The Aiyana Resort & Spa

In a word … palatial. It’s no exaggeration to say that our 5 night experience was outstanding. The ambience is completely relaxed in what is literally an unspoilt tropical paradise. The hotel design incorporates nature into the architecture. Every aspect, both large scale and detailed has been imaginatively and innovatively thought through. Unlike some hotels where design is a substitute for substance, the Aiyana functions well. Our villa’s terrace with sea view, entrance hall, lounge, huge bedroom, even bigger bath/shower room plus an outdoor shower were all tastefully furnished. The large bed was oh so comfortable. There is a small price to pay for the remote location in that the WiFi needs an in-room router to be reliable and the satellite tv reception is unstable. The tranquil, long, white sand beach is pristine, backed by palms with guests well spaced apart (no rush to reserve a beach umbrella here). The only significant negative factor about the Aiyana is that the pool is ornamental, better for a dip rather than a swim. This is a pity because at anything much less than high tide the warm, clean sea is pretty much inaccessible because of the extensive exposed sharp coral rocks. So near and yet so far from the sea. In any case, bring rubber sea shoes! All the staff were ever helpful, the food was good although not outstanding. Finally our special thanks to Abeid who was hugely supportive, patient and went above and beyond when we needed assistance.

Choosing Pemba: After safari in the Maasai Mara, we wanted to continue our adventure to the beach. Having researched and read lots of reviews about Zanzibar we decided to split our time between the island of Pemba and Zanzibar. Pemba is less developed than Zanzibar with only a handful of hotel options. We chose The Aiyana for the style and designs of the rooms, we were not disappointed. The Aiyana is a carefully thought out and beautifully designed hotel woven into the landscape. Travel: Travelling to Pemba required a hop from the Mara to Nairobi Wilson, a skip to Zanzibar and then a jump to Pemba. On paper we could have done all three flights in one day, however we were advised that African flight times can be subject to change so we did an overnight in Stone Town, and then flew out to Pemba first thing the following morning. Pemba is 30 mins from Zanzibar. Bumpy Road: From Pemba Airport to The Aiyana is 1 1/2hrs by road, and was described as a bumpy road ride, the first hour was on smooth tarmac, and the last 11km took 1/2 hour on pot holed tracks through the rainforest. The journey itself is fascinating glimpse into undisturbed island life. The people of Pemba are known to be friendly and after journeying through countryside and villages we emerged at The Aiyana, hidden along the coast amongst lush tropical rainforest and palm trees. The island is relatively undeveloped and we didn't see any other tourists on our journey, which added to our adventure. Food: The quality of food at The Aiyana was very good and the staff excellent. There is only one restaurant and our meal plan on Full Board included breakfast, lunch and dinner. The Aiyana is incredibly laid back and we could stroll to the restaurant for fresh food, without worrying about the time. The menu has daily specials and mainly focuses on freshly caught fish, with chicken or vegetarian options. Pemba is a farming and fishing island and much of the produce was sourced locally. The staff are truly welcoming, warm and friendly and nothing was too much trouble. Ambience: This truly is a Robinson Crusoe escape. The Aiyana is very quiet - a true paradise. We stayed at the beginning of July, before peak season, and the hotel was quiet. There's no ambient music at The Aiyana it's a place of peace and tranquility. The wifi was intermittent which created a wonderful opportunity to fully engage with our teenage kids and to enjoy this slice of paradise together. The Aiyana is enchanting. The quality of the rooms, service and food was impeccable, whilst it is worth five stars it is not commercial, more for discerning travellers who appreciate the community, nature and being at peace. Perfect for a writer or artist, honeymooners, families or couples looking for nature, peace and tranquility. Rooms: We stayed in the Royal Suite which was truly amazing. The Royal Suite was huge. After a grand entrance, a generous hall offers a window straight onto the villa pool, and beyond to your private ga

We are a family of four and had an extraordinary stay at The Aiyana in Pemba. We indulged in the luxury of Villa 30, which was charming and spectacular. The rooms were jaw-dropping, with high ceilings and top-quality amenities, including coconut-infused shower gels and shampoos. We enjoyed wonderful views out towards the spa island and open ocean. In the evenings, we watched tiny hermit crabs travel across our own slice of beach. Describing the Aiyana without resorting to superlatives is tricky. It;s clear that entire resort has been crafted with meticulous attention to detail. Every design choice, feature, and material seem to have been chosen with care. It's hard to stop taking photos. With each turn around a corner, you are greeted by breathtaking views of palm trees and the pristine beach and ocean. The service from the was friendly and professional and matched the warmth of the resort. We enjoyed eating dinner on the beach and were thrilled by the snorkeling trip to the local reef and breakfast on the sandbar (having travelled by dhow). The Ayiana is truly a slice of barefoot luxury paradise .

Aiyana Hotel is a dream come true. It’s peaceful, authentic, and the perfect place to disconnect from the world. The staff treat you like family, making every moment special. Surrounded by untouched nature, the hotel blends perfectly with the island’s beauty. The food is fresh, the villas are stunning, and the whole experience feels effortless. Whether you’re relaxing by the ocean or watching the sunset, Aiyana is pure magic. If you want to escape and truly unwind, this is the place to be.

Service was bad. Took so so long to get anything. Food, towels, snack, help, anything and everything. The bar tenders were great and I would say for every 5 employees I only enjoyed 1. Some were amazing and fun and sweet and what I expected while everyone else was not. 2/5 because the bad service made our trip frustrating. They also missed small details like towels always being stained and dirty and only 3 sun beds by the pool. Other than that gorgeous place and quiet. The beach was nice and everything was close by but not so crammed that there was lots of overlap between guests. The rooms were nice and always clean and the food was fine. It wasn’t the best vacation food I’ve had but it was good. Either a hit or miss though I experienced with the food. Overall I would maybe recommend to anyone who wants a really quiet vacation. Side note there were a few cats on the property and I LOVED them! Super sweet but loud meowers

A magic environment - a magic place - a magic hotel with a manager and team so kind and cool. Villas are top and very nicely arranged - Atmosphere is so charming and familial. You feel like in your own home !The opposite of the fully included big hotels of Zanzibar.