Kiwengwa Bungalow Boutique Resort

The beach is lovely: broad, quiet, and covered in white sand, though it’s not much good for snorkeling. Vendors can be persistent, but a friendly, firm no usually works. The KBB Resort itself is small, peaceful, clean, and nicely kept, with warm staff who greet you with a smile and “Mambooo,” even around town. Breakfast deserves the praise it gets in other reviews. We did find ourselves keeping a close eye on the extras. Change was often unavailable, and promised change didn’t always arrive unless we asked again. The restaurant felt expensive, and charges such as $8 for a small portion of fries weren’t clearly shown on the menu. The US dollar exchange rate was also heavily marked up, so paying in Tanzanian shillings and exchanging money elsewhere worked out better for us. We liked the setting and a lot about our stay, but checking costs and chasing change or receipts chipped away at the relaxed holiday mood. More transparency would make this a much better experience.

The bungalow was just what I expected for what I paid: my son and I had separate rooms, plus a hammock or swing, a pool, and a beautiful beach right there. We were happy to stay in and eat at the resort, since the food was GREAT, and the place felt safe and comfortable enough to simply relax. The staff are lovely and laid-back, though requests outside the usual routine sometimes seemed to confuse them. I also felt a little ripped off over money a couple of times. That felt like part of the Zanzibar “hustle” to me, something to factor into a trip here. If you want a self-contained, safe resort where you can unwind by the beach, I recommend it.

We stayed for 10 days and enjoyed the resort enough that, apart from our trip to Stonetown, we chose to stay put. The white powdery beach is less than a 100 mtr walk away, with the sister restaurant and plenty of other places to eat nearby. The rooms are simple and comfortable, with covered verandas where you can lounge around. Everything was spotlessly clean, and the fresh, home-cooked food was both fantastic and affordable, especially the seafood. The staff were always cheerful and couldn't have been more helpful. We travel a lot, and this is one of the friendliest, most relaxing hotels we've visited. Highly recommend the KBB resort.

The owner was incredibly kind and helpful, and went out of their way to make us feel welcome. The resort is peaceful, with a private section on and beside the beach that was perfect for unwinding. It’s about 100 meters from the shore. Our apartment was spacious, cozy, and well equipped with air conditioning and fans. The pool was another nice spot to cool down and relax. Breakfast and dinner were both fantastic, full of flavor, and I especially appreciated the thoughtful gluten-free choices. Kiwengwa Bungalow Boutique Resort is a real gem for a calm, comfortable getaway.