Reef & Beach Resort Spa Jambiani

As a family , traveling with adults and a tween we had an amazing time. We loved the different spaces to spend time. The pools, the beach, the Jetty bar and the ocean. The staff were amazing and the food was fantastic. We were served ample drinks on the full package. We all want to return as soon as possible.

Definitely recommend! Having been fortunate enough to travel around Zanzibar, this was definitely my favourite stop! Firstly all the stuff are so lovely, helpful and welcoming. The location in Jambiani is fantastic, the food (in comparison to other 4* hotels) is amazing. 3 different restaurants and even the buffet lunch (usually the weakest meal) was delightful. The jetty onlooking the sea is amazing to spend the entire day and view sunrise and sunset from. The room was very spacious, clean, and bathroom was excellent. I implore people to book here.

⭐️ Reef & Beach Resort, Zanzibar 🇹🇿 Our family spent 8 truly blissful nights here—including our 5-month-old baby’s first resort experience—and everything about Reef & Beach felt peaceful, welcoming, and personal. We arrived at 3am after a rough 1.5-hour drive from the airport, and were immediately assisted with kindness and efficiency. Within minutes, we were in our oceanfront room-clean, modern, and brand new, which set the tone for a relaxing stay. Food was generous and varied. Breakfast at Makuti had an international buffet and plenty to choose from, though we wished for more juice options—orange juice was the only one, and it was watered down. Lunch and supper gave us choices between Makuti again or reservations at Bahari (Indian cuisine) and Peponi (Italian). Bahari offered lunch buffets with great variety, while Peponi delivered fresh Italian dishes. A small disappointment: dessert at Bahari stayed the same every night whilst this wasn’t the case at the other two restaurants. We mostly ate at Bahari because it was on top of our room and wasn’t as full and crowded as the Makuti restaurant ✍️ Special mention to Julius and Naseeb at Bahari—true stars. They always made us feel cared for, and were fantastic with our baby, often checking in, offering gentle service, and going above and beyond ❤️ Snacks at Mango Bar from 11am and 3pm were perfect little bites between meals. You could always count on something fresh and satisfying during those craving hours. The jetty pier is absolutely what sets this resort apart—breathtaking views, beautiful for sunrise or sunset, and essential for low tide ocean access. We did notice that guests reserved sunbeds early despite signage, and that wasn’t enforced. The tides changed daily, which gave us completely different views of the Indian Ocean each day. Low tide allowed for long peaceful walks and the opportunity to spot sea life—we even saw a starfish up close! 🌊⭐ The Maasai vendors during low tide were mostly friendly, simply inviting us to browse their shops, though after a few approaches it could feel repetitive. A quick chat usually did the trick. The resort itself is very well maintained and clearly undergoing upgrades. Our oceanfront room had everything brand new. The only drawback was carrying our stroller up and down the first floor daily—there are no ramps or lifts, which could be challenging for families or guests with mobility needs. Power went a few times a day, but came back quickly. The emergency room lights worked well, and mosquito spray plus turndown service added a nice touch of care. A huge thanks to Jihane at guest relations—always smiling, always happy to check in on us, making us feel like nothing was too much to ask 😊 Entertainment was authentic and fun. Two clean pools, a decent gym, and night performances from the animation team that brought Zanzibar’s spirit to life. Our little one especially loved Marry, the supervisor—she had the biggest smile and connected with us warmly. Now for the stars of the show: the red colobus monkeys! 🐒 We were lucky to spot them daily—playful, cheeky, and unbelievably entertaining. They didn’t touch our things, and felt like part of the resort’s rhythm. Watching them bounce through the mangroves and pool areas honestly became a family ritual. Our baby would watch attentively just seeing them leap and entertain. Their presence added a special kind of joy to our trip. One didn’t need to travel specially to Jozini Forest to see them. We booked excursions through Crab Tours, and pricing was still pricy for South Africans, the experience didn’t include bottled water, which was disappointing. Overall, Reef & Beach gave us space to fully relax and connect as a family. The all-inclusive package was worth it, especially since things outside are pricier and the resort is quite far from other areas. If you’re looking for a calm, baby-friendly and family oriented experience stay that still feels magical - this is it! Hakuna Matata!