Zoi Retreat Hotel Zanzibar

For future travelers, i'm flagging 3 issues with this hotel ( Idk what it has that many good reviews i wish i havent fall for the good reviews beforehands of booking) 1- Food quality and price – The food was very disappointing given the high prices. Just outside the hotel, there are excellent restaurants at half the cost. The quality of both food and drinks was poor. For example, they claimed the juice was freshly made with natural fruits, but it was clearly canned juice. 2. No first aid kit available – At midnight we urgently needed basic medical supplies, but the hotel had no first aid kit. We had to go out into very dark surroundings to find medication ourselves. For the price this hotel charges, the minimum would be to provide such essential safety items. 3. Harassment on the beach – The beach boys harassed us to an unimaginable extent. It became so bad that we stopped lying on the beach altogether. At one point, one of them even followed me into the water. Finally, there was no trash cans in the rooms By comparison, we stayed in Kizimkazi at a hotel that was half the price, served much better food, offered more space, and allowed us to swim peacefully. The value was incomparable. The only positive thing was the massage

We stayed at this lovely small retreat after a safari to relax before returning home . The staff was so friendly and provided great service. The room was clean and comfortable with AC and a nice big bathroom. The common area and pool were great to sit and read a book or play cards. The food was good so were the cocktails. They even let us keep one room to keep our things and relax in for a late check at no charge. Overall a great way to end an amazing trip. Oh and we love their cats

We stayed 5 nights at Zoi Retreat in Matemwe at the end of July 2025, mainly for kitesurfing, and we definitely got what we came for: wind every day and an empty beach — just perfect if you're looking to ride solo! (but beware of sea urchins!). The location is superb: right on the beach, with a calm atmosphere and a lovely garden with mangroves. Massages were good and the guys working at the bar were always smiling, friendly and helpful.||But: Unfortunately, the hotel is currently far from what you’d expect of a 4-star property. |The new manager (since June 2025) is very responsive and clearly doing his best to improve things. We sincerely wish him success — but he still has a long way to go. ||We stayed in the family room which was very dark (not a place where you want to spend too much time) and extremely humid and smelled of mold on arrival. They lack maintenance and proper airing, and housekeeping was inconsistent — only once in five days was our room properly cleaned (after we complained). Otherwise, it was mostly making the bed and a quick sweep.||Breakfast was a big disappointment: poor coffee, not-so-fresh fruits (cut with the same knife used for onions?), and yogurt that seemed off. Honestly, the worst breakfast we had during our stay in Zanzibar.||Overall, if your priority is simply a quiet beach and wind for kitesurfing, this place might still work for you. But if you are expecting a genuine 4-star experience, you will likely be disappointed. For us, it was the least impressive hotel of our stay in Zanzibar.||On a positive note: we ended up dining several times at a wonderful local restaurant just across the street, which truly enhanced our stay in Matemwe||We sincerely hope the manager succeeds in his plans to improve the property. ||Until then, future guests may want to read both the positive and more critical reviews carefully to get a realistic picture.||Hakuna matata

Jafferji Beach Retreat, where to begin. What a wonderful stay we had! |The staff was friendly and helpful |Food amazing… (enough said) |Cocktails … (enough said)|Rooms were neat and it was cleaned daily |The porch and other areas swept multiple times during the day.|Jafferji is the perfect place if you are looking to switch off, disconnect, “find yourself” or just relax. The view of the beach is peaceful and there aren’t loads of tourists strolling around in the nearby village or the beach. If you are coming to stay, note that this area has less attractions but would work perfectly for a big group or family that aren't interested in leaving the retreat or the honeymoon couple. If you are the party type/ the social type, a popular beach spot and vibey area, Nungwi is a 40min drive. So one could really enjoy the best of both worlds at Jafferji. |Negative comments, this was a windy spot during the time that we had visited (early August’25) but provision was made. |Ensure that you driver or transfer knows exactly where the location is as there were two roads (a slight longer road or a road that is not suitable for all vehicles) as the signs are not clear where the turn off is. ||Ones again, |to all the staff thank you for welcoming us, making our trip memorable and truly going out of your way to keep us smile. ||Kindest Regards |Danielle and Faith

Staying at Zoi Retreat Hotel was an absolute delight from start to finish. The team here goes above and beyond, greeting you like an old friend and making sure every detail of your stay is perfect. The food was a highlight—fresh, flavorful, and beautifully presented. I loved indulging in their soothing massages, which left me feeling completely renewed. And with the hotel set right on the beach, I could enjoy the sea breeze and stunning views every day. A truly memorable getaway!

Zoi Retreat Hotel is a true gem! From the warm welcome to the friendly, attentive staff, every moment felt special. The management is excellent, creating a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere. The food was absolutely delicious, and the massages were pure relaxation. Best of all, the location is unbeatable—right on the beach with stunning views! Can't wait to go back!

Great expwerience staying at Zoi Retreat Hotel, a familiar Hotel with 15 rooms in a lovely grden setting and a beautiful beach you can actually swim at at high tide (from5pm) with lovely and welcoming staff from reception to restaurant looking after their guests and genuinly caring for your wellbeing. Great and highly appreciated help with carring lagguage up and down the staircase to the room in the first floor. Good restaurant and cooking too. Thank you for a great and enjoyable stay at ZOI Retreat Hotel and best wishes to all of the Zoi Retreat Team!

As the name suggests, Zoi Retreat is a true retreat from the stresses of daily life. The small, intimate size of the hotel creates a very peaceful vibe, and you really feel like you have your own slice of paradise. We loved that it was right on a quiet stretch of beach, perfect for long walks. The staff was incredibly kind and helpful, and they made sure we had everything we needed to fully relax. The food was outstanding, with great options at every meal. This is the perfect place to disconnect, recharge, and enjoy the beauty of Zanzibar