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Reviews of Zanzibar Sunrise at Bandas

Matemwe, Matemwe, Tanzania

#13 of 47 hotels in Matemwe

Guests' Choice

Review Score

Based on 206 hotel reviews

9.2

Score breakdown

  • Cleanliness

    9.4

  • Comfort

    9.4

  • Location

    9.2

  • Facilities

    9.2

  • Staff

    9.3

  • Value for money

    8.8

  • Free Wifi

    8.8

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Showing 1 - 25

  • Reviewed: April 28, 2025

    8.0
    Home away from home in a beautiful resort location close to everything
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Bungalow Sea View Private Pool
    • Stayed 5 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    No mozzie nets around the bed and no air-con or fan upstairs in the villa where the bed was. Despite much bug spray, we slept most nights on the downstairs couch under the air-con. The bikes provided were poorly maintained and prevented us exploring too far from the resort.

    Staff were welcoming and attentative at all times, including the guards which kept us feeling safe. The villa felt like home and the villa pool was amazing. Even during off season we were accommodated. The reef walk provided by the hotel was also great!

    Stayed in April 2025

  • Reviewed: February 4, 2025

    10
    Can't wait to be back!
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Bungalow - Beach Front
    • Stayed 4 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Everything, from staff to food, was amazing!

    Stayed in January 2025

  • Reviewed: February 2, 2025

    8.0
    Very Good
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Bungalow - Beach Front
    • Stayed 3 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Nice eco bungalows, just keep in mind there is no air conditioning inside, for us a was a bit hot at night . Food is very good and you can have breakfast all day long

    Stayed in January 2025

  • Reviewed: January 26, 2025

    10
    Our Honeymoon stay at Sunset and Bandas Villa 1: A Magical Experience
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Villa - Beach Front
    • Stayed 4 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Constructive Feedback While our stay was extraordinary, there are a few areas for improvement: 1. Room Service for the Villa: Unfortunately, the hotel didn’t offer room service to Villa 1. One day, when we weren’t feeling well, we had to plead for it, which felt inconvenient. Offering this service consistently would greatly enhance the guest experience. 2. Wi-Fi Connectivity: The internet was unreliable in the villa. Installing Wi-Fi amplifiers in each room would be a simple and effective solution to improve connectivity. 3. Noise Levels: Being a bungalow with a thatched roof, the villa allowed in a lot of external noise. The nearby village added to this, with sounds of children, dogs, birds, and the mosque’s call to prayer filtering through. While this is part of the charm of the setting, light sleepers should come prepared with high quality earplugs. 4. Road Conditions: The road leading to the hotel was a bumpy dirt path through the village. While this isn’t the hotel’s fault, investing in road development would benefit both guests and the local community. 5. The Beach: The sea had low tides, making it unsuitable for swimming due to sea urchins and algae. While we didn’t mind since the pools were fantastic, beach lovers should take this into consideration. 6. Limited Local Cuisine Options: We were surprised to find few local dishes on the menu. Incorporating more traditional Tanzanian food would enrich the cultural experience for guests eager to explore the region’s flavors. Final Thoughts Despite these minor drawbacks, our honeymoon stay was nothing short of magical. This hotel is a true sanctuary peaceful, beautiful, and serene. Beyond its stunning location and design, the hotel offers a variety of activities to enhance your stay, such as yoga classes, kayaking, live music, trips to nearby islands for dolphin sightseeing, and other excursions that allow you to explore the beauty and culture of the area.

    My husband and I had the immense pleasure of staying at this breathtaking hotel, specifically in the stunning Villa 1, for our honeymoon. From the moment we arrived, it felt like we had stepped into a dream. We arranged for an airport pickup, which went smoothly, and were immediately welcomed by the Masai doormen in their traditional attire. Their kindness and professionalism set the tone for our unforgettable African experience. Highlights of Our Stay 1. Spectacular Beachfront Location: The hotel is nestled right in front of a pristine white sand beach. It’s expansive, quiet, and blissfully uncrowded, providing the perfect backdrop for relaxation. 2. Incredible Design and Atmosphere: Every detail of this hotel is meticulously crafted, blending luxury with authentic African aesthetics. From the beautifully designed bungalows and multiple pools to the restaurant and communal spaces, to the exceptional curated gardens and plants, everything felt harmonious and thoughtfully executed. 3. Unforgettable Dining Experiences: The food was simply exceptional fresh, flavorful, and expertly prepared. The team serving us was friendly, professional, and attentive, elevating each meal to a special occasion. 4. Our Dream Villa: Villa 1 was nothing short of spectacular. It featured a private pool, a serene fenced garden, and attentive security at every entrance, giving us complete peace of mind. Inside, the villa was a masterpiece of African inspired design, with wooden furniture, stunning decorations, and a sense of perfection in every detail. It was clear that a professional interior designer had poured their heart into creating this space. The bed was adorned with beautiful flower arrangements to celebrate our honeymoon a thoughtful touch that meant the world to us. The villa was spotlessly clean, the bed was incredibly comfortable, and our beachfront balcony offered a view we’ll never forget.

