Baladin Zanzibar Beach Hotel

I had the absolute pleasure of staying at Baladin Zanzibar, and it was truly unforgettable. From the moment I arrived, the staff were exceptional—warm, attentive, and always willing to go above and beyond to make sure every need was met. Their kindness and hospitality made the experience feel incredibly personal. The hotel itself is stunning. Every corner feels thoughtfully designed, blending natural beauty with calming, stylish touches. It’s the kind of place that instantly relaxes you and makes you feel like you’re in your own little paradise. I celebrated my birthday during my stay, and it couldn’t have been more perfect. The staff made it so special that it became one of the best birthdays I’ve ever had. Their effort and care were truly touching. Baladin Zanzibar is more than just a hotel—it’s an experience. I can’t recommend it enough, and I can’t wait to return. 🌅✨

I hosted a group trip at this property and was extremely disappointed with the service we received. While the location is excellent, especially its proximity to the famous Rock Restaurant, the overall experience was poor and stressful. From the moment we checked in, the owner was condescending and difficult to communicate with. We noticed several dogs lying around in the kitchen area. One member of my group has a fear of dogs and politely asked if they could be kept away while she was dining. The owner responded by saying she was very “educated,” which came across as dismissive and insulting, as if implying we were not. This set the tone for the rest of the stay. Although the property markets itself as eco-friendly, basic hospitality standards were lacking. The towels were thin, rough, discolored, and appeared extremely old. There were no washcloths available, only bath towels and face towels. I’ve stayed at many eco-friendly resorts, and none compromised cleanliness or comfort this way. The beds were noisy, making it difficult to sleep, especially for light sleepers. Instead of blankets, only thin flannel sheets were provided. The owner repeatedly insisted we keep the air conditioner set at 22°C and “educated” us on why sleeping in cooler temperatures was bad, which felt more like cost-cutting than guest care. On day one and part of day two, we had almost no water pressure. I had to call multiple times because only droplets came out of the shower. There were no phones in the rooms for emergencies, so I had to rely on WhatsApp using my personal cellular data since the Wi-Fi was unreliable. Even then, communication was unclear. I was given a contact for room service but was never told this person was also responsible for handling emergencies, and the owner seemed to expect me to just know this. To make matters worse, the owner had separate conversations with different members of my group and expected me, as the host, to be aware of all decisions and information shared. Once the Wi-Fi stopped working properly on day two, communication within our group became even more difficult. Instead of investigating the issue, we were repeatedly told the Wi-Fi was “working.” After traveling many hours internationally and spending a significant amount of money, the level of service was unacceptable. We ended up leaving a night early—and honestly, I wish we had left on the first day. I would not recommend staying here.

We had heard mixed reviews about Zanzibar but got the tip to stay on the southeast of the island instead of the north, and we are so so happy we found Baladin. It far exceeded our expectations - the beach felt private, but you can walk just 5 minutes to reach the infamous restaurant The Rock. We went one evening for drinks, but were happy we weren't staying at any other hotel on the strip. Our room was clean, spacious and well decorated, the restaurant was great for breakfast and fresh seafood, and service was friendly. Nicole was very helpful in booking our snorkeling and dhow cruise excursions, which were affordable and so fun!||If we had to make any suggestions, it would be to maybe have a bartender circulate the pool every so often to ask for drinks orders (the bar is only a 30 second walk away, but we would have ordered a lot more while lounging!) and that the pillows need replacing. Otherwise, we can't wait to come back!

