The three resorts at a glance
| Hotel | Plan | Why pick it | Its limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| TUI Blue Bahari | All-inclusive | Scores of 8.8 to 9.6 out of 10 depending on the platform, kids' pool, playground | Rooms: 157 or 207 depending on the source |
| Meliá Zanzibar | All-inclusive on some rates | 5 stars, villas with private pools, garden | Beach found poor for swimming by one guide; kids' club in high season |
| Bluebay Beach Resort & Spa | Some rates all-inclusive | 112 rooms in about 10 hectares of garden | One traveller reports big waves at high tide |
Other names appear on booking sites (VOI Kiwengwa, Ocean Paradise): we did not collect their facts.
Hotel pick: TUI BLUE Bahari Zanzibar (Booking score 9.1, read 30 October 2026): in Kiwengwa (Pwani Mchangani); with a private beach area, with a pool, guests rate the staff 9.3. Limit: its lowest Booking sub-scores are location (8.7) and value for money (8.7).
Hotel pick: Meliá Zanzibar (Booking score 8.8, read 30 October 2026): in Kiwengwa; listed as beachfront, family rooms listed, guests rate the comfort 9.2. Limit: its lowest Booking sub-score is value for money (8.0).
The beach and the tide
Kiwengwa beach is white sand, sheltered by a reef, but the sea goes far out at low tide: check the times before choosing, see tides and swimming. If you want to swim at any hour, the north is simpler: Nungwi and Kendwa.
Transfers and outings
Allow about an hour from the airport (see from the airport to your hotel). All-inclusive rarely covers excursions: compare with all-inclusive hotels and read the pages on TUI Blue Bahari and Meliá.
FAQ
Kiwengwa or Nungwi?
Kiwengwa for big quiet resorts, Nungwi for swimming more often and going out in the evening.
Can you swim at Kiwengwa beach?
Mostly at high tide; at low tide the sea draws back.
Should you book early?
Yes in high season, June to August and Christmas.
