Best Luxury Hotels & Resorts in Zanzibar
White sand beaches, natural beauty, and a fusion of rich cultural heritages all merge in Zanzibar to create one of Africa’s most alluring islands…and the perfect end to your mainland safari. We’re rounding up some of our top picks for luxury hotels and resorts on Zanzibar.
Tulia Zanzibar
This award-winning hotel is a relaxed, exclusive haven well-known for its attention to detail and excellent food. The lush open spaces and bright, airy villas make it an ideal romantic getaway or honeymoon retreat.
HIGHLIGHTS
- An intimate luxury beachside resort with sixteen cottages bungalows and villas, ranging from seafront to garden views.
- Tulia provides a private assistant for all guests for a seamless, personalized experience that’s never overbearing.
- Guests can enjoy complimentary equipment rental (including kayaks, e-scooters, and paddleboards) or yoga or fitness sessions at the gym, and honeymooners can enjoy complimentary room service and a dinner under the stars. All guests receive a complimentary first massage.
- Dip into the resort’s pool, which is flanked by side-by-side waterslides and is surrounded by palm trees, overlooking the ocean.
- Every evening offers different entertainment in the main lounge area, ranging from lively local bands to a traditional Maasai cultural performance, showcasing vibrant East African cultures.
Qambani
This intimate resort perfectly marries high-end design with island leisure. Set on the tip of the secluded Michamvi peninsula, Qambani overlooks both the Indian Ocean and Chwaka Bay. From its stunning private villas to expansive common areas and personalized service, there’s plenty for guests to enjoy.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Each of the six thatched villa is unique in design, offering an array of options for couples, families, and solo travelers. All villas offer sea views and generous living areas.
- A sumptuous communal area includes a spacious living room that opens onto sun-drenched terraces, a top-end kitchen, and multiple breezy dining spaces.
- When not lounging on the beach, guests can peel off at sunset to the sundowner rooftop, enjoy a movie in the entertainment room, or work out in the gym.
- Kitesurfing, paddle boarding, kayaking, snorkeling, and diving are all on the menu of watersports that can be arranged during your stay…or simply relax with a picnic on a sandbank or a leisurely dhow cruise.
White Sands Luxury Villas
Located near the bustling village of Paje, Zanzibar White Sands Luxury Villas & Spa beckons to travelers looking for beachside relaxation. The inviting, minimalist design merges modern style with island indulgence, and the hotel is one of the smaller high-end resorts on the island.
HIGHLIGHTS
- 11 private villas offer one-, two-, or five-bedroom configurations. Each villa has a spacious lounge and dining area, private outdoor terrace or balcony, and private pool. Guests can reserve individual rooms or an entire villa.
- Three Cinnamon Rooms are set futher back on the property, offering ensuite accommodations but without the private outdoor & indoor living spaces found at the villas.
- Designed with sustainable use of natural resources in mind, White Sands produces much of its own furniture on site, and a vegetable garden supplies fresh produce for the restaurant.
- Relax and enjoy island living at the main lounge bar and restaurant, or take a dip at the resort’s main pool. Families can also enjoy the nearby children’s pool and playground for the little ones.
- An open-air gym, beautiful spa, and numerous water activities round out the resort’s offerings.
The Residence Zanzibar
Regularly regarded as one of the most luxe properties on the island, The Residence consists entirely of private villas nestled in a stunning 80 acres of gardens on Zanzibar’s southwestern coast. An abundance of activities—including visits with the famous dolphins of nearby Kizimkazi—and tranquil, elegant accommodations make The Residence a favorite of both families and couples alike.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Guests can make themselves at home in the resort’s 66 luxuriously-appointed private villas with garden or ocean views, private terraces, and plunge pools—all set on a mile-long stretch of beachfront.
- Each villa includes its own bicycles for guests to explore the expansive gardens and resort’s surroundings.
- A host of water activities await, including kite surfing, paddle boarding, kayaking, scuba diving, deep sea fishing, or a traditional Dhow cruise.
- The resort offers a spacious spa, gym, glass-sided beachfront infinity pool, and 150-meter jetty that transforms into a lounge bar in the evenings, complete with cocktails and canapes at sunset.
- Families will enjoy the spacious, air-conditioned kids’ club, where complimentary activities range from cooking classes to volleyball games with the resort’s friendly, multilingual staff.
Zuri Zanzibar
Zuri Zanzibar is a modern hotel with stylish accommodations and a finely tuned emphasis on wellness. Sumptuous rooms paired with regular yoga classes and the lively atmosphere of Kendwa beach makes for a unique and reinvigorating luxury resort.
HIGHLIGHTS
- The resort’s 56 rooms are tucked away in a large tropical garden, just a short walk away from the Indian Ocean.
- The rooms are decorated in captivating blend of contemporary and local style, and range from cozy bungalows to exclusive suites and spacious oceanfront villas.
- The MAUA Wellness spa and salon offers facials, massages, and more. Yoga, meditation, and fitness classes are offered daily at the resort’s yoga deck and lush gardens.
- Guests can enjoy the multiple onsite restaurants and bars, and even opt to take in Zuri’s beloved DJ sundowners with DJ or local live band on the beachfront.
