MANOLO Beach Resort — Hotel in Unguja

Avoid this hotel if safety matters to you.||||I waited over a month before writing this review, hoping the hotel management would handle the situation with fairness and transparency. Unfortunately, my hopes were not met.||||We were robbed from two different cottages while sleeping here.||||We stayed here as a group during 27/07/2025–02/08/2025. On our final night, someone entered our room (conveniently, the one containing most of the camera equipment) and stole about $10,000 worth of camera gear, documents, and cash—all while a child was sleeping inside.||||The hotel’s response was shockingly slow and unprofessional. It took them several hours to even contact the police, as they first accused us of making everything up and said we ourselves are the suspects now. Only after we showed proof (photos and videos of us using the equipment) did they realize it’s not a good strategy. The hotel director came out to “talk” to us but instead threatened to report us if we sought security footage from a nearby supermarket. He also blamed us for “not waking up” when there was someone in our cottage —an absolutely absurd accusation.||||Although the hotel advertises “24/7 security,” we discovered there were not a single camera anywhere on the property. It turned out that on the night of the robbery, guards weren’t monitoring our area, and the neighboring hotel also had no camera footage due to a power outage between 2 AM and 6 AM.||||Instead of assisting us, the director pressured us to leave quickly so we wouldn’t miss our flight, then cowardly hid and refused further communication, leaving the manager and some clueless staff alone.||||We filed a police report, but it wasn’t processed right away because it was a weekend. Even after providing the phone’s live location data to the hotel, they dismissed us, saying it was now “in the hands of the insurance.”||||It’s been weeks now, and I found out that the police has not even visited the hotel yet after our departure. Repeatedly following up with management has led nowhere—their responses are dismissive and unhelpful.||||If you value your safety and belongings, do not stay here. The lack of security, accountability, and basic human decency from the hotel management is both alarming and...

When you arrive, it truly feels like paradise. It's a beautiful resort with an amazing beach and pool. There are many people working to keep it that way; for example, the beach is cleaned every day. The staff are very helpful and kind. You can tell that this resort hasn't been open for long, as they lack some hospitality experience. We found this quite amusing; for instance, we were asked if we wanted our chicken medium or rare, and there was someone who didn't know how to open a bottle with a bottle opener. It would be good to have a digital system for orders, as writing them down and adding them up manually takes a lot of time and is prone to errors. The menu could also be more extensive, both in terms of drinks and food. There are few alternatives in the area, and after a while, the menu gets a bit boring (though the quality was very good). The owner was also there, working hard to make it even better (including the menu) and to ensure there are fun activities. At the moment, there wasn't much to do, which was sometimes difficult for the kids. There isn't much in the immediate vicinity either, in terms of restaurants or activities. However, there are various excursions available, such as swimming with dolphins (in the wild!). All in all, we had a great time, partly because it wasn't very busy. Upon arrival, it felt like the most beautiful and best resort I've ever been to, and with a few small improvements, it would have...

WOW, WOW, WOW, WOW, WOW!

First WOW – The Location Literally steps from the beach (just 10 meters from my room to the water), and what a beach it is—endless white sand, crystal-clear water, a gentle breeze, and stunning high and low tide variations. Uroa Beach is a paradise still largely undiscovered.

Second WOW – The Resort Intimate and high-quality, with spacious, beautifully designed rooms, a fantastic pool, and an inviting restaurant and bar. Manolo Beach Resort combines luxury with a cozy, personal touch.

Third WOW – The Food As foodies who deeply value quality ingredients, we can confidently say that the food at Manolo was the best of our two-week vacation across Tanzania and Zanzibar. Hats off to the chef!

Fourth WOW – The Service The Manolo team made our stay feel like a dream. Every staff member was warm, professional, and always smiling. Their genuine happiness was contagious, and by the end of our five-day stay, we felt like friends with the whole crew.

Fifth WOW – Sitty Sitty, the resort manager, is truly one of a kind. Nothing was impossible for her. She fulfilled every request with a smile and utmost professionalism. Sitty played a huge role in making our Zanzibar vacation unforgettable.

Bottom Line If you’re looking for a peaceful, intimate escape, run to Manolo Beach Resort. If you’re seeking a crowded atmosphere, loud music, and a beach bustling with beach-boys, you may want to...