Title: The Sands Beach Resort Zanzibar Reviews, Deals & Photos 2025 - Expedia.co.uk [See all properties](http://www.expedia.co.uk/Hotel-Search?regionId=&adults=2&children=&sort=RECOMMENDED&useRewards=false&semdtl=&userIntent=&vip=false) # The Sands Beach Resort Zanzibar Beachside hotel with outdoor pool ![On the beach, sun-loungers, beach umbrellas, beach towels](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/16000000/15190000/15187500/15187491/08e3873b.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=598&ra=fit) ![Property preview](https://mediaim.expedia.com/video/097574B4C664712B04FC90568A475D63/31ed383f-b0f4-4967-ba99-2bf25ddf8c50-thumbnail.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=1080) ![Food court](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/16000000/15190000/15187500/15187491/8fd3d9e8.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=297&ra=fit) ![Breakfast, lunch, dinner served; international cuisine ](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/16000000/15190000/15187500/15187491/b23e9ab7.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=297&ra=fit) ![Standard Bungalow | Egyptian cotton sheets, minibar, in-room safe, blackout curtains](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/16000000/15190000/15187500/15187491/a89fc876.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=297&ra=fit) - Overview - Rooms - Location - Policies The Sands Beach Resort Zanzibar blends upscale comfort with a laid-back island vibe. Guests enjoy beachfront breakfast buffets, poolside sun loungers, and attentive staff. Amenities include spa treatments (facials to manicures) and free WiFi throughout the property. VIP Access 9.4 Exceptional ## Popular amenities - Bar - Breakfast included - Spa - Pool - Room service - 24/7 front desk £198 includes taxes & fees 21 Sept - 22 Sept VIP Access ### Get more when you're a member - Save 15% or more on select VIP Access properties when you reach Silver tier or above - Experience top-rated quality and exceptional service - Get an in-stay perk at select properties, plus free room upgrades, early check-in, and late check-out when available [Learn more](https://www.expedia.co.uk/lp/b/vipaccess) ## Room options ### Check availability for these dates # Tonight [Sept 19 - Sept 20](https://www.expedia.co.uk/Hotel-Search?startDate=2025-09-19&endDate=2025-09-20&selected=15187491&PinnedHotelID=15187491&HadPinnedHotel=true®ionId=-1&adults=2) [](https://www.expedia.co.uk/Hotel-Search?startDate=2025-09-19&endDate=2025-09-20&selected=15187491&PinnedHotelID=15187491&HadPinnedHotel=true®ionId=-1&adults=2) # Tomorrow [Sept 20 - Sept 21](https://www.expedia.co.uk/Hotel-Search?startDate=2025-09-20&endDate=2025-09-21&selected=15187491&PinnedHotelID=15187491&HadPinnedHotel=true®ionId=-1&adults=2) [](https://www.expedia.co.uk/Hotel-Search?startDate=2025-09-20&endDate=2025-09-21&selected=15187491&PinnedHotelID=15187491&HadPinnedHotel=true®ionId=-1&adults=2) # This weekend [Sept 19 - Sept 21](https://www.expedia.co.uk/Hotel-Search?startDate=2025-09-19&endDate=2025-09-21&selected=15187491&PinnedHotelID=15187491&HadPinnedHotel=true®ionId=-1&adults=2) [](https://www.expedia.co.uk/Hotel-Search?startDate=2025-09-19&endDate=2025-09-21&selected=15187491&PinnedHotelID=15187491&HadPinnedHotel=true®ionId=-1&adults=2) # Next weekend [Sept 26 - Sept 28](https://www.expedia.co.uk/Hotel-Search?startDate=2025-09-26&endDate=2025-09-28&selected=15187491&PinnedHotelID=15187491&HadPinnedHotel=true®ionId=-1&adults=2) [](https://www.expedia.co.uk/Hotel-Search?startDate=2025-09-26&endDate=2025-09-28&selected=15187491&PinnedHotelID=15187491&HadPinnedHotel=true®ionId=-1&adults=2) All rooms 1 bed 2 beds 3+ beds Showing 5 of 5 rooms ![Luxury Villa, 2 Bedrooms, Private Pool | Egyptian cotton sheets, minibar, in-room safe, blackout curtains](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/16000000/15190000/15187500/15187491/91e8c518.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1200&h=800&quality=medium) ### Luxury Villa, 2 Bedrooms, Private Pool ### Highlights Balcony or patio Separate dining area Separate sitting area Private plunge pool Air conditioning 2 bedrooms Blackout curtains Egyptian cotton bed sheets - 2152 sq ft - 2 bedrooms - Sleeps 4 - 1 Queen Bed and 1 Single Bed ![Family Villa, Multiple Beds | Egyptian cotton sheets, minibar, in-room safe, blackout curtains](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/16000000/15190000/15187500/15187491/fa8414f5.