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Karafuu Beach Resort and Spa

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Traveler (3279)
360
Panoramas (9)
Pool & Beach (975)
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About

#3 of 6 hotels in Pingwe
Location
4.3
Cleanliness
4.2
Service
4.2
Value
3.9
Travelers' Choice
On a deserted white sandy beach, at 65 km from Stone Town, lies Karafuu Beach Resort and Spa, an international five-star hotel, winner of the World Travel Awards as Tanzania Leading Resort and Africa Leading Beach Resort 2011 .It is one of the most luxurious hotels on the east coast of Zanzibar, where, even during low tide, it’s possible to enjoy a comfortable swim in the ocean.
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Property amenities
Free parking
Wifi
Pool
Fitness Center with Gym / Workout Room
Free breakfast
Beach
Diving
Indoor play area for children
Pool / beach towels
Pool with view
Outdoor pool
Private pool
Saltwater pool
Plunge pool
Shallow end in pool
Yoga classes
Fitness classes
Personal trainer
Bar / lounge
Coffee shop
Restaurant
Breakfast available
Breakfast buffet
Breakfast in the room
Complimentary welcome drink
Kid-friendly buffet
Kids' meals
Outdoor dining area
Snack bar
Swimup bar
Poolside bar
Hiking
Snorkeling
Tennis court
Water sport equipment rentals
Billiards
Entertainment staff
Evening entertainment
Table tennis
Tennis court offsite
Children Activities (Kid / Family Friendly)
Kids pool
Highchairs available
Airport transportation
Shuttle bus service
Car hire
Taxi service
Conference facilities
Banquet room
Meeting rooms
Spa
Couples massage
Facial treatments
Foot massage
Full body massage
Hand massage
Head massage
Makeup services
Manicure
Massage
Neck massage
Pedicure
24-hour security
Baggage storage
Concierge
Currency exchange
Gift shop
Mosquito net
Shops
Sun loungers / beach chairs
Sun umbrellas
Umbrella
24-hour check-in
24-hour front desk
Dry cleaning
Laundry service
Ironing service
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Room features
Air conditioning
Private beach
Desk
Housekeeping
Coffee / tea maker
Refrigerator
Cable / satellite TV
Bidet
Interconnected rooms available
Private balcony
Safe
Sofa
Telephone
Wardrobe / closet
Bottled water
Clothes rack
Private bathrooms
Wake-up service / alarm clock
Flatscreen TV
Walk-in shower
Bath / shower
Complimentary toiletries
Hair dryer
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Room types
Ocean view
Pool view
Bridal suite
Non-smoking rooms
Suites
Family rooms
Good to know
HOTEL CLASS
5.0 of 5 stars
HOTEL STYLE
Family
Great View
Languages Spoken
English, French, Russian, Arabic and 3 more
1,882Review165Q+A100Room tips
Traveler rating
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Popular mentions
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Podróżnicy wrote a review Yesterday
4 contributions
We are incredibly pleased with our stay in this hotel, the food is delicious, the hotel service is the best ever🥰Ricardo, Basia, you are doing a great job🥳The manager of Glandes is a rocket woman - a wonderful person full of professionalism, she made our short 8-day stay a real paradise on earth❤️thank you with all my heart and greetings from Poland - Radek Madzia Zoe and Hugo 😘
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Date of stay: March 2024Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Akli H wrote a review Yesterday
1 contribution
My stay at the Karafuu Hotel in Zanzibar was absolutely exceptional! The hotel's facilities are magnificent, a perfect blend of luxury and Zanzibar charm. The rooms were spacious, elegantly decorated and offered breathtaking views of the Indian Ocean. Cleanliness was impeccable, and the beds were incredibly comfortable, ensuring peaceful nights' sleep. The hotel's restaurants offered delicious cuisine, featuring both local and international flavors. Every meal was a unique dining experience, and the service was impeccable every time. We also really enjoyed the many activities offered by the hotel, from exciting water sports to fascinating cultural excursions in the surrounding area. There was always something to do for every taste. Last but not least, I'd like to highlight the kindness and hospitality of the entire hotel team, with special mention for my friend Marco, who was exceptional, always smiling and really involved in organizing the activities. Not forgetting, of course, the whole Kappa team: Sandrine, Omar, Rachid ... etc., they're all really nice.
