Zawadi Hotel, Zanzibar

Experience: From the moment we arrived, it was clear that this wasn’t just a hotel—it was an experience. Every detail of our stay was meticulously thought out, ensuring we felt pampered, relaxed, and truly valued as guests. Our every need was preempted. Arrival & Check-In: The experience began with an authentic and genuine warm welcome from the staff, who greeted us by name and offered a refreshing welcome drink while handling our luggage. Check-in was seamless and swift, and we were shown immediately to our room albeit we arrived early at just 10 am, following an overnight flight. Noa the Assistant Manager explained everything we needed to know about our room, ensuring we were well-informed without feeling rushed. The Room: Our villa was simply breathtaking, blending modern design of a calming neutral palette with timeless Zanzibar elegance. Floor-to-ceiling windows offered panoramic views from the super king size bed, over the most beautiful sea we have ever seen. The bed itself was a cloud of comfort, and the personalized welcome note, alongside a complimentary bottle of champagne, was a truly lovely touch. The bathroom was a spa-like sanctuary, complete with a large separate shower and deep soaking tub, with luxurious toiletries respecting the environment with limited plastic. Dining: Every meal was included in the room price and was a five course culinary masterpiece prepared by the hotel’s Kenyan chef. The breakfast was all made with fresh, high-quality ingredients much of which is grown on site. The lunch and dinner is five courses and can only be described as an unforgettable experience. Every dish was beautifully plated and paired perfectly with wines recommended by Bernard the sommelier and served by the kindest of staff. Live music in keeping with the evening beauty of the resort accompanied us twice during our eight day stay. Service: The service at the Zawadi was something we will never forget. It was impeccable throughout. Every staff member we encountered was beyond courteous, attentive, and genuinely eager to ensure our stay was flawless. They anticipated our needs before we even voiced them and went above and beyond to make us feel incredibly special. We have never encountered such hospitality in decades of travel. One evening after a day safari on mainland Tanzania, we returned to discover the staff had organised a private dinner overlooking the sea for us. We will never forget that evening. Amenities: The hotel offers daily snorkelling trips at no cost which can’t be missed. They provide reef shoes and snorkelling equipment. Unlike many hotels in Zanzibar there is always the possibility to swim in the sea here. Evelyn and Noa the management team can also organise trips to Stone Town, airport transfers, and day safaris on the mainland. The hotel also has a very small spa room offering massage. Fitness enthusiasts will appreciate the gym, equipped with everything needed for a great workout albeit in a small space.

I have spent 50 years travelling the world on business and on family holidays - I had never been to Tanzania or Zanzibar before. I am struggling to think of a more beautiful place to stay than Zawadi or more naturally friendly staff. Bernard and Isaac stood out. This despite the tail of a Cyclone when we arrived and the obvious low per capita income visible on the roads from the airport - think Indian countryside and Mombasa suburbs. - the Tanzanian people seem genuinely happier than in most African countries I have been to.

We stayed in Zawadi for three nights and I have to say the place is amazing. Especially the villas are stunning. Service by the managers is excellent. Very attentive and keen on making sure that guests are having a wonderful time. There are two restaurants, one for breakfast and lunch and one for dinner, a but more formal. Service is good, but quite often waiters forget things, or it takes a long time for them to attend you. We sat down in the bar after dinner and waited for 20 minutes to be attended. After we got a drink, all staff disappeared. We wanted a refill, but there was no staff. After 10 minutes, I pored ourselves a drink and we left for the room. Foodwise, there is really room for improvement. Food is not so good at sometimes. Breakfast is mediocre. Muesli was a bowl of tasteless dust. (Why not make granola) Strange combinations, attempting to make a classic European dish, but really have no knowledge. Fish and chips for lunch. Fish was not fresh from the deep fryer but made before. Dry, overdone, lukewarm, not nice. Chips not crispy. Asked for mayonnaise, that came 30 minutes later. Cakes that were served for dessert, not home made, bone dry, tasteless. Dinner was okay, but some of the dishes not on point. Serving mashed potatoes with lumps and bits of uncooked vegies? Why? Lamb was raw and needed to be sent back. Overall, accommodation is amazing. Foodwise, and for these prizes, not good.

Zawadi Hotel was an amazing experience - from the time we arrived until the moment we left, we enjoyed every second of our stay! All the staff greeted us by name, with a smile and "welcome home!" The food was incredible, as I was concerned being vegetarian, but they had plenty of tasty choices for me, as well as fish for my pescetarian husband. The chef even went out of his way to make a whole fish for my husband - something he is use to eating being from the Carribean. We hope to be able to go back to Zawadi as we just enjoyed it more than any place we have ever stayed. Don't hesitate to go - you will love it!

As per the title you really feel at the heaven at Zawadi. Only 12 villas, top of privacy, fantastic and discrete service, a la carte menu for meals, good spa, excellent quality of food. Still thanks to Noah to give me the possibility to discover and suggest this property to who wants to have a quite stay. See you soon. Thanks. Alessandro

We had a magical week at Zawadi to celebrate our 25th Wedding Anniversary. It was beyond wonderful. Zawadi means 'gift' in Swahili. Incredible location: white sands, a coral reef teeming with beautiful fish , warm and extremely helpful staff, gorgeous decor, palatial rooms (aka villas). Best of all, it is a small resort which meant we felt very at home and the service felt very personal. Zawadi is not just a special place to relax and unwind - We learnt about and experienced (tarab music, snorkelling, mangrove forests, butterfly sanctuaries, even Zawadi's own sustainable farm!) so much of this beautiful island and its people. Truly the holiday of a lifetime!