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1200&h=800&quality=medium) ### Family Villa, Multiple Beds ### Highlights Balcony or patio Separate dining area Separate sitting area Air conditioning Separate bedroom Blackout curtains Egyptian cotton bed sheets Ceiling fan - 1506 sq ft - 1 bedroom - Sleeps 4 - 1 King Bed and 2 Single Beds ### Standard Twin Room ### Highlights Balcony or patio Air conditioning Separate bedroom Blackout curtains Egyptian cotton bed sheets Ceiling fan Bidet Hairdryer - 1 bedroom - Sleeps 2 - 2 Single Beds ![Egyptian cotton sheets, minibar, in-room safe, blackout curtains](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/16000000/15190000/15187500/15187491/6cf62b26.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1200&h=800&quality=medium) ### Luxury Villa, 1 Bedroom, Sea View 8.0 Very good 2 reviews ### Highlights Balcony or patio Separate dining area Separate sitting area Air conditioning Separate bedroom Blackout curtains Egyptian cotton bed sheets Ceiling fan - 1507 sq ft - 1 bedroom - Sea view - Sleeps 3 - 1 Queen Bed ![Standard Bungalow | Egyptian cotton sheets, minibar, in-room safe, blackout curtains](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/16000000/15190000/15187500/15187491/a89fc876.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1200&h=800&quality=medium) ### Standard Bungalow 10.0 Exceptional 3 reviews ### Highlights Balcony or patio Air conditioning Separate bedroom Blackout curtains Egyptian cotton bed sheets Ceiling fan Hairdryer Bidet - 355 sq ft - 1 bedroom - Sleeps 2 - 1 Double Bed ![Mod logo](https://a.travel-assets.com/pricing-claim/sparkle_dark.svg) Sign in to view eligible discounts and perks. 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[Sign in](https://www.expedia.co.uk/login?ckoflag=0&uurl=e3id%3Dredr%26rurl%3D%2FDongwe-Hotels-The-Sands-Beach-Resort-Zanzibar.h15187491.Hotel-Information)[Sign up, it's free](https://www.expedia.co.uk/signup?enable_registration=true&uurl=e3id%3Dredr%26rurl%3D%2FDongwe-Hotels-The-Sands-Beach-Resort-Zanzibar.h15187491.Hotel-Information) ## About the area ![Map](https://maps.googleapis.com/maps/api/staticmap?&size=660x330&map_id=3b266eb50d2997c6&zoom=13&markers=icon:https%3A%2F%2Fa.travel-assets.com%2Ftravel-assets-manager%2Feg-maps%2Fproperty.png%7C-6.18766%2C39.52949&channel=expedia-HotelInformation&maptype=roadmap&scale=1&key=AIzaSyCYjQus5kCufOpSj932jFoR_AJiL9yiwOw&signature=cVxKynl4kDTB4HaKe6O1R6-MXic=) Dongwe Beach, Pingwe, Dongwe #### What's nearby - Dongwe Beach - 5 min walk - 0.3 miles - Pingwe Beach - 4 min drive - 3.1 miles - Bwejuu Beach - 5 min drive - 2.8 miles - Michamvi Kae Beach - 10 min drive - 6.0 miles - Paje Beach - 11 min drive - 7.0 miles #### Getting around - Zanzibar (ZNZ-Zanzibar Intl.) - 59 min drive #### Restaurants - ‪Shanga Paje - ‬9 min drive - ‪Mapacha - ‬9 min drive - ‪Kiddo’s Rooftop Restaurant - ‬8 min drive - ‪Ndame Beach Bar - ‬8 min drive - ‪Zanzibarista - ‬9 min drive ## About this property ### The Sands Beach Resort Zanzibar Upscale hotel You can look forward to a free breakfast buffet, a terrace and a garden at The Sands Beach Resort Zanzibar. This hotel is a great place to bask in the sun with a beachfront location, sunloungers and scuba diving. Indulge in a massage, a manicure/pedicure and a body scrub at the on-site spa. The on-site restaurant offers breakfast, lunch and dinner. Stay connected with free WiFi in public areas, and guests can find other amenities, such as a library and dry cleaning/laundry services. You'll also enjoy perks such as: - An outdoor pool, along with sunloungers - Free self-parking - A round-trip airport shuttle (surcharge), massage treatment rooms and a 24-hour front desk - Concierge services, beach umbrellas and barbecues - Guest reviews give top marks for the helpful staff Room features All guest rooms at The Sands Beach Resort Zanzibar have perks, such as air conditioning, as well as amenities, such as safes and minibars. More conveniences in all rooms include: - Bathrooms with bidets and free toiletries - Balconies or patios, electric kettles and ceiling fans ## Property amenities ### Internet - Available in some public areas: Free WiFi ### Parking and transport - 24-hour return airport shuttle on request for a surcharge - Free self parking on site ### Food and drink - Free buffet breakfast available daily 7:00 AM to 10 AM - 2 bars/lounges - A restaurant - Snack bar/deli ### Things to do - Full-service spa - Library - Outdoor pool - Scuba diving ### Family friendly - Laundry facilities - Outdoor pool - Separate bedroom - Snack bar/deli ### Conveniences - 24-hour front desk - Laundry facilities - Luggage storage - Safe at front desk ### Guest services - Concierge services - Dry cleaning/laundry service - Housekeeping (daily) - Tour and ticket assistance - Turndown service ### Outdoors - Barbecue grill - Beach loungers - Beach towels - Beach umbrellas - Garden - On the beach - Pool loungers - Terrace ### Full-service spa - Body scrubs - Facials - In-room massages - Manicures/pedicures - Spa open daily - Treatment room ### Accessibility - No lift ### More - Designated smoking areas - Mosquito nets ## Room amenities ### Bedroom - Blackout drapes - Egyptian cotton sheets ### Bathroom - Bidet - Free toiletries - Hair dryer - Shampoo - Toilet paper - Towels provided ### Food and drink - Electric kettle - Free bottled water - Limited room service - Minibar ### More - Air conditioning - Ceiling fan - Safe ## Policies ### Check-in Check-in start time: 2:00 PM; check-in end time: anytime Early check-in subject to availability Minimum check-in age - 18 ### Check-out Check-out before 11:00 AM Contactless check-out Late check-out subject to availability Late check-out fee: USD 50 ### Special check-in instructions This property offers transfers from the airport (surcharges may apply); guests must contact the property with arrival details before travel, using the contact information on the booking confirmation Guests must contact the property in advance for check-in instructions; front desk staff will greet guests on arrival at the property To make arrangements for check-in please contact the property at least 24 hours before arrival using the information on the booking confirmation ### Access methods Staffed front desk ### Pets Pets not allowed ### Children and extra beds Children are welcome Rollaway/extra beds are available for USD 80.00 per night. Cots (infant beds) are not available ### Payment types at the property ## Important information ### Fees You'll be asked to pay the following charges at the property. Fees may include applicable taxes: - A tax is imposed by the city: USD 5.00 per person, per night We have included all charges provided to us by the property. ### Optional extras - Airport shuttle fee: USD 50 - Late check-out fee: USD 50 (subject to availability) - Rollaway bed fee: USD 80.00 per night The above list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits may not include tax and are subject to change. ### You need to know This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business or profession. Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed This property accepts credit cards; cash is not accepted Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a security system and a first aid kit This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios and terraces, which may not be suitable for children; if you have any concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm that they can accommodate you in a suitable room If you cancel your booking, you'll be subject to the host's cancellation policy. In accordance with UK consumer law, property booking services are not subject to the right of withdrawal. ### We should mention This property does not have any lifts ### Property is also known as Dongwe Beach Bungalows Hotel Bwejuu Dongwe Beach Bungalows Hotel The Sands Zanzibar Dongwe The Sands Beach Resort Zanzibar Hotel The Sands Beach Resort Zanzibar Dongwe The Sands Beach Resort Zanzibar Hotel Dongwe ## Frequently asked questions ### Does The Sands Beach Resort Zanzibar have a pool? > Yes, this property has an outdoor pool. ### How much does it cost to stay at The Sands Beach Resort Zanzibar? > As of 19 Sept 2025, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at The Sands Beach Resort Zanzibar on 21 Sept 2025 start from £197.98, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. [Choose your dates](https://www.expedia.co.uk/Dongwe-Hotels-The-Sands-Beach-Resort-Zanzibar.h15187491.Hotel-Information?rfrr=HOT.HIS.question.link.click) for more accurate prices. ### Is The Sands Beach Resort Zanzibar pet-friendly? > No, pets are not allowed at this property. ### How much is parking at The Sands Beach Resort Zanzibar? > Self-parking is free at this property. ### What time is check-in at The Sands Beach Resort Zanzibar? > Check-in start time: 2:00 PM; check-in end time: anytime. ### What time is check-out at The Sands Beach Resort Zanzibar? > Checkout is at 11:00 AM. Late