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Date of stay: February 2024
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Lenka&Zdenek&Anna&Adam wrote a review Mar 6
Prague, Czech Republic3 contributions1 helpful vote
+1
Zanzibar is the perfect destination if you're looking for a holiday where you can relax by snorkelling, swimming with dolphins, walking in the tropical forest, spotting endemic monkeys or visiting spice farms. KARAFUU is a pearl among the local resorts. In addition to cosy accommodation and fine dining, it offers active relaxation with water exercise, volleyball, darts and lots of other physical exercises, all organised by the very friendly animator Marco, who is a professional not only in sports but also in organising daily evening performances, concerts and shows. Marco approached us within minutes of our arrival, personally greeted us and introduced us the resort. Completely going above and beyond his job duties, he helped us with recommending local attractions, arranging transfers and other assistance. It was extremely nice and touching to listen to his stories about the real life of the natives and Africans in general outside the hotel gates. Marco became a true friend of ours. On our next visit to Zanzibar, KARAFUU & MARCO are our clear choice.
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Date of stay: February 2024Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Response from Christian Besmehn, General Manager at Karafuu Beach Resort and Spa
Responded 1 week ago
Thank you so much for your glowing review of your stay at Karafuu in Zanzibar! We're thrilled to hear that you found our little paradise to be the perfect destination for relaxation and adventure alike. It's wonderful to know that our offerings, from snorkeling and swimming with dolphins to exploring tropical forests and visiting spice farms, met your holiday needs. We're particularly pleased to hear your kind words about Marco, our animator. His dedication to providing guests with a rich and enjoyable experience clearly made a significant impact on your stay. Marco's passion for sports, organizing evening performances, concerts, and shows, as well as his eagerness to introduce guests to the local culture and assist with their needs, truly sets him apart. We're fortunate to have him on our team and will be sure to pass along your praise. Marco's stories about the local life and his overall approach to going above and beyond are exactly what we strive for at Karafuu. We aim to create a connection between our guests and the vibrant culture of Zanzibar. We're overjoyed to hear that Karafuu and Marco are your clear choices for your next visit to Zanzibar. It's our highest compliment when guests choose to return, and we look forward to welcoming you back for another unforgettable stay. Until then, we wish you all the best and hope to create more wonderful memories with you in the future. Karafuu Management
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
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jean wrote a review Feb 2024
Dubai, United Arab Emirates3 contributions8 helpful votes
Really great stay! The resort is very large and has many bars, music and a pool! The rooms are beautiful, the massage is very wonderful, the smell is beautiful, the view is beautiful, and you can also dive in the Wimpy diving center, and also the tour office, Abdullah, is very wonderful!!! The only drawback is the beach as it has low tide, but you can enjoy the pool and if you want you can go to the beaches of Paje etc. by taxi, which is not expensive and you can enjoy a clean beach there, without low tide and turquoise water! The food is good, but not as diverse as I thought! Overall, we like it very much and will definitely come back!👍🏻🤩🥰
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Date of stay: January 2024Trip type: Traveled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Response from Christian Besmehn, General Manager at Karafuu Beach Resort and Spa
Responded 2 weeks ago
Dear Caty, Let us thank you for recommending Karafuu Beach Resort and Spa after the experience you had with us! Our team is happy to note that you enjoyed the beautiful beach, excellent food, bar and unique view. Our team would like to express our gratitude for your positive comments and we would love to have the chance to welcome you back in the nearest future. Kind Regards, Karafuu Management
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
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Nicola S wrote a review Jan 2024
Somerset West, South Africa3 contributions
My fiancé and I visited Karafuu over New Year - a trip that we had planned in March 2023 already. After numerous emails with hotel management, we were pleased upon our arrival to see that all requests had been attended to. Our room was beautiful- sitting on the cliffs with a very clear view of the ocean. The staff were all very friendly and the overall hygiene was impressive. However, it was downhill from there. Our aircon in the room did not work the first night - and as we only arrived at 2am, we were desperate for much-needed sleep which was impossible in the heat and humidity. We complained to management the next day and they sent maintenance to our room to inspect - the answer they gave us was that there was a voltage issue all over Zanzibar and that their generator was not able to meet the requirements 24/7. We asked them to please just keep the generator on during the night as that was when everyone would be in their rooms - but our request fell on deaf ears as we did not sleep yet again. This carried on for another 3 days whereby maintenance kept being sent to our room even though they could not fix the issue. We were highly annoyed as Karafuu is supposedly a 5-Star hotel - but without aircon! My fiancé and I eventually resorted to sleeping outside on the patio with make-shift beds. Really not on!! Luckily it wasn’t mosquito season but we were utterly disgusted about this situation. You cannot not have aircon when you are a 5-star beach resort with >30 degrees Celsius heat and 90% humidity every day! As for the food…. we were expecting fresh seafood every day but were very disappointed with what we were given. None of the seafood was fresh - in fact it smelt so bad that neither my fiancé or I even wanted to eat it. I decided to give it a try on two nights and both times regretted my decision. We both had upset tummies every single day - most likely due to the very poor refrigeration of all the food. On New Year’s Eve, the people sitting next to us threw up due to the rotten shellfish that was served at the buffet - and we had to pay $80 supplement per person! My fiancé ended up having 2 pieces of pineapple for dinner - the most expensive meal we have ever paid for. We chose to do the half board option instead of all-inclusive and just as well because the all-inclusive drink list was so limited that most people had to spend additional money anyway so that they could have what they wanted. All in all, we enjoyed the pool, beach and people but won’t be rushing back to Karafuu. You really need to up your game with basic amenities such as aircon, as well as your food - otherwise you might be down rated to a 3-star hotel in the near future.
