The Island Pongwe Lodge

We stayed at Island Pongwe Lodge for only two days, but we truly wish we could have stayed much longer. Our room was absolutely beautiful, with a stunning view of the ocean that made every moment feel magical. The entire place is peaceful, serene, and even more breathtaking in person than any picture could ever capture. The staff were amazing throughout our stay—always happy to help, always warm, and always ready to answer any questions we had. A special thank you to Rafael and Michela, who were super helpful via email even before our stay and made everything feel smooth and welcoming from the very beginning. They continued to be fantastic in person, making our experience feel even more personal and memorable. We visited for my birthday, and they organised the most romantic meal for us. It was far beyond anything I expected and made the celebration incredibly special. The food during our stay was consistently delicious, and I also really loved that they support local businesses by using locally made soaps and products—such a thoughtful touch that reflects the heart of the lodge. Another lovely surprise was the presence of the island’s dog and cats. They were so cute, friendly, and calm—such a pleasant and heartwarming addition that made the island feel even more special and homely. Island Pongwe Lodge is a place that stays with you, and we can’t wait for the day we get to return. Highly recommended.

One of the most incredible hotels. With only 6 rooms, it feels like you’re on a private island. The hotel also look after a couple of cats and dogs which made our trip even more special. All the staff were super helpful and kind. They even set up a romantic dinner for two on our last evening for no additional charge. We paid for full board which was completely worth it. The food was absolutely delicious and as part of the package we could have 3 courses for both lunch and dinner. We had all sorts of delicious seafood - lobster, crab, fish. I had a lovely full body massage which was set up outside my room with the ocean in the background. The hotel is in a quieter part of Zanzibar which we knew when we booked. Couldn’t fault the hotel at all, would highly recommend!

I had the most unforgettable dining experience at this restaurant. The setting is absolutely breathtaking – located on its own private island with perfect views in every direction, it feels like a hidden paradise. The food was incredible, with every dish beautifully prepared and bursting with flavor – truly world-class. What made the experience even more special was the service. Juma, our waiter, was exceptional. He was attentive, helpful, and genuinely friendly, making us feel welcome and taken care of throughout the evening. His professionalism and warmth added a personal touch that elevated the whole experience. This is not just a meal, but an experience I’ll remember forever. If you’re looking for a place that combines extraordinary food, stunning views, and outstanding service, this restaurant is absolutely perfect.

Amazing place, superb staff and fantastic food. A blissful exlscape in Zanzibar and one we wish we had more time to spend there. Beautiful resort and we didnt leave the island for 2.5 days other than to go snorkelling.||No air-conditioning is not annissue as the fresh sea breeze is all you need.||Raphael, Amani and Sussanna were particularly fantastic members of staff.

Amazing Experience – Our First Time Trying Sea Urchin! We were passing by the area around 10:30 a.m., and since the restaurant usually opens at 12:00, I reached out to the hotel the day before to ask about visiting earlier. They were incredibly kind and said they would bring in fresh sea urchins especially for us — and even open the restaurant just for our visit. That gesture alone already made our day! The staff was very welcoming and polite, and the sea urchins were perfectly fresh. It was our first time ever trying them, and it became an unforgettable experience. A huge thank you to the hotel management for understanding our situation and being so thoughtful. Along with the sea urchins, they also served us lime and gin — and if you’re as new to sea urchin as we were, here’s a tip: you can pour a little gin inside the urchin and enjoy it as a sauce. Such a wonderful and memorable moment — highly recommend this place for anyone looking for a truly special experience! 🌊✨

We booked a romantic dinner for two on the Pongwe Island Lodge. We only expected a table, two chairs and more of the amazing food & drink that we’d been served since we arrived. However, we arrived at 7:30pm to an array of flower petals delicately sprinkled on the steps, all the way up to the dinner table. The petals spelled out “I LOVE YOU” with various heart shapes too! There was an archway, beautiful decorated in MORE petals! We were greeted by a friendly waiter, who soon announced himself as “Juma”. Juma was unbelievable from the first second, until the last. He personally decorated the setting and was even waiting for us to arrive from 6:30pm… we arrived at 7:30pm, so clearly there was a miscommunication with our booking slot! His service was with a smile and he was knowledgable about the food, the island & the country. We had the most amazing dinner experience and Juma made it absolutely unforgettable! Thank you to Juma, Raphael and the rest of the Pongwe Island Lodge crew who cooked the food, made the drinks and made our stay and our evening so special!

I searched Zanzibar for different locations to propose to my soon to be wife, and I landed on the island. |I called in advance in order to make sure everything went according to plan, and it did. Was very happy with the service for Mika and Juma. |I ordered the romantic package and was very pleased with the privacy and the view. I don’t think the food was at the same level as the rest of the experience, but still very happy for how it turned out. Definitely recommend for an evening you won’t forget.

What a fantastic experience we had , we celebrated our 30th anniversary at this incredible island and what more can I say …. |The sea , sand and our lodge was perfect , the food was some of the best we have tasted but most of all the staff are AMAZING . Nothing to much trouble with every task met with a smile 😊 The whole team work so hard to make your holiday unforgettable, Rafael, Anna , Susan , Irene ,Juno , Maria , Liteness , and Ignas to name but a few .|Thank you to everyone who made our holiday one of a lifetime, miss you all and can’t wait to return one day xx |Lorraine & Kev