Xanadu Luxury Villas & Retreat Zanzibar

We had a wonderfully luxurious, romantic and secluded stay at Xanadu after a long safari. The decor was beautiful and unique. It truly felt like an idyllic escape worthy of the name Xanadu. We had the Mawingu sea-front villa, which we believed was the best located in the resort. The private pool was a good size and deep enough to properly enjoy. Our butler Muambo was exceptional: attentive and thoughtful. He created personalised surprises for us and arranged meals in different parts of the resort so we experienced every corner of the property. The food was some of the best we’ve had on holiday (delicious, high-quality, varied and well balanced portions). The massage was amazing. We also booked external activities through guest relations. While they were more expensive than booking separately, their level of care and follow-up to ensure we were having a good experience made it worthwhile for us. The beach is tidal, so swimming depends heavily on the time of day. The water was incredibly warm and pleasant at high tide. A few vendors walked along the public beach, however they were respectful when we politely declined. There was some garbage washed up on the public beach, which was unfortunate but not within the hotel’s control. Xanadu is an outstanding place to completely switch off, perfect if you want privacy and romance rather than a social atmosphere. It is ideally suited for a special occasion such as a honeymoon or anniversary.

From the moment we arrived at Xanadu until the day we left, everything was pure class. Our butler, Rashid, went above and beyond, setting up beautiful dining locations for every meal and surprising us with fresh coconuts throughout the day. The rest of the staff, including the hosts and managers, were incredibly friendly and accommodating, and they arranged an amazing snorkeling trip for us. The spa experience was unbelievable... genuinely the best massage we’ve ever had. The food was excellent and plentiful, with thoughtful presentation and variety at every meal. The resort itself is spacious and peaceful, giving you the feeling that you’re the only guests there. We stayed in the Kimwondo Villa and absolutely loved it! Luxurious, private, and beautifully designed. Overall, our stay at Xanadu was unforgettable and exceeded every expectation. Highly recommend!

We have just returned from an amazing stay at Xanadu villas where we were lucky enough to stay in the presidential villa. The staff are incredible nothing is too much trouble and you are always greeted with a smile. The food was exceptional with a different menu every day. Your meals could be taken at your villa or different locations around the resort all secluded and private. We had very few times when walking on the beach where we were approached by local vendors, we learnt to not engage in conversation and in fairness to them they then left us alone. The beach stretches for miles and is very quiet and when the tide is out you can go reef walking which was really interesting. The transfer is straightforward on tarmac roads. |We had the pleasure of meeting Leigh the general manager and Eileen the owner who were so welcoming and made us feel at home the moment we arrived. If you are thinking of visiting this little piece of paradise don’t hesitate you will be delighted!!

Xanadu is pure magic. The private beach is pristine, the rooms are spotless, and the service is flawless—always there when needed, yet never intrusive. The three-course meals and freshly made juices were a daily highlight—no need to dream about Michelin stars restaurant, you get it here. The spa was outstanding, and our kids loved the complimentary SUPs and kayaks. Huge thanks to Jessca, our fun and attentive personal butler, who made everything feel effortless. A perfect mix of barefoot luxury, relaxation, and family-friendly fun. We can’t wait to return!

