Zawadi Hotel Zanzibar - All Inclusive

“Wonderful”

This hotel was such beautiful place and location.

“An Absolute Gem”

Everything about this place is lovely. The rooms (private villas) are incredible and spot-less, service fabulous, food amazing. The manager, Pema and head of reception, Isaak were especially attentive, but truly the entire staff was top-notch! There was live music some of the nights that we were… more

Everything about this place is lovely. The rooms (private villas) are incredible and spot-less, service fabulous, food amazing. The manager, Pema and head of reception, Isaak were especially attentive, but truly the entire staff was top-notch! There was live music some of the nights that we were there and it was really good, yet quiet enough to allow us to talk. At their spa we had some of the best massages ever. The pool and the private plunge-pools were wonderful. We learned that an added benefit of this place is that due to the shape of the beach and the tides, it is pretty much inaccessible to the general public, so there are no people coming to sell trinkets, and people worried about security should feel extra safe here. Their assistance organizing outside activities seamlessly, which was much appreciated. They went out of their way to accommodate any requests and make our stay totally relaxing. We flew home through Paris and tried the chocolate croissants there. They did not pass the "Zawadi test". Already we missed the incredible freshly made pastries.

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“Relaxing beach stay after Safari”

We stayed 4 nights at Zawadi after our Safari. It was a great experience. The staff was very friendly and helpful, the food very good. The room was clean and very nice. We enjoyed the peace of this property and its pretty beach. We managed to go swimming during high tide, which was nice with reef s… more

We stayed 4 nights at Zawadi after our Safari. It was a great experience. The staff was very friendly and helpful, the food very good. The room was clean and very nice. We enjoyed the peace of this property and its pretty beach. We managed to go swimming during high tide, which was nice with reef shoes. We did a boat trip and a tour to stone town. We will keep this experience in great memory and can highly recommend.

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“The Good, the Bad, and What I Wish I’d Known”

I booked our Zanzibar trip to Zawadi about 10 months in advance (April 2025) for my wife’s 50th birthday. The Good: The resort is truly stunning and the online photos honestly don’t do it justice. What you see is what you get (and then some). From the moment you arrive, you’re treated like the on… more

I booked our Zanzibar trip to Zawadi about 10 months in advance (April 2025) for my wife’s 50th birthday. The Good: The resort is truly stunning and the online photos honestly don’t do it justice. What you see is what you get (and then some). From the moment you arrive, you’re treated like the only guest on property: cold towel, cold drink, and a genuinely warm welcome. What stood out most was the people. I won’t list names because it would turn into a novel, but I mean it when I say everyone - wait staff, housekeeping, maintenance, landscaping was friendly, kind, and consistently helpful. It felt effortless and sincere. Food & drink: As other reviews mention, the food is top-notch. Breakfast and lunch were typically 3–4 courses, and dinner was 5 courses. The presentation was beautiful, and the quality felt first-class. Even the “house” wines were genuinely good, the kind we’d happily buy at home (and probably will). Property upkeep: Everything is very well maintained - landscaping, villas, and restaurants all felt polished and cared for. The Bad: Very little, honestly. If I had to find anything: once or twice at dinner, our wine glasses sat empty for a few minutes before refills (not a big deal, just noticeable at this level). The beach is also more “scenic” than “big sandy Zanzibar postcard.” At high tide it’s gorgeous, vibrant blue/turquoise water and incredible views but the sandy area is relatively small compared to what many people picture when they think of Zanzibar. (That said, we’re not huge beach people, and the views were exactly what we wanted.) A/C note: The A/C worked well, but if you’re coming from the U.S. and used to very strong air conditioning, just know it may feel a touch softer than you’re used to. However, we slept comfortably every night. What I Wish I’d Known: I spent way too much time stressing over whether Zawadi would feel truly “world-class” because this was a milestone birthday trip and I wanted it to be perfect. That worry was completely unnecessary. The resort is beautiful, the food is excellent, and the service is absolutely 5-star. If you’re considering Zawadi, book it. You won’t regret it. They go out of their way to make your stay special. And my best advice: don’t waste the pre-trip weeks worrying like I did — you’ll want that time back.

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