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Date of stay: December 2023
Value
Location
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Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Response from Christian Besmehn, General Manager at Karafuu Beach Resort and Spa
Responded 5 weeks ago
Dear Guest, Thank you for taking the time to share your experience following your recent stay at Karafuu over the New Year period. We are glad to hear that your initial impressions of our hotel, from the room's beautiful setting on the cliffs with its ocean view to the friendliness of our staff and the overall hygiene, met your expectations. However, it's with regret that we learn of the challenges you faced during your stay, notably with the air conditioning and dining experience. We sincerely apologize for the discomfort caused by the aircon issue. Despite the broader voltage challenges in Zanzibar, we understand the importance of ensuring our guests' comfort, especially in terms of climate control. We are reviewing our generator capacity and maintenance protocols to prevent such occurrences in the future. Regarding your dining experience, we are truly disheartened to hear that it fell short of expectations, particularly concerning the freshness and quality of the seafood offered. This is certainly not reflective of the high standards we aim to uphold. We are taking immediate steps to address these issues with our culinary team to ensure that all food served is of the highest quality and freshness, especially given our commitment to providing exceptional dining experiences. We appreciate your candid feedback, as it is crucial for us to improve and ensure that all our guests have a memorable and enjoyable stay. We are taking your comments seriously and are committed to making the necessary improvements. While we understand that this stay did not meet your expectations, we hope to have the opportunity to welcome you back in the future to demonstrate the high standards we are known for. Please feel free to reach out to us directly if you would like to discuss your experience further or if there is anything we can do to make amends. Thank you once again for your feedback, and we truly hope this experience will not deter you from visiting us again.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
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LaineyAtlas wrote a review Nov 2023
3 contributions1 helpful vote
The management at this hotel was inattentive and rude. We had a problem with the air conditioning and they did not fix it after saying they would. We had booked late check out and they refused to give it to us and blamed it on the travel agent. They would not let us leave the hotel after making us pay for things they said they would take care of. The staff pretends to not know what they are doing and management doesn’t care. They do not treat Americans well at all even though we were the only ones tipping at the buffet and bar etc. I would suggest people find a different place to stay if they want to enjoy their vacation
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Date of stay: November 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Traveled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Response from Front Office Karafuu, Guest Services / Front Office at Karafuu Beach Resort and Spa
Responded Nov 28, 2023
Dear Lainey Thank you for sharing your experience at Karafuu on TripAdvisor. We always appreciate feedback from our guests, as it helps us in our continuous effort to improve our services. I would like to address your concerns about the air conditioning. Our team typically responds to such issues with urgency, and it's concerning to hear that you felt your situation was not handled adequately. Rest assured, we routinely check and maintain our facilities to prevent and quickly resolve such issues. Regarding the late check-out, this service is generally subject to availability and coordination with travel agents. We endeavor to accommodate such requests whenever possible, and any inability to do so is certainly not a reflection of our desire to provide the best service to our guests. As for your comments about our staff and management, I assure you that our team is trained to be knowledgeable and professional. We take pride in our hospitality and strive to treat every guest with the utmost respect and care. The perception of not being treated well is concerning to us, and while we are confident in our staff's commitment to quality service, we will certainly revisit your feedback with our team. Lastly, the suggestion that we do not treat all our guests equally, regardless of nationality, is taken very seriously. We pride ourselves on our inclusive and welcoming environment. Our staff is trained to provide excellent service to everyone, and tipping, while appreciated, does not influence the quality of service we aim to provide to all our guests. We understand that every guest's experience is subjective, and while we may not agree with all aspects of your review, your feedback is valuable to us. We are committed to ensuring our guests have a pleasant stay, and we hope you will consider us again in the future, giving us the opportunity to provide you with a better experience. Best regards, Management
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
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saida k wrote a review Nov 2023
46 contributions32 helpful votes
Stayed with my family had a great experience.we got rooms just right in the beach ⛱️ was absolutely fantastic 😍 shout out to the animation program and team super cool my husband and son played beach volleyball I did yoga and aqua aerobics was fun ☺️ you also get to have fun as you get to meet friends and connections the evening program for entertainment is great not a boring moment 😄 very friendly staff always ready to help you can also arrange for tours from the hotel we arranged for snorkeling and sunset views by boat just epic 😘
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Date of stay: October 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Traveled with family
Room Tip: Request for rooms far from pool area it gets crowded during the day
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Gabriel G wrote a review Oct 2023
3 contributions2 helpful votes
An awesome place with excellent service, nature and most importantly absolutely nice staff and people. We were 5 adults and 3 kids and each of us enjoyed every single moment. it is hard to name any of the staff there but Marco Charles, one of animators, organizers, simple a person who was everywhere and always when needed by us and especially kids has to be named as a perfect person! Thank you Marco and thank you all Karaffu Beach Resort staff!