checkout is available for USD 50 (subject to availability). ### Does The Sands Beach Resort Zanzibar provide a shuttle to the airport? > Yes, there's an airport shuttle that runs on request. A fee of USD 50 one-way applies. ### Where is The Sands Beach Resort Zanzibar located? > Nestled on the beach, this Dongwe hotel is within 3 mi (5 km) of Dongwe Beach, Bwejuu Beach and Pingwe Beach. Paje Beach and Michamvi Kae Beach are also within 6 miles (10 km). ## Have a question? Beta Get instant answers with AI powered search of property information and reviews. Ask a question ## The Sands Beach Resort Zanzibar Reviews 9.4 ### Exceptional All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travellers who have booked a stay with us can submit a review. We verify reviews according to our guidelines and publish all reviews, positive or negative.[More information](https://www.expedia.co.uk/lp/b/content-guidelines) 10 - Excellent 85 8 - Good 26 6 - Okay 2 4 - Poor 1 2 - Terrible 1 ### 9.6/10 Cleanliness ### 9.8/10 Staff & service ### 9.2/10 Amenities ### 9.2/10 Property conditions & facilities ### 9.2/10 Eco-friendliness ### 10/10 Excellent #### Cassandra 20 Aug 2025 Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities Overall this is the perfect getaway! No distractions just the sounds of the ocean and the amazing staff! This is perfect if you want to getaway and truly relax! Options to explore are available. The pool is large and clean. The rooms get serviced twice a day. The bar was definitely my favorite spot! ![Beach bar](https://a.travel-assets.com/ugc/hotel-reviews/79b97a30-ec6f-4076-bd75-3c4ad85cf29c-1755692427451.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=204&ra=fit&q=high) ![Outside of room ](https://a.travel-assets.com/ugc/hotel-reviews/096f573b-a211-4203-bba5-6a1927ddb967-1755692425259.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=204&ra=fit&q=high) ![Beach](https://a.travel-assets.com/ugc/hotel-reviews/efba6b79-16a0-4636-a2df-f21cf5187690-1755692426433.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=204&ra=fit&q=high) ##### Cassandra Stayed 10 nights in Aug 2025 ### 10/10 Excellent #### Janet 14 Jul 2025 Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities Fabulous stay at this very quiet, clean, secure resort. Very comfortable room. Staff are very attentive. Beautiful beach. Highly relaxing! Really enjoyed the Swahili buffet and music! ##### Janet Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025 ### 8/10 Good #### antonio 21 Aug 2024 Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort #### Relaxing on the beach Quite good stay Excellent food and location on the ocean side Optimum service and very kind personnel ![](https://a.travel-assets.com/ugc/hotel-reviews/11F66A856272FB1ECD5129F3905E4800908914A31724222758471.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=204&ra=fit&q=high) ##### antonio Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2024 ### 10/10 Excellent #### Edward 20 Aug 2024 Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities Very nice, quiet place with a lovely beach and excellent staff. Very good food, too. ##### Edward Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2024 ### 10/10 Excellent #### Elias 2 Oct 2024 Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities We had such a Wonderful stay at the Sands. Great service and premises! ##### Elias Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2024 ### 10/10 Excellent #### Omar 4 Aug 2025 Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities This is by far the best hotel we've stayed in in a long time, probably best ever. The rooms are spacious and spotless clean. Every little detail is thought of. The beds are very comfortable and room service pass by twice a day to clean the room and for turn down. The staff were all very friendly and helpful. Especially Khamis and John who went our of their way to make sure we are comfortable. Food at the restaurant was also lovely and service there amazing. Staff are constantly keeping an eye on the tables, plates are removed the second they're empty, water refilled immediately after drinking etc. Downside here was the entertainment on the Swahili night, the guys were playing more western music. The beach is very pretty, even at low tide which didn't impact our stay much. We swam 2 or 3 times in the ocean. Its not crystal clear water though, expect some sea weed. We weren't disturbed by any beach sellers like we saw on some of the other beaches. Only