I went to Zanzibar on business to describe all the top beaches, so staying in one of the most famous resorts , Nungwi, was the obvious choice.

I wanted to do a review on a hotel that can be booked for decent money through booking.com, but which is also where the holiday travel agencies from Europe are heading.

In the end, I chose Smiles Beach Hotel **** right on the beach.

Booking and price of stay

I chose Smiles Beach Hotel mainly because of its great location in the centre of Nungwi near the northernmost point of Zanzibar. So you can watch sunrises and sunsets beautifully from the hotel beach.

Contrary to the title of this article, the stay was actually quite expensive. In total, 3 nights half board cost me 412 usdwhich is above average for Zanzibar in this category.

I booked the stay through booking.com.

• Tip - Rafiki Nungwi Beach Hotel offers up to half the price

On the other hand, holiday packages through travel agents tend to be very cheap to this hotel! Travel agencies from the Czech Republic, Slovakia or Poland have the Smiles Beach Hotel in their portfolio and you can often get last-minute weekly stays with half board under 950 usd.

Great location by the beach

The biggest advantage of the Smiles Beach Hotel is definitely the location. The hotel is right on the beach on a raised concrete terrace, where you will find the hotel's sun loungers and parasols.

So you have to walk down steps to the sea, but I didn't mind that at all.

On the contrary, the terrace offers great views!

The beach itself is a bit narrower here and there is more seaweed compared to the neighbouring resort of Kendwa, but nothing that bothered me.

• Tip - check prices at the best hotel in Kendwa , RIU Palace Swahili

Arrival and check-in

Like most resorts in Zanzibar, Smiles Beach is fenced off and has security and main entrance gates.

I arrived at the hotel in a rental car and the entry was uneventful. All I had to do was say I had a reservation at the hotel.

Parking right in front of the front desk is free.

Check-in was very quick and the receptionist showed me directly to my room.

I was given a classic plastic wristband to wear, which is especially important for security - both at the front desk and at the beach. In reality, though, I was never checked.

Average room with older amenities

All rooms are located in 4 smaller buildings around the pool and terrace overlooking the beach.

I got a room on the ground floor and I could tell at first glance that it wasn't going to be quite my style.

The room furnishings are older but everything is at least clean.

The biggest problem I have is with the bathroom. The toilet is clearly the cheapest it could be and the toilet seat doesn't stay in place properly.

The shower only has a head shower, which I really don't like.

Uncomfortable mattress

Don't. In the end, my biggest problem is not with the bathroom, but with the bed. Of course, this only becomes apparent in the morning when I wake up sleepless and with a sore back.

The mattress is saggy and obviously very old. I roll back and forth all night, unable to get comfortable.

Functional air conditioning and other room amenities

In tropical locations like Zanzibar, a working air conditioner that I can control with a remote control is pretty essential.

Also in the room you will find a safe, beach towel, kettle, instant coffee and tea.

Outside the room is a seating area with two chairs, a small table and a drawer.

Always at 19:00 the maid comes with the evening cleaning and preparing the mosquito net over the bed.

Wi-fi

The internet is clearly the biggest weakness of the room.

The signal inside is very weak, not only from wi-fi, but you can't even use the regular mobile network properly.

However, outside the room on the comfortable chairs, the wi-fi already works enough to allow me to even work. So - it could be worse!

Pool and sunbeds with parasols

Smiles Beach Hotel is a small resort with only about 16 rooms.

So the atmosphere is very pleasant and the area between the buildings and the beach is beautifully maintained. For hotel guests, sun loungers are available at any time free of charge and without the need for a reservation.

The pool is accessible 24/7 and is nicely lit at night.

Breakfast and dinner or Back to the 90s

Breakfast is served from 7:30am to 10:30am and is a continental buffet.

Dinner is a la carte from 19:00 to 22:00.

Breakfast menu

At first glance, the menu is very poor, but compared to other hotels in the same category on Zanzibar, such as Sea View Lodge in Jambiani, where I moved from Nungwi, it is actually above average.

There are three types of hot food to choose from - mostly noodles or rice, very poor quality sausages, chapati pancakes or other local pastries, cooked vegetables, beans or mushrooms.

The chef will prepare eggs in different ways.

Other offerings include yoghurt, two to three types of fruit, sweet pastries, toasted bread and always two types of juice + water.

Unfiltered drip coffee is available, as well as bagged teas.

Dinner

Dinners are not buffet style, but a la carte only.

There is always a choice of two soups, 4 main courses and 2 desserts.

There is plenty of food, but the quality and execution transported me to the average pubs of the 90s. Sure, dinner filled me up, but I can't quite say if it was good.

On the other hand, Zanzibar's restaurant offerings are pretty limited - you either have the option of cheap but largely monotonous street-food, or overpriced tourist restarts.

So in that respect, I'd probably recommend paying extra for half board.

Conclusion - adequate quality for a low price

Smiles Beach Hotel has good prices especially for travel agents as part of holiday packages.

Sure, compared to European or Asian resorts the quality is quite lacking. But in the context of Zanzibar, I would describe Smiles Beach Hotel as a better average.

The location is great and the atmosphere is very peaceful.

There are plenty of activities, excursions, services and beautiful beaches nearby.