Xanadu Luxury Villas & Retreat
Ultra-private and romantic, with bold Afro-Arabic architecture. White dome ceilings, hand-carved wooden furniture, local artwork, and lush tropical gardens. Serious about food — the chef team trained across South Africa, Kenya, and Tanzania.
Check tide times before planning beach activities — the east coast has dramatic tidal swings; high tide gives the best swimming.
Why It Matters
Opened in 2016 and quickly became one of Zanzibar's most lauded small properties. Member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World. With only nine villas, all-inclusive rates, private butlers, and a beachfront spa, this is as private as it gets on Zanzibar without chartering the whole island.
Nine individually designed villas on a white-sand beach on Zanzibar's southeast coast, built with circular rooms, domed roofs, and arched windows that pull from the island's Arab and African architectural history. Every stay is all-inclusive and comes with a dedicated private butler. The whole property only holds nine villas, so it never gets crowded — even in peak season, you're unlikely to hear your neighbors.
Where You'll Stay
9 room types available
Villa Alfajiri (Dawn)
Two-level villa particularly popular with honeymooners. A spacious ground floor lounge leads to the private plunge pool and garden, while the first-floor bedroom has a private balcony with an ocean view. Come evening, lights in the surrounding trees make it genuinely romantic.
KingVilla Kimwondo (Shooting Star)
Described by the architects as their personal favourite. Two storeys: bedroom with en-suite and cathedral windows on the ground floor, then an exterior staircase leads to a rooftop plunge pool and terraced lounge. The rooftop is the place for moonlit dinners and stargazing. White shade sails keep it cool by day.
KingVilla Korongo (Canyon)
One of the two family-friendly two-bedroom garden villas. Each bedroom has its own private bathroom. Super-sized living and dining areas, private plunge pool, and an outdoor shower. Sits close to Villa Kimwondo, making it the natural choice for groups needing three bedrooms across two villas.
King (each bedroom)Villa Mawimbi (Waves)
The most private of the one-bedroom villas, positioned at the edge of the property right on the beach. Lapping waves are your background noise. Features a beautifully carved wooden headboard and billowing curtains framing the ocean view. A staff favourite.
KingVilla Mawingu (Clouds)
The largest one-bedroom villa at Xanadu. Mawingu sits with a direct ocean view and features a spacious outside lounge area where you can watch the Indian Ocean from your sun lounger. Private plunge pool is sheltered by signature Xanadu orchid-petal walls.
KingVilla Mbingu (Heavenly Sky)
The original presidential villa. Three levels: majestic ground floor lounge and private pool, first-floor bedroom, and a second-floor bedroom with its own private access to a second rooftop pool. Both bedrooms have private ocean-view balconies. Unique domes and arches make this one of the most architecturally dramatic of the nine.
King (each bedroom)Villa Mlima (Mountain)
Sister villa to Korongo, ideal for families or friends. Two bedrooms each with private bathroom, a super-sized living and dining area with Xanadu dome ceiling and open pavilion arches letting in the Zanzibar trade winds. Private plunge pool and outdoor shower. Surrounded by lush garden with butterflies and birds.
King (each bedroom)Villa Nyota (Stars)
The newest and largest villa in the collection at 400 sqm. Two bedrooms each with private balconies and ocean views. The second floor bedroom has private access to a rooftop pool, plus there's a full-size ground-level private pool. Waterfall showers throughout.
400 sqmVilla Umande (Dewdrop)
The cosiest of the nine villas. A perfectly formed hideaway tucked into tropical flowering gardens. The Xanadu dome design floods the interior with light, and the en-suite features a waterfall shower. Can be booked alongside the neighbouring Alfajiri Villa for groups.
KingThe Property
Eat & Drink
1 venue on property
Restaurant
Spa & Wellness
Treatment Menu
On Property
How you'll actually spend your days.
Romantic picnic set up on the beach or on an excursion to a remote sandbank, arranged by the butler.
Private candlelit dinner set up on the beach under the stars — location and menu arranged with your butler.
Walk the tidal flats with a guide to discover marine life and coral reefs exposed at low tide.
Guided walk through Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park, Zanzibar's only national forest and home to the endemic red colobus monkey.
Visit to the Kuza (Maalum) natural cave pool, a freshwater sinkhole about 15 minutes from the property. Hotel arranges transport and can send a butler along.
Kite surfing arranged through the activities manager, available at nearby spots on Zanzibar's east coast.
Scuba diving at local dive sites, arranged through the property's activities manager.
Guided sea kayaking directly from Xanadu's beach. Included in the all-inclusive rate.
Guided snorkeling from the beach, exploring the nearby coral reefs and local marine life. Included in rates.
SUP lessons and guided paddleboarding directly from the beach. Included in daily rate.
Stand-up paddleboarding excursion through Zanzibar's mangrove forests.
Boat trip to historic Prison Island (Changuu Island), home to giant Aldabra tortoises and colonial ruins.
Guided tour of a working spice plantation to see Zanzibar's famous cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon, and vanilla up close.
Guided tour of Stone Town, Zanzibar's UNESCO World Heritage Site old city with Arab-influenced architecture, markets, and the Old Fort. About 50 minutes from Xanadu.
Three-hour quad bike trip through local villages and farms in the north of the island.
Full-day marine excursion to a sandbank in the turquoise waters south of Zanzibar, with snorkeling and a seafood lunch.
Board Xanadu's private dhow 'Free Spirit' for a sunset sail with beverages and freshly made bites. Arranged by the property.
Yoga sessions on the beach or at the property.
Amenities & Practical Info
The details that matter for planning.
Direct access to a white-sand beach on the southeast coast of Zanzibar, one of the finest stretches on the island.
Complimentary WiFi throughout all villas and common areas.
The entire retreat can be booked exclusively for groups of up to 36 guests. Also available for weddings and celebrations.
Small currency exchange service on-site. All major currencies accepted. Credit/debit cards including AMEX accepted (3% surcharge).
On-site garden growing tomatoes, basil, rocket, pumpkin, mint, parsley and more, used directly in the kitchen.
Bar at the central pool area. House drinks, local beers, and soft drinks included in all-inclusive rates; premium spirits at extra charge.
Air conditioning in all villas.
Electronic safe in each villa.
Year-round outdoor pool at the heart of the property, surrounded by the restaurant and bar under a Makuti roof.
On-site gift shop.
Daily housekeeping included with all villas. Laundry service provided.
Every villa comes with a dedicated private butler for the duration of the stay — available 24 hours.
Complimentary airport transfers to/from Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (ZNZ), approximately 90 minutes away.
Bicycles available to hire for exploring the local area.
On-site private parking at no charge.
BUILD YOUR XANADU LUXURY VILLAS & RETREAT PLAN
Rooms, dining, spa, and resort experiences — organized into one trip plan.
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