When you’re staying on an island like Zanzibar, the hotel you choose can honestly make or break the whole experience. And TUI BLUE Bahari didn’t just make my trip, it became the trip.
This place gave me the kind of slow, easy moments I didn’t even realise I needed. Dreamy island energy, warm ocean swims, salty hair, barefoot mornings, and those simple little experiences that somehow stay with you long after you’ve unpacked your suitcase back home.
If I’m being real, this trip felt a little doomed before I even got on the flight. Stress, delays, life admin, and an absolute bullshit situation that tried to ruin my holiday. But the second I stepped into this easy-living island bubble, something shifted. My 99 problems didn’t magically disappear, but they definitely went quiet for a while.
TUI BLUE Bahari gently forced me to slow down, take it all in, and actually live in the moment instead of rushing through it.
So if you’re planning a Zanzibar getaway and wondering whether TUI BLUE Bahari is worth it, here’s everything you need to know from my stay, the good, the beautiful, and all the little details you actually care about.
The Location Lowdown
TUI BLUE Bahari Zanzibar is tucked away on the north-east coast of the island, in a quiet area called Kiwengwa, which is perfect if you’re after relaxed, resort-style vibes instead of busy streets and chaos.
It’s about an hour’s drive from Stone Town and the airport, which honestly feels like the perfect distance. Far enough to feel like you’ve properly escaped real life, but not so far that you start questioning your decisions halfway there.
Once you arrive, it’s all long stretches of beach, turquoise water, and that peaceful island energy where your biggest problem of the day is deciding between the pool or the ocean first (a very real daily struggle, by the way).
What I loved most about the location is how calm and untouched it feels. No crowds, no noise, no rush. Just palm trees, ocean views, and that soft Zanzibar breeze that makes you forget emails, deadlines, and responsibilities even exist.
That alone already felt like therapy.
First Impressions & The Vibe
From the moment I arrived, TUI BLUE Bahari felt calm, beautiful, and exactly what I needed. You know that feeling when you walk into a place and your shoulders drop without you even realising they were tense? That was me.
Everything about the resort invites you to slow down. The open spaces, ocean views, and the way time suddenly feels less urgent, it’s like the island quietly tells you to stop rushing and just exist for a bit.
The vibe is relaxed luxury, nothing flashy or overdone. Just stylish, airy, and perfectly in tune with its surroundings. It doesn’t try too hard, and that’s what makes it so good.
It’s the kind of place where you’re not trying to do too much. You’re just there to enjoy the moment, pool, ocean, sunset, repeat. And somehow, you forget what day it is.
The Room Situation
The moment you walk in, the room just works. Bright, airy, spacious, and effortlessly comfortable. Soft natural tones and subtle beachy details make it feel like home, but in that “I’m on holiday and don’t have to lift a finger” kind of way.
We stayed in the newer section, a little removed from the main action, which ended up being perfect. Quiet, peaceful, like our own private oasis tucked inside the resort.
The bathroom deserves a mention too. Modern, clean, and spacious with a walk-in shower that hits just right after a day of sun and salt. That little hit of fresh hotel vibes is one of those details you actually notice when it matters.
But the real star is the balcony. Complete with an egg chair that became my personal chill zone. I spent hours there with a book, letting the ocean breeze do its thing, and doing absolutely nothing, which, let’s be real, is exactly the point of a holiday.
The bars are great too, especially for those of us who don’t drink alcohol. Mocktails for days. I’m talking colourful drinks, fun umbrellas, and zero hangovers. Basically the universe saying, “Yes, you can have a cocktail vibe without needing your liver to sign off.”
One of my favourite things was the once-a-week pool and beach dinner. It feels extra special and is perfect for taking those slow island moments to the next level. Imagine the sun setting, the waves crashing, and you with a plate of food you didn’t have to cook while pretending you’re in a travel magazine.
