Zawadi Hotel, Zanzibar

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!

After 4 days of pre 5am wake ups and a lot of travelling I’m glad I had booked to hop (1hr 40mins on a prop plane) across to Zanzibar for a few days of relaxation. So many hotels to choose from on the island but I opted for Zawadi, a 12 villa luxury resort on the East coast of Zanzibar, therefore on the Indian Ocean. I have quite specific criteria when I solo travel as I don’t like big resorts where I feel out of place. I normally plump for smaller resorts in a villa with a pool so I don’t have to really venture out if I don’t want to (which I didn’t for about 36 hours but that was because I was a poorly traveller - and not due to anything at the hotel I may add!). Zawadi is simply stunning. It’s an hour from the airport and they organised transfers for me. The fixtures and fittings, communal areas and the villas are exceptional with thatched roofs and grey / white tones throughout. There is a main pool that overlooks the Indian Ocean, a restaurant for breakfast/lunch/drinks and a separate restaurant for dinner as well as an evening bar area. There is a massage room which I took full advantage of by having a 75min full body massage. Zawadi also have snorkelling equipment you can borrow as well as hopping on a daily boat to a good snorkel spot. There is also an on site spice garden and farm but I didn’t get chance to visit these. The villa itself has everything you could want in terms of amenities plus a daily ‘sundowner’ and thorough turndown. Every night they leave a note giving details on the tides for the following day! The 12 villas are all the same with views over the Indian Ocean and a plunge pool on the spacious terrace. I felt like a duchess! The food was excellent with choices of local cuisine or more western based. It can be paired with tasty wines, soft drinks, a cocktail off the list or the waiters will make you a bespoke cocktail based on your mood and what you like! But the real gem of Zawadi are the staff. 100% attentive to your individual needs and genuinely care about each guest, who they always address by name. I was greeted with “welcome home” and I think that sums it up. Evelyn, the manager, is always present along with Bernard (food and beverage manager), Noa, Mr M, Iddy, Innocent, Isaack and the other housekeeping and reception staff. They are not intrusive but wait quietly, anticipating your every need. A real credit, all of them! When I was poorly and hadn’t made an appearance for most of the day, I had a couple of phone calls to the room to check I was ok and if there was anything I needed; doctor, food etc. When I did surface, they asked how I was feeling … very thoughtful. Correspondence with the team before travelling was also excellent. Would I return? Absolutely I would and I would recommend them to anyone wanting a quiet luxury break in paradise.

We loved the resort, room, staff, and the food. Lunches and dinners were like eating at a five star restaurant, with new menu choices every day. Every meal was excellent. Great service from all the friendly staff. Our room had a private plunge pool. There is a low-key, quiet vibe at Zawadi, which was nice for relaxing after our safari in Kenya. There is some awesome snorkeling on a reef just a few minutes down the beach. We agreed it was some of the best snorkeling we have experienced, with many colorful fish.

This hotel is the definition of 5 stars. The customer service was unlike anything I have experienced in prior travels. The staff was committed to our comfort and happiness. We felt pampered and spoiled. The accommodations were roomy and comfy. We loved having our own mini pool, mini fridge and deck. The food was amazing. Different dishes and themes daily. It was hard to make a choice. We will definitely be back to this hotel and it should be a must stay on your travel list.

What an incredible experience! Zawadi has done a remarkable job creating a beautiful oasis with the most wonderful staff. Evelyn, the manager greeted us and gave us a run down of the facility and schedules. She took note of any dietary preferences/restrictions and from then on everyone on staff was diligent about our meal selections. I am rather picky and a pescatarian so it was great not to have to worry about meals. The chefs prepared requisite cuisine for every meal. They even went beyond and baked me a birthday cake and helped me celebrate with a special song. The villas are gorgeous and quite spacious. The patio is lovely with a sunning area and a splash pool. We took advantage of their little gym and the games in the library. The people were simply what makes this hotel a very special place. Ally, Raza, Iddy, Noa, and Bernard were wonderful. We arrived after eight days at safari, so we wanted to relax and enjoy the hotel rather than travel around. We enjoyed snorkeling in the nearby lagoon that’s filled with so many schools of beautiful fish. That can be arranged with reception. Kayaking is also a must. We were able to see a number of fish in the clear kayak. They also have an amazing garden and farm that is a must see. Zawadi is wonderful! They put a personal touch on everything and their service is absolutely impeccable. I not only recommend them. I’ll be back!