Everything! The location, we had a room which was practically on the beach the view was amazing, we saw the sunrise from bed. The breakfast was delicious and all the staff were awesome people. We would definitely go back!

Stayed in June 2024

The road to the hotel is in poor condition. It is no fault of the hotel but it does detract from the experience.

We had a fabulous stay at Marafiki Beach hotel! The entire hotel area was very peaceful and calm. Lots of comfortable seating arrangements in the pool area. The rooms were simply but tastefully decorated. The beds were very comfortable and there was lots of space to hang and store cothes. We had breakfast and dinner at the restaurant on all days. There was a good selection of dishes and plenty of vergetarian options. The food was excellent. We also enjoyed cocktails a few evenings at the charmingly decorated beach bar next door. We booked some treatments at the spa and it was fantastic. The location is great facing the sea and the massage therapist Happiness was very skilled! Highly recommentd. The hotel also arranged transportation for us at competitive rates. The highlight of the hotel was the wonderful staff. They were always very friendly and nothing was too much trouble. Everyone from the cleaning ladies to the reception staff and the restaurant and bar personnel were smiling and helpful. Their friendliness and thoughtfulness really made our stay special. We look forward to visiting Zanzibar and staying at Marafiki beach hotel again.

Stayed in May 2024

While our stay was overall enjoyable, there were a few areas that could use improvement. Firstly, the water pressure in our villa bathroom was quite low, affecting both the bidet and shower. This made it difficult to enjoy a proper shower. Additionally, the WiFi signal inside the villa was very weak, although it worked fine outside. Improving the internet speed would greatly enhance the guest experience. The food options for both breakfast and dinner were limited. Offering a wider variety of dishes would be beneficial. Being a tropical location, we expected some insects, but there were more mosquitoes and bugs than anticipated. For instance, when I picked up an umbrella from the restaurant lounge, a lot of insects crawled out, which was quite off-putting. Moreover, the umbrella handles were not clean. I would recommend using gloves or bringing your own umbrella if you need one.

Our stay at the hotel was fantastic. The staff were incredibly friendly and went out of their way to make sure we were comfortable. They helped us plan our excursions and activities in Zanzibar and even arranged all the transportation for us. The hotel was very clean, and you could tell they paid a lot of attention to detail. It made our stay feel very relaxing and pleasant. Everyone we interacted with was kind and helpful, always ready with a smile. Their hospitality made our stay really enjoyable. Overall, it was an amazing experience, and we highly recommend this hotel for its wonderful staff, cleanliness, and great service.

Stayed in June 2024

Excellent service and staff Very relaxing energy

Stayed in June 2024

Nothing really

Perfect beachside location, comfortable room. Great food at reasonable prices and excellent cocktails

Stayed in May 2024

Wow! I was blown away by my wonderful stay at Marafiki. The staff were all SO lovely. The food at the restaurant was excellent. We were upgraded to the villa for our 4 night stay and it absolutely exceeded expectations. The spa services provided by Happiness were FANTASTIC! I cannot more highly recommend Marafiki, particularly if you're looking for a more relaxed experience.

Stayed in April 2024

The kindest staff of any hotel I've ever stayed at. They made the experience so stellar. The property itself is beautiful and relaxing - it was so nice to be able to walk steps away onto the beautiful beach.

Stayed in April 2024

The staff was really wonderful, friendly, and helpful. My partner was a bit unwell, so they instantly arranged for a doctor to come for a consultation. Dr. Mohammad was great, and reassuring, even sent us some medicine and followed up after, which really helped my partner recover fast and made our visit very relaxed. The place is beautiful! The beach stunning!! The rooms are very clean, comfortable and spacious. They are designed to provide privacy together with a direct view of the sea, with the beautiful sound of waves at night and early morning, which makes it very special. We loved the fact that all materials used and architectural designs of the hotel were all local. Would highly recommend.

Stayed in April 2024

This was the most amazing place we stayed at in Zanzibar (and we stayed at three different locations). In fact, it may have been the most amazing beach location I've ever stayed at in my life! Marafiki is a true gem. We were there for five days/four nights. Their service is exceptional - turn down service, cleaning service, responsiveness to anything you may ever need or want (e.g., booking excursions, questions about the area and property, etc.). The location is incredible - right on the beach, walking directly from your room onto the sand. The food was so memorable - we looked forward to their delicious breakfasts every morning and they have a wonderful variety of dishes and drinks. They mentioned their chef was trained overseas in Europe which makes sense. The place is also so clean and new - the bar area has a view overlooking the beach with a comfortable breeze and it was opened only a couple weeks before we arrived. Everything about Marafiki is beautiful and well thought out - from their decor to their landscaping to the comfy hammocks. An incredible getaway and a place I would love to return to.