slight down side is that there isn't much to do nearby at night. We drove one day to Paje and that was fun. ##### Omar Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2025 ### 8/10 Good #### Jermaine 23 Dec 2024 Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities Great hotel to stay to escape the busy hustle and bustle lifestyle. It is beautiful and quiet. Food is great. The only crtique i have is there are frequent power outages in the evening. Overall I would visit again. ##### Jermaine Stayed 5 nights in Dec 2024 ### 10/10 Excellent #### Artur 30 Sept 2024 Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities The staff at this hotel were incredibly welcoming and helpful throughout our stay. The rooms were immaculate and very comfortable. We also enjoyed the delicious dinner every night. ##### Artur Stayed 6 nights in Sep 2024 ### 10/10 Excellent #### Verified traveller 18 Jan 2025 Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort #### Perfect place to relax Our villa was super spacious, it was cleaned regularly, and it was nice to wake up in that beautiful garden. Service was very good, Mr. Ally and the team made us feel welcome and helped us with the early check out and late check out because of our flight times. ##### Verified traveller Stayed 8 nights in Jan 2025 ### 10/10 Excellent #### Shari 19 Apr 2024 Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities The service was excellent. Everyone was very friendly and courteous. We really enjoyed our stay here ##### Shari Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2024 ### 10/10 Excellent #### Kelly 3 Mar 2024 Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities We had a marvelous stay. Incredible beach staff went the extra mile always. We cant recommend this destination enough. 5 stars all the way. ##### Kelly Stayed 7 nights in Feb 2024 ### 10/10 Excellent #### Meagan 7 Jul 2023 Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities The Sands was amazing! It was an oasis of beautiful beaches, a large pool, and great food. Highly recommend! ##### Meagan Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2023 ### 8/10 Good #### Oliver 16 Oct 2024 Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort #### Nice big villa We did book a villa with an ocean view. And we got a very nice villa, clean and very comfortable. I would say it’s a bit of wasted money for the ocean view, because the villas are a bit behind the palm trees. But in general very beautiful and nice. Staff is very polite and friendly. Was a good experience. ![](https://a.travel-assets.com/ugc/hotel-reviews/104B9F0AFCE4ABAD4CA062043307DDAA861B27971729082133641.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=204&ra=fit&q=high) ##### Oliver Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2024 ### 10/10 Excellent #### Kara 16 Jun 2024 Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities Absolutely stunning. Service beyond amazing. Quiet with gorgeous gardens and beach. Easy access for SCuBA diving. Incredibly friendly staff and felt completely safe with masai warriors guarding the hotel. Food was phenomenal Would absolutely go back. ##### Kara Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2024 ### 10/10 Excellent #### Nasser 21 Mar 2024 Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities It's a great hotel, with great staff. Very simple, yet clean and well kept. No TV in the rooms which could be nice as the evenings are quiet with not much activity around the area ##### Nasser Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2024 ### 10/10 Excellent #### Benjamin 23 Oct 2022 Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort #### Amazing!!! All was perfect!!! All more perfect and better than we can expected! Thanks a lot for making our honeymoon a reality! ![](https://a.travel-assets.com/ugc/hotel-reviews/02EC204088119427CB481D0B92D2F4535DA3D8791666518326071.