Meliá Zanzibar (Kiwengwa): review, all-inclusive, beach and alternatives
Meliá Zanzibar is a 5-star all-inclusive resort on Kiwengwa beach, on the north-east coast. It has about 124 rooms according to one reseller, with garden villas that have private pools. Ratings seen in October 2026: 8.8/10 from 260 reviews on Expedia and 4.7/5 from 1,922 Google reviews on Meliá's own page (different sources, not comparable). One thing to know before booking: one guide finds the beach not great for swimming, and the east coast has tides, so the pool is the fallback when the sea goes out. No reliable price is published; it depends on the date and the reseller.
Highlights
Kiwengwa beach
A white sand beach of about 300 m protected by a coral reef according to a Dutch guide. As along the whole east coast, the sea goes out at low tide.
All-inclusive
Resellers offer all-inclusive rates, but Oyster notes they can be restrictive: ask for the list of included drinks and restaurants, and what is charged extra (spa, diving, excursions).
The kids' club
It runs in high season only according to Oyster: confirm the dates if you travel with children.
The villas
Villas with a large garden and private pool exist, for those who want more privacy than standard rooms.
Practical info
Tips
- Who it suits: couples and families who want everything on site and do not want to depend on the village. Less suited if you want to swim at any hour: choose the north, see Kendwa and tides in Zanzibar. Compare with the other all-inclusive hotels in Zanzibar and with Riu in Nungwi. For the beach itself, see Kiwengwa. The information comes from resellers, not the hotel's own site; have rooms, meals and prices confirmed. A boat trip (Mnemba) is the best way to enjoy the sea at low tide: Mnemba.
How to get there
Kiwengwa is on the east coast, about 45 minutes to 1 hour from the airport (common estimate, to confirm with the hotel). Book a transfer: from the airport to your hotel.
Opening hours
Our guides that feature it
Nearby
See on the map →
Comments
No comments yet.