We first fell in love with Pongwe as we walked from reception into the lounge area to enjoy a welcome cocktail and got a first glimpse of the beach – a jaw-droppingly beautiful little cove of perfect white, fluffy sand liberally sprinkled with picture-perfect palm trees and hordes of scurrying ghost crabs. Quite simply this has to rate as perhaps the most beautiful beach on the entire island!

And it’s this beach that will dominate your stay at this blissfully isolated little lodge of 16 simple bungalows. Take a good novel and flop into one of the many loungers and hammocks-for-two scattered on the sands and get yourself a decent helping of sun-worshipping. When it all gets too much either retreat into the welcome shade offered by the palms or better still take a dip in the azure waters of the bay. If you've worked up a thirst then simply plunge the little red flag thoughfully provided to you into the sand and - hey presto! - a waiter promptly appears to take your order!a jaw-droppingly beautiful little cove of perfect white, fluffy sand liberally sprinkled with picture-perfect palm trees and hordes of scurrying ghost crabs

When people talk about rooms being “on the beach” they must have had Pongwe in mind! The 16 bungalows lie curved around the little cove and it’s simply a case of walking off your porch directly onto some of the softest, whitest sand you’ll find anywhere on the planet! The rooms themselves are clustered together in little semi-detached units of 2 or 3 rooms that are reached via a short stroll down winding sandy paths from the main lodge – don’t be concerned about being disturbed by your neighbours though, as the walls are so thick we never heard a peep from the room next door when we stayed there. As you’d expect at this price the rooms are quite simply decorated - yet they’re relatively spacious and very clean with terrazzo floors, cooling ceiling fans and comfortable mosquito-net covered Zanzibari four poster beds decorated prettily with fresh flower blossoms.

Like all the lodges of the East Coast, the beach here at Pongwe is affected significantly by the tide – the good news is that a new swimming pool stunningly perched on a low cliff overlooking the beach offers all day relief from the heat. A large makuti-thatched structure houses the sociable bar as well as a lounge area with comfortable, chunky seating and the dining area.

The food at Pongwe boasts an enviable reputation, which is a good thing given that there are no other restaurants nearby! A favourite amongst honeymooners, Pongwe gets consistent rave reviews on travel review website tripadvisor.com. And little wonder, because for romantics looking for a great value beach holiday there’s little to touch it!

Stunningly beautiful beach setting – in our opinion the finest in Zanzibar

Literally stumble from your room direct onto the soft sands of the beach

Loads of hammocks & loungers make it easy to find the perfect spot on the beach

Unfailingly friendly and helpful staff

Superb new swimming pool means relief is on hand no matter what the tides

Unbelievably popular with honeymooners in particular - so often tough to find availability - book well in advance!

Wonderful setting probably deserves premium quality accommodation (those of us on a budget certainly won't be complaining though!)

Isolated position means it’s not for party animals