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=204&ra=fit&q=high) ##### Benjamin Stayed 6 nights in Oct 2022 ### 10/10 Excellent #### Shaarik 20 Jul 2023 Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities The Sands is a terrific resort, located on a beautiful beach, with incredible facilities, terrific food, and an amazing staff. Highly recommended. Go Deeper: The Sands Zanzibar Beach Resort is amazing. We stayed here with our two daughters in July 2023 and had an incredible time. This followed a safari on the mainland and then two nights in Stone Town at which point we were ready to relax and enjoy the beach. The Sands was exactly what we needed ##### Shaarik ### 10/10 Excellent #### Vincent 22 Sept 2023 Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities The resort was 5 star! The staff was so helpful and attentive.. Ally the manager made sure everything was perfect! No only would I recommend this resort … we are going back! The perfect place to kick back a d get away from the hustle and bustle. Stone town is not far and a flight to Dar es Salaam was on 34 Dollars !!Just go and relax ! ##### Vincent Stayed 6 nights in Sep 2023 ### 10/10 Excellent #### Mark 2 Apr 2024 Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities Location was tranquil and just what we were looking for at the start of our Zanzibar holiday. All the staff were amazingly welcoming and friendly. The team led by Ally are a credit to the hotel. The dining experience was quite special and we very much enjoyed the fresh barbecued fish at night, especially the huge tuna that a slice and thickness of your liking was cooked there and then and served to your table….in fact the staff even do your toast for you in the morning ! Overall hotel was perfect for our family of 4 including teenagers - if staying I would recommend a rental car to explore the local area, good deals can be found on arrival at the airport, we paid $30 USD a day and rental car company collected from hotel anywhere on the island for $20 USD. ##### Mark Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2024 ### 10/10 Excellent #### Jenny 7 Oct 2024 Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities We really enjoyed our stay at the Sands Resort. Each suite is actually a separate bungalow with large, comfortable rooms and wonderful AC. There is an onsite restaurant that serves all day as well as a beach bar that serves snacks/meals during the daytime. It was very relaxing to be able to have all of our meals on the property. The staff were all very friendly and professional. Everything about the staff and property was wonderful. The hotel also offers excursions. The nice thing is that they are private which entailed having a driver and tours that were just for our party. However, I would not recommend doing the "swim with dolphins" excursion because there are too many other boats doing the same thing, and we didn't feel safe going in the water with so many boats moving around quickly to try to bring their passengers close to the dolphins. So, we stayed in the boat. Also, there were no life jackets available, and it was unclear how we would get in/out of the boat without a ladder or rope; the snorkel and other equipment was old, and we didn't get a chance to try the snorkel/mask before going on the water. We also did the Jozani Forest/Butterfly excursion, which was interesting to do to see the monkeys, mangroves, and butterflies, but the price the hotel charged seemed disproportionately higher than the experience merited; please note that I say this without knowing how much the hotel paid the driver to stay with us for several hours and for the forest guide. ##### Jenny Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2024 ### 10/10 Excellent #### Wayne 10 Feb 2023 Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort #### Outstanding staff and spacious accommodations Outstanding resort in Nungwi. From the time I arrived until my departure the service was top notch. If there was an issue it was resolved quickly to ensure you had the best possible time at The Sands resort. The gentleman named Ally was like having a vacation angel watching over you to make sure you were enjoying your time there. He constantly checked on us and other guest. We appreciate him for doing so. The food was delicious and each day a different selection of items. There were 2 chefs and both visited out table after dinner on various days. They did a great job. On separate days there was the whole tuna carving station one day and dorado carving stations another day, delicious as well. One of the chefs tried out his recipe for American pancakes on us Sunday morning and this recipe definitely needs to be a permanent part of Sunday breakfast, they were so good. The wait staff was great we had one gentleman a few times and he was great at anticipating our need’s and making dinner a pleasant experience. The beach bartenders were funny and great with the drinks and food service for lunch. The housekeeping staff was also excellent. I had to do some work one day and observed them cleaning the room. I doubt there was a spot missed as they were very focused on making sure the room was refreshed properly. When I return to Zanzibar I’ll split my time between Nungwi and Kendwa. I will definitely revisit The Sands resort in Nungwi. I wish all the staff the very best. ![](https://a.travel-assets.com/ugc/hotel-reviews/CD02C3D6E92359BDEF9652E6081EF669E8A4A7A81676041833598.