    Stayed in January 2025

  • Reviewed: January 12, 2025

    10
    This place is magical
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Bungalow Sea View Private Pool
    • Stayed 6 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    -

    Sunrise at Bandas is a place that absorbs you from the very first minute. As soon as you arrive, the place is astonishing; an idyllic setting that brings peace and is cared for down to the finest detail. It continues to amaze, as the entire accommodation is beautiful, with two pools and a restaurant that is a delight. Each room is a spacious, independent villa, offering a unique experience. The experience at Sunrise at Bandas is wonderful thanks to the staff, who are always attentive with a smile, taking care of the guests and every detail with care. They are attentive to all aspects: restaurant, cleanliness, etc. Additionally, they offer extra services that turn it into an oasis, such as yoga, kayaking, bikes, or excursions to make the most of this peaceful yet beautiful area of the island. We stayed here for a week on our honeymoon, and without a doubt, it was the best decision.

    Stayed in January 2025

  • Reviewed: January 11, 2025

    10
    Exceptional
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Bungalow - Beach Front
    • Stayed 9 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    The only thing that could be improved is the Wi-Fi, which sometimes worked poorly in the evenings.

    I liked everything. The location is quiet and beautiful. Great food and rooms.

    Stayed in December 2024

  • Reviewed: January 6, 2025

    9.0
    Great vibes, clean and comfortable beachfront rooms
    • Leisure trip
    • Travelers with friends
    • Bungalow - Beach Front
    • Stayed 3 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Poor sound isolation, poor lighting in the room

    Beachfront rooms, beautiful bangalow, plenty of activities, privacy, beautiful and quiet beach location

    Stayed in January 2025

  • Reviewed: January 3, 2025

    8.0
    Nice beachfront location to relax
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Bungalow - Beach Front
    • Stayed 6 nights

    Personal preference, but we found the bed was a little uncomfortable for us. Despite the best efforts of staff we often had mixed results getting the food we had ordered, this was largely due to a mix of language barrier and staff not writing down orders. When food came more often than not it wasn't as ordered, but staff did rectify this so not a complaint, just an observation.

    Nice property with beach front bungalows, very friendly staff who were always polite and helpful. Swimming pool chill zone was quiet and a lovely place to relax and take a dip. Quiet location. The all day breakfast is great and offers plenty of choice.

    Stayed in December 2024

  • Reviewed: December 16, 2024

    10
    Amazing Hospitality & Beach
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Bungalow - Beach Front
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Beautiful location and very peaceful.

    Stayed in December 2024

  • Reviewed: December 2, 2024

    10
    Hakuna Matata
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Bungalow - Beach Front Private Pool
    • Stayed 3 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Everything. Great location and rooms, amazing staff, delicious food and all small things taken care of. The real Hakuna Matata life!

    Stayed in December 2024

  • Reviewed: November 25, 2024

    8.0
    Fantastic peacefull and exactly what we needed.
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Bungalow - Beach Front
    • Stayed 10 nights

    More authentic Zanzibar food dishes

    location right on the beach Beautiful setting, fantastic friendly staff Felt like heaven Island outing was great

    Stayed in November 2024

  • Reviewed: November 10, 2024

    10
    Fantastic stay at sunrise, staff were all friendly and fun. Beautiful location if you want to relax!
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Bungalow - Beach Front
    • Stayed 9 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Hospitality, staff and food were excellent

    Stayed in November 2024

  • Reviewed: November 8, 2024

    10
    Best stay ever for our honeymoon.
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Bungalow - Beach Front Private Pool
    • Stayed 12 nights

    -

    The hotel was amazing, my partner and I loved the hotel. The staff was amazing! The food from the restaurant was amazing, especially on the live music nights. The fish was extraordinary. The hotel was super clean, our ream was beautiful and very clean. We had a wonderful vacation.

    Stayed in November 2024

  • Reviewed: November 2, 2024

    10
    Beautiful, friendly and high quality
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Bungalow - Beach Front
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Beautiful place with high attention to detail, great food, nice pool area and spacious beach bungalows. Farah, one of the managers, is great. Staff in general is very friendly. I will keep coming back.

