The Aiyana Resort & Spa

Aiyana Resort Hotel provides an immaculately clean environment, friendly staff, and stunning beachfront location. The spacious rooms and amazing facilities ensure a memorable and relaxing stay.

The Aiyana on Pemba Island is a fantastic hotel that impressed us on every level. The rustic and unique style blends perfectly with the island’s landscape. The grounds, gardens, and public areas (such as the bar and restaurant) are well-maintained and give a high-quality impression. The beach is stunning, and the sea is one of the most beautiful we have ever seen. Locals, especially children, often walked by the beach. They didn’t beg but kept a close eye on the items by the sunbeds. In particular, Villa 1 has had recurring issues with children entering the garden and begging for money or other items, according to an employee. The food was excellent. Breakfast was à la carte, as was dinner. The beach dinner was our favorite, and we enjoyed it three times during our ten-day stay. Unfortunately, almost every dish was prepared with coriander (without noting it on the menu) – we dislike coriander, so this was frustrating. The same applied to the breakfast juices, which were often made with ginger. However, the variety of dishes and portion sizes were more than sufficient. The cocktails at the bar are also highly recommended. However, the drinks, especially mixed drinks and wines, are quite expensive. An Aperol Spritz costs $12, and a glass of white wine starts at $12 – definitely not worth the price in our opinion. The villas are beautiful, clean, and cozy. Our villa (number 13) had a veranda where we enjoyed the sunset every day. During our stay, we had to request repairs in our villa four times. They were minor issues and were fixed quickly, but you can tell that the villas are starting to show their age. The staff were very friendly and attentive. At every encounter, we were asked the same questions: “How are you?” and “How was your day?” This happened regardless of the situation and could get annoying when answering the same questions six times on the way to dinner. Less is more here, and a simple greeting would often have sufficed. A few additional points we want to mention: • The Wi-Fi is the worst we have ever experienced while traveling. Both in the villa and the restaurant, it was extremely slow. Simple Google searches took several minutes or didn’t work at all (tested on iPhone 14/15, iPad). There is a separate Wi-Fi network by the bar, but none of the staff could provide the password. We assume it’s not much better than the other Wi-Fi. • The hotel-arranged airport transfer is also very expensive, costing $112 per person (round trip). For us, that was $224 in total. • There are two different price lists for the spa treatments. The cheaper option for a 90-minute massage is $90, while the more expensive one is $115. Note: Honeymoon guests receive a 30% discount. • The spa and gym are hidden on the left side of the grounds (from an overhead view). However, the gym is not a real gym but a small building with only a few items suitable for floor exercises. • At breakfast, dinner, and in the villa, drinking water is free and replenishe

As previous reviews rightly say it is difficult to describe Aiyana without superlatives. It is a piece of paradise on Earth. Not only a breathtakingly beautiful place but also a resort with a soul. We will always remember the friendly staff and the hospitality of Mr Ashok. I would like to highlight 3 points that made my stay even more memorable: 1) sunrise yoga in front of our villa: an arbor covered with bougainvillea, blue sky & azure water, birds singing 2) massage on a small rock in the ocean: light breeze, the sound of waves splashing 3) BBQ dinner on the beach: the best grilled octopus ever!