Luxury family-friendly hotel renovated in 2025 and located near Salaam Cave Aquarium
A free breakfast buffet, a poolside bar and a terrace are just a few of the amenities provided at The Residence Zanzibar. This hotel is a great place to bask in the sun with a beachfront location, beachfront dining and sunloungers. Treat yourself to a facial, a body treatment or a body scrub at the on-site spa. At the two on-site restaurants, enjoy breakfast, lunch, dinner and ocean views. Yoga classes are offered at the gym; other things to do include kayaking, horse riding and snorkelling. Stay connected with free in-room WiFi, and guests can find other amenities, such as 2 coffee shops/cafes and a garden.
Popular amenities
Breakfast included
Parking included
Free Wi-Fi
The current price is ฿15,563
฿15,563
฿20,247 total
includes taxes & fees
6 Jun - 7 Jun
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Located in Kizimkazi, The Residence Zanzibar is on the beach. Salaam Cave Aquarium is a popular attraction and the area's natural beauty can be seen at Paje Beach and Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park. Forodhani Gardens and Prison Island are two other places to visit that come recommended. Scuba diving and fishing offer great chances to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with ecotours and hiking/biking trails nearby. Visit our Kizimkazi travel guide
Mchangamle, Kizimkazi
What's nearby
Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park
30 min drive - 28.2 km
Jambiani Beach
32 min drive - 30.7 km
Mchangamble Beach
5 min walk - 0.5 km
Kizimkazi Beach
17 min drive - 13.0 km
Paje Beach
39 min drive - 37.4 km
Getting around
Zanzibar (ZNZ-Zanzibar Intl.)
58 min drive
Restaurants
fahari off the grid
14 min drive
Aya Beach Restaurant
15 min drive
Sarabi
15 min drive
Juice Bar
14 min drive
Frangipane Buffet Restaurant
14 min walk
About this property
The Residence Zanzibar
Luxury family-friendly hotel renovated in 2025 and located near Salaam Cave Aquarium
A free breakfast buffet, a poolside bar and a terrace are just a few of the amenities provided at The Residence Zanzibar. This hotel is a great place to bask in the sun with a beachfront location, beachfront dining and sunloungers. Treat yourself to a facial, a body treatment or a body scrub at the on-site spa. At the two on-site restaurants, enjoy breakfast, lunch, dinner and ocean views. Yoga classes are offered at the gym; other things to do include kayaking, horse riding and snorkelling. Stay connected with free in-room WiFi, and guests can find other amenities, such as 2 coffee shops/cafes and a garden.
You'll also find perks such as:
An outdoor pool, along with sunloungers and pool umbrellas
Free self-parking
Free bike hire, an outdoor tennis court and a round-trip airport shuttle (surcharge)
Supervised childcare (surcharge), meeting rooms and wedding services
Guest reviews say great things about the helpful staff
Room features
All 66 rooms boast comforts, such as 24-hour room service and private pools, in addition to perks, such as fireplaces and furnished patios.
More conveniences in all rooms include:
Separate baths/showers, free toiletries and hairdryers
Flat-screen TVs with satellite channels
Separate sitting areas, childcare services and coffee/tea makers
All-inclusive details
All-inclusive room rates at The Residence Zanzibar are available. These rates are higher because they include on-site food and beverages in the room rate (some restrictions may apply).
