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Celebrating the Turn of the Year at a Design Hotel under the Palm Trees
Zuri Zanzibar is located in the northwest of Zanzibar right on the ocean and belongs to the Design Hotels ™. With its sandy white beach, the turquoise blue sea, tropical garden, and 55 detached bungalows, suites, and beach villas, it is the perfect paradise for romantics, honeymooners, dreamers, and families. At this beautifully designed, flourishing boutique hotel you have the feeling that time slows down. Thanks to the tranquil ambiance and the lovely staff, this is an oasis of pure relaxation!
We chose to spend the turn of the year 2018/2019 at this fantastic, beautiful spot, and we could not have chosen better! When Zuri was advertised as a new hotel on the internet a year ago, it was love at first sight for me. Moreover, no matter how high my expectations were, I was not disappointed – quite the contrary! Our stay and especially New Year’s Eve were terrific!
Made by Originals @ Design Hotels
The modern and new Zuri, which quite fittingly means beautiful in Swahili, is the culmination of three year’s passionate, hard work. It is built on one of the most beautiful beaches on the island and opened its doors in July 2018. It would have been easy to build 100 villas on the huge plot, but the owner Václav Dejčmar (Interview at Design Hotels) wanted to offer his guests loads of privacy and, above all, natural beauty.
“Today, when more and more things tend to feel and taste the same, it is not an overstatement to say that Zanzibar is different. Located just on the Equator, the colours are more intense, more saturated, more vibrant. And, for some reason, the time runs differently as well! In this environment, it is so easy to forget our daily routines, to rouse our dormant imagination, and to perceive life from a new angle. Stop “doing” and start “being”. Because, ultimately, – we are human beings, not human doings! And it all began in Africa :-)” -Vaclav Dejcmar, Owner of Zuri Zanzibar
Zuri is not just a resort, but a vision and a lifestyle. Design Hotels ™ aims to create a unique global community of design, architecture, and cultural authenticity with genuine hospitality.
The resort has a long private beach, a large infinity pool, a spice garden, three restaurants, four bars, a yoga pavilion, a spa, an outdoor gym, and a library.
The stunning garden, designed by Ferdinand Leffler, is maintained daily. It is a real eye-catcher and allows you to immerse yourself in the beautiful, tropical surroundings!
Sustainability, social commitment & responsible tourism
Sustainability was paramount in the design and construction of Zuri. The resort strives to be as self-sufficient as possible. The water comes from a private well with a desalination plant. Wastewater is recycled and used in the resort’s gardens. Approximately 60,000 m irrigation pipes provide the garden with water. The unique Evening Breeze cooling system consumes only a quarter of the energy used by conventional air conditioning.
“Sustainability is the ability to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”
EarthCheck has awarded Zuri a Sustainable Design Gold Certification. Plastic is entirely omitted in the resort. In the near future, guests can help plant new corals in the ocean. With many of its own initiatives, for example, ‘Zuri Giving’ and efforts in cooperation with other companies, Zuri supports the environment, education and waste management of the local population. (Read more >>)
Interview with General Manager David Fernández Fanego
Dreams are made of sand and sun …
Zuri Beach
Unlike all the other beaches on the island, you can relax and swim in the sea all day long on the 300 m long private beach, as there is no tidal influence here.
The colors are incredibly bright and radiant. You really cannot believe your eyes when you look at the ocean’s mesmerizing azure-blue waters; it seems to be taken out of a beautiful postcard!
Although Zuri’s beach is private, you can still watch the hustle and bustle of the locals and experience the real African zest for life all around. Soak in the spectacular sunsets on one of the cozy bean bags in the sand or on a swimming hoop in the ocean.
Feeling Tropical @ Zuri Bungalows
The resort, with 46 bungalows, six suites, and three thatched-roof beach villas, is reminiscent of an African village. It was designed by Jestico + Whiles in traditional African and Asian style using only local natural materials.
Zuri Bungalow
With modern and ecologically responsible technology, hammocks on the shady terrace, outdoor showers and luxurious furniture, the 66 square meter bungalows have an incredible atmosphere and offer plenty of privacy.