Stayed in March 2024

Service, food, cleanliness, activities and infrastructure, all was fantastic

Stayed in April 2024

Amazing quiet place in the middle of Matemwe, food are delicious-try avocado&cucumber gazpacho, also stuff-people who care about you during all stay,deep Swiming pool and clean,you can swim all time,bedsheet are new one, bungalows with a lot of small and nice things,awesome

Stayed in April 2024

This Zanzibar resort is just amazing, truly like paradise on earth! The rooms are spaciousness, beautiful and clean. The staff and owner are really friendly and helpful, making our stay even more enjoyable. The facilities and surroundings are simply the best! We had an amazing few days there and I highly recommend it to everyone!

Stayed in April 2024

The people of Marafiki were hands down the best part of our stay. Everyone was so hospitable and friendly. They went above and beyond in ensuring we were comfortable- giving us an early checkin and a late checkout even though we didn’t ask for it. On top of it the food there was just amazing, didn’t have to venture out to eat at all. The have a close engagement with the local community and run various activities that help them. It felt like family and we are sure to return

Stayed in March 2024

The BEST staff. Really made me days 🫶🏾

Stayed in January 2024

Honestly, there's not much to improve! I would have liked a few more lounge chairs on the beach and it would be great to have more local / Swahili dishes on the regular restaurant menu (not just Sunday night at "Swahili dinner night").

Our room had a gorgeous view of both the pool and ocean and it was always quiet since guest rooms are quite spread out across the property. The restaurant and bar staff were super friendly and accommodating. Breakfast foods (both fresh fruits and made-to-order items) were excellent. Tons of activities offered (yoga, cooking class, live music, Swahili dinner food). Loved having water shoes and a kayak to use whenever I wanted. At high tide we could simply swim out in front of the hotel and snorkel without having to worry about sea urchins and there was lots to see (starfish, reef fish, sea cucumbers). Loved having bottled water always available to fill up my own reusable waterbottle. The hotel organised easy transportation to and from the airport (driver was on-time and friendly even though it was the middle of the night). Loved that the hotel used lots of bug spray and bed netting so mosquitos were not a problem. It was great having our room air conditioned to escape the humidity and heat outside.

Stayed in February 2024

Marafiki exceeded all our expectations. Such a beautiful boutique style gem! Food was great and beautifully set, staff always smiling and there for us, the villa we stayed was absolutely amazing with a huge balcony and spacious indoor space and the view just perfect… Could go on forever! Honestly, one of the nicest places we have ever stayed in Zanzibar.

Stayed in February 2024

Nothing

Everything was perfect !! Staff was very nice. Rooms wonderful. Perfect location too. Lots of activities

Stayed in February 2024

Nothing

We stayed in the Villa and it just perfect in every way. The place is beautiful and surprising spacious it also has its own pool. The food was good and the staff were very accommodating. We had a wonderful relaxing time. You can walk the beach for miles without seeing anyone, maybe we visited during a quiet time which did not bother us at all.

Stayed in January 2024

We were initially given the incorrect room but it was soon sorted out. It would be good to have a few more fans in the restaurant. After the first night when I felt uncomfortably hot, I managed to sit under one of the two ceiling fans in the room.

The friendly staff, the location of our room, the wonderful breakfast, entertainment and my gin and tonic in the evening! Free yoga lessons and the swahili night with local food music, singing and dancing

Stayed in February 2024

The swimming pool had problems with ferrous staining.

Beautiful hotel in a wonderful location. Food was excellent and service excellent too. Magda the assistant manager was incredibly helpful and efficient.

Stayed in February 2024

Not much the only thing I can think of is the signal posting of the hotel access. We were self drivers, so it mattered to us, as Google map doesn't really offer a fair navigation on the village dirt roads. But for those arriving by taxis, this is no issue.

The facilities and quality orientation and the all out service. The latter is very personal, flexible and just full hearted. For example the manager helped us sorting out a problem with local mobile-net provider, allowed a late checkout to enable us to take showers after snorkelling etc. Exceptional food and best fixed cocktails. Moody live music in the evening.

Stayed in February 2024

A few maintenance challenges but learned that’s just part of Zanzibar.

Comfy bed, good food, great location, friendly staff. Booked the king suite with ocean views, well worth it, more private as upstairs, and ocean views.

Stayed in February 2024

Very kind staff with the most amazing food in Zanzibar! They also offer many free activities with a local guide such as reef tour, village tour and so on. Thanks a lot to the whole Marafiki team for making our stay memorable 🥰

Stayed in January 2024

Nothing. It’s stunning.

A quite stunning property right on the beautiful white sand beach, set amongst palm trees and tropical fruits, around a magnificent swimming pool. The room was ocean front, very spacious and very comfortable. The food, wine and cocktails in the restaurant and bar were wonderful. And very fairly priced. The breakfast each morning was outstanding. But what makes this place even more special are the incredibly attentive, professional and friendly staff. What a wonderful stay. Thank you.

Stayed in January 2024