Kilindi Zanzibar
Originally designed for Benny Anderson of the 1970s pop group ABBA, Kilindi Zanzibar strikes an unusual note, as it manages combines pristine elegance and luxury without ever being pretentious. Think domed Pavilions with arched windows dotting the hillside overlooking the beach, and you’ll just begin to imagine the delights of Kilindi.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Sweeping white architecture set on 50 acres of lush island gardens creates a sense of “barefoot luxury” and connection with nature.
- The fifteen spacious and secluded white-domed Pavilion rooms have a private plunge pool, butler service, rainfall shower rooms, and ocean views. White-slatted shutters and glassless arched windows offer breezy elegance.
- At the main pavilion, guests can dine on the outdoor terrace or directly on the beach, or enjoy a drink at the ‘waterfall’ bar overlooking the resort’s the infinity pool.
- This tranquil property is part of the well-respected Elewana Collection and has a minimum age requirement of 16 years.
Baraza
Steeped in classic Swahili style, Baraza is an all-inclusive resort set along a stretch of white-sand beach on the southeast coast of Zanzibar. The top-notch modern, stylish villas evoke Zanzibar’s rich heritage, and a bevy of offerings from watersports to wellness treatments means the days are never dull.
HIGHLIGHTS
- 30 chic villas range from garden view to ocean view, and include much-appreciated luxuries such as a walk-in dressing room, private terrace, and plunge pool.
- Watersports await at The Seaside Club, where guests can enjoy reef walking, kite surfing, sailing, and more, as well as diving excursions with the Rising Sun Dive Centre, a PADI 5* diving school.
- Enjoy lunch at the Ocean Lounge, pre-dinner cocktails at the Dhahabu Bar, and meals at the Livingstone Terrace or Sultans Dining Room, which takes advantage of the island’s abundance of fresh seafood.
- The intimate villas and high-end style will appeal to couples, while families will appreciate the spacious two-bedroom villas and medley of activities and games at the Baraza Kids’ Club.
Breezes Beach Club
One of the larger resorts on Zanzibar, Breezes boasts a lively atmosphere, excellent facilities, and traditional Zanzibari character paired with a beautiful setting on the island’s eastern coast. It’s an excellent choice for families and active couples looking for a resort with plenty of offerings.
HIGHLIGHTS
- With 70 rooms tucked among garden bungalows, guests can choose between standard rooms (with terrace and garden view), deluxe rooms (closer to the sea), and suites (on the upper floor, with larger terrace and private sunbathing area).
- As a family-owned resort, Breezes retains more character than some of the larger internationally-owned hotels on the island, despite its size.
- Three different restaurants and four bars mean plenty of options for dining. Couples can also enjoy private beachfront dining at The Tides, which offers an intimate dinner for two with personalized service overlooking the Indian Ocean.
- Relax and enjoy wellness treatments at the Frangipani Spa, where facials, massages, and meditation are just a sampling of the items on the menu. The Water Club offers numerous water sports and activities, and diving can be arranged through the PADI 5* Rising Sun Dive Centre.
Zawadi
Zawadi epitomizes beachfront elegance, with twelve spacious villas sitting atop a cliff overlooking the Indian Ocean from Zanzibar’s east coast. Designed in a neutral, Swahili- and island-inspired style, the resort offers captivating views, prime location, and attentive service.
HIGHLIGHTS
- The twelve private, breezy villas include a private terrace, seating area, and private plunge pools facing the ocean.
- The white sand beach at the center of the property offers swimming throughout the day and snorkeling straight from the beach, and guests can relax by the resort’s main pool, as well.
- Guests have their pick of multiple dining spaces, including the beach bar and restaurant, formal dining room, and lounge & bar.
- As an adult-only hotel, Zawadi has a minimum age requirement of 16 years.
- Part of Zanzibar Collection, guests can enjoy the facilities at its sister hotels, Baraza and Breezes. This includes wellness treatments at the Frangipani Spa or diving excursions with the Rising Sun Dive Centre, a PADI 5* diving school.
Xanadu
Xanadu has mastered the exotic boutique experience, with a selection of private villas set against the palm-fringed beach of Zanzibar’s eastern coast. The resort’s high standards for service, outstanding dining, and spectacular accommodations make it an excellent choice for island-goers.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Six one- or two-story private villas feature bespoke furniture, private terraces, and plunge pools. All are individually designed, constructed with organic curves and with nature in mind. Private butler service—attentive without ever being overbearing—means guests’ needs are carefully catered for.
- A central lounge with soaring thatched roof and main pool offer a magical atmosphere, especially when outdoor string lights cast their ambient glow over the grounds in the evening. Guests can also opt to dine in-room or on the wooden deck overlooking the beach.
- Enjoy wellness treatments at the Kiota Spa, located just steps from the beach with views of the ocean.
- Hammocks strung between trees along the white-sand beach offer space for lounging, and lounge chairs are shaded by thatched umbrellas. The classic menu of watersports is available, and diving can be arranged through the PADI-affiliated Buccaneer Diving Centre.
Heading to Tanzania? Start with a mainland safari and add on a Zanzibar extension to explore Stone Town and the island’s coast.
Every Hornbill safari is customized to meet your travel needs, so contact us to create your own personalized experience.
