The Best Resorts In Zanzibar
- Nick, Editor
- Nov 28
- 9 min read
The best luxury 5-Star resorts on the beautiful island of Zanzibar
Article summary>>
In this article, we take a look at the best luxury 5-Star resorts on the island of Zanzibar.
(in no particular order)
Zuri Zanzibar
Baraza Resort & Spa
The Residence
Tulia Beach Resort
White Sand Luxury Villas
&Beyond Mnemba Island
Kilindi Zanzibar
The Palms
Park Hyatt Zanzibar
Gold Beach House & Spa
The Best Resorts In Zanzibar
Zuri Zanzibar.
On Zanzibar’s northwest coast, Zuri spreads through tropical gardens that open onto Kendwa’s wide, powdery beach. The water here stays swimmable all day, without the dramatic tides you get elsewhere, and sunsets turn the horizon copper every evening. Bungalows, suites, and a handful of villas sit under high thatched roofs with plenty of privacy; interiors mix hand-carved wood, woven textiles, and cool terrazzo floors. Expect big beds, outdoor showers, and shaded verandas; villas add private pools and extra living space.
Days drift between the beach club and a large infinity pool, with low-key water sports, snorkelling trips to Mnemba Atoll, and dhow sails at dusk. The spa leans local, spice-scented oils, sea-salt scrubs, and there’s a small gym and yoga on a deck that catches the breeze. Zuri’s spice garden is a pleasant surprise: paths through cardamom and lemongrass, hidden nooks for coffee, and occasional cooking demos that keep things grounded.
Dining keeps to bright, coastal flavours: grilled fish, coconut rice, market vegetables, fresh chapati; one restaurant sits just above the sand, another handles long, unhurried breakfasts, and the beach bar pours excellent lime-sharp cocktails.
The mood is barefoot and design-savvy—couples, friends, and a few very content families, helped by staff who are relaxed and genuinely helpful. Location: about an hour from Stone Town, close to Nungwi’s dive centres yet quiet enough to hear only surf and cicadas when you call it a night.
Baraza Resort & Spa.
On Zanzibar’s serene southeast coast, Baraza sits behind palms on Bwejuu Beach, a quiet ribbon of white sand where the tide slides out to reveal a reef the colour of mint glass. The resort leans into Swahili–Arabesque design: carved doors, brass lanterns, scalloped arches, and pale stone floors that stay cool under bare feet. All villa-style suites come with walled gardens, daybeds, and private plunge pools; interiors are comfortable rather than fussy, with generous bathrooms and outdoor showers for after-beach rinses.
Days start slow and stay that way. The Frangipani Spa adds a proper steam room, lap-friendly pool, and treatments scented with clove and jasmine. A diving and watersports team can arrange reef trips, kayaks, sailing, or snorkel outings when the water turns postcard calm. There’s a kids’ club, a small gym, and a main pool that catches the breeze. Meals are included and measure up: fresh chapati, grilled seafood, spice-bright curries, and salads that actually taste of the garden; evenings move to lantern-lit terraces with a soft drum of surf.
The vibe is relaxed and romantic without being hushed—couples, honeymooners, and a few happy families—looked after by staff who are warm and efficient.
Location keeps you close to Paje for kitesurfing, about an hour from Stone Town for history and markets, and a few barefoot steps from that wide, walkable beach you came for.
The Residence Zanzibar.
On the island’s quiet southwest, The Residence spreads across gardens and palm groves that run down to a long, pale beach on Menai Bay. Villas are the point: walled sanctuaries with private pools, shaded terraces, outdoor showers, and enough space to actually unpack. Interiors keep to calm tones and natural textures; bicycles at the door make lazy loops to the beach or jetty part of the day.
The resort finds a good rhythm between salt and shade. A broad infinity pool fronts the ocean; the spa sits in a garden courtyard with steam, sauna, and revitalising treatments using island botanicals. Kayaks, paddle boards, and boat trips head for sandbanks and snorkel spots; at low tide, the jetty gets you straight to deeper water. There’s a kids’ club, tennis, and a small but capable gym.
Food is split between the ocean-facing Dining Room and The Pavilion, where Middle Eastern and Mediterranean flavours meet Zanzibari spice; breakfasts are generous, with tropical fruit that tastes properly ripe. Service is relaxed and attentive without the script.
