Upendo Beach Boutique Hotel Zanzibar

We stayed in one of the ocean front suits with the private plunge pool and I would absolutely recommend it to any couple that is traveling to Zanzibar. The room is surrounded by trees giving a sense of privacy, and the beach access is literally right outside your door. The rooms were beautiful and so clean. Geof and the rest of the staff were so welcoming and accommodating, they made us feel like royalty while we were there. The restaurant is incredible with a beautiful atmosphere, right on the ocean and the food is amazing. Couldn’t recommend more.

Hello Francesca and team, What a wonderful experience we had at your excellent boutique hotel with my family. Our staff members Geof and Theo were amazing — congratulations to all the other team members as well! The private dinner was truly special; your Italian chef pleasantly surprised us with everything he created. This is not a goodbye — we’ll definitely be back! Highly recommended to everyone. Asante sana! Marc & Christine

Upendo’s restaurant offers an unforgettable setting: a pristine sandy beach facing one of the most stunning stretches of sea in Zanzibar, right across from the iconic The Rock restaurant and the departure point for some of the island’s best excursions (Starfish, Blue Lagoon, Sand Bank). The interiors are minimalist yet refined, creating a stylish and relaxing atmosphere that perfectly complements the breathtaking views. The food and drinks are of excellent quality, carefully prepared and beautifully presented, with a menu that combines local freshness with an international touch. Prices are on the higher side, comparable to dining in Milan or other major European capitals, but fully justified by the overall experience and the premium setting. A perfect choice for those looking to combine fine dining with one of the most spectacular views Zanzibar has to offer.

We had a lovely and memorable stay at Upendo Beach Boutique Hotel. The location is simply beautiful, with breathtaking views and a peaceful ambiance. The staff were exceptional—especially Theo, who was incredibly helpful and welcoming throughout our stay. Although I made an error in my booking by reserving the two-bedroom villa for only two adults, the hotel management showed great understanding. They kindly offered a generous solution by asking us to cover only 50% of the additional amount, which we truly appreciated. The villa itself was spacious, clean, and beautifully designed. The entire property is well-maintained and provides a wonderful boutique experience. One recommendation: it would be great if a pool heater could be added, as the water can be quite chilly in July. Overall, we enjoyed our time very much and thank the team for their hospitality!

The Upendo is truly a gem of a luxury boutique hotel on Michamvi beach. The entire team is wonderful and Geof went above and beyond to arrange any requests. The rooms are beautiful, spacious, and well appointed with amenities. The pools are lovely with plenty of day beds over looking the beach. The food at the restaurant was quite nice. The beach is enjoyed by tourists and locals alike and it’s pleasant to swim during high tide and walk down the beach during low tide. The hotel is directly across from the Rock restaurant and there are a few other restaurants and hotels along the beach. It’s also about a 30 minute drive from Paje, which has a more lively vibe if you feel like venturing out. I did a snorkeling excursion arranged by the hotel and they prepared a lovely basket with fruits, snorkeling equipment, and towels. The boat leaves from the beach area beside the hotel so makes for an enjoyable morning excursion. Highly recommend Upendo if you’re looking for laidback luxury!

My husband and I visited on the last leg of our honeymoon, following 6 nights on safari in Kenya. We were sadly not overly impressed by our stay here. We were greeted by the manager, who was very friendly and receptive, and did his best throughout our stay to ensure we were happy. We had no complaints about the hotel itself, rooms were lovely, the hotel was clean, and a lovely white beach / ocean view. However, this hotel / location is just missing something. We were on a half board catering basis, and although the food was really delicious at Upendo, it was the same small menu & cuisine every day, and we very quickly got bored of the food / had everything that we fancied over the 6 days we stayed. The restaurant has a very relaxed vibe / not a very romantic setting - it's more of a day time beach bar, which is fine for lunch, but we expected somewhere more formal for evening meals. We felt this was generally the same in all eating places along the beach, and we really struggled to find somewhere to eat each day, particularly Valentines day. There were a few issues during our stay including building work going on right outside our room (at the place next door), palm trees bashing against our room throughout the night, sewage smell coming into our bathroom, and the hygiene of the staff who came to turn down our room each day. This is not a reflection of the hotel itself, but sadly meant that our experience on holiday here was not what we had in mind. The hotel manager did do his best to rectify some of the issues and we were grateful of that. Another thing to note, is we were not aware before about the crime / culture / safety on the island - upon arrival we were advised not to walk right along the beach, but even walking left, we were harassed by children looking for money / staring at our pockets and felt very uncomfortable. We did not feel at ease to leave the hotel despite the multiple day trips on offer, which was a shame. Overall, the food offerings and variety let this down for us, and lack of formal restaurant / no atmosphere.