Bluebay Beach Resort and Spa is set on a secluded 25 acre plot near Kiwengwa on the East coast of Zanzibar Island and is approximately 45 minutes from Stone Town by car.

Bluebay is a large property by Zanzibari standards, and has plenty of features to keep both adults and children entertained.

Bluebay Beach Resort has over 80 rooms. The vast majority are ‘Superior Rooms’. All rooms consist of a spacious bedroom, separate dressing room, en suite bathroom and either a veranda or balcony. All rooms enjoy ocean views.

Superior Rooms
All rooms are tastefully decorated using traditional Zanzibari furniture to include large four poster beds with mosquito nets, a writing bureau, coffee table and easy chairs. Split level air conditioners, ceiling fans, satellite TV’s, mini-bars, hair dryers and telephones add a touch of luxury to each room whilst the presence of smoke detectors and fire alarms provide added peace of mind for the more safety conscious.

Sultan Rooms
Bluebay has two flagship rooms. They are perfectly located on the very edge of the Indian Ocean, only a few metres from the brilliant white sandy beach.

The two Sultan Rooms are also attended by Butlers, dressed in flowing traditional Swahili robes, whose sole aim is to ensure that your every need is met and surpassed.

Bluebay Beach Resort and Spa has a wealth of features made possible by its size which, although not to everyone’s ‘cup of tea’, make it a good choice for travellers who like of activities to enjoy.

Facilities include:

An open air discotheque.
A fully equipped fitness centre.
A Spa facility.
Flood lit tennis courts.
A wide screen TV viewing facility.
Guest safes.
A large fresh water swimming pool with adjoining open-air Jacuzzi.
Children’s paddling pool.
A children’s club (on demand).
A dive centre.
A water sports centre.
Snooker room.
A fully equipped conference room.

Bluebay beach resort also offers a variety of dining options. The ‘Makuti Restaurant’ serves breakfast, lunch and dinner and is nicely located providing views out over the swimming pool and to the ocean beyond.

Additionally there is ‘The Beach Bar and Restaurant’ which as the name suggests is located on the edge of the beach. Food here varies from seafood dishes to fresh pizzas baked in a wood burning oven. It is also a nice alternative to the ‘Pool Bar’ providing an excellent setting to enjoy throughout the day.

Other Activities

Bluebay also has a spa for guests looking for deeper relaxation and offers a range of treatments in a beautiful setting.Palm trees and exotic flowers grow up around the decking the wooden decking which overlooks the beautiful turquoise Indian Ocean. All the ingredients are locally sourced, with help the local community and many are treatment prepared in front of you to ensure ultimate freshness.

Many properties in this area there is a strong focus on diving and snorkelling and Bluebay is no exception. The hotel also offers many ‘on-land’ activities if you’d prefer. This makes the property a good choice for families and guests who like to stay active.

It is also possible to hire a Jeep to explore the island. The main roads here are good tarmac and largely very quiet with the exception of the odd bit of livestock wandering around but you may find the terrain a little more challenging away from the islands main roads.

Environment and Local Community

Bluebay Beach Resort prides itself on its environmental responsibilities as well as contribution to the local community.All rooms are fitted with modern energy saving devices and the resort also has a waste water recycling plant.Much of the resort is also designed to collect rain water which is treated and used to water the gardens and provide back up for the en-suite facilites.The gardens have been designed and planted to compliment the islands natural flora and fauna with indigenous trees and plants.

Our Opinion
This is one of the larger properties on the island so can be rather busy during high seasons. The rooms are well spread out but at peak times communal areas can become busy. Although service is still of a good quality, guests looking for a high level of personal service may wish to consider a smaller more intimate boutique style property. Bluebay is definitely worth considering if you are travelling as a family or large group looking for a range of on site facilities and activities.