    Stayed in October 2024

  • Reviewed: October 31, 2024

    9.0
    Perfect hotel to stay and relax. Next to an amazing long beach.
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Bungalow - Beach Front
    • Stayed 5 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Nothing

    Location and the style of the hotel.

    Stayed in October 2024

  • Reviewed: September 28, 2024

    10
    Hakuna Matata
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Bungalow - Beach Front
    • Stayed 5 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    The property is located in the quietest beach in Zanzibar, perfect for a relaxing holiday. Each bungalow is located a few meters from the beach, which gives you amazing sunrise and sunset every morning. The restaurant is also really good.

    Stayed in September 2024

  • Reviewed: September 19, 2024

    9.0
    Wonderful
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Bungalow - Beach Front
    • Stayed 6 nights

    The staff seemed a bit rude at times.

    The villas are directly on the beach, which is amazing. The beach was good and clean, and the pool was great, too. Breakfast was fresh each morning. Overall, great value for money.

    Stayed in June 2024

  • Reviewed: September 18, 2024

    10
    incredible
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Bungalow - Beach Front
    • Stayed 4 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    honestly can’t fault anything! we were on our honeymoon and farah kindly upgraded us, the staff was amazing and the hotel was the most charming, perfect place. Will definitely be back

    Stayed in September 2024

  • Reviewed: August 30, 2024

    8.0
    Very Good
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Bungalow - Beach Front
    • Stayed 3 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Food, Beach, and Swimming Pool.

    Simplicity and view

    Stayed in August 2024

  • Reviewed: August 27, 2024

    8.0
    Very Good
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Bungalow - Beach Front
    • Stayed 3 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    The pool was not in the best location, Restaurant too expensive for what it is

    Exceptional facilities and bungalow, great location

    Stayed in July 2024

  • Reviewed: August 14, 2024

    8.0
    Very Good
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Bungalow Sea View Private Pool
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    You drive through a village to get here. It is a very secluded place so depends on what your preference is. Me & my brother enjoyed the fact that the bungalows were right on the beach. The sand feels like clay. It is superb to walk on while low tide. One thing about the sea, there are many sea urchins. The hotel provides swimming shoes etc. But the water was slightly murky with lots of seaweed during out stay. Still went exploring with our snorkels. Really had to swim out toward the reef. The live music at the hotel (I think this is only on specific days) was so cool! We listened through dinner. The food is very good quality. We enjoyed pretty much every dish. Tasty too! Only thing is you need to be prepared to wait at least 35-55 mins for your meal. My brother found this slightly frustrating. All in all this was a cute little getaway for us from the hustle and bustle of Zanzibar City. P.S. There’s a reason it’s called Sunrise. This place is exactly 90 degrees East when you look out to sea. The sun rises directly in front of you!

    Stayed in August 2024

  • Reviewed: August 3, 2024

    10
    Exceptional
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Bungalow - Beach Front
    • Stayed 3 nights

    We were extremely happy with our stay and the facilities. The staff were extremely helpful and friendly. The vibe of the whole place was very chill, and calm, which was exactly what we were looking for. The facility and rooms are beautiful, clean, and so well done. It was really incredible to wake up to an amazing sunrise over the water every morning and to see the low and high tide (which goes right up to the porch!). It really felt private. Also, the food was absolutely incredible, probably the best around there. Everything on the menu was absolutely amazing. Recommend doing the morning reef walk, that was very interesting and the staff take you out across the reef and show you starfish, fish, urchins, etc. Additionally, it is very close to excellent PADI certified diving shop and a trip to Mnemba island.

    Stayed in July 2024

  • Reviewed: July 30, 2024

    10
    The hotel is very nice, views from the rooms is amazing, and the food is very good!
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Bungalow - Beach Front
    • Stayed 7 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    I can’t think of anything:)

    We enjoyed the location a lot, the hotel is very nice and staff are great.

    Stayed in July 2024

  • Reviewed: July 25, 2024

    10
    Best place in Zanzibar with best service
    • Leisure trip
    • Travelers with friends
    • Bungalow Sea View Private Pool
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    The hospitality and the service were outstanding. Everyone was very nice and happily helped us with all our asks. The food was really good, they served all day breakfast which was fantastic. The rooms were clean and made up twice a day. All thanks to Farah at the Reception, she was very nice and accommodated all our requests.

    Stayed in July 2024

Showing 1 - 25

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