24-hour return airport shuttle at scheduled times and on request for a surcharge
Free self parking on site
Limited on-site self parking
Food and drink
Free buffet breakfast
2 bars/lounges
2 coffee shops/cafes
2 restaurants
A poolside bar
Snack bar/deli
Restaurants on site
The Dining Room
The Pavilion
Things to do
Books
Evening entertainment
Free bicycle rentals
Free children's club
Full-service spa
Games
Gym
Hiking/biking trails
Horseback riding/rentals
Kayaking
Library
Outdoor pool
Outdoor tennis court
Playground
Sauna
Snorkelling
Steam room
Table tennis
Yoga classes
Family friendly
Free children's club
In-room babysitting
Laundry facilities
Living room
Outdoor pool
Playground
Private pool
Separate bedroom
Snack bar/deli
Supervised activities for children (surcharge)
Conveniences
24-hour front desk
Free newspapers in lobby
Gift shop/newsstand
Hair salon
Laundry facilities
Lockers
Luggage storage
Safe at front desk
Guest services
Concierge services
Dry cleaning/laundry service
Housekeeping (daily)
Multilingual staff
Porter/bellhop
Proposal/romance packages
Tour and ticket assistance
Turndown service
Wedding services
Business services
Computer station
Meeting rooms
Outdoors
Beach loungers
Beach towels
Beach umbrellas
Garden
On the beach
Pool loungers
Pool umbrellas
Terrace
Full-service spa
Body scrubs
Body wraps
Facials
Manicures/pedicures
Massage
Accessibility
If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
Accessible airport shuttle
No lift
Wheelchair accessibility
Wheelchair-accessible path of travel
More
66 buildings
Built in 2011
Reception hall
Renovated entire property - May 2025
Smoke-free property
Room amenities
Bedroom
Bedsheets provided
Blackout drapes
Bathroom
Free toiletries
Hair dryer
Separate bathtub and shower
Slippers
Towels provided
Entertainment
Flat-screen TV with satellite channels
Private pool
Food and drink
24-hour room service
Coffee/tea maker
Free bottled water
Minibar
More
Air conditioning
Ceiling fan
Desk
Fireplace
Living room
Phone
Safe
Separate sitting area
Policies
Check-in
Check-in start time: 3:00 PM; check-in end time: anytime
Check-out
Check-out before noon
Contactless check-out
Special check-in instructions
This property offers transfers from the airport (surcharges may apply); to arrange pick-up, guests must contact the property 72 hours prior to arrival, using the contact information on the booking confirmation
Front desk staff will greet guests on arrival at the property
For any questions, please contact the property using the information on the booking confirmation
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools
Access methods
Staffed front desk
Pets
Pets not allowed
Children and extra beds
Children are welcome
Rollaway/extra beds are not available.
Cots (infant beds) are not available
Payment types at the property
Important information
Fees
You'll be asked to pay the following charges at the property. Fees may include applicable taxes:
Christmas Eve (24 December) Gala Dinner per adult: USD 190
Christmas Eve (24 December) Gala Dinner per child: USD 95 (from 3 to 12 years old)
New Year's Eve (31 December) Gala Dinner per adult: USD 190
New Year's Eve (31 December) Gala Dinner per child: USD 95 (from 3 to 12 years old)
A tax is imposed by the city: USD 5.00 per person, per night
An effective city/local tax rate of 12.00 per cent will be charged
We have included all charges provided to us by the property.
Optional extras
Airport shuttle fee: USD 95 per vehicle (one-way, maximum occupancy 4)
The above list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits may not include tax and are subject to change.
You need to know
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
This property accepts credit cards; cash is not accepted
Safety features at this property include a carbon monoxide detector, a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector, a security system and a first aid kit
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios and terraces, which may not be suitable for children; if you have any concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm that they can accommodate you in a suitable room
We should mention
This property does not have any lifts
Frequently asked questions
Does The Residence Zanzibar have a pool?
Yes, this property has an outdoor pool.
How much does it cost to stay at The Residence Zanzibar?
As of 4 Jun 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at The Residence Zanzibar on 6 Jun 2026 start from ฿15,563, excluding taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.
Is The Residence Zanzibar pet-friendly?
No, pets are not allowed at this property.
How much is parking at The Residence Zanzibar?
Self-parking is free at this property.
What time is check-in at The Residence Zanzibar?
Check-in start time: 3:00 PM; check-in end time: anytime.
What time is check-out at The Residence Zanzibar?
Checkout is at noon.
Does The Residence Zanzibar provide a shuttle to the airport?
Yes, there's an airport shuttle that runs on request. A fee of USD 95 per vehicle applies.
Are there all-inclusive benefits at The Residence Zanzibar?
Some rate plans available at this hotel are all-inclusive.
Where is The Residence Zanzibar located?
Nestled on the beach, this Kizimkazi hotel is 5.8 mi (9.4 km) from Salaam Cave Aquarium and 18.4 mi (29.6 km) from Paje Beach.
Can I cancel my reservation for free and receive a full refund?
Yes, this property offers free cancellation on selected room rates because flexibility matters! Please refer to the property cancellation policy on our site for more details about any exclusions or requirements.
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Reviews
The Residence Zanzibar Reviews
9.0
Wonderful
All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travellers who have booked a stay with us can submit a review. We verify reviews according to our guidelines and publish all reviews, positive or negative.More informationOpens in a new window
9.4
Cleanliness
8.2
Location
9.2
Staff & service
9.2
Property conditions & facilities
Rating 10 - Excellent. 148 out of 210 reviews
10 - Excellent
148
Rating 8 - Good. 37 out of 210 reviews
8 - Good
37
Rating 6 - Okay. 11 out of 210 reviews
6 - Okay
11
Rating 4 - Poor. 4 out of 210 reviews
4 - Poor
4
Rating 2 - Terrible. 10 out of 210 reviews
2 - Terrible
10
Reviews
Verified
8/10 Good
robert
1 Mar 2026
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Very nice villas. Friendly staff. Facilities Nice and Calm atmosphere. Low tides dominated the day time but we know this before coming. Two of us Got sick from ice cream with travellers diarréa as a consequece, staff shoul have better hygiene routines.
