The Residence Zanzibar

We had a fantastic stay at The Residence Zanzibar. From the moment we arrived, all the staff were extremely friendly and welcoming, both at the reception and in the restaurants, always ensuring we felt well looked after throughout our stay. Our villa had a direct ocean view, which was absolutely incredible — waking up every day to such a beautiful scenery made the experience even more special. The all-inclusive service at this hotel is excellent, offering great quality food, drinks, and overall service. Everything was very well organized, allowing us to fully relax and enjoy our holiday. A perfect destination for anyone looking for comfort, tranquility, and outstanding hospitality. Highly recommended!

Stunning location , lovely hotel with gorgeous villas with their own pool. Big main pool to use too. Staff very friendly Very clean and peaceful perfect for a relaxing stay. We stayed here for 9 nights after an 8 day safari in Tanzania. There is also a spa & a range of exercise classes if you want. Lukeman was the instructor & his daily yoga classes were great & I really enjoyed them. We both also attended his Pilates , Aqua fit & step aerobics classes , which were all really good fun. Also enjoyed the bikes available at each villa to use to. Food was good lots of choice & enjoyed the evenings they set up the dining on the beach too. Evening entertainment was provided by great local bands & dancers & performers . You would need to take transport to leave the hotel. We did a day trip to Stone Town & from there also a boat trip to Prison Island. The hotel is approx 1.5hrs away from Stone Town & 1hr - 1.5hr away from airport depending on traffic .

We had the most incredible honeymoon stay at The Residence Zanzibar, it truly exceeded every expectation. From the moment we arrived, everything felt special and romantic, making it the perfect place to celebrate such an important trip. The hotel itself is absolutely stunning, beautifully maintained, and set in a peaceful, breathtaking location. Every detail felt luxurious yet welcoming. What made our honeymoon even more memorable was the staff. Every single person we met was warm, friendly, and genuinely cared about making our experience perfect. A special thank you to Runi, Shafi, Bundala, Nicodem, Adam, Sem, Thomas, and Hassan, you all helped make our stay truly unforgettable. Nothing ever felt like too much trouble, and your kindness added such a personal touch to our honeymoon. We honestly can’t think of a better place we’ve ever stayed. Everything — the hotel, the atmosphere, and the level of service was exceptional. We enjoyed every minute, from relaxing in the gorgeous surroundings to soaking up the atmosphere together. It was the perfect blend of comfort, beauty, and exceptional service. We left feeling relaxed, happy, and so grateful we chose to spend our honeymoon here. An unforgettable stay and a truly special place! We would recommend it to anyone celebrating a big occasion or simply looking for a dream getaway

I have just arrived at the Residence from Four Seasons in the Serengeti which was outstanding. Unfortunately, the Residence has not lived up to expectation. On arrival we were met by a flat welcome and waiting around. No personal touch on arrival, the staff seemed uninterested with a can’t be bothered attitude……… We asked for fresh milk 3 times before it actually arrived. The drinks in our fridge were warm too! No thinking ahead from the Residence! A trip to the restaurant by bike to eat as we were starving! Over half hour wait for a sandwich despite only 6 other people in the restaurant. Not a friendly atmosphere , the staff barely crack a smile! Super disappointed so far. I’m not sure if it’s because expectations are high having just come from the most amazing hotel in the world (in my opinion) where the staff go out of their way to assist you! If you want an experience that is personal, tailored to your needs (which the staff make it their business to establish from the minute you arrive) and unforgettable for all the right reasons then don’t come here…..go to the four seasons instead! It may cost a little extra but I can honestly say it’s the best hotel with the best service and you will not be disappointed!

We have just returned from a 10 night stay at The Residence in Zanzibar. We can honestly recommend this hotel with no concerns. We stayed in a beachfront room which was superb, although all rooms have their own pool. The gardens are beautiful, it is like staying in the jungle with bird life and monkeys abundant. Food in both restaurants was of a good quality, served by the most friendly staff. The staff in all areas of the hotel were extremely friendly and likeable. Be prepared for some power cuts although these do not impact your holiday. Make sure you visit StoneTown but go with a guide, this will make your visit all the more interesting and complete.