The mood is easygoing and private: honeymooners, weekending couples, and families who value space. Location puts you near Kizimkazi for dolphin outings, about an hour from Stone Town and the airport, with west-facing sunsets that turn the bay copper most evenings.
Tulia Unique Beach Resort.
On Zanzibar’s quiet east coast, Tulia sits in tropical gardens that lead straight to a pale sweep of Pongwe sand. The look is easy and polished: thatch, timber, bright textiles, and plenty of shade where the breeze does most of the cooling. Rooms are split between seafront villas and garden bungalows; each brings a spacious terrace, good storage, and generous bathrooms, with some adding private plunge pools. You wake to birdsong, palms, and the sea shifting between turquoise and silver with the tide.
Days fall into a gentle rhythm. A curving pool anchors the resort, complete with two playful waterslides that keep afternoons light. The beach team sets up loungers and kayaks; reef walks at low tide give way to calm swims when the water comes in. The small spa offers good massages and scrubs with clove and coconut; yoga appears on the lawn when the light is kind. Tulia’s all-inclusive works well: à la carte meals rather than buffets, fresh juices, and cocktails mixed by a pro.
The mood is relaxed and friendly: honeymooners, couples, families and solo travellers are all looked after by staff who remember names and preferences. Location keeps you 50 minutes from Stone Town, near kite beaches to the south and reef trips to the north, with sunrise on your doorstep and lantern-lit dinners back in the garden.
White Sand Luxury Villas.
South-east Zanzibar’s steady trade winds and long, pale beach make Paje a sweet spot, and White Sand leans into it with space and privacy. Villas sit behind low dunes and palms, each walled and landscaped with a private pool, outdoor lounge, and plenty of shade. Interiors keep the mood cool and coastal: big beds, and bathrooms that open to sun and breeze without feeling exposed. Some villas add rooftop terraces for stargazing; families get multi-bedroom layouts that actually work.
Days flow easily between sea and garden. The kitesurfing centre sets you up when the wind’s right; at calmer hours, it’s paddle boards and long swims over clear shallows. The spa hides in greenery with open-air treatment rooms, a small hammam and sauna; yoga pops up daily. There’s a main pool for a change of scene, bikes for sandy paths, and a compact gym to keep routine honest.
Dining stays fresh and unfussy: a beach venue for grilled seafood and salads, and an evening restaurant for a quieter, more polished plates; breakfast is generous and made to order. Service is kind and low-key, with butler-style attention that doesn’t hover.
Location: on Paje Beach, about an hour from Stone Town; close to kite spots and reef trips, far enough for quiet nights broken only by surf and wind in the palms.
&Beyond Mnemba Island.
A ten-minute boat hop from Zanzibar’s northeast tip lands you on Mnemba, a tiny private island where shoes feel optional and clocks irrelevant. Twelve thatch-and-timber bandas sit just behind the tree line, open to the breeze with wide decks, mosquito-netted beds, and alfresco showers. There’s no pool or fuss, just powdery sand at your doorstep and turquoise water. A private butler quietly handles the details, from morning coffee to dusk lanterns.
Days play out at tide pace. The house reef is excellent for relaxed snorkelling; divers head to coral walls with turtles and schools of reef fish. Dolphins are common on boat runs, and seasonal green turtle nesting is a highlight of the lodge’s conservation work. Kayaks and paddle boards are on hand, and beach walks take all of ten unrushed minutes around the island. Massages happen in your banda or under the palms; casual yoga turns up when the breeze is right.
Meals are fresh and unfussy: grilled line-caught fish, citrus-bright salads, fruit that tastes perfect. A sandbank picnic or dhow sail at sunset makes an easy memory.
The mood is barefoot and private: honeymooners, low-key celebrants, sea lovers—looked after with warm, intuitive service. Location: off Matemwe, close enough for smooth transfers, far enough to feel deliciously away from it all.
Elewana Kilindi.
On the island’s quieter northwest coast near Nungwi, Elewana Kilindi spreads a handful of dazzling white domed pavilions across tropical slopes above a crescent of pale sand. Created for ABBA’s Benny Andersson, the design is all curves and air: wide arches, jalousie shutters, and indoor-outdoor rooms that let the trade winds do the cooling. Each pavilion feels private and indulgent, with two plunge pools stepped into the terrace, a rainfall shower garden, and a canopied bed oriented to the sea. A dedicated butler keeps the logistics invisible.