The Residence was the perfect spot to celebrate my 40th birthday. The deluxe garden view with the private pool was exact atmosphere my husband and I were looking for. The hotel is extremely clean and they even offer room cleanings twice a day. And we also loved the different themed dinner options each night along side with a live band performance! The staff make you feel at home and apart of the family. Nico always greeted us with a warm smile and helped us capture precious moments. The location is a little far from main attractions but I promise it’s worth it. Thank you to all the staff that made our visit to Zanzibar so special!♥️
We have been to The Residence several times before and have really enjoyed it and so were very keen to return this time. It was just approaching the rainy season and so it was rather quiet with the majority of the guests already going home but, on the whole, we still had good weather with only rain once during the day.
All of the staff were, as always, so friendly and helpful from the warm welcome at reception when we arrived to the staff in the restaurants, Hellen, Farida, Sulesh, to name but a few to the driver of the buggy taking you anywhere around the resort and from your villa to the restaurants.
Bicycles were provided at each villa and were in good condition.
The villas are set in beautiful surroundings and have their own private plunge pools which are regularly checked for water quality and the main pool is wonderful for swimming or just cooling down from the heat.
All in all, we had a wonderful visit again.
Amazing stay in the Residence!
Employees are very kind, the rooms are very luxurious, ans the a perfect service!
I travel a lot and it is one of my favorite hôtel
I will come back very soon for sure 😃
A great location for a quiet get away. The spa treatments and wellness was fabulous. The dining options were always good and of high quality. Staff are friendly and helpful. Recommend the all-inclusive package as options are plentiful and much better than most resorts in Zanzibar.
The room was stunning and spotlessly clean. We chose a Garden room as we love wildlife and we were not disappointed. We saw dik diks, elephant shews, monkeys, lots of sunbirds, African Golden-Weavers, Helmeted Guineafowl and loads of other birds around the hotel grounds.
They offer Yoga classes every day and Pilates twice a week. I attended one of these most days and would highly recommend. The teacher gave clean instructions and was very encouraging when I lost my balance trying a new pose. The Pilates was particularly good, I hadn't done Pilates before and it was more of a workout than the yoga.
For dinner you have a choice of buffet at the main restaurant or Al la carte at the The Pavilion. The Pavilion menu only had a few options per menu but they have 3 menus and change every other day. The buffet food was nice with lots of options and there is live entertainment every night. The Pavilion is a quieter more romantic option but you have to book in advance.
All the staff were really friendly and helpful.
The only reason I didn't give 5 stars was the fact a very large family were there for our last few days and took over a lot of the resort. The main pool lost its previous tranquillity as the all the children played there and the music from the private event in Pavilion restaurant was very loud in our Villa.
Beautiful property, with a nice layout. The staff was very friendly and helpful, the only issue we faced was complete power failure on the first day and Internet going off and on.
Fabulous trip! The residence is gorgeous. The food was delicious and the service was great, everyone is super friendly and welcoming. We found the hotel day trips on the pricey side. There are other local options so all good.
Our room was perfect, we had booked Luxury Garden Suite, which exceeded our expectations, we particularly like the privacy it afforded and actually were pleased to have not booked a Beach Villa.
The main swimming pool does need a face lift, there are numerous tiles missing and also the entry to the pool is rather unsafe it would be much better to just have a step rather than the slanted tiles
Perfect Residence. Luxury amenities. Pool area, dinning villas stunning. Staff , every person very pleasant, smiling and ready to help, please you in any possible way. Food is good. Entertainment at dinner time with african bands, dancing. Nice music.extremly clean pool, bathrooms, all common area..Me and my housban enjoyed our stay. Thank you Residence.
A truly magical holiday with great attentive staff, Nitin and his team really looked after us. The resort is set in a very natural surrounding and there is lots of opportunity to catch the wildlife in action (including cheeky monkeys!). Pool was great for long swims, fitness centre was very well equipped. The food was immaculate! Both the lunch and dinner menu amazed us every time we dined. Evening entertainment was very entertaining! I recommend you go for all inclusive, full board or at a minimal half board.
Really nice hotel, stayed in a one bedroom villa and it was beautiful and clean, food choices were good also but could have more options. Pavilion restaurant was really nice. The place is really big and because they are all villas it sometimes feel like there’s not many people around, when in fact they are sold out.
Would stay here again only downside is the location, the road conditions are not the best on some areas, and nothing around the resort so you are forced to only eat and stay on the villa. However it’s not too far from some of the activities.
