“A beautifully secluded and luxurious retreat that was the perfect place to unwind after a week-long safari.”

We stayed at Xanadu for a week after our safari and it was a wonderfully luxurious, romantic and secluded experience. 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 many 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 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. 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.

“Will definitely come back”

The staff and food was incredible

“Xanadu Zanzibar: Where Perfection Meets Paradise”

Staying at Xanadu in Zanzibar was nothing short of perfection. Every single detail, from the stunning villa design to the smallest touches in the room, has been so thoughtfully curated that it feels like stepping into a dream. The entire property is flawless, perfectly maintained, and created to deliver an unforgettable experience. What truly elevated our stay, however, was our butler, Rashid. He was, without a doubt, the best we could have ever hoped for. Always attentive, always one step ahead of us, he made every moment feel effortless and special. Rashid arranged each meal in a different and absolutely extraordinary setting, transforming every dining experience into something magical and unique. His genuine warmth, constant smile, and passion for what he does were unforgettable. And then there is the food itself — every meal at Xanadu reaches the very pinnacle of quality. Each dish is a masterpiece, combining freshness, creativity, and exquisite flavors in a way that makes dining here an experience in its own right. Together, the extraordinary cuisine and Rashid’s flawless service created moments we will never forget. The best thing we can say is thank you. You really made us feel so special. It was the best experience we could have had for such a happy time as this in our lives. Thank you Li and Rashid. 💛

Everything - a real paradise with attention to every detail. Pictures don’t even come close to how incredible the place is.

“MAGICAL - will leave you breathless”

This place is MAGICAL - their attention to detail, to your personal preferences, their amazing food and the sheer beauty of the facilities will just leave you in awe. Xandu Villas has a soul - one that allows you to find tranquility while enjoying pure luxury from food, warmth of service and designs so beautiful you will not want to close your eyes. We can only recommend this to anyone out there - the food deserves Michelin stars, the buildings an architecture award and their hospitality all the stars there are. We will come back anytime - thank you for making this our special honeymoon

A Slice of Paradise – Perfection from Start to Finish Our stay at Xanadu Luxury Villas & Retreat Zanzibar was nothing short of extraordinary. From the moment we arrived, everything was flawless — the warm welcome, the seamless service, and the breathtaking surroundings made it feel like we had stepped into paradise. Our personal butler Abel was absolutely perfect — attentive, discreet, and always one step ahead of our needs. The chef’s cuisine was truly exceptional, with every dish crafted to perfection. Each meal was a culinary experience that exceeded all expectations. The attention to detail throughout the entire resort is remarkable — from the villa design to the thoughtful touches that made us feel so special every single day. Every moment was pure luxury, comfort, and beauty. If you’re looking for a place that offers privacy, impeccable service, and an unforgettable atmosphere, Xanadu Luxury Villas & Retreat Zanzibar is it. We can’t wait to return.

“An Unforgettable Stay – Truly Beyond Compare”

From the very beginning, I was greeted with such genuine warmth and kindness that I immediately felt welcome and at ease. Every detail of my stay was handled with incredible care, creating a memorable experience that far exceeded my expectations. I was assigned a personal butler (Katherine), whose dedication and attentiveness were second to none. She anticipated every need and ensured that I was always comfortable and well looked after. Truly exemplary and kind service! The room was flawless—spacious, elegant, impeccably clean, and beautifully designed with a perfect mix of luxury and regional character. Every aspect, from the soft linens to the carefully chosen lighting, contributed to a serene and luxurious atmosphere. The natural setting was nothing short of spectacular. Surrounded by breathtaking scenery, I found myself in awe of the landscape. At night, the African sky lit up with stars, creating a sense of peace and wonder that made me feel deeply grounded. I will absolutely return. This isn’t just a hotel—it’s a transformative experience I’ll carry with me forever.

“One of the most beautiful hotels you'll ever stay in!”

The food in this hotel is absolutely outstanding. The service from arrival at the airport all the way through to leaving was outstanding. Jesca was our designated "butler" and she was brilliant from start to finish.

“In one word: AMAZING!”

We stayed for 3 nights (part of our honeymoon) and we couldn’t be happier with this decision! The hotel itself is amazing but the staff is next level. Our private butler Simon was literally the best.

“Heaven on Earth”

A little piece of Paradise, some way from Stone Town, but so worth it. Fabulous jungle location with a stunning beach. Meals can be eaten wherever you want (and are lovely!). Huge beautiful rooms/villas, everything very very private, and the personal butler is just a dream, I wanted to take ours home!

“Amazing Stay”

-Breathtaking location and unique Villas. -Mike, Michelle, and our driver Abu Bakar were amazingly kind. The manager was also kind enough to give us a tour of the property. -The beach felt private -The food was great -We had fun playing with the resort cats and baby goats.

“WOW, WOW & WOW - Seeing is believing!”