Our stay here was really enjoyable . Nicole (GM) and her staff are exceptionally friendly and knowledgeable, always happy to share local insights and ensure everything runs smoothly. The accommodation has a local charm, and is immaculately clean, ||The setting is breathtaking, with beautiful views that create the perfect backdrop for a relaxing break. The food is gorgeous, and the breakfast in particular offers an impressive choice to suit all tastes. We also enjoyed the variety of local restaurants within easy reach, which made dining out a pleasure - including The Rock which despite mixed reviews we loved ! ||This is a wonderfully quiet and peaceful place to stay – ideal if you’re looking to unwind. If you’re after lively nightlife and hustle and bustle, this isn’t the place for you, but for relaxation and tranquillity, it’s perfect.||There are busy places a short taxi ride away which the hotel can source - the receptionist’s are really helpful and happy to help you book trips and taxi rides . We spent an evening in paje which had lovely restaurants and bars. ||We booked ( through the hotel ) a couple of boat trips inc snorkelling ( not to be missed ) and a cultural trip to stone town. |Massages were lovely too. ||There is always lots of questions on Facebook pages on what money to take - we took US Dollars ( make sure you have lots of small notes for tipping when out and about ) and also paid for things on our global money card without any difficulties but fees are added for card usage across Zanzibar. ||You pay and tip at the end of the trip within the hotel which makes things super simple - In hindsight- I wish we would have swapped a small amount of cash for local currency as in some small local shops and bars it was difficult for the staff to convert into dollars. ||Baladin is highly recommended for anyone seeking comfort, calm, and a touch of authentic local flavour.||Tip 1 |Swim over to the sandbank opposite the hotel - it’s stunning and only a short swim in low tide. ||Tip 2 |Don’t second guess anything - ask !! Nicole was extremely responsive on wats app ahead of trip and the reception team extremely knowledgeable during the stay .

We absolutely loved our stay at Baladin Zanzibar! This beautiful boutique property was just perfect for my family. The location couldn’t be better—could catch a boat from the beach to iconic spots like Starfish Beach, the Sandbar, Blue Lagoon, and walk right to The Rock Restaurant. The accommodations were stylish and thoughtfully designed, with every detail adding to the laid-back luxury vibe. The food was incredible—fresh, flavorful, and beautifully presented at every meal. One of our favorite features was the pool setup—perfect for families, with a shallow end that was just right for my youngest to splash around safely while the rest of us relaxed nearby.||A peaceful, picture-perfect stay that we’ll be recommending to everyone!

This must surely be the best place to stay after your Tanzanian safari. We were here for 4 nights and it was perfect. The beach location is gorgeous, the staff so friendly, the setting tranquil as can be and the restaurant is so good that we didn't eat anywhere else for the entire 4 days. We could refill our water bottles with filtered water as often as we needed and the bar was always open. We were able to book day trips or excursions with the staff. We were delighted to get all our (dusty, safari) clothes washed for only $1/piece and it came back so beautifully laundered. The very friendly and chill dogs and cats were also welcoming.|Note that the pool is quite small (but the beach is amazing to swim at and is right adjacent). Also that the double bed is up a narrow flight of stairs with a low ceiling. Charming, but may not suit everyone.

In two words, this is a 'quiet place'. I like it. It's a great spot to rest and admire the Indian Ocean, although it's not ideal for swimming. As is well known, Zanzibar's tides are dramatic, and this coast offers a prime example. It's very impressive to see how far the sea retreats during low tide. The common areas around the pool and facing the sea are lovely. I was impressed by the maintenance of the place; the staff works hard every morning to keep everything impeccable for guests. The bungalow has a unique, informal style, and the open bathroom is a standout feature - I loved it. However, the bungalow isn't particularly comfortable or spacious. I think it's designed to encourage guests to enjoy the hotel's other areas rather than spending too much time in their rooms. The service is inconsistent, ranging from good to bad, with most experiences being just fine, especially at the restaurant. The food quality is generally good, with a focus on Italian dishes like pasta and pizza, as well as some other flavors and seafood options. The restaurant also offers a selection of Italian craft beers, Birra Baladin, although the prices are steep at around $6 (14.000 TSH) for 330ml. The hotel offers various excursions, which we tried and enjoyed.

The location made it so easy to explore some of Zanzibar’s best sights—just minutes from Starfish Beach, the sandbar, Blue Lagoon, and the famous Rock restaurant. We felt like we were in the heart of it all, yet still had our own peaceful retreat to come back to. The food was a true highlight—every dish was a treat, with fresh ingredients and bold flavors that made every meal something to look forward to. The pool setup was ideal for families—my youngest loved the shallow area, and we all appreciated having a space to cool off and unwind after a day of exploring. Would absolutely return—Baladin made our time in Zanzibar unforgettable.