Essque Zalu Zanzibar

We had a wonderful stay at the hotel. Really quiet and nice place. Directly to the ocean but you cant swim. The pool is very nice!

We visited in November for our honeymoon, opting for seafront suite and the all inclusive package. At check in, they tried to put us in their lowest class of rooms available, even when we had confirmation on our side. They said they could get it sorted out by Monday morning (it was saturday), leaving us in the wrong room for 2 nights. Worth noting that the resort was completely empty, they could’ve honoured our reservation.
We ended up having to wake up our travel agent abroad to speak on the phone with the booking manager (who offered to move us to the correct room for a fee…)
Ended up in the right room

The service staff was so nice! Went above and beyond to make our experience nice

When we were there the resort was empty so buffet restaurant became a set menu.. we had to complain to have more variety for lunch and dinner. All inclusive also doesn’t get you access to any alcohol except local beer and wine, and no access to the jetty restaurant.

The pool could use some maintenance, it actually stained our swimsuits. Worth noting that the beach is impractical, my husband got stung by sea urchins when he tried to go in (shout out to the staff for a pool-side surgery that saved him)

Overall, the staff really made the stay better, but I would say this is not a 5 star all inclusive stay, and the managers seemed money hungry, unwilling to make our stay better

We liked everything about the hotel, staff were lovely , room was perfect, location stunning . A short walk to restaurants and not far from Nungwi . Would recommend for comfort and peaceful location.

This resort does not live up to a five-star standard and is closer to a three- to four-star property. While the location itself is nice, the hotel feels worn and clearly in need of proper renovation. Many areas show visible signs of ageing, from rusted outdoor furniture and poorly maintained wooden decking to details in the rooms that should have been addressed long ago. These are not minor cosmetic flaws but ongoing maintenance issues.
One major inconvenience during our stay was the frequent power cuts, which occurred easily 20 times a day. While electricity usually returned quickly, the constant interruptions were disruptive and unacceptable at this price level.
To be fair, once we raised our concerns, the management and staff were responsive and genuinely tried to improve the situation during our stay. We do appreciate this effort, and it is clear that the team is doing its best. However, guests come here to relax, not to identify problems or wait for fixes. At this level of pricing, the experience should be smooth from the moment you arrive.
Food was mixed. Breakfast was simple and acceptable but offered a limited selection. Lunch we tried only once and would not repeat it — it was extremely overpriced for the quality provided. Dinner, on the other hand, was better organised, with a wider variety of options and occasional themed evenings, which helped improve the overall dining experience.
New Year’s Eve was enjoyable, with plenty of food, entertainment, and a lovely fireworks display. The atmosphere was festive and well-managed. While the food was not gourmet, it met expectations for a large event, and credit is due to the team for creating a pleasant evening.
Personally, I prefer to receive the level of service and quality I have paid for upfront rather than seeing issues addressed reactively. While the staff and management are clearly trying, the resort as a whole is still far from what one would expect from a luxury destination.
My honest recommendation would be for the hotel to reposition itself as a strong four-star resort, align expectations accordingly, and focus on thorough refurbishment. Doing so would attract the right audience and prevent disappointment for guests expecting a true five-star experience.

Had a great time on our honeymoon here! It’s a large property with all the regular amenities. It was nice they even had a dining area in air conditioning, which is rare to find around here.

Beautiful ambiance.. clean and fresh air... sound of waves...blue calming waters... night full of stars... the live gardens....big swimming pool... taste foods.... african night cusin was excellent...value for money stay...excellent services
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⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Exceptional Family Stay – Outstanding Value, Service & Food
We stayed at Essque Zalu Zanzibar (Long Beach) from 17th to 21st December as a family of three (two adults and a five-year-old child), and the experience was nothing short of excellent.

From the moment we arrived, the staff truly stood out. Warm, welcoming, attentive, and genuinely pleasant. Check-in was smooth, and everything from arrival to settling into the room was handled effortlessly.

The rooms are spacious and extremely well designed. Even the standard room felt luxurious, with ample living space, comfortable seating, walk-in closets, and a massive, well-appointed bathroom. It was more than sufficient for a family and never felt cramped.

One of the absolute highlights of our stay was the food. We opted for the half-board package (breakfast and dinner), and it exceeded expectations. Hats off to the chef and the entire F&B team.

