We visited Pongwe Beach after a week bumping around on safari, like most visitors. The hotel was the perfect place to slow down, relax and enjoy the beautiful beach, pool and ocean. The small beach was perfectly lovely and private, with lounge chairs always available and just the right amount of sun and shade for the hot days of summer. Service was great and the folks made themselves available on just the right frequency. Happy hour drinks were beautiful and delicious. Breakfast was a highlight, with perfect omelets, a buffet full of fruit and delicious morning coffee. Oh, and speaking of coffee, the early morning delivery of coffee and tea to the bungalow patios was an unexpected treat. Up with the sunrise, enjoying a cup of delicious Tanzanian coffee on the beach was an absolute joy. We did enjoy lunch and dinner as well, with the menus changing daily. Food was good, but not over the top excellent, but no real complaints.
The hotel is slightly out of the way, so be prepared to pay a lot for transportation should you want to visit other parts of Zanzibar, like Stonetown, or eat at other restaurants on the Island (we do recommend The Rock, if just for the experience). As with most visitors here, we were sad to leave and were wondering how we can find an excuse to return someday in the not too distant future.
