Zanzibar Island is perfect for an all-inclusive getaway, with its pristine white sands, picturesque beaches, beautiful sunsets, and gourmet cuisine and island adventures. The island features a wide range of luxurious hotels reputed for their elegance and excellent services. These hotels have raised the bar when it comes to luxury hospitality and they offer all-inclusive island experience.
From butler service to private villas, breathtaking ocean views to lavishly-designed rooms, these are Zanzibar’s most expensive and exclusive hotels offering pure decadence and unforgettable island holiday.
1. Diamonds La Gemma dell ‘Est
Beautifully situated in the north-western tip of Zanzibar, Diamonds La Gemma dell’Est is a place where luxury and paradise blend. Where a pleasant ambience flows through every corner of the five-star hotel and awakens the guests to the luxury pleasures of every day. The luxury resort is famous for its magnificent beach and a large wharf built onto the open waters of the Indian Ocean. It offers indoor and outdoor dining facilities serving a lavish buffet that fuse Mediterranean cuisine and favourite local dishes with live cooking stations. Awarded 2017’s Zanzibar leading resort, it also offers an In-house clinic with doctor on call, salt water pool with children’s area, watersports, diving centre and a floodlit tennis court. The magnificent views and service will surely get you value for your money.
2. The Manta Resort Underwater Room
In this five-star resort, it’s almost like you’re lost…but in paradise, especially for the dedicated and true explorer. Here, guests are literally submerged into the ocean and they can watch and be watched by the sea animals both in the day and in the night through the glass panes. Guests can sunbathe in the hardwood made top-deck during the day too. The spectacular ocean views and the luxurious accommodation embrace the most fascinating elements of nature, creating indulgent experiences that can only be experienced in the resort. The setting, the diversity of marine species, the personal instructors and the untouched coral reefs in this location make it a diver’s dream worth every penny.
3. Baraza Resort and Spa Zanzibar
This resort’s spacious and luxurious villas are a mix of classic and elegant traditional décor. Each villa comes with a private plunge pool and large terrace with sun loungers and a living room with a Sultan's lounge bed and a walk-in dressing room. Baraza is an upscale five-star all-inclusive resort with intricate Swahili designs, and a variety of modern amenities such as a kid’s club, tennis court, PADI Dive centre and a fitness centre. Guests can enjoy a continental breakfast at the open air Livingstone Terrace and dine at any of their restaurants serving a menu with flavours from India, Arabia, Africa and Asia.
4. Melia Zanzibar
Melia Zanzibar is an all-inclusive 5-star luxury resort located on the northeast coast of Zanzibar. It features luxurious suites and private villas with garden and pool, offering a wide range of modern amenities. The five-star resort has a variety of restaurants and bars where guests can dine on both local and international cuisine. It offers a world-class spa with private treatment rooms, a modern fitness room with a sauna and an outdoor swimming pool with sun-deck. Guests can indulge in a wide range of activities such as kite surfing, diving, and snorkelling.
5. The Palms Zanzibar
This is a five-star all-inclusive beachfront resort set among palm trees and white sands in Zanzibar. It is said to be the island’s most exclusive resort boasting only six villas set in an intimate and personalized setting on the southeast coast. The villas feature European and traditional African designs with silk-draped four-poster Zanzibari beds, private outdoor plunge pool, satellite TV, en-suite bathrooms and a large furnished terrace with beautiful views of the Indian Ocean. The personalized service and great food make every penny worthwhile. They also have a sanctuary spa, a dive centre and low tide activities such as snorkelling, beach games, reef walks.
6. Tulia Zanzibar Beach Resort
Tulia Zanzibar offers a luxurious all-inclusive beach resort experience. It is located on Pongwe beach, a few kilometres away from the geological formations of the Kiwengwa caves. Guests can choose between the lush botanical garden suites or the ocean view suites. Guests can enjoy a complete access to a variety of private pleasures and high-quality attractions such as a 9-hole golf course with a clubhouse, a-la-carte cuisine and a wide range of exciting activities.
7. Diamonds Star of the East
Located on a private beach this five-star resort is an oasis of tranquillity and luxury. It features eleven private villas, with each bearing the name of one of the most precious gems in the world. Each comes with a pool; equipped terrace and a luxurious tropical garden overlooking the Indian ocean. Guests are assigned a personal assistant 24 hours a day to cater to their needs. A personal photographer who knows the resort and surrounding monuments is also available to capture those moments. Guests can take advantage of its secluded luxury with an outdoor pool, amazing dining facilities and more.
8. Matemwe Lodge Zanzibar
Situated on Matemwe beach, this rustic and chic five-star beach lodge overlooks a coral-fringed lagoon. It has 12 luxurious villas stylishly designed and well-appointed with modern amenities. The luxury lodge is located close to the Mnemba Island Marine Conservation area, which is home to a good number of coral reef fish and green turtles. The flowering tropical gardens, the blue sea and the vibrant African décor and prints will make you feel right at home. Guests can indulge in a wide range of activities such as snorkelling, sea kayaking, and kite surfing. A PADI dive centre offering trips to Mnemba Island is also available.
9. The Residence Zanzibar
Located on the south-west coast of the island, the Residence Zanzibar is a three-star hotel with high-end facilities and services. This luxurious villa resort presents bespoke hospitality and elegance of the Swahili, Arab and European cultures fused in one enchanting hideaway. It features stand-alone villas with private swimming pools where guests can bask in the sun – in private. The luxury hotel is situated on white sand beaches, lined by coconut palms and the crystal-clear waters of the Indian Ocean. It has a wide variety of dining options serving local and international specialities for an authentic culinary experience. The Residence offers an array of services such as butler service, in-villa complimentary amenities, and 24-hour in-villa dining.
10. & Beyond Mnemba Island
Located 90-minutes from Stone Town, &Beyond is a four-star private island getaway ideal for romance and relaxation. It is an award-winning barefoot luxury hideaway with twelve rustic palm-frond bandas tucked into a tropical forest bordered by a white coral beach. It has a covered walkway that leads to a secured ensuite bathroom with a massive glass-beaded shower curtain. The luxurious retreat is perfect for relaxation and romance. It has a house reef that can be reached without a boat and a PADI dive school. Guests can indulge in a wide range of activities such as snorkelling and swimming and there are a variety of dive sites with the availability of boats to explore them.
11. Constance Aiyana Zanzibar
Constance Aiyana is a four-star hotel featuring 30 magnificent villas, all facing the ocean and each villa is designed luxuriously with a coastal Zanzibari touch. The resort is ecologically built with locally sourced materials like limestone, aggregates and coconut brooms. One of the highlights here is the culinary experience; guests can enjoy a harmony of flavours from its restaurant prepared by their highly skilled chefs. The luxury hotel has exceptional panoramas and an outdoor pool with breathtaking sea views. The views and hospitality here are worth a dime and more!
12. Anna of Zanzibar
This five-star resort is situated on Bwejuu Beach on Zanzibar's east coast and set in a lush tropical garden. It has a spacious and luxurious villa that features a combination of elegant colonial furniture with rich Arabian textiles and colourful African fabrics to create a welcoming ambience. Each luxurious villa has a separate living area, a master bedroom, a dressing room and a private terrace. A private butler service is available and on a select evening, the hotel hosts themed dinner evenings and barbecues. There are only five villas and so the resort banks on exclusivity, privacy, and personalized service to give guests their value for money.
