Breezes Beach Club & Spa Zanzibar

Angie Messeguer

We chose this hotel for our holiday getaway and it turned out to be an excellent decision. The atmosphere was warm and festive, and the hotel itself is beautifully designed and very well maintained. Our room was spotless and comfortable, and the common areas and facilities never felt overcrowded, even during the busiest days. What really stood out was the level of hospitality. The staff were consistently friendly and efficient, and it was clear that guest experience is a top priority here. Management was very visible and approachable, creating a welcoming and well-organized environment throughout the hotel. Thank you Luca and Agustina! A fantastic place to relax and celebrate a special time of year. I would happily stay here again and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it to others.

Tammy Dukette

While Breezes Spa & Resort benefits from a lovely setting and dedicated frontline staff, our stay was undermined by leadership decisions and interactions. The grounds are beautifully maintained, and the frontline staff were consistently helpful, warm, and engaging. As a group, we genuinely enjoyed our interactions with many staff members, and their professionalism reflected the spirit of hospitality one hopes for. Unfortunately, leadership—specifically Augustina—demonstrated a tone that was rude, defensive, and lacking in empathy. Upon arrival, my sister requested a wheelchair for my husband, who has experienced two strokes. Augustina responded by stating that the room was “close,” though in reality we passed two to three buildings to reach it. During this time, we observed guests without mobility challenges being assigned rooms much closer to central areas. It was only after my sister addressed the matter privately that our room was reassigned. That level of advocacy should not have been necessary, particularly given the clearly communicated medical needs. On several occasions, Augustina also directed logistical matters to the larger group rather than communicating through the designated point of contact. With 19 people in our group, this created ongoing confusion and placed an unnecessary burden on guests. These were operational issues that should have been managed internally. To be clear, the issue was not the staff—they were excellent. The concern was leadership. Hospitality depends not only on systems and processes, but on empathy, clarity, and approachability. Based on Augustina’s behavior throughout our stay, I made a conscious decision to leave my concerns for this review rather than pursue them further on site. I could not reasonably expect that escalating concerns to a supervisor or manager—given the tone and demeanor we experienced—would lead to meaningful resolution in real time. Sharing this feedback publicly felt more appropriate, both as a record of our experience and as a way to offer transparency for future guests who may encounter similar treatment. I also anticipate that any response to this review may be defensive in tone, as that was consistently how concerns were met during our stay. I acknowledge that I relied on the Breezes brand and expected the level of leadership and guest care I have experienced at Breezes properties elsewhere in the world. Unfortunately, that standard was not reflected here. Augustina did not provide the reassurance or professionalism expected of someone in a leadership role. My primary concern ultimately centered on a lack of clarity around the structure and rules of the property, compounded by an inflexible and defensive leadership approach. With stronger leadership, this could have been an exceptional experience. As it stands, the disconnect between the excellence of the staff and the conduct of leadership was difficult to overlook. Oh...they charge for drinking water. I have never been anywhere that it was advised NOT to drink water from the sink and had to pay for water to drink! That was disgusting!

Hanna Norman

We had an absolutely amazing time at Breezes Beach Club. From the moment we arrived, everything felt effortless and relaxed. The managers were incredibly welcoming and clearly take great pride in running the place, you really feel that attention to detail throughout the stay. The service was excellent across the board: friendly, attentive, and always with a smile. It’s one of those places where you can truly switch off and just enjoy yourself. We left feeling refreshed and already talking about when we can come back.

Ann Dukette

I am leaving a one-star review after careful reflection. My intention is not to criticize unnecessarily, but to share how the experience revealed itself over time. As the stay unfolded, a pattern emerged in how situations were managed, particularly when flexibility or discretion was required. A change to a planned beach party offered an early indication of this. Although a host had been clearly identified as the point of contact for matters related to our larger group, the issue was brought directly to the group by Augustina, the Assistant Director of Operations. Rather than feeling coordinated, the approach felt unsettling and placed guests in the middle of what should have been an internal discussion. Over time, interactions with leadership followed a similar rhythm. Conversations felt guarded and procedural, with a noticeable hesitancy to accommodate. The tone was firm and, at moments, aggressive, turning simple exchanges into extended back-and-forth discussions. This created a sense of tension that lingered throughout the stay. I also became aware of a policy requiring management to be notified if guests wished to give gifts or tip staff in cash. While policies are understandable, this one further reinforced the impression that staff operated with limited autonomy. Rather than empowering employees to accept gestures of appreciation naturally, the policy underscored a broader culture of oversight and control. There were also small but telling details in the guest rooms that stood out. Basic amenities one might reasonably expect were absent, including any body lotion. Drinking water was not complimentary and was charged separately, which felt inconsistent with expectations for a resort stay and added to the sense of constraint rather than care. Additional observations reinforced this impression. Uniforms varied noticeably depending on role. Grounds workers wore shirts that appeared worn and discolored, while staff in registration and other front-facing roles were consistently presented in clean, well-maintained attire. The contrast suggested uneven standards and a visible hierarchy that felt at odds with a cohesive hospitality experience. Many individual staff members were polite and clearly making an effort within their roles. Still, it became apparent that decision-making was tightly managed and flexibility was constrained. The cumulative effect was an atmosphere that felt rigid rather than welcoming. By the end of the stay, what stood out most was not a single incident, but the absence of ease. Hospitality should feel thoughtful and generous, especially in a destination as special as Zanzibar. Unfortunately, this experience felt controlled and restrained. Zanzibar itself is extraordinary. Regrettably, this resort did not reflect that same spirit.

Theritha Martin

My stay at Breezes Zanzibar was deeply underwhelming. The rooms were mediocre, the food was average at best, and the amenities failed to meet expectations. Most troubling, however, was what appeared to be a caste-like system upheld by management. We were initially met by Augustina, who seemed uncomfortable managing a large, diverse group and was consistently unaccommodating to even basic requests. As our stay continued, it became clear that she deliberately avoided direct interaction with our group while simultaneously monitoring us from a distance. Instead of addressing our needs, she appeared to delegate responsibility to the restaurant manager, effectively forcing him to manage both his role and our group simultaneously. The staff, in general, seemed hesitant to speak freely, creating an atmosphere that felt restrictive and oppressive. Over time, as they grew more comfortable with us, they became warmer and more genuine—ultimately the highlight of our stay. Overall, Breezes Zanzibar felt unwelcoming and outdated, particularly in how guests are treated. Until the resort meaningfully addresses issues of equality, inclusivity, and management culture, I cannot recommend it and will not be returning.