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=204&ra=fit&q=high) ![](https://a.travel-assets.com/ugc/hotel-reviews/2EC0B4F45008041F68447FD9A40E1B8744CF76221676041841105.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=204&ra=fit&q=high) ![](https://a.travel-assets.com/ugc/hotel-reviews/32A49875DB3E066053B2CEDA8BEA0AB219040EB51676041835181.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=204&ra=fit&q=high) ![](https://a.travel-assets.com/ugc/hotel-reviews/6CA651D4652319623847D788F8D4B872AF2C2A751676041977668.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=204&ra=fit&q=high) ##### Wayne Stayed 4 nights in Jan 2023 ### 8/10 Good #### Amanda 3 Jul 2023 Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities We recently spent 10 days at The Sands Beach resort. If you want entertainment, night life and things to do this isn’t the place for you. There doesn’t appear to be much on the main road leading to the hotel and the nearest town of any note is Paje a 15 min drive away (taxi $25 return) Here there are lots of bars and restaurants. There was a slight mix up with the transfer the hotel arranged but this was quickly sorted out. We were met with drinks on our arrival and cold towels. Much appreciated as we had 2 long flights. We arrived at the hotel early 10am and were shown straight to our room by Ally, the guest relations manager who goes out of his way to ensure that you have a great stay. The hotel was very quiet probably no more than 5-6 rooms occupancy out of 20 rooms for most of our stay. Our room had been upgraded to a sea view. The rooms themselves are basic but huge. The bedroom consists of a comfortable king size bed with mosquito nets and crisp white sheets, a chair, desk and luggage storage bench. A separate area had a wardrobe, shelf space and a safe. The bathroom was huge, with shower and one sink. There is a water heater but this only sufficient for one shower. The soft furnishings in the rooms need updating they are dingy and old fashioned, plain brown curtains and brown light shades with tassels on. This could easily be improved with some bright colours. Outside you have 2 chairs and a table on the veranda. The rooms are cleaned daily to a good standard. Isaya a ##### Amanda Stayed 10 nights in Jun 2023 ### 10/10 Excellent #### Daniel 19 Jun 2023 Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service We visited Sands Beach resort in mid-June for three nights. On the plus side, the staff (including Ally, guest relations manager) was consistently friendly, welcoming, and aimed to please. They were VERY accommodating, allowing a very late checkout with no additional charge, since our unit was not booked the evening of our checkout. The grounds of the resort were quite beautiful too. As was the beautiful pool area. Also the villas were very spacious. The meals were great and the servers were very attentive. They "hovered" a bit too much, but I'm sure they were trained this way. Americans may not appreciate "hovering" quite as much as Europeans. Not sure. Beach bartenders were also wonderful: Hassan and Isaya. Even the massage therapist was terrific! On the negative side: Our villa (and most others, we were told) had no WiFi. This was only available at the pool, restaurant or beach. The villa had very low lighting. Ally did offer to change to brighter bulbs but we opted not to bother them. Also the cabinet doors in the kitchen were all broken. We didn't need these cabinets but this issue was easy to spot by routine housekeeping, so they may have a limited repair budget. Finally, the resort would occasionally have power issues. They have their own generator when the local utility goes out, but if it ran too long, they might need to shut down ALL the WiFi. This happened just once or twice. Normally, the WiFi in the public areas was great. ##### Daniel Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2023 ### 10/10 Excellent #### Wynnjones 10 Jul 2025 ##### Wynnjones Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2025 ### 2/10 Terrible #### Verified traveller 2 Mar 2025 Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort ![](https://a.travel-assets.com/ugc/hotel-reviews/015473CE3CF0C8B1337B15A14B50A5A803833AE11740945110333.