Our stay at your incredible resort was nothing short of exceptional. From the moment we arrived, we were welcomed not as guests, but as family—and that warmth remained with us throughout our stay. The facilities were outstanding, but what truly made our experience unforgettable was the team behind it all.
We extend our deepest gratitude to Ahmed, the Front Office Manager, along with Benjamin, Edson, Rakesh, and every single member of your amazing team. Your kindness, professionalism, and genuine care went far beyond our expectations. You made us feel at home in every way.
This resort has now become our home in Zanzibar, and we look forward to returning again and again. Asante sana and may God bless you all abundantly. Amen. Until we meet again—see you soon!
The staff were amazing. It felt like a family environment. I was quite emotional after I left. The managers and staff did everything possible to make my stay perfect. Benjamin, kitchen staff and housekeeping and all cleaners helped me out a-lot during my stay. This was a dreamy luxurious stay. I was even given complimentary treats on my arrival. I booked the Ocean view prestige Villa and it was a great decision. You have bikes at the villa which you can use to explore around the resort and gardens. The spa is extremely amazing. I loved my therapist Anna she was brilliant. Highly reccomend.
Beautiful grounds, especially oceanfront villas with pools. Large villa that's nicely furnished, however not really at the 5 star level with mould growing on lampshades etc. The ocean is beautiful but be aware there is a lot of seaweed on beach which is not pleasant for swimming. Food at buffet is just ok. Mixed service with front desk staff (servers and cleaners very friendly and helpful), big difference from welcome at check in to rushed check out. There are 1-2 golf carts that can transport you around property but may have a long wait or they may forget to pick you up (though they did arrive early when it was time to check out...). Overall slightly disappointed with experience compared to price.
We had an unforgettable stay at The Residence and can’t wait to return—especially our three kids, who are already asking when we’ll be back!
The hotel’s beautiful gardens were a highlight; we enjoyed walking through them every day instead of using golf carts. The staff were always friendly and eager to help, making us feel right at home.
The two restaurants offered excellent food with daily themed menus and live performances, ensuring a fresh and enjoyable dining experience. The complimentary watersport activities were fantastic, with the boat house crew leading fun and informative sessions.
Our beach-facing luxury villa was spacious, well-decorated, and offered great privacy, especially with its private pool although the kids also enjoyed swimming and playing with other kids in the main overflow pool. The monkeys occasionally made an appearance around the villa but kept their distance, adding a fun touch. The beach, while a bit seaweedy at low tide, was perfect after 1 pm.
The tour guides were professional and made exploring the area a breeze. Overall, we had a fantastic time and look forward to returning soon!
Verified traveller
Stayed 5 nights in Dec 2024
Verified
8/10 Good
Asma
13 Nov 2023
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
The room was large and beautiful sea view and outdoor private pool. Please note not fully private pool. The bathroom was nice but lots of bugs. When I mentioned it to the hotel they came to spray with bug spray (including indoor with kids). Highly venomous snake in outdoor shower - could very easily come in as there was a glass sliding door between indoor and outdoor shower which has a large gap. Took security 1 hour to come to remove snake, it disappeared by the time they arrived. Stayed elsewhere in zanzibar and did not have as many bugs inside. Food not great. Very basic.
Was ok but I wouldn’t stay here again. Lovely experience with monkeys though and enjoyed the pool. The beach isn’t proper sand so uncomfortable to walk on and water not clear because of this. Staff were nice.
This is an amazing property to stay in Zanzibar. We were upgraded to the frangipani villa which was spacious and well appointed. The private pool was great. The main swimming pool is huge and doesn’t get too crowded. The food options at the main dining room were good with a lot of vegetarian options for breakfast and dinner. Beverage options are nice and reasonably priced. The complimentary fruits at mid morning and ice cream at mid afternoon around the pool area are a great touch. The staff is polite and extremely helpful. We had to see the onsite doctor as one of us wasn’t feeling too well one day. The staff promptly arranged for the doctor to arrive who was extremely helpful and thoughtful in his advice which we highly appreciated. The doctor didn’t charge us for his visit and medication even when we asked if he was sure. As has been discussed previously in other reviews, most beaches in Zanzibar have big tidal ranges and at low tide, the sea retreats by a lot. We didn’t swim on the beach for that reason and there’s also a lot of sea weed that the staff tries to clean every day. Nevertheless, the main and private swimming pools more than made up for it. There are a lot of monkeys around the resort and the staff warn you at the outset to keep the doors closed. It is advice that must be heeded to. The resort is family friendly. That’s great if you have kids of your own but if you don’t, it can feel a bit like school nursery during breakfast / dinner time.