Days move at an easy pace. Wander down to the quiet beach for swims and dhow-watching, or head out for snorkelling and reef trips on flat, blue mornings. Back up the hill, a small spa handles massages; there’s also a breezy lounge and bar for late coffees or a chilled glass before sunset. Dining is flexible and mostly alfresco, grilled fish, spice-laced salads and tropical fruit, whether that’s on your terrace or under palms by the water, the choice is yours.
The mood is adult and low-key: couples and solo travellers who prize space and silence. Service is warm, intuitive, and never pushy.
Location: about 75 minutes from Stone Town, within easy reach of Nungwi’s dive boats yet far enough for nights that belong to waves and wind in the trees.
The Palms Zanzibar.
A tiny, adults-only hideaway on Zanzibar’s southeast coast, The Palms keeps things intentionally small: just a handful of private villas tucked behind palms on the wide Bwejuu–Paje strand. Each villa feels like a beach house made for lingering, with a shaded veranda, private plunge pool, separate living room, and a canopied bedroom cooled by the trade winds. Bathrooms are generous, and there’s space to spread out without tripping over your suitcase.
Days are laid back. When the water draws back, the reef flats turn glassy and blue-green; when it returns, the sea is calm enough for long swims and paddle boards. A reserved beachfront banda gives you shade, towels, and iced drinks on cue. There’s a small pool at the heart of the property, low-key water sports, and access to the excellent Frangipani Spa next door. The Palms runs all-inclusive sensibly: à la carte meals with plenty of spice-market brightness, good breads at breakfast, and dinners that can be set on your terrace or under lanterns by the sand.
The vibe is quiet and grown-up—honeymooners, anniversary trips, couples who like privacy and polite, attentive service.
Location: on the southeast coast, about an hour from Stone Town, close to Paje for kitesurfing and reef trips, with sand and sunrise on your doorstep.
Park Hyatt Zanzibar.
Set on Stone Town’s seafront beside Forodhani Gardens, Park Hyatt stitches a contemporary wing to the restored 17th-century Mambo Msiige mansion. You enter to coral stone, shaded arcades, and that soothing hush you only get in thick-walled houses by the sea. Rooms read cool and refined: Arabesque screens, pale wood, polished floors, and beds that face tall windows; many open to balconies for breeze and harbour views. Bathrooms are generous, with deep tubs and walk-in showers.
Outside, a slim oceanfront infinity pool frames dhows gliding past at sunset. There’s a compact spa with steam and thoughtful treatments, a small gym, and easy access to sailing, snorkel trips, and sunset cruises arranged from the jetty. Dining keeps things simple and fresh: an all-day restaurant with a terrace for long breakfasts and grilled seafood at dusk, a quiet lounge for coffee and light bites, and a bar that catches the evening breeze.
The mood is polished but relaxed: heritage fans, honeymooners, and business travellers who want character with their Wi-Fi. Staff are warm, efficient, and good with insider intel.
Location is spot on: steps to the House of Wonders, Old Fort, and alleyways lined with carved doors and spice stalls; an easy walk to the ferry pier and a quick drive from the airport. The ocean ahead, Stone Town’s history at your feet, and 100% an amazing place.
Gold Beach House & Spa.
On the island’s northwest curve, Gold sits right on Kendwa Beach, where the sea stays swimmable through the tides, and the sunsets turn gold over the horizon. Low-rise buildings step back from a broad strip of sand; rooms and suites mix whitewashed calm with carved wood, good lighting, and terraces for lazy mornings. Some rooms add outdoor tubs or private pavilions for quiet afternoons with a book.
The resort’s heart is a generous free-form pool with plenty of shade and space. The spa offers natural oils scented with island spices, good massages, steam and a small relaxation area, while a fitness room and beach volleyball keep things moving. Offshore, it’s an easy day of snorkelling or diving to reefs around Mnemba; kayaks and paddle boards work when the water’s glassy, and dhow sails run at dusk.
Dining stays bright and coastal. A beachside grill serves just-caught fish and salads; the main restaurant offers breakfast and relaxed dinners without ceremony; the bar serves a proper fresh-lime caipirinha. Service is friendly and efficient, more beach house than hotel.
The vibe is barefoot and sociable: couples, friends, and a few families finding their spot on the sand. Location: about an hour from Stone Town, with Nungwi’s boats and bars up the beach, but quiet enough that the soundtrack is mostly surf and laughter.
The Best Resorts In Zanzibar - Article 2025
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