TIKI Beach Club and Resort

We spent a whole month at Tiki Beach, long enough to share moments with almost the entire team. Nelson, Ismael, Sharon, Lilian, Abdul, Hamis, and everyone else helped make our stay unforgettable. Their warmth, kindness, and professionalism made us feel at home from day one. The hotel itself is beautiful and well worth recommending. We’d gladly repeat the experience.

We filed an official complaint through booking.com. We had booked six nights but left after two because we felt the hotel would ruin our Zanzibar holiday. The property was dirty and run-down, with litter everywhere, too few sun loungers, no pool sun shades, and bar stools upside down in the pool. The tiki bar by the pool wasn’t open. The pool was cleaned at 11am each day, and the chemicals made it unusable for at least an hour. There was a leak in our room during a rainstorm, leaving a large pool of water, though luckily nothing was damaged. The mosquito nets had holes all over and couldn’t be used. The AC worked, but the windows didn’t close fully, so it had little impact. There was no wardrobe, just one basic hanging rail. The staff seemed miserable and unhelpful, like they didn’t want to be there. The food was bland and tasteless, and music at the bar played until at least midnight, making it impossible to sleep before then. The manager was useless and wouldn’t meet us in person. Staff reached him by phone for us, but he didn’t understand the concerns we raised. We wish we’d read more reviews. The photos show the state of the place: dilapidated, unloved, and a huge disappointment. It’s a real shame, because it has so much potential.

For a hotel rated five stars, this stay fell well short of a luxury experience. The place itself is lovely and the pool area is beautiful, and the staff were friendly, but they were very forgetful and unreliable. The rooms were spacious, though cleanliness was disappointing: small ants were everywhere and the bathroom smelled unpleasant. Food service was a constant problem. Every time we ordered, something went wrong, the order was incorrect, and the food was mediocre. One friend ordered a Caesar salad and got a small cabbage salad instead of lettuce, without toppings. Whenever we asked about the wait, we were told 15 minutes, but it took at least an hour every time. We couldn’t plan our days around the kitchen. Checkout was stressful too. We paid the tourist tax the day after arriving, but staff forgot to register it and tried to charge us $220 again when we left. It was nerve-wracking to have to prove we’d already paid. Keep in mind that a five-star ranking means the highest tourist tax in Zanzibar, $5 per person per night. My friends and I stayed at Tiki Beach Club for a week, and the poor organization, service, food, and cleanliness issues made it far from what you’d expect.

The bar had such a lively feel, full of music, laughter, and good energy. Lily and the rest of the team there were stars, greeting everyone with big smiles and making sure we felt welcome and had fun. Francesco, the manager, also went above and beyond to keep things running smoothly. He was friendly, professional, and clearly cared about guests. Tiki Beach Zanzibar has a beautiful beachfront, turquoise water, golden sand, and a laid-back island vibe. Whether we were by the pool, at the beach parties, or watching the sunset with a cocktail, it was a great mix of fun and relaxation. We can’t wait to come back and would highly recommend it to anyone visiting Zanzibar.