Jambiani Hotels with Bars

Check-in? Smooth as butter. Room? Cleaner than most 5-star hotels I’ve seen so far. Outside terrace? It’s literally Bali combined with Zanzibar. Staff? Friendliest people I’ve probably ever met. Food? The chef should be praised 24/7. This is just a summary of everything that should interest you. We arrived at Coral Rock at around 9am, knowing that check-in is usually at 2pm. We were greeted at the reception by a lady that informed us that the former guests will be leaving and as soon as the room is properly cleaned, we can go in. We left our luggage at the reception and proceeded to relax in the restaurant area while we waited. We had coffees, fruit platters and fresh juices and were entertained by Jerry, a staff member of Coral Rock. We had a very pleasant conversation, he had a wonderful smile and just made time pass easier. After what seemed to only be 5 minutes (but was actually 3 hours), we were informed by Ali (another staff member with whom we completely fell in love) that the room is ready. We proceeded to go to the reception to get the luggage - gasp - which was gone. Instead, the bags were waiting for us in a cool AC’d room, with a big bed full of flowers and fresh water bottles. To die for! This is just our first story with Coral Rock. The following days were amazing as well. Each day we dropped our key off at the reception so housekeeping can occur, which was done very seamlessly. The staff members (especially Ali and Jerry) always made sure to ask us if we need anything and if everything is to our liking. Now, the food… The food! We ate the greatest octopus and calamari ever! We also had a Swahili style seafood coconut curry, which was absolutely (again) to die for. Now, I’ve seen some bad reviews of the tuna tartaki (basically tuna steak), with people saying that it would always be way too dry and cooked extremely well done, which of course is not ideal with this dish; I decided to venture and try it out to see for myself. Needless to say, the reviews were either outdated or simply written by people that have nothing to do whatsoever with food, because it was cooked to perfection. Perfectly medium-rare in the center and crusted with toasted sesame seeds? It was absolutely mesmerizing how perfect that dish was made. I absolutely adored every single part of this experience. Other great dishes include the ramen (all variations of it, as we ate the beef, seafood and chicken ramen), the grilled veggies & calamari salad, the pineapple tart, the curries, and the list could go on and on and on. I was pleased to see the chef and his (cutest toddler ever) daughter, and I would congratulate him all day everyday if I could. We even got to enjoy a stunning floating breakfast all accustomed for by Ali! I can’t describe this place enough. I had high expectations, but Coral Rock exceeded them and then some! Please don’t base your decisions on old, outdated reviews; you might miss out on the greatest experience ever. Note that I’m writing this wit

Gorgeous hotel. We had a fabulous 2 weeks here, the room had picture windows across the sea and was kept beautifully clean despite the sand we kept dragging in. The hotel is right on the beach and also has a lovely little pool with plenty of sun beds. The staff made the holiday, they were so friendly and helpful, and a special mention goes to Selena who did everything she could to make our stay special, greeting us each day with a smile and joining in with our jokes. This is a small friendly hotel and I would definitely recommend as a little slice of paradise.

I travelled with my elderly parents and our stay at Equalia Boutique Hotel was wonderful. Its proximity to the ocean is brilliantly close, you can take a swim and within a few meters you're back to the hotel watching life pass you by on Jambiani beach. Walking along the beach in Jambiani is safe and whilst there are some people selling items, with a polite no thank you, they leave you alone. We enjoyed many long walks and we also saw the magnificent sunrises whilst we did our morning yoga on a few occasions. Breakfasts were included and were delicious comprising of fresh fruit, fresh juices, eggs, pancakes and bread. We also enjoyed the lunches and dinners, the seafood platter is divine as is the vegetable curry and rice. We also drank plenty of fresh coconut water, scooping out and eating the coconut flesh as well. The staff at the hotel were incredibly kind, helpful and fun to be around. There are plenty of excursions that can also be organised for you. We didn't hire a car but took taxis which were very easily booked through the hotel. Paje beach and restaurants are a 10 minute ride away and worth a visit, the beach there is also stunning. We spent a couple of afternoons idling our time at Mr Kahava's where the food is also good. Stone Town is 1.5 hrs away and definitely worth a visit. They management can also organise airport transfers upon arrival and departure. There is more I would like to have done during our stay, it just means we have to come back again and I'd definitely stay at Equalia Boutique Hotel without hesitation. Asante Sana Equalia team, see you again sometime. Varsha, Laxmi and JJ

Not worth 5 stars. We have a lot of experience with five-star hotels, and this hotel absolutely does not meet those standards! We recently stayed here for 8 days. Upon arrival, the hotel looks nice and attractive. The rooms are spacious, it has a nice pool, and the staff is friendly. The manager was present during the week we were there, and he was very kind. The food is okay, but definitely not special. The breakfast buffet is very basic and not extensive. The bread baskets they serve at every meal are filled with old bread from previous days (tough and hard). The hotel has few facilities and doesn’t organize anything. There’s little atmosphere, no music, nothing. There is one restaurant for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The beach nearby is nice for a short time, with the sea within walking distance, but later in the day, it’s covered in seaweed, and swimming becomes difficult. Power outages are frequent. The gym equipment doesn’t work! The cross trainer only has an on/off button, but nothing else happens, and the same goes for the bike. When you go to eat, the staff hovers around you, which doesn’t feel comfortable and makes you not want to linger at the table. You feel constantly watched. When you’re lying on the beach, the staff barely comes by to offer drinks or anything else. The location is also mediocre, with few nice bars or restaurants around the hotel, except for ”Scooby Doo.” Paje is a 10-minute drive away. Maybe this hotel would be suitable for older people who want to relax for a few days, but for young people like us (26 and 28), definitely not! A waste of money!! The reason we choose 5-star hotels is because they offer extra luxuries, better service, and more facilities. So, honestly, we feel a bit deceived.

I had a great two-night stay at this hotel, which looked like a cute holiday resort - perfect for relaxing after a 6-day safari. The staff were incredibly nice, and my room was cleaned after each night, which I really appreciated, even though it’s standard practice. There was only a flat sheet provided instead of a duvet, which confused me at first because the air conditioning made the room quite cold at night. However, after experiencing the heat and humidity of Zanzibar the next day, it made sense 😂 The bed was comfortable, the shower was clean with hot water, and the pool was beautiful. You can explore nearby villages, and the locals were so friendly. I even followed some local girls to a wedding on Friday 😆 Kids waved and smiled at me, and a few ran up to give me a hug! It was beautiful to see them enjoying themselves with simple, real activities like riding bikes and rolling car wheels, instead of being glued to technology. The whole atmosphere felt very vibrant and authentic. I didn’t try the restaurant, so I can’t comment on the food, but the breakfasts were nice. I spent an evening at the hotel bar, and the staff were great - friendly, funny, and they made good cocktails. They also ensured I reviewed and signed the bill at the end, so there were no issues with payments during checkout 😊 Asante Sana!