Zawadi Hotel — Zanzibar

Overview

Zawadi — Swahili for “gift” — is the most recent and most secluded addition to The Zanzibar Collection: an adults-only hideaway of twelve private villas strung along a low clifftop on the beautiful Michamvi Peninsula, each gazing out over the Indian Ocean. What sets Zawadi apart from every other resort on this coast is its cove: at the centre of the property the cliff recedes to reveal a sheltered white-sand beach in front of a lagoon, meaning guests can swim and snorkel straight from the sand at both low and high tide — a genuine rarity on Zanzibar’s tide-dominated east coast. Rated 5/5 on TripAdvisor and 9.9 by verified guests, it is consistently ranked among the island’s very finest stays.

About the Property

Zawadi’s style is understated, contemporary beach elegance — whites, neutrals and natural textures, with tropical planting, swaying coconut palms and bougainvillea rather than the ornate grandeur of sister-resort Baraza. The scale is deliberately intimate: twelve villas spaced generously along the oceanfront, a central pool, a 900 m jogging trail winding through the gardens, and a small organic vegetable garden and farm that supply the kitchen (guests are invited to stroll down and meet the resident goat). Being part of The Zanzibar Collection brings a valuable perk: guests may use the extensive facilities and restaurants at Baraza and Breezes, and dine at the sister properties at no additional cost.

Quick Facts

• Just 12 private villas, each around 100 m² with a private plunge pool
• Strictly adults-only (16 years and over)
• Clifftop position above a private cove — swimming and snorkelling possible at all tides
• Fully all-inclusive, including dining at sister resorts Baraza and The Palms
• Two dining venues: the open-sided Mswakini Beach Bar & Restaurant and the Drift Wood Dining Room
• Central infinity-style pool, spa/massage room, air-conditioned Technogym gym and 900 m jogging trail
• Own organic vegetable garden and small farm supplying the kitchen
• Short walk or kayak to the Blue Lagoon — among Zanzibar’s best snorkelling spots
• ~60 minutes from Zanzibar International Airport; whole-property buy-out available

Location

Zawadi sits on the Michamvi Peninsula near Pingwe, just a couple of minutes’ drive north of its Zanzibar Collection siblings on the island’s tranquil south-east coast. Perched atop a low cliff with uninterrupted ocean views, it enjoys direct beach access via a short staircase to its own cove, with a walkway extending into the water so swimming remains easy even at low tide. Michamvi Pingwe Beach is steps away, Jozani Forest around 22 km, and Stone Town and the airport roughly an hour’s drive west.

Accommodation

The twelve villas each offer around 100 m² of space designed for two adults, with a large double or king bed with ocean views, a separate seating area with sofa and coffee table, and sliding doors onto a spacious private terrace with a palm-shaded plunge pool and loungers. The airy en-suite bathroom features a freestanding bathtub, walk-in shower, double vanity and dressing area. In-villa comforts include air-conditioning, satellite TV and DVD player, telephone, minibar, safe, tea/coffee facilities, hairdryer, free toiletries and Wi-Fi. Décor is calm and contemporary — whites and neutrals with green accents — giving the feel of a private beach house rather than a hotel room.

Dining

Dining is a genuine highlight, with a chef drawing on the African, Indian, Arabic and Persian influences that shaped Zanzibari cuisine, using organic produce from the hotel’s own garden and farm. The open-sided Mswakini Beach Bar & Restaurant beside the pool serves breakfast, lunch and drinks; the more formal Drift Wood Dining Room handles dinner in a relaxed, stylish setting. Guests praise the extensive wine cellar, the cocktails and the kitchen’s willingness to cook off-menu. Special diets — halal, vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free — are catered for, and the all-inclusive plan extends to meals at Baraza and The Palms.

Facilities

Outdoor swimming pool, private plunge pools in every villa, private beach cove with direct access, spa/massage room (plus access to the Frangipani Spa at sister resorts), air-conditioned gym with Technogym equipment, 900 m jogging trail, gardens with organic vegetable garden and farm, two restaurants and bar, wine cellar, free bicycles, kayaks and snorkelling gear, gift shop, business centre, 24-hour reception, room service, free Wi-Fi, laundry and free parking. Diving is arranged through the Rising Sun Dive Centre at sister-resort Breezes.

Why Choose Zawadi Hotel

• Swim and snorkel at any tide — the private cove and lagoon solve the east coast’s biggest drawback
• Just twelve villas and adults-only: the most peaceful stay in The Zanzibar Collection
• Clifftop drama with uninterrupted Indian Ocean views from every villa and plunge pool
• All-inclusive that travels: dine at Baraza and The Palms at no extra charge and use their facilities
• Outstanding, personal service — guests consistently rate it 9.9/10 and 5/5
• Food worth staying in for: organic garden produce, a serious wine cellar and off-menu flexibility
• The Blue Lagoon, one of Zanzibar’s best snorkelling spots, a short walk or kayak away
• Whole-property buy-out available for weddings and private celebrations

Amenities

All-inclusive dining and select drinks (including at sister resorts), private plunge pools, ocean-view terraces, freestanding bathtubs and walk-in showers, dressing areas, air-conditioning, satellite TV and DVD, telephone, minibar, safe, tea & coffee facilities, hairdryer, free toiletries, free Wi-Fi, room service, daily housekeeping, main pool, spa/massage, gym, jogging trail, free bicycles, kayaks and snorkelling equipment, gift shop, business centre, 24-hour reception, laundry and free parking.

Activities

• Snorkelling straight from the private cove — and at the Blue Lagoon, a short walk or kayak away
• Swimming at any tide, thanks to the lagoon and ocean walkway
• Scuba diving via the Rising Sun Dive Centre at sister-resort Breezes (beginner to advanced)
• Kayaking, sailing, kite-surfing and fishing, arranged by the hotel
• Spa treatments at Zawadi or the award-winning Frangipani Spa at Baraza/Breezes
• Jogging the 900 m garden trail, gym sessions and free bicycle rides on the peninsula
• Strolling the organic vegetable garden and farm
• Dining across sister resorts Baraza and The Palms at no extra charge
• Excursions: Stone Town, spice farms, Jozani Forest red colobus monkeys, dolphin tours and sunset dhow cruises