We loved, hanging out on the spacious 25 square meter terrace.
As a welcome gift, a typical Kanga cloth and a bracelet awaited us on the bed.
On the walls, the large-scale paintings by local artists create a feeling of warmth and coziness.
You can enjoy some excellent coffee from the chic mini-bar and delicious cookies on the terrace with a good book. The mangoes, we bought at one of the countless fruit stalls on the street.
The stunning design concept seamlessly combines modern and typical African elements, and is strikingly chic!
The organic bath products in the well-designed bathroom are made on site from seaweed.
This spectacular bead curtain is handmade from countless paper beads made out of old magazines. Impressive!
All the bungalows have great outdoor showers, and some of the Ocean View bungalows also have a bathtub, and the Jacuzzi bungalows have a Jacuzzi on the terrace. Some bungalows are interconnected making them perfect for friends or families.
Suites & Villas
The Suites and Beach villas have their own stretch of private beach and Dhow Bar all to themselves. The Suites are 132 square meters and have a living area, a Jacuzzi, a bathtub, an outdoor shower, and a 50 square meter terrace. The Private Beach villas, from 260 square meters, have two or three bedrooms, a 12-meter pool, a games room, living room, kitchen and access to the private beach.
Life is cool by the pool …
With this fantastic view of the ocean, it is worth spending your time not only on the beach, but also at the 32-meter long infinity pool. Delicious cocktails and snacks can be ordered directly from the Maisha restaurant.
Eat well and feel good …
At Zuri, you can enjoy delicious dishes with European, African and Indian influences in the restaurant, on the beach, by the pool or in your bungalow.
Upendo Restaurant
The beautiful open design main restaurant serves breakfast with live cooking stations in the morning and a 5-course international cuisine dinner in the evening.
Enjoy the vast variety of delicious breakfast dishes while taking in the magnificent views of the resort and the Indian Ocean.
You can tell that you are at a Design Hotel. The colors, the fabrics, and the decor – everything blends perfectly together and creates an ultra-stylish, yet comfortable atmosphere.
Peponi bar
Enjoy a high-quality gin and cigar in the peaceful atmosphere of the Peponi Bar.
Maisha Resto & Bar
The chic African design, poolside restaurant Maisha offers a mix of Southern European and Indian Ocean cuisine with great views of the ocean. The dishes are also served directly at the pool. If you would like to, you can also enjoy breakfast or dinner here (at extra cost) on a smaller scale.
Bahari Bar & Grill
You can enjoy finger foods and small bites, cocktails, refreshing drinks, including sugar cane cocktails, fruit daiquiris and smoothies from the Bahari Bar & Grill beach restaurant while sunbathing on the beach or later while marveling at the magnificent sunset.
Dining by Design
At Dining by Design, you can enjoy wonderful romantic candlelight dinners on the beach.
Take time to make your soul happy …
Maua Wellness
Healing Earth manages the spa. It has three airy massage rooms, a whirlpool terrace with sunbeds and a salon. It offers a variety of treatments, manicures, pedicures, and facials.
CLOSE YOUR EYES AND EMPTY YOUR MIND. OUR AIM IS FOR GUESTS TO REBALANCE, AND TRULY RESTORE THEMSELVES, BOTH PHYSICALLY AND EMOTIONALLY.
ZANZI SPICE JOURNEY
A powerful blend of coffee, cinnamon, orange and island spicesapplied in a body polish, wrap and massage to define, sculpt and revive.
Inhale and exhale …
Yoga
At the yoga pavilion, you can relax and regenerate by doing some yoga (some courses are free of charge) while enjoying the magnificent view of the turquoise ocean.
Live life with a little Spice …
Spice Garden
The spice garden is the perfect place for meditation or to discover the spices of Zanzibar.
Meditation classes and Spice Garden Tours are offered daily (on some days in combination with a cooking class).
The Spice Garden Tour is very interesting. There are plenty to smell and taste. When some of us wanted to try some fresh baobab fruit, no effort was spared to fulfil that wish.
