Kaskazi Hotel Zanzibar — Hotel in Unguja

The hotel is brand new, a large property with low rise small buildings surrounded by a beautiful garden. The bar and the seatings in the garden are wonderful to relax in the afternoon. ||Main building holding an upstairs view bar and the downstairs restaurant - a large pool overlooking the sea. Amazing. ||Rooms are large and great, and clean, very clean! We stayed in ground floor - a lot of noice from the floor above so if you are staying in the two story building stay at the top floor so you can make the noice instead of listen to it. You can hear every step and every move from people upstairs. ||Service is African standard - always with a smile, pole pole as thay say. This is just what Zanzibar is about I think- make time go slow. ||The beach is really no beach but views are stunning, but note there is absolutely nothing in this end of Jambiani so make sure to do your outside shopping before you come. There are also no restaurants or anything nearby so this leads me to the next step of this review. ||Food and beverage ||They are offering a half board meaning breakfast and a dinner buffet is included. You might think it is great - I don’t ||Breakfast small and really not much to speak about. Not impressive and the watermelon juice is terrible. They changed it to pineapple in day four. ||They offer eggs and pancakes to order but you need to go to the desk to order it. Same for coffee- it is so easy to step up the service and have table serving for these simple things. There are staff enough. ||Lunch, a quite small, limited, but tasty a la carte menu and added “todays” dishes on the wall menu. ||There is really no one that informs you about the extra dishes so it actually took us some time to figure out that it was an extra option. ||Good quality of the food at the a la carte menu. ||So to my biggest issue- I HATE buffet, and we were supposed staying here for a week. The being forced to eat every single dinner from a buffet with so little variety is not what I expected from this hotel seeing the reviews. ||The buffet quality is poor by my standards, that is from a Scandinavian perspective. I just do not like it when served all kind of «hidden vegetables /meat in sauce or under cheese» the food in the containers are not even really warm. So disappointing. ||The only positive thing is that they varying the food from day to day but still it’s a small buffet with its limitations. ||A huge disappointment the whole dinner situation. ||The worst about this- there is no other options. They could for example offer a la carte menu on the side so you could choose to pay for that if you did not want the buffet. ||The restaurant closes way too early 20:30 for food in evening. I guess it’s due to health regulations about for how long you can keep the buffet. But again - offer me a la carte and let me decide when to eat. After restaurant closed there is really nothing other to do than go to bed. At least you wake up early ;-)||Alternatives - you can go by a taxi to Paje and back for eating in a restaurant. But having payed for a buffet icl in hotel rate on top off that add 20 dollars for taxi an so for the food in the restaurant. :-( ||All the above is so easy to do something about and I hope that the management will do because the resort deserves something better than this. ||Keep in mind that the hotel has been open for only two months so I truly believe if there is will there is possibility for stepping up the game and be something really good. ||A seven day stay as we did book is too long as the current situation (we actually decided to check out after five nights) - but stay for 2-3 nights and you’ll love it. ||A bit strange for me as a Scandinavian seeing the manageteam having their breakfast/lunch meeting in the restaurant alongside guests instead of of training staff to be more attentive in their guest relations - I do not think it is appropriate to be honest. ||My last words - the wonderful Maya Front of house manager. She is so dedicated and caring. Thank you so much for great hospitality. ||To all of the staff you are always welcoming and smiling. And to the GM, please by a proper pair of shoes as the rest off the staff and get rid of...

A Heartfelt Review of Kaskazi Zanzibar

OMG! I don’t even know where to start, I get emotional just thinking about our experience at Kaskazi Zanzibar.

From the moment we arrived, this place felt different, special. My wife and I have traveled to many destinations, but this one truly exceeded our expectations. Walking into the compound, we were welcomed with love, laughter, and heartfelt greetings “Jumbo Jambo, Hakuna Matata, and Welcome Home.” Those words touched my soul in a way I can’t even describe. The warmth and hospitality we received made us feel like family, not just guests.

We were blessed to stay in one of their VIP oceanfront villas, and let me tell you, it was an emotional experience just walking toward it. The atmosphere here is divine, as if God Himself kissed the very grounds of this property. The staff went above and beyond, treating us like royalty, always attentive and ensuring we had everything we needed from sunrise to sunset.

Things We Loved: • Peter—Our Guardian Angel: If you ever stay here, make sure to ask for Peter. He never once said, “I can’t” or “I don’t know.” Whatever we needed, he made it happen with such ease and grace. His attentiveness made us feel at home, safe, and completely taken care of. • Unmatched Hospitality: The staff, from housekeeping to management, were warm, welcoming, and always checking in to make sure we were comfortable. • Breathtaking Views: The beauty of this place is beyond words—the ocean, the breeze, the peacefulness—it all felt like a dream.

