Zanzibar White Sand Luxury Villas & Spa - Relais & Chateaux

Our stay at White Sand Zanzibar was truly exceptional. The concept of the hotel is unique: instead of standard rooms, guests stay in private villas of varying sizes depending on the number of occupants. We were delighted to be upgraded to a larger villa with an outdoor jacuzzi, which made our stay even more memorable. Everything was perfectly arranged. The villa was spotless every day, the bed incredibly comfortable, and every detail carefully maintained. The staff were remarkably kind, attentive, and genuinely warm, making us feel welcome from the very first moment. The beach is another highlight—beautifully maintained and offering private spaces for each guest, creating a peaceful and exclusive atmosphere. One of the most wonderful surprises was spotting playful monkeys passing through the property, leaping gracefully from tree to tree—an unforgettable touch of nature that made the experience even more magical. If there are areas for improvement, the butler service could be more attentive. During our four-day stay, we saw our butler only three times, and a simple request for a fruit platter was never fulfilled. Additionally, while most meals were excellent, a few dishes could be better prepared to match the overall high standard of the resort. Despite these minor points, White Sand Zanzibar remains a stunning destination where luxury meets serenity. A perfect place to relax, recharge, and enjoy the beauty of Zanzibar.

A Slice of Paradise – With a French Twist!||I’m staying at White Sand Luxury Villas right now, and honestly… it’s everything a Relais & Châteaux hotel should be — relaxed luxury with zero fuss and lots of “oh wow” moments.||Valérie, the manager (a fabulous French lady), runs the place beautifully. You can feel her touch everywhere: stylish, calm, and just the right amount of chic. The staff are wonderful — warm, smiling, and somehow always appear exactly when you need something.||And the food! Absolutely fabulous — beautifully presented, fresh, and full of flavour. Every meal feels like a treat, the sort that makes you quietly happy you booked this place.||The villas are huge, the beach is postcard-perfect, and the whole place has that magical “I might never leave” feeling.||If you’re looking for proper barefoot luxury with personality, this is it. Absolutely loved it

R&C’s White Sand Villas in Zanzibar was an exceptional venue for our family’s New Year getaway. We left another property in the northwest of Zanzibar when two rooms were available last minute for a stay here. The grounds are impeccable and blend in beautifully with the natural white sand surroundings. The allure of kite surfers is magnificent from the clean, not-busy beach. The villas are extremely well-appointed, the food marvelous at every turn, and the facilities clean and modern…we are amazed that it is a 12-year old property. We also enjoyed the local music at dinner; the musicians did not interfere with dinner conversation and provided a lovely backdrop. And finally, the staff was great. Our room ambassador Felister went to great lengths to meet our every need, and Rosemary (breakfast/lunch) and Christina (dinner) always took care of our dietary needs. We enjoyed bumping into the GM, Valerie, every day of our stay. |The beach comes and goes, depending on the significant changes between high and low tide. This requires some planning for beach swimmers and is simply the only thing to contend with at this wonderful property.

Wow! We had an amazing time here. Spent 4 nights in one of their garden villas - beautiful and spacious room. Enjoyed some of the upgrades like the Dyson blow dryer and portable Bose speaker which you could use in the room and take to the beach. ||Food was delicious - we did half board (breakfast and dinner) which we thought was a great value. ||We loved the complimentary activities that the resort offered - cooking class, African night by the pool with dance performance, bicycles, kayaks, tennis equipment. ||All the staff were amazing including our butler Pious. Thank you for an amazing trip!!

We visited White Sands Luxury for the second time and the service was absolutely top-notch. The staff were amazing – always helpful, kind, and welcoming. Everything was truly exceptional. A huge thank you to Rosemary – the best and most pleasant waitress in the world. Thank you very much for the upgrade. We normally don’t return to the same places, but with you we will have to — again and again.

"We had an incredible family holiday at Zanzibar White Sand Luxury villas. We had our stunning villa and the large private pool, which offered total seclusion and hours of fun for the kids and beyond, the food was exceptional, every meal was fresh, flavorful, and exceeded our expectations. It is the perfect blend of luxury, privacy, and top-tier dining. |​The staff treated our children like royalty, with various activities kept everyone entertained, from the stunning beach to the private pool. It was the perfect balance of relaxation for us and adventure for the kids. We left with so many wonderful memories, thank you for making our family feel so at home! Highly highly recommended."

Recently, I had the immense pleasure of collaborating with all details.me on a tailor made trip to Zanzibar. Despite the short timeline, the team not only managed every detail seamlessly but exceeded my highest expectation.||The resort is stunning, surrounded by turquoise |waters, bougainvilleas, lush palms tress and powdered white sand. The staff were incredibly warm, helpful and welcoming. ||The food is top notch. Each meal was a journey of its own - fresh seafood, Swahili flavors and stunning beachfront settings. That felt like both indulgent and intimate. ||The itinerary was exquisitely curated, blending relaxation with authentic immersion. From sunset yoga to cooking local cuisine.||When I first arrived, I was just hoping for a restful escape. But what I found was so much more. I left Zanzibar not only recharged but with a deeper appreciation for the island, its people and its culture. A truly magical escape and unforgettable experience.

We have consistently chosen White Sands for our annual getaway over the past five years, and we have already secured our booking for a sixth consecutive visit. Our decision to repeatedly return to this property, despite our preference for new destinations, is a testament to the unparalleled experience it provides. From our inaugural stay, we have been captivated by the warmth of the hospitality, the luxurious ambiance, and the magnificent, idyllic location. The entire operation is a masterclass in impeccable standards, from the highly personalized butler services provided by Thomas to the exquisite culinary offerings and attentive service from the restaurant team, including Chef Emmanuel, Jerumina, Christina, Rosemary, Blandina, and Doreen. The dedication of other staff members, such as Sadiki and Muhammad the coconut man, further contributes to a truly memorable and gratifying stay. We were also delighted to share this special place with our newborn during our last visit when he was just three months old. The thoughtful provision of a high-quality crib and a changing table was a profoundly appreciated and vital amenity. As first-time parents traveling a significant distance with a newborn, any initial anxieties were completely alleviated the moment we arrived, thanks to the genuine care and attention from the staff. Synonymous with the Relais & Châteaux brand, White Sands consistently succeeds in elevating the standard of hospitality. Under the leadership of manager Valerie, we continually observe thoughtful and welcomed enhancements that demonstrate a commitment to perfection. We eagerly anticipate our next visit and the opportunity to experience the continued evolution of this remarkable resort.