Zawadi Hotel, Zanzibar

My wife and I spent 7 nights at Hotel Zawadi celebrating our 25th wedding anniversary...what a beautiful location and accompanying service to do so! Having spent 7 nights we had the opportunity to test the various reviews and assess the true standard and consistency of service...Zawadi team (from the Resort General Managers, Front of House all the way through to Maintenance team) all didn't disappoint! Every minute of our stay exceeded our expectations, with nothing we asked for being too much of an effort! And the team were exceptionally attentive... Two examples being, it was noticed my wife and I didn't like red onion in our salads so the team ensured future salds came without red onion. On another occasion we wanted to take advantage of the low tide, which happened to be at the same time as breakfast, to go snorkeling. We asked for some food to be put aside for us...instead the team kept us a table and offered us the full breakfast service, and never once did we feel rushed to finish our food. The team even started to notice we quite liked a banana milkshake at around 16h00 so started to serve us a milkshake at the same time every day, when we were lying by the pool, without us having to ask. There are many other things the Zawadi team did to make our stay extra special... So, if you are looking for a special, relaxing, rejuvenating and memorable holiday then don't look any further than Hotel Zawadi...you won't be disappointed! From those we had the fortune of meeting (Pema, Evelyn, Bernard, Iddy, Ally, Alan, Hamad, Innocent, Raza, Mabula) to those we didn't get to meet but who made our stay extra special and memorable - Asante sana!

We just returned from our honeymoon, which ended at Zawadi, and we could not be more thankful to the wonderful staff for making our stay truly unforgettable. With only twelve beautiful villas, each fitted to the highest standard, Zawadi feels intimate and exclusive — as though you have your own private sanctuary on the coast. The property is perched on an elevated cliff, overlooking the dazzling white sands and turquoise waters of Zanzibar. Blending traditional and contemporary architecture with lush landscaping, this cosy and tasteful retreat felt like a home away from home. To top it all off, Chef William completely redefined our expectations of the culinary scene in Zanzibar. His creative, fresh, and carefully curated menus were a highlight of every day, turning each meal into a memorable experience. The villas themselves are spacious and spotless, with beds so comfortable it was hard to leave them in the morning. Each terrace opens directly toward the beach, offering sweeping, picturesque views of the sea dotted with traditional boats. Other thoughtful touches made our stay even more special: the perfectly curated playlists, the inviting pool (even wonderful on a rainy day), and above all, the incredible staff. From Evelyne, the manager, to Pema, Isaak, Bernard, Ally, and Mabula, every interaction was warm, genuine, and attentive. Zawadi is authentic barefoot luxury at its finest — private, personal, and unforgettable.

An idyllic start to our honeymoon- beautiful, spotless rooms, delicious food and warm hospitality. The team at Zawadi is so experienced, so friendly and so professional. Special thanks to Iddy, Ally and Bernard for all their care and attention, especially managing dietary requirements. We’d visit again in a heartbeat- a truly unique and beautiful place with a family feel.

We stayed at this wonderful hotel after a safari trip in the Nyerere National Park. Zawadi is in a beautiful location on the SE coast of the island. From the moment you enter you look out over a beautiful view of the Indian Ocean. Our sea-facing, thatch roofed bungalow is one of 12 spread along the shore line. The large, air-conditioned interior is luxurious with a massive bed and elegant furnishings. All the facilities you would expect are provided and there is plenty of space for hanging clothes and storing suitcases, etc. There is a veranda at the front with a stunning view over the sea. Because of the small number of guests there is never a problem finding free sun loungers which are located around the pool and down the slope towards the sea. Meals are served in either the bar area or the elegant restaurant both of which surround the ocean view infinity pool. Everything is freshly cooked and the quality of the food and the wines is excellent. There is a good choice of dishes across 6 or so courses. However, the best thing about this hotel is the people. All of the staff were friendly, witty, welcoming, professional and dedicated to providing the best possible service. We greatly enjoyed their company and admired their passion for their work and their culture. We can't thank them enough for making our stay so memorable.

From the moment we arrived at Zawadi, we were blown away, the view from the lobby is breathtaking. The villas are an absolute dream — spacious, private, and perfectly designed to blend luxury with the natural beauty of the coast. Every detail of the property is stunning: from the breathtaking ocean views to the serenity of the grounds, it truly felt like paradise. Zawadi was the perfect stop after our safari — a calm, luxurious place to rest, recharge, and soak in the beauty of Zanzibar. The peaceful setting and warm ocean breeze made it feel like time stood still in the best way. But what made our stay truly unforgettable was the staff. Every single person we encountered was warm, professional, and went above and beyond to make us feel welcome. Their kindness, attention to detail, and genuine hospitality made this not just a vacation, but an experience we’ll never forget. We’ve traveled extensively as a family, and this is hands down one of the best resorts we’ve ever stayed at. Zawadi has our highest recommendation — we left feeling relaxed, cared for, and already dreaming of coming back. Asante sana to the incredible team — you made our time here magical. ❤️