A Few Areas for Improvement:

Now, let’s be real, no place is perfect, and since Kaskazi Zanzibar is a fairly new hotel, there are some things that can be improved. However, what impressed us the most was their willingness to address any issue immediately. • Vegan/Vegetarian Food Options: While the food was enjoyable, we felt that they could expand their vegan and vegetarian offerings. A greater selection would truly elevate the dining experience for plant-based guests. • Cultural Food & Flavor: One thing we’d love to see more of is authentic African cuisine. More seasoning, more traditional spices, and a deeper immersion into the rich flavors of Africa would make dining here an unforgettable cultural experience. • Limited Lunch Menu: While breakfast and dinner had great selections, we found the lunch menu to be quite limited. Adding more variety would make the experience even better. • Shower Pressure: The water pressure in our villa fluctuated at times, but I have to give credit where it’s due, the staff resolved it quickly. Their attentiveness was unmatched, and they made sure we were comfortable. • Sewer Smell: There was a slight sewage odor in our room. It wasn’t unbearable, but it was noticeable. This is something we hope they look into and fix, as it would make the experience even better. • Outdoor Patio Covering: When it rained, our patio wasn’t covered, so we couldn’t leave our shoes or sit outside without getting wet. It would be great if they could find a way to provide shelter from the rain and wind while still allowing guests to enjoy the beautiful outdoor space.

Final Thoughts:

Despite these minor issues, Kaskazi Zanzibar left a lasting imprint on our hearts. The love, the hospitality, and the beauty of this place are truly unmatched. We have never felt so safe, appreciated, and surrounded by warmth at any other hotel. This place will forever hold a piece of us, and we will absolutely be returning.

To anyone considering a stay here, do it. The experience is beyond words, and the love you’ll feel here is something truly special. Kaskazi Zanzibar, thank you for everything. Until next time!...

This hotel is located in a peaceful and relaxing area, perfect for those looking to unwind and disconnect. At the same time, it’s just a short tuk-tuk ride (around 10–15 minutes) from the nearby towns of Jambiani and Paje, offering easy access to more lively spots when desired – the best of both worlds.

One of the most noticeable aspects is the exceptional cleanliness – the staff takes care of every detail on a daily basis, from fresh flowers to the overall upkeep of all areas. It’s clear that a lot of care goes into maintaining high standards.

The hotel itself is not large, which is actually a great advantage for guests seeking a more intimate and restful experience. Even when frequently booked, it never feels crowded thanks to the spacious and well-distributed common areas and facilities.

Among those shared spaces, there’s a beautiful garden where guests can relax with a drink or enjoy an open-air movie under the stars – a truly charming touch. There’s also a rooftop bar with chill-out music, perfect for unwinding in the evening. Around the pool area, everyone can find their ideal spot depending on what they’re looking for – whether it’s peace and quiet or a bit more social atmosphere. The layout is thoughtfully designed to offer both.

The food is truly a highlight – delicious, varied, and clearly made with high-quality, fresh ingredients. Freshly squeezed juices, homemade jams add a unique, authentic touch. There's plenty to choose from, but not in the overwhelming way you sometimes see in big chain resorts. It feels thoughtfully curated, which adds to the charm.

The rooms are beautifully decorated in a minimalist style that blends well with the overall atmosphere of the hotel. They are thoroughly cleaned – in fact, the housekeeping team comes twice a day, which adds to the sense of care and attention. The hotel offers stunning views of the ocean, where guests can admire the beauty of the tides throughout the day.

In the evenings, tasteful entertainment is organized – performances by local music groups, traditional dance or fire shows. These are presented by local communities, which adds a sense of authenticity and avoids the feel of mass-tourism-style entertainment.

But above all, what truly sets this place apart is the people. From the housekeeping team, to the Maasai security staff, to the restaurant crew (chefs and waiters) – every single person contributes to creating a warm, welcoming atmosphere. The team is not only highly trained and professional, but also genuinely seems to enjoy working together. There’s a strong sense of unity and positive energy that makes the entire experience feel special and sincere. It’s impossible to name everyone individually, but a heartfelt thank you goes out to the entire staff – your work truly makes this place unforgettable.

I visited several places during my stay in Zanzibar, but this hotel stood out because of the people and the atmosphere they create. If these human touches and genuine hospitality matter to you, I wholeheartedly...