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=204&ra=fit&q=high) ![](https://a.travel-assets.com/ugc/hotel-reviews/BD02FFEB9D63463CF4DBDF72EB0A5F3199AFE3241740945121542.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=204&ra=fit&q=high) ![](https://a.travel-assets.com/ugc/hotel-reviews/EFAB2E0386F271135C7CBFADF05752E96669F9681740945126545.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=204&ra=fit&q=high) ##### Verified traveller Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2025 ## Expedia's Latest Trends ### Hotels > [Paradise Beach Resort](https://www.expedia.co.uk/Uroa-Hotels-Paradise-Beach-Resort.h5445587.Hotel-Information) > > [Pearl Beach Resort by Sansi](https://www.expedia.co.uk/Pearl-Beach-Resort-Zanzibar.h39193618.Hotel-Information) > > [Filao Beach Resort by Sansi](https://www.expedia.co.uk/Chwaka-Hotels-Filao-Beach-Zanzibar.h26830985.Hotel-Information) > > [The Residence Zanzibar](https://www.expedia.co.uk/Kizimkazi-Hotels-The-Residence-Zanzibar.h4261204.Hotel-Information) > > [Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti](https://www.expedia.co.uk/Serengeti-National-Park-Hotels-Four-Seasons-Safari-Lodge-Serengeti.h2949601.Hotel-Information) > > [Gold Zanzibar Beach House & Spa](https://www.expedia.co.uk/Kendwa-Hotels-Gold-Zanzibar-Beach-House-Spa.h5388856.Hotel-Information) > > [Hotel Riu Jambo - All Inclusive](https://www.expedia.co.uk/Nungwi-Hotels-Hotel-Riu-Jambo.h75595198.Hotel-Information) > > [Fruit & Spice Wellness Resort Zanzibar](https://www.expedia.co.uk/Kizimkazi-Hotels-Fruit-Spice-Wellness-Resort-Zanzibar.h9851631.Hotel-Information) > > [The Mora Zanzibar - Luxury All Inclusive](https://www.expedia.co.uk/Matemwe-Hotels-Emerald-Zanzibar-Resort-Spa.h78245396.Hotel-Information) > > [Kena Beach Hotel](https://www.expedia.co.uk/Matemwe-Hotels-Kena-Beach-Hotel.h4544228.Hotel-Information) > > [Aluna Paje](https://www.expedia.co.uk/Paje-Hotels-Aluna-Paje.h61490430.Hotel-Information) > > [Safaya Luxury Villas (Adults Only)](https://www.expedia.co.uk/Nungwi-Hotels-Safaya-Luxury-Villas.h91433919.Hotel-Information) > > [Hotel Riu Palace Zanzibar - All Inclusive](https://www.expedia.co.uk/Nungwi-Hotels-Riu-Palace-Zanzibar-All-Inclusive.h5361523.Hotel-Information) > > [Zuri Zanzibar](https://www.expedia.co.uk/Kendwa-Hotels-Zuri-Zanzibar.h20217090.Hotel-Information) > > [TUI BLUE Bahari Zanzibar](https://www.expedia.co.uk/Kiwengwa-Hotels-TUI-Blue-Bahari-Zanzibar.h4532516.Hotel-Information) > > [Turaco Nungwi Resort](https://www.expedia.co.uk/Nungwi-Hotels-DoubleTree-Resort-By-Hilton-Zanzibar-Nungwi.h3300267.Hotel-Information) > > [Passion Boutique Hotel Zanzibar - Adults Only](https://www.expedia.co.uk/Jambiani-Hotels-Passion-Boutique-Hotel-Zanzibar.h60284612.Hotel-Information) > > [Zanzibar Bay Resort](https://www.expedia.co.uk/Marumbi-Hotels-Zanzibar-Bay-Resort.h27086671.Hotel-Information) > > [Konokono Beach Resort and Isaraya Over Water Villa](https://www.expedia.co.uk/Michamvi-Hotels-Konokono-Beach-Resort.h3881687.Hotel-Information) > > [Kiwengwa Beach Resort](https://www.expedia.co.uk/Kiwengwa-Hotels-Kiwengwa-Beach-Resort.h11888909.Hotel-Information) > > [Ocean Paradise Resort & Spa Zanzibar](https://www.expedia.co.uk/Kiwengwa-Hotels-Ocean-Paradise-Resort-Spa-Zanzibar.h4235502.Hotel-Information) > > [Neptune Pwani Beach Resort & Spa Zanzibar](https://www.expedia.co.uk/Kiwengwa-Hotels-Neptune-Pwani-Beach-Resort-Spa.h4544303.Hotel-Information) > > [Z Hotel & Z2 Hotel](https://www.expedia.co.uk/Nungwi-Hotels-The-Z-Hotel.h3675918.Hotel-Information) > > [Amani Boutique Hotel - Small Luxury Hotels of the World](https://www.expedia.co.uk/Paje-Hotels-Amani-Boutique-Hotel.h45431049.Hotel-Information) > > [Reef & Beach Resort](https://www.expedia.co.uk/Jambiani-Hotels-Reef-Beach-Resort.h6643793.Hotel-Information) > > [Melia Zanzibar](https://www.expedia.co.uk/Kiwengwa-Hotels-Melia-Zanzibar.h1407257.Hotel-Information) > > [Royal Zanzibar Beach Resort All Inclusive](https://www.expedia.co.uk/Nungwi-Hotels-Royal-Zanzibar-Beach-Resort-All-Inclusive.h5563953.Hotel-Information) > > [Uroa Bay Beach Resort](https://www.expedia.co.uk/Uroa-Hotels-Uroa-Bay-Beach-Resort.h5448275.Hotel-Information) > > [Karamba](https://www.expedia.co.uk/Kizimkazi-Hotels-Karamba.h32519014.Hotel-Information) > > [TOA Hotel & Spa Zanzibar](https://www.expedia.co.uk/Pongwe-Hotels-Toa-Hotel-Spa.h75012943.Hotel-Information)