Golden Tulip Zanzibar Resort — Hotel in Unguja

My husband and I stayed at this location from Feb 10th - 15th. Arriving at this location the front of this hotel is absolutely beautiful. The lobby is nice and clean. The hotel reception was not really professional. It took forever for us to get to our room. Room Pros My husband and I stayed in room 103. It was nice and spacious. The couch in the room was spacious. The bed was very comfy just wish the headboard didn't make so much noise. The bed was also comfortable as well. Bathroom was spacious and the hot water takes no time to heat up. The refrigerator keeps food cold and drinks frozen. You have to go to the 5th floor to watch the game. Air conditioning unit worked great. Room Con's The curtains on the window needs to cover the window from corner to corner. The sun is do bright in the morning and the sun will shine on your face in the morning. Someone was listening and trying to peak underneath our door to watch listen to my husband and Ibbe intimate. Door needs to be lowered. Bathroom: Toilet paper holder needs to be on the side of the toilet not behind you it's weird. Cabinet: Does not have enough shelf space. TV: Does not have sports channel and doesn't have good chammels. Sports is only on the 5th floor in the restaurant. Floor Tile: I mentioned to the person that gave us information about the amenities. I told him that the tile was cracked and made a lot of noise/movement when walking over it. Electricity: Before booking they should warn customers that the Electricity will shut off and on throughout the day. That's super annoying. They should warn people before they book that this would happen. Bugs: So many mosquitoes and flies Restaurant 5th Floor The food at the restaurant was nothing to brag about. Under seasoned and when you request that you want your food to be spicy it never doesn't come out that way. My husband and I were trying to enjoy our food but there was sooooo many flies and mosquitoes flying around feasting on your blood and food. Th owner needs to figure it out. I want to enjoy my food not constantly swatting at flies and mosquitoes. Chicken Masala was horrible. It definitely wasn't chicken masala. The fish I ordered was deep fried way to long and dried out the fish. King fish is delicious. Breakfast: Was okay not enough options for vegetarians. Breads, donuts, cakes etc had ants and flies all over it. The fried veggie stir fry was delicious. Staff: Michael,Jasmine, and the young lady with the Birthday on 14th of February was very helpful and sweet. Milkshake: Do not order because their disgusting and watery. Furniture Restaurant: Needs to be updated very outdated furniture. Pool Area: Wooden deck is fallen apart. A women stepped backwards and her foot almost went through. There's no shade out there so it's direct heat. Wear sunscreen because you will get burned. Use the pool after 4pm because during the day is way to hot.. Staff members are super sweet and helpful. Housekeepers were very sweet. Uber does not pick up or drop off in this location on taxi's are used. Hallway: Hot You will be able to purchase gifts at this location that's under $10.00 Our stay here was good....

In August 2025, my wife and I spent two nights at the Golden Tulip Zanzibar Resort, drawn by the allure of a coastal retreat. While the hotel offered moments of warmth and scenic beauty, several significant drawbacks left us with a sense of disappointment that tempered our overall experience.|The staff were the undeniable highlight, their genuine kindness and dedication creating a welcoming atmosphere. The reception team, in particular, went above and beyond by accommodating our early check-in request, graciously providing our room well ahead of the standard time—a thoughtful gesture that set a positive tone upon arrival. Their attentiveness and commitment to guest satisfaction were evident throughout our stay. The rooftop restaurant, perched on the highest floor, was another standout, offering mesmerizing views of the Indian Ocean that elevated every meal into a visual delight. The hotel’s proximity to a nearby supermarket and pharmacy added a layer of convenience, making it easy to access essentials during our short stay.|However, these bright spots were overshadowed by several frustrating issues. The rooms, while functional, felt dated, with worn furnishings that diminished their appeal. The windows failed to close properly, compromising both comfort and security. More critically, the lack of adequate soundproofing was a major drawback, given the hotel’s unfortunate location beside a bustling, high-traffic road. The relentless noise of passing cars and the jarring blare of ambulance sirens pierced through the night, making restful sleep nearly impossible. This constant disturbance was a profound letdown, undermining the serene escape we had envisioned.|Compounding our disappointment was the condition of the pool, which was noticeably unclean. The murky water and lack of proper maintenance rendered it uninviting, a significant misstep for a resort touting relaxation and leisure. For a property of this caliber, such neglect was particularly disheartening.|In summary, the Golden Tulip Zanzibar Resort offers glimpses of charm through its dedicated staff, particularly the accommodating reception team, and its stunning rooftop views. However, the outdated rooms, poor soundproofing, and unclean pool significantly detracted from our stay. The incessant noise from the nearby road and the neglected pool made relaxation a challenge, leaving us with a sense of frustration. While the early check-in was a kind touch, these shortcomings make it difficult to recommend the hotel to those seeking a tranquil and...

I should’ve know when I got to the airport and went through customs and the customs agent said “you’re staying at the golden tulip? Why “, that this was going to be a bad choice for a hotel. First, let me start by saying that the food options here are far from good. All the food was bland, and many of the items were prepared completely different than how it’s described on the menu. I finally settled for a burger thinking it was impossible to mess a burger up. I was wrong.

Secondly, I was shocked to find out that the staff here will blatantly lie in your face. When we arrived I asked for a wash cloth since they’re not provided in the room. The staff told me they don’t have washcloths and the smallest towel they can offer was a hand towel. That is not made to shower with and it’s huge. Once it gets wet it becomes very heavy and impossible to wash your body with. I pressed the staff about this because there’s no way you don’t have washclothes. I told them I would just cut the hand towel in half if they couldn’t get me a wash cloth. Magically, 5 minutes later washcloths appear. I thought you said you didn’t have them? “Oh we have them we just don’t give them our to customers”. So why did you lie and say you didn’t have them? And why would you not offer them to customers? You just have a room full of wash clothes that aren’t being used?

From then on, the service just went downhill as I feel like they had an attitude with me because I called them out. Oh well.

Overall I wouldn’t recommend this hotel. It’s definitely not a resort by any means and you’d be better off spending the extra money staying at The Residence. THAT is a real resort.

Update 8/8/2024: the response from the hotel was that there was a misunderstanding. No there was not. I showed housekeeping an example of the type of towel I was requesting. And I was told you don’t have them. And if you do have them why would you not offer them to guests? The towels you provide in the are HAND towels. Who wants to wash their body with...