Let’s Talk Food
TUI BLUE Bahari is all-inclusive, which basically means you don’t have to think about anything except whether to eat by the pool, the beach, or in your room. And trust me, you will think about that a lot.
There are a few different restaurants to choose from. The main buffet serves everything from fresh tropical fruit and pastries in the mornings to grilled seafood, curries, pasta, and local-inspired dishes for dinner. Then there’s the Italian spot with pizza and pasta that somehow tastes even better with an ocean view, and the seafood grill for evenings when you feel fancy but not too fancy.
Breakfast deserves its own shoutout. Endless choices, all fresh and delicious, and the kind of spread that makes you want to get up early just to stare at it. Smoothies, tropical fruit, pastries, eggs your way, local treats, and coffee that actually wakes you up. I may have had seconds… or thirds.
The food at TUI BLUE Bahari isn’t trying too hard, it just works. Fresh, abundant, fun, and perfect for slowing down and enjoying the little things. By the end of the week you might feel like a local, a chef, and a professional food taster all at once.
Pool, Beach & Doing Nothing
This is where TUI BLUE Bahari really shows off.
The resort has a few different pools, all spaced out nicely so it never feels crowded or chaotic. Some days were for proper lounging, floating around with zero plans, and other days were for dipping in and out between sunbathing and snack breaks. Very demanding holiday schedule.
And then there’s the beach. White sand, clear turquoise water, and the kind of ocean that makes you forget every beach you’ve ever been to before. It’s right on your doorstep, so you can literally move from pool to sea in under a minute, which felt dangerously convenient.
Mornings were for long beach walks and salty swims, afternoons were for shade and doing absolutely nothing, and evenings were for sunset views that make you stop mid-conversation just to stare for a bit.
Everything about it feels easy and unforced. No loud party energy, no fighting for sunbeds, just calm island vibes and that soft Zanzibar breeze reminding you that real life can wait.
By the end of the trip, my routine was simple. Pool, ocean, repeat. And honestly, I could live like that.
Keeping Busy, or Doing Nothing
TUI BLUE Bahari strikes that sweet spot between having plenty to do and never making you feel like you should be doing any of it.
During the day, there’s a good mix of relaxed and hands on activities if you’re in the mood. Think pool time, beach walks, non motorised water sports, beach volleyball, and even little experiences like learning how to weave palm tree leaves. There are intro scuba diving lessons for beginners too, which is perfect if you’ve always been curious but not ready to go full ocean explorer. Some days I was fully booked with swimming, eating, and lying down. A very demanding schedule.
Evenings keep the same easy energy. Movie nights and gentle entertainment create just enough atmosphere without taking over the resort. It’s the kind of vibe where you can enjoy it with a mocktail in hand, or happily wander off to bed without feeling like you’re missing out.
What really stood out is how unforced everything felt. You could join in, sit it out, or fully disappear into your own little holiday bubble and no one bats an eyelid. It works beautifully for couples, solo travellers, and anyone craving a proper break without a packed itinerary.
It’s not a party resort, and that’s exactly the point. This is the kind of place where you slow down, switch off, and move at your own pace, whether that means doing everything on offer or absolutely nothing at all.
Happily Ever Zanzibar
TUI BLUE Bahari ended up being everything I didn’t know I needed. Slow mornings, ocean swims, balcony book sessions, and long meals that didn’t make me feel rushed, it all comes together in a way that makes you breathe a little easier and actually live in the moment.
The resort hits the sweet spot between calm and activity. You can join in on movie nights, palm leaf weaving, intro scuba lessons, beach volleyball, or non-motorised water sports if you’re feeling it. Or you can do absolutely nothing and no one will blink. That kind of freedom is rare, and it makes the holiday feel effortless.
If you’re planning a Zanzibar getaway, this is a stay that lets you switch off, reset, and just soak in the island vibes. I left feeling lighter, recharged, and already plotting my return. Truly, it’s a little slice of happily ever after.
xoxo Ash
Till My Next Destination