🌿 A Hidden Paradise: Xanadu Villas, Zanzibar After exploring countless options across Zanzibar, my husband and I ultimately chose Xanadu Villas to celebrate my birthday — and it turned out to be one of the best travel decisions we’ve ever made. We’ve traveled extensively around the world, always seeking privacy, personalized service, and genuine luxury rather than large, impersonal resorts. Xanadu Villas exceeded every expectation. From the very moment they picked us up at the airport, the experience began — and it was nothing short of amazing. Every detail, from the warm welcome letter to the effortless transfer to the villa, made us feel that something truly special awaited us at Xanadu. When we arrived, it felt like stepping into a secluded dream — intimate, elegant, and perfectly curated. Our private butler, Thomas, was exceptional. His attentiveness, professionalism, and kindness elevated the entire experience. Every detail — from the candlelit dinners to the spontaneous, thoughtful touches throughout our stay — reflected an impeccable standard of hospitality. And the food — truly unforgettable. I can confidently say it’s among the best I’ve ever had in my life. Each dish was beautifully presented, bursting with flavor and freshness. We’ve found ourselves craving those meals ever since — so much that we’re already planning another trip just to relive them. Another thing that stood out was the flawless attention to detail. Every time we left our villa for breakfast, we’d return to find the room spotless and perfectly refreshed. In the evenings, after dinner, our villa was always prepared for a peaceful night’s rest — lights dimmed, bed perfectly made, and everything in place. Every table we sat at, whether for breakfast or dinner, was beautifully decorated, creating a new magical setting each time. Each morning, we enjoyed our coffee by the beach with a delicious breakfast, watching the rare Zanzibar monkeys play in the trees right in front of our villa — a sight that felt straight out of a nature film. The team also arranged fantastic excursions, from snorkeling in crystal-clear waters to serene sunset experiences that felt almost cinematic. I had read mixed reviews before booking, but it’s clear things have changed — whether through new management or a renewed vision — because our experience was flawless from start to finish. I also received the best massage of my life — thank you, Gloria! To every single staff member who made our stay unforgettable: thank you so much for your kindness, professionalism, and warmth. If you’re searching for luxury with soul, privacy without pretension, and service that feels genuinely heartfelt, Xanadu Villas is the place. It’s not just a stay — it’s an experience that lingers long after you leave. ✨ A true gem of Zanzibar. 10/10 — we can’t wait to return.

We had an amazing stay this September with friends. The villas were beautiful, spacious, and perfectly designed for comfort and relaxation. The staff were friendly, attentive, and made us feel truly welcome. The views, especially at sunset, were breathtaking, and the peaceful atmosphere made it the perfect escape. Everything about our stay felt effortless and memorable, we can’t wait to come back!

I cannot recommend Xanadu Luxury Villas more. My husband and I celebrated our honeymoon there, and as a regularly anxious and type A person, traveling to Zanzibar and the continent of Africa the first time was something that made me lose sleep ahead of the trip. Once we arrived, that changed completely and I didn't worry a singular time for 8 days. We were promptly picked up from the airport, taken directly and safely to where we needed to go, and were welcomed once we arrived at the villa. Even though we were quite early on our check in day, our villa was ready and we were able to get in and relax immediately. Throughout the trip, excursions were extremely organized and fun, and we were delighted to be surprised while at the beach by being asked if we wanted to tour the reef (Haji is the BEST) and caves at the edge of the tide when it went out. Juma, our driver, was extremely polite and prompt the entirety of our stay, and Leigh, the GM, was a delight to chat with! The star of our trip however, was Mwana our butler. Having never stayed anywhere all inclusive, we had never had a butler or anyone outside of room service taking care of us, but Mwana was top tier. Not only was she timely and came with great recommendations, but we LOVED conversing with her and found that she had a killer sense of humor. She quickly became one of the things we looked forward to every day we woke up. "I wonder what Mwana thinks of this" or "I can't wait to ask Mwana about this Swahili word." As a bonus, our villa, Alfajiri, was one frequented by the red colobus monkeys that run around the resort, and we got to interact with them extremely closely, as they liked to peek in our windows around lunchtime. Xanadu is somewhere we would go again and again if we could. Working high stress and long hour jobs, the level of relaxation and peace my husband and I were able to experience during our stay was not only cathartic but extremely beneficial for us. I would recommend to anyone going to Zanzibar, or really anyone looking to truly experience island life and the beautiful local culture.

Outstanding luxury! From the moment it was a magical experience. The accommodations, the exquisite food and every single person there were outstanding. From Lee the manager, to Muambo our butler/entertainer/guide and host, the ocean guide and our safari guide Tim Leperes, everyone was so knowledgeable, professional, genuine and kind. Fantastic experience!