In the open kitchen, you even have the opportunity to experience a cooking class with the hotel chefs and to discover and taste the secrets of Swahili cuisine.
The fresh snapper ceviche was a real treat!
Keep calm and paddle on …
Water Sports Center & Shop
Right next to the beach bar is the Wimbi Water Sports Center. Here you can rent snorkeling and water sports equipment, beach games, and book a Dhow sunset cruise, Ngalawa boat trip, scuba diving lessons, fishing and snorkeling trips. We found the Snorkeling and fishing tour by East Africa Diving great! On our trip, we even encountered some dolphins.
At the beautiful Sheikha, you can buy beautiful things for your home in the adjoining shop.
Happily ever after …
Honeymoon Special
- A bottle of sparkling wine
- 20% discount on the 60-minute couple’s massage
- Lunch on the beach for two
- VIP gift
- Romantic room decoration
- Sundowners on the beach for two
A minimum stay of 4 nights applies, may be combined with other offers, valid up to 1 year after the wedding date.
Zuri Weddings from USD 1600
This beautiful place is also perfect for a wedding. On the beach, in the Spice Garden or the Beach villa (subject to availability), you can say I do stylishly in the tropical island atmosphere. Celebrate with up to 200 guests at the cocktail party and with up to 130 guests at the ceremony and gala dinner. (Zuri Weddings Brochure >>)
Happy new year …
New Year’s Eve at Zuri was awesome! Many specials were offered over several days, and New Year was extensively celebrated. The celebrations started the evening before with a beach BBQ. Not only was the food delicious, but to watch the Masai dancers with your feet in the sand was a great experience.
On New Year’s Eve, the evening started early with a cocktail party in the Spice Garden. It continued with a grand gala dinner in the restaurant and ended spectacularly with a fire show, dancers from Stone Town and a DJ party on the beach. Just awesome!
The fire show was spectacular, and the dancers from Stone Town were indeed world class!
With a great DJ from Stone Town, we ended the night under starry skies to the cool beat of the music.
Conclusion
Zuri Zanzibar is a tropical oasis with heart and soul! With such caring staff, the beautiful tropical garden, delicious food, modern bungalows, and great activities, our holiday here was unforgettable. The private terrace, the pool, and the beach are perfect for relaxing. The guests are offered so much, at the same time the environment is protected, and the local population supported – it could not get any better! For special occasions, honeymoons, and family reunions or just to relax and get away from it all, Zuri is perfect! Highly recommended!
Room: 55 (46 bungalows, six suites, and three villas)
Flight duration: about 11 hours nonstop from Germany to Zanzibar with Condor, about 15 hours with Emirates via Dubai
Transfer: 65 km away from the airport, about an hour and a half’s drive, we can highly recommend Bamanga style as a driver and guide
Vaccinations:Hepatitis A, Yellow fever
Air Temperature: 22 – 32 degrees Celsius
Water Temperature: 24 – 27 degrees Celsius
Time difference: CET +2 hours
Best travel time: December and January are hot and dry; July to September is mostly dry with pleasant temperatures; March to May is the rainy season. Short rain showers are also possible at other times.
Price: from 315 EUR per night including half board
Special offers: 25% discount from 4 nights
Activities: Cooking class, Spice Garden tour, yoga & meditation (sometimes free); water sports, Dolphin cruise and much more
Specialties: Beautiful beach, incredible bungalows, great food, super-friendly staff, stunning infinity pool, great activities, special dinners on the beach
Perfect for: Romantics, nature lovers, couples, honeymooners, family, and friends
Kendwa Beach Zanzibar, Tanzania
Telephone: +255 245 500 111
info@zurizanzibar.com
www.zurizanzibar.com
Design Hotels™
EarthCheck´s Sustainable Design Gold Certification
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Note: We financed our stay at Zuri Zanzibar ourselves – thanks to the Welcome Rate of Design Hotels ™ we only paid half price. Many thanks for the lovely candlelight dinner on the beach!
Monique De Caro
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