I dont' want to sound like one of those who say "We stay in the best places", but we do stay in some amazing properties, and Xanadu, might have just topped every other place and spoilt every future holiday! We aren't sure how we will top this! We were welcomed by huge smiles and the team made us feel at home within seconds guiding us to our villa. We stayed in Villa Nyota it is unbelievable, it's like something out of Arabian Nights, a movie set or AI-generated. It doesn't look real, its fantasy, luxury, and escapism all rolled into one. Directly on the beach, it has a huge pool, lots of outside space surrounded by lush green trees, and tall pots with flowers, honestly, it's beautiful! We both joked about how are we going to describe this to our friends. The beach is beautiful, quiet, with sand so white and powdery it beats the Maldives and the Caribbean. When the tide is out you see the odd local in the distance fishing, and when the tide comes in the sea creates your own private beach. Our butler, Simon, was amazing, always smiling, if you need anything, pick up the phone and within seconds you have it. We only had to tell him about our "dislikes" once, and they were never mentioned again. A true credit to Xanadu! The food was very good, and I am a foodie. I am always hesitant about "all-inclusive" and never really book them as I don't wan't mass-catered, but this is far from the all-inclusive image. The amazing exec-chef produces a new menu every day with 3 options for each course, we stayed there for 8 days and never saw the same thing on the menu twice (apart from breakfast), which was also delicious. If you want something off the menu that was also prepared and the snacks throughout the day and fresh coconuts were amazing. The drinks were all good, cocktails great! Overall everything was breathtaking! I have never left a property without a couple of minor faults - until now.

“Perfect romantic luxury oasis”

We stayed at Xanadu as part of our honeymoon trip to Tanzania and Zanzibar. It was certainly our most luxurious accommodation, no detail is left out. Ismael who looked after us during our stay couldn’t do enough for us and really made us feel at home during our stay. The food was also incredible, definitely a highlight of our stay

Amazing staff, Toby, Michelle, and Ali, our butler, were absolutely amazing and thoughtful

“A hideaway retreat that exceeds all expectations.”

Our stay at Xanadu completely exceeded all expectations. From the moment we got there we relaxed thanks to the fantastic guest relations staff who greeted us. Xanadu is beyond peaceful, it's architecture and setting make you feel like you're the only people there. The service we received from our personal butler, the food we ate, the rest we had was more than we could have ever asked for.

“Xanadu as the name states is a retreat. You are given a butler and exceptional first class service from before your arri”

The customer service, hospitality, cleanliness, ambience, and tranquility from before, during and after our trip was first class service. Xanadu goes above and beyond to ensure your stay is perfect!! Not once were we bombarded with bills. We accorded the respect and treated like royalty!!! Best vacation and highly recommendable - definitely a value for money!!!

“Idyllic peaceful location with wonderful hospitality.”

The villa was beautiful, stylish and comfortable. Our butler Rashid was exceptional, he was extremely courteous and efficient without being too intrusive. He was very good at listening to our requests,remembering and responding.

“We loved it”

We stayed in Xanadu for five nights / six days and loved it. Prior to arrival we have asked for female butler ( as my wife is hijabi ) and to ensure that all the meals served were halal. From the arrival when we were picked up at the airport we were treated with utmost respect and custom which we usually experience in five star, well established hotels in London. Jesca - our butler and helper was extremely attentive to every request we’ve had and made our stay a literal heaven. Now, few days after returning we constantly mention her and it won’t change for sure. Beach and tides: there’s a special website where you can check the tides timing and simply make your day around it. It’s not the hotel’s fault whatsoever. Beach during the low tides period is cleaned up from what we have noticed and it’s the only one without seaweed. Food: Not sure where to start or end - every meal was simply amazing and not only tasted great but also presented in five star manner. Wife took additional cooking lesson with the Chef which I observed and honestly - experience was entertaining and end result astonishing. Villas: We stayed in Kimwondo which is quite private and have additional pool on the rooftop. Massive space for a couple ( although I don’t see the point of staying in Villa when you have such a beautiful grounds and amazing beach to explore ). Anyway - spacious room and bathrooms, cleaned up with bed made and towels replaced EVERY time we left for the meal were simply “something else”. Additional: we’ve had problems with PCR tests arranged through the government website but hotel management moved earth and sky to sort it out for us! Extremely grateful as our next stop unfortunately required the recent swabs. Security and safety: Team of Masais keeping an eye on the property and beach 24/7 and making sure nobody from the outside sneaks in or tries do the “beach sales”.

We were upgraded to the Mawingu villa which was incredible! We had no reason to leave our villa which had a beautiful outdoor lounge looking out on the beach, a plunge pool, waterfall shower, and plenty of space. The architecture/design was very pleasant. We had amazing service from our dedicated staff member Mambo who organized our meals/space and always added a special touch. The food was phenomenal both healthy and delicious; we continuously looked forward to the next meal which was all covered in the package. They provided a list of additional activities and management went out of their way to help us plan a special day that worked for us; we enjoyed snorkeling, massages, and a sunset cruise. Once you consider everything provided in the package, we felt we received good value. Highly recommend!

“Best place we’ve ever stayed!”

From the moment you arrive to the moment you leave absolutely everything at Xanadu is perfect. Leigh’s (hotel manager) warm welcome and continuous 5* care hit every note perfectly, she delivered professional yet extremely personal care. Watson, our “butler” who became more of a friend by the end of the week was another example of how to deliver perfect customer service. He looked after us at all times and we were truly sad to say goodbye at the airport! From incredible meal time service, accompanying us on all excursions as well as popping up with drinks just when we wanted them - we have never known service like it! The rooms are out of this world. The food might as well be Michelin starred. You can eat wherever, whenever you want (beach, villa, main pool). Every member of staff is incredibly friendly. It really doesn’t get any better! Put it this way, we booked for 3 nights and then cancelled our second hotel to stay here for the whole time we were in Zanzibar! Don’t hesitate and book here for as long as you can and if you’re truly lucky, ask for Watson!