location: believe it or not, Zawadi has the best location among the other hotels in its area, a lagoon in front of it will give you the chance to enjoy the crystal clear water and the pearly white sand no matter wether it is low or high tide. If you are going there, remember this “at the time they open the gate to get into the resort, look straight, and enjoy the breathtaking view where green mixed with the turquoise water”.

There are six at present, all named after sea creatures and the view across the ocean is amazing! The villa itself is incredible, it’s huge! With a shower and separate bathroom. All rooms are tastefully decorated in neutral and subtle tones.

The rooms are stunning all located on top of the cliff facing the East. The front wall is all glass and has restricted views of the ocean from the bed, living room, shower and bath tub. All rooms have a big terrace with your private sun loungers and armchair.

Villas are very spacious, a big terrace with 2 sun beds facing the ocean with a plenty of space to do your morning yoga. Then you get into the villa by sliding a glass sliding door “we felt like they want to force us enjoying the view, and they did” very neat new furnitures with a classy tasty interior. Bed is huge and very comfy. Pillows are fluffy in way that having sweet dreams is a done deal. Behind the bed you have the a big area where you have the 2 sinks, bath tube, shower, and toilet. The cleanliness and housekeeping of the villa are excellent

The food was fantastic and the wines that Restaurant Manager Vuai chose to accompany each menu were amazing.

Breakfast is also quite good – the french toast with coconut spread and the yogurt with homemade meusli is a nice touch. Much of the food including the breakfast eggs are made on the farm- which you can walk around.

How much does a room costs at Zawadi Hotel Zanzibar?

Prices start 720$/night for the Bungalow – Beach Front.

This bungalow has a DVD player, air conditioning and sea view.

Where to book Zawadi Hotel Zanzibar – Gay Friendly Hotel Zanzibar – you can find the best resort deals in Zanzibar on Booking.com and Agoda.com.

by Sorin

Sorin is a freelance travel writer. He is an experienced travel writer and traveller. Since 2012 he explored more than 60 countries on 4 continents: Asia, Europe, Africa and North America. Currently is based in Romania after spending the last 7 years in Myanmar.