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Date of stay: October 2023Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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The_Bulls wrote a review Sep 2023
Haverhill, United Kingdom45 contributions49 helpful votes
The staff are the friendliest and most helpful nothing is too much trouble. The hotel is very clean and tidy. The biggest problem is the mosquitoes. Friends we are travelling with were severely bitten, despite using repellent and even using the local repellent. The repellent in the shop increased in price from $10 to $15 per bottle during our stay. The food is good in the main restaurant, it is closed Mondays and Fridays, where you are invited to eat at the Massai area. Be prepared to be eaten alive. The Al a carte restaurant is ok, but be prepared to wait. We waited an hour for the starters for the 8 of us. The fillet steaks were most definitely not fillet as you couldn't even cut through the sinew and gristle. Our first visit there was for a birthday. They even forgot about the prebooked and paid for cake. Drinks in this restaurant become non inclusive, so we ordered a5 the bar, and the waitress brought them done to us. A little tipping goes a long way. When we checked out, we were informed that we would now have to pay for lunch and any drinks up until the point of departure. This is a first for us, disappointing end to a lovely holiday
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Date of stay: September 2023Trip type: Traveled with friends
Room Tip: Lots of steps, if not very mobile. If getting money on debit/credit card 15% surcharge. When...
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Resort396281 wrote a review Sep 2023
2 contributions
I do not recommend coming to this hotel . The staff there is terrible and makes the whole vacation a ruin. They claim that everything is included in their deal but in fact not everything is included. In their deal they claim that you can eat as much as you want, in reality it's only according to their times, morning, afternoon and evening, it's not all inclusive, it's full board . Same with the alcohol, it's not all inclusive it's just a very small part of their alcohol menu. And also the cheap and disgusting alcohol. The staff pours cursed alcohol and you don't feel well all day. I recommend staying away.
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Date of stay: August 2023Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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PRICE RANGE
$135 - $219 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
ALSO KNOWN AS
karafuu beach hotel pingwe, karafuu hotel beach, karafuu resort beach
LOCATION
TanzaniaZanzibar ArchipelagoZanzibar IslandPingwe
NUMBER OF ROOMS
140
Prices are the average nightly price provided by our partners and may not include all taxes and fees. Taxes and fees that are shown are estimates only. Please see our partners for more details.
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KARAFUU BEACH RESORT AND SPA $114 ($̶1̶4̶1̶) - Updated 2024 Prices & Hotel Reviews - Pingwe, Tanzania

Frequently Asked Questions about Karafuu Beach Resort and Spa
Which popular attractions are close to Karafuu Beach Resort and Spa?
Nearby attractions include The Hub Zanzibar (0.05 miles).
What are some of the property amenities at Karafuu Beach Resort and Spa?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include a swimup bar, free breakfast, and a pool.
Which room amenities are available at Karafuu Beach Resort and Spa?
Top room amenities include air conditioning, a flat screen TV, and a refrigerator.
What food & drink options are available at Karafuu Beach Resort and Spa?
Guests can enjoy a swimup bar, free breakfast, and an on-site restaurant during their stay.
Is parking available at Karafuu Beach Resort and Spa?
Yes, free parking is available to guests.
What are some restaurants close to Karafuu Beach Resort and Spa?
Conveniently located restaurants include Baladin Zanzibar Beach Hotel & Restaurant, Karafuu Hotel Beach Resort Restaurant, and Pandu Ngozi.
Are there opportunities to exercise at Karafuu Beach Resort and Spa?
Yes, guests have access to a pool, a fitness center, and fitness classes during their stay.
Does Karafuu Beach Resort and Spa have airport transportation?
Yes, Karafuu Beach Resort and Spa offers airport transportation for guests. We recommend calling ahead to confirm details.
Are any cleaning services offered at Karafuu Beach Resort and Spa?
Yes, dry cleaning and laundry service are offered to guests.
Does Karafuu Beach Resort and Spa offer any business services?
Yes, it conveniently offers meeting rooms, a banquet room, and conference facilities.
Which languages are spoken by the staff at Karafuu Beach Resort and Spa?
The staff speaks multiple languages, including English, French, German, Italian, Russian, Arabic, and Swahili.