Maharaja Boutique Hotel Zanzibar♡

Guest review

10.0

Staff was incredible. Food was done by a chef ... was just one of the best dinners we ever had! We were on honeymoon and the staff upgraded our room to the villa! Is was just perfect. We also had a private and very romantic breakfast in the vila.

− Not the best place to do beach

Guest review

8.0

Staff were really nice, pool was nice and clean, beachfront hotel with good amenities. Breakfast had a good variety. Anita is an amazing host and the staff are all amazing, they try to welcome you and look after you. Room size was great too

− Menu could have included swahili cuisine, jacuzzi wasnt working sadly, location was far away from most of the excursions and places to visit in zanzibar. Room could have had a TV or some more facilities within the hotel as the pool table was a bit useless as it was wonky

Guest review

10.0

Everything was perfect! Alina and all the Team made our vacation the most relaxing one!

We paid for four nights, but left after only one.

3.0

The hotel is secluded and quiet, something that might appeal to some people. The pool is large and overlooks the sea. The pool is needed because you really can’t swim in the ocean here. Near the pool is the bar and restaurant. The property is adults only, so it will appeal to couples who like quiet vacations with lots of lounging, reading books, sunbathing, and sleeping. We stayed in unit 101, a villa with jacuzzi. It was spacious and kept up well for the most part. Air conditioning was very effective. The 4-post bed has mosquito netting, which adds a nice touch but I did not see a single mosquito there.

− First, let me say that my review is based on the personal preferences of me and my wife, and others may be perfectly satisfied here. The internet/wi-fi is very bad, which might appeal to people who want to unplug. Our villa also had no television. If it’s quiet that you want, you will find it here. The hotel is located on a rocky point north of Chwaka Bay. There is a strong tidal influence here. In effect, there really is not a beach, just a sand strip that appears during low tide when the water retreats quite a distance and disappears during high tide. It is a boutique hotel, so one would expect better service. It was not. Service at the bar was slow. It took 45 minutes for me just to get a cocktail. Service in the restaurant was slow and waitresses unfriendly and uninspired. As for the restaurant, food selection was limited and quality of food was poor. Grilled fish tasted fried. Minestrone soup should be hearty, full of vegetables and beans, instead it was a mostly clear liquid with few vegetables and noodles. Portions were small, which is okay if the food is satisfying. I suppose it’s also good if the food isn’t satisfying. At breakfast we were swarmed by bees who wanted our food. I understand that nature happens, but the hotel’s solution was only marginally effective. The waitresses delivered small dishes with burning embers to emit smoke to keep the bees away. This did not help much. Water pressure in the shower was very poor and bath towels were large but old, thin, and coarse. The robe provided was too small for me and did not come with a belt. We decided early in our stay that this was not the place for us and left after just one night. I will say thank you to Anita, the concierge there, who tried to help, but in the end the property was just not right for us. I lost 2000 USD by leaving early, but it was better than being miserable for 3 more days.

Great place to stay for a few days.

10.0

The seaside villas are fantastic. You can see the sea with the tides coming and going directly while you enjoy your morning coffee in bed. And you have a private beach just few meters down your verenda. Also, Cecilia and her team do everything to make your stay a culinary experience in addition.

Guest review

10.0

A magical honeymoon stay — thanks to Anita and the whole team! We chose Maharaja Boutique Hotel for our honeymoon, and it turned into an unforgettable experience — exactly the kind of escape we were dreaming of. The bungalow deserves a special mention. We stayed in one with an ocean view — absolutely stunning. It was clean, simple, and had no TV, which was a huge plus. Perfect for disconnecting from the noise of everyday life. From the very first moment we felt truly looked after. That’s mostly thanks to Anita, the hotel manager. She surrounded us with warmth and care like we were family. Whatever small issue came up, she solved it instantly. And her tips about Zanzibar made our stay so much richer and smoother. She really went above and beyond. The rest of the staff were just as wonderful. Special mention to Issa behind the bar — he kept surprising us with the most creative and delicious cocktails. And Maximilian seemed to be everywhere at once, always with a warm smile, always helping without ever being intrusive. Just pure good energy. And the whole team gave us a farewell dance that genuinely touched our hearts. We'll carry that warmth with us. The hotel itself is lovely: tasty à la carte food, beautiful nature, and — best of all — red colobus monkeys living right on the grounds. You don’t even need to go to a reserve. Other monkeys also visit. It feels like you’re staying inside a peaceful little jungle. If you want to escape the noise of big cities and have a calm, beautiful, and truly restful holiday — this is the place. Thank you, Maharaja team, for giving us such a memorable start to our marriage.

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