The Sands Beach Resort

We stayed in a two bedroom villa, with its own private pool. The rooms and building were clean and also cleaned twice a day, turn in for night was a nice touch. The pool was clean and appropriate for a quick splash in the mornings for the kids, which they enjoyed. The air conditioning was ok, most units worked very efficiently and kept the room cool.

Disliked · The bath tub taps didn’t allow for us to fill up a bath for the kids to wash, and the air con in the master room, wasn’t as effective as the other u it’s in the property.

Located on beautiful beach, the best one we saw on east side of Zanzibar.

Disliked · This was the only place on Zanzibar (except airport) that reminded us of the Covid19 pandemic – eg. temperature measure at the entrance to the hotel (probably fake, I don’t believe they would refuse anyone due to high temperature), restaurant staff wearing masks and putting food from the buffet on your plate, etc.

· Dinner was absolute delicios, the chief Steve is the best 🙂
The garden is beautiful and very well maintained.
The staff are very kind and all the time smiling 🙂 giving you a good feeling.

Disliked · The air conditioning from the bedroom doesn’t work and every day we had to inform the reception about the problem.
They find the solution to refill with freon daily but it was quite uncomfortable for us.
The kitchen is useless, you are not allowed to cook anything.
The beach doesn’t look too good when is low tide and is quite windy in the afternoon

This is the best place I have ever visited in my life! absolutely stunning. The place becomes even better because of the amazing staff there. Ally, Hassan, Hamida and Semeni were especially fantastic for us.
We got a lovely surprise in the Villa at arrival for our honeymoon and when we requested the Villa Pool to be more private it was arranged within an hour. Absolutely Recommended. 10 out of 10!

Amazign 4 strats hotel, meet all our expectations, staff very helpful, perfectly clean, nice area (pool, restaurant, beach, etc.)
Very good buffet
Great location . I highly recommend this hotel

Disliked · Poor wifi in the room and public area

Very friendly and eager staff. Great Location at the beach with lots of space.

Disliked · Bad management training of employees. Bad Management organisation.
A personal touch is missing.

This was the best place I’ve ever stayed. The staff was very friendly and helpful. My words can’t express how much they did or how great the were, but they were the best! They treated us like family and was always willing to help.

I loved all the staff. By the end of my 11 days they felt like family and I was so sad to say good-bye. I loved the beach bar, right on the beach so you could relax with one of Cassiano’s surprise cocktail’s just staring at the beautiful beach with sand in your toes. I loved the Christmas party and New Year’s eve party they put on for the guests. They put so much effort into it and it was so much fun. Can’t wait to come back.

Disliked · My only recommendation would be to have a small shop on the property in case you run out of essentials or want an ice cream or something instead of having to drive into Paije village.

Covid 19 Measures:
The Masai’s do a temperature check upon arrival. The staff at reception sanitized our hands and they kept a distance. The check in process is contactless. There are hand sanitizers throughout the resort and in the villa as well.
Stay:
We stayed at The Sands Beach Resort for 7 nights and it was such an unforgettable stay. There is a sense of serenity and tranquility.
The team is amazing: the GM, Shadia, David, Alfred, Mtatiro, Cassius, the chef – Hassan, housekeeping staff, caretakers, gardeners, Maasai’s, everyone. You guys are absolutely amazing. We felt welcome and at home from day 1. We really felt like we are part of the family. It really touched me that amid the ongoing pandemic and all the uncertainties that come with it, you still make your guests feel welcome and greet us with a big smile.
We stayed in villa 121, the best villa at the resort. The beach is right at the door step and the view from the bedroom and the living room is absolutely picturesque. The villa is so spacious and massive. The villa is filled with great decorative ornaments and paintings. The bed is spacious and really comfortable. The bathroom is massive and there is an outdoor shower.
It would be an in justice not to mention the food. The chefs prepare the meals with so much love. The food is really delicious, flavorful and filled with so many rich spices that are found in Zanzibar. Definitely worth the wait. We got to experience Swahili night on the last night of our stay. The team prepped the restaurant with beautiful and romantic decorations. The chef prepared different types of Swahili dishes (delicious) and we enjoyed live performances by a local band. Such an unforgettable experience.
The resort has a beautifully landscaped garden and walkways. This is Instagram galore: the palm trees are so beautiful. The beach has white sand and turquoise water. Of course there are tides in Eastern Zanzibar but the low tide only lasted in the morning during our stay.

Amazing location on the beach, resort very well run, Plenty of sun lounges, mice beach bar, prices reasonable for drinks, Lovely Pina Colada USD 7. Nice Friday dinner with local entertainment. Highly recommended

Disliked · shower is very hot but this is being picky

We really liked the territory of the resort. It looks like big garden with paths all over. We took a standard bungalow which exceeded our expectations overall with it’s look, it’s condition and it’s cleanliness. We pretty much liked everything about the property. The private beach was also nice with the bar to refresh on the hot sun or you can chill by the big pool instead. This place has a soul! Special regards to the entire team and the manager, they just do excellent work. You always see genuine smiles on their faces.
Customized approach of the Chef is a cherry on the cake 🍰. If you do happen to visit the resort, feel free to ask him to prepare his specialty 🤤 for you, he’ll do it with pleasure 👌🏼
So if you looking for a place to escape from the noise and everyday life, this is your resort when you can unwind and enjoy the tranquility by the ocean.

Disliked · There’s nothing not to be liked about the property.
Keep up the good work guys. Hope to see you again in the near future

Amazing experience , staff are friendly helpful , special thanks for Mr Aly , Miss Amina , Miss shadia , and the rest for an amazing journey
Place was very clean they care about all
The details , always tidy and well arranged , the rooms were comfortable and offered good privacy and views ,
The Bar is an amazing spot and place to chill ,
I was amazed by the hospitality of everyone , highly recommended , we learnt some swahili and really felt welcome from the start.

Liked · The staff was so friendly and welcoming. The Beach had fine corals. The Villa was big and clean. Nice beachbar with Cassianoabass and his team.
Great food every evening.
We really enjoyed.
Thanks to Ally, Sharif, Said, Alfred, Amina, Fatima and all the great people that bring the place a great spirit

Everything about this hotel is built with so much extra space. The bathroom, the pool, the room – everything is huge. You barely meet any other guests. Food at the dinner was exceptional and staff very helpful. The hotel beach premises were perfect for quiet relaxing.

Disliked · A bit pricey – and the location doesn’t have that many outside services. You can’t swim in the ocean at low tide. But overall we really enjoyed our stay. Would stay again.

The team was extremely helpful, friendly and open. We felt at home.
The food was very delicious, tuna, sailfish etc.
Big thank you to Ally, Alex, Alfred, Milka, Fatma, Violet and the rest of the team.
You made it a great holiday!

This is the best hotel.
The beach front is perfect, the rooms are comfortable and very very clean.
Ally, Mary and their staff are so friendly, they really go to all lengths of the world to make everything perfect for your holiday.
Everyone says hello and you feel very safe and content here.
The food is delicious a wide range of choice for all nationalities, they also put on a traditional Swahili dinner for us which they do every Friday which is a great opportunity to try out the local food.

Disliked · A suggestion from us would be to create another little shaded area maybe like a cafe where it’s a little more informal than the restaurant and not the bar area.
Also maybe consider a sheltered section of the swimming pool, as it’s an absolute sun trap (great!) but need a little shade for protection! 🙂
I would have also liked a little shop where We could have bought some more suncream or other items such as aftersun as there is nothing around the hotel for that.
Other than that it is perfection here.