The buffet offerings were phenomenal and changed daily, with a wide variety of cuisines and options. Whether you’re vegetarian or a meat eater, the choices were extensive and thoughtfully curated. Every day felt like a completely refreshed menu.

What impressed us most was the flexibility and hospitality. If something specific was missing or if our child wanted a simple dish like pasta, the team was quick to prepare it, included within the package and without any fuss. That level of accommodation makes a big difference, especially when traveling with children.

The resort itself is stunning. Beautiful views, a large and well-maintained pool, and a calm, premium resort atmosphere throughout. The kids’ club is a great addition for families. The shuttle service to Kendwa Beach Rocks is an excellent value add and allows guests to experience another beautiful beach location with ease.

For anyone planning to stay in Zanzibar for 4–7 days or longer, this hotel is an easy recommendation. At a price point of around $170–$180 per night with a half-board package, the value is outstanding. The overall comfort, service, food quality, and experience far exceeded expectations.

Highly recommended, especially for families looking for a relaxed, high-quality, and well-managed resort experience in Zanzibar.

We stayed at Essque Zalu Zanzibar for two nights and had a truly relaxing and memorable experience. The resort is beautifully designed, blending modern luxury with traditional African elements, and it feels very peaceful and private.

Our room was spacious, clean, and very comfortable, with a lovely view and thoughtful details throughout. Housekeeping was excellent, and everything was well maintained.

The staff were one of the highlights of our stay. Everyone was warm, friendly, and genuinely eager to help, which made us feel very welcome from the moment we arrived. Their hospitality really stood out.

The pool area was stunning and perfect for relaxing, and the overall atmosphere of the resort was calm and romantic. Breakfast was delicious with a good variety of options, and the quality of the food was consistently high.

Breakfast was a little crowded, but we ate nice omlets.

Thank you.

Amazing stay at Essque Zalu Zanzibar! Everything was perfect — great service, friendly staff, beautiful rooms, delicious food, and a very peaceful atmosphere. Highly recommended!”

We had a great stay at this hotel. Everything was very good—from the room to the facilities. The service was excellent, and the staff were friendly, helpful, and professional. A special mention to the food, which was excellent and very enjoyable. Thank you to the entire team for a wonderful stay.
Jämbo from Layla 😊

A great and quiet place located at the tip of Nungwi, clean rooms, polite and friendly staff, food was good. You can have your dinner and drinks at the jetty and enjoy the view. Perfect place for a couple or to just relax away from the city life..

From the moment we arrived we felt like home. We really enjoyed this place and thank you for making this special experience for us.

The staff is incredibly nice and caring. Very friendly and helpful
They make sure to respond to all your requests and adapt to your needs

What a place it’s beautiful I really like it 😍 I’m frome Morocco the view and the service awesome 👏 👏👌👌👌👏👌😍😍😍

Best hotel in zanzibar , tanzania and morocco are friends , thank you for the services , i like thi foods and all activities in hotel !!!!!!!!!!

Thank you to the whole team for your patience and responsiveness, especially to Moureen and Mishan who assisted me with my marriage proposal. A hotel with very high-quality service

Essque ended up being one of our absolute favourites in Zanzibar. The whole place has a really warm, relaxed feel, and the service stands out straight away. Breakfast and dinner were both lovely for buffet style, and we also had lunch at the pier restaurant, which was great.

The drinks and food are on the pricey side, but the quality is there. We spent a lot of time around the pool and honestly loved it. The staff couldn’t do enough for us, and it never felt forced — just genuinely good hospitality.

Our room was finished to a really high standard, with everything you’d expect from a hotel at this level. The walk-in wardrobe was a great touch and made it feel properly spacious.

We were really impressed with this hotel and would highly recommend it.

Essque is beautiful. Pool , pier and beach were stunning !
Dinner and breakfast buffet was delicious - lots of choices.
Staff esp DIGNA, AMINA and ZULKIFLI were excellent and helped me arrange all my activities .
Would definitely recommend ❤️❤️❤️

Amazing service and absolutely stunning resort. Food at the main restaurant 7/10 food at the jetty 8.5/10

Amina was exceptional!

Rooms were clean and spacious. But couldn’t walk along the beach cause the tides were high and rough. Overall experience was good.