Hekaya Zanzibar

Hekaya was a little piece of paradise, and we had an unforgettable stay. The food was homemade, delicious and served in generous portions. There were plenty of choices, plus daily and weekly specials. Breakfast, with fresh juice, fruit, eggs, pancakes and hot drinks, was a treat every morning. Dinner felt especially charming, with flowers and white tablecloths. The rooms are spacious and spotless, and ours, the PikiPiki room, had a terrace view I still haven't got over 😅🙌🏻. We stayed 7 nights. Wi-Fi was excellent, the AC worked well, housekeeping came daily, and complimentary water was provided. You can relax on the terrace or on loungers set right in the sand. Hekaya has only 5 rooms, which gives it a quiet, intimate feel. There's a lovely pool looking out over the ocean, an elevated terrace with great views, and pretty gardens. John, the gardener, gives a garden tour. A diving center is 50m away, there are traditional massages on the beach, and The Rock restaurant is next door. At the water's edge it's turquoise, and the tides set the pace of life. You can hear the waves from bed, and the local villagers we met on the beach were friendly. The hotel is on Pingwe Beach, with direct access to a beautiful white sandbank where you can walk a long way. That was our favorite thing to do. From what we saw, perhaps because it was low season, beach vendors weren't pushy. Saying no, thank you was enough, and although we never needed it, there is 24-hour security on site. Hekaya is a peaceful, authentic, romantic and welcoming place, with impeccable service, suitable for couples and families. The host knows the area well. If I had one suggestion, it would be to provide snorkel masks and a few paddleboards or kayaks to borrow. Pingwe is on a peninsula where roadworks are currently making access a bit harder. Taxi costs can add up if you plan to explore the island every day, but that wasn't our plan. We did visit Mnemba Island, and we left by boat from the beach in front of Hekaya for diving, snorkeling, mangroves and sunset, which was incredibly convenient. These really felt like paradise holidays. We felt confident booking here and would recommend it.