The Residence Zanzibar
8.8 / 10
Palmprint
Our resort score · out of 10
Strongest on rooms and pools & spa
The Residence Zanzibar at a glance
- Location
- Kizimkazi
- Guests
- All ages welcome
- The plan
- All-inclusive available as an add-on
- Setting
- Near the coast
- Guest rating
- 4.5 / 5 on Google870 reviews
- Best months
- Jun · Jul · Aug · Sep · Oct
- Pools
- 1 pool
- Airport transfer
- ZNZAbout 55 minutes
- Dining
- 2 restaurants
- Drinks
- 2 bars
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Rooms & prices
Named-room seasonal samples are not available yet. Check current availability with the resort.
This resort prices room-only by default; the all-inclusive plan is a paid add-on, so add it when you book.
Latest tracker sample · USD
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The Residence Zanzibar
Things to know
before you go
The Residence Zanzibar is best treated as an optional all-inclusive luxury villa resort, not a default wristband-style all-inclusive.
Every villa has a private pool, making this a strong romance and privacy pick.
Confirm the current Standard AI package before import completion because villa minibar and specialty dining rules matter.
Things guests wish they had known
All-inclusive is available only on some rates or packages, not the only default board.
The villa minibar and in-villa dining have restrictions even under all-inclusive terms.
Strengths from our research
Every villa has a private pool
Secluded beachfront estate
Strong romance fit
Two-bedroom villa options
Other considerations from our research
All-inclusive is optional and restricted
Remote southwest location
Tide-dependent beach use
Transfers extra
What guests say
Most loved
- Private-pool villas and privacy
- Secluded beachfront grounds
- Romantic atmosphere and service
- Large gardens and quiet setting
Most complained about
- All-inclusive plan has restaurant and minibar limits
- Remote southwest location adds transfer time
- Tides affect beach swimming
From Reddit
Reddit was searched; resort-specific discussion is thin, so official, OTA and specialist review sources carry the consensus.
What’s included
The all-inclusive plan is an optional add-on at The Residence Zanzibar. These inclusions apply when you book that plan.
Included
- Wi-FiIncluded
Not included
- Room serviceCosts extra
In-villa dining and villa minibar drinks are not fully included in all-inclusive terms.
- Spa treatmentsCosts extra
- Airport transfersCosts extra
Airport shuttle is available on request but not evidenced as included.
Included with limits
- Premium & à la carte diningPartly included
All-inclusive rates are available; package terms include full-board items, selected drinks and limited restaurant rules.
- Top-shelf liquorPartly included
Standard AI package includes local beers, selected wines, spirits, cocktails and soft drinks; sparkling water and some beverages are excluded.
- In-room minibarPartly included
Standard AI package includes selected minibar beverages replenished daily.
Inclusions can vary by room category and season. Confirm your plan before booking. How we verify this
More resort facts
- Rooms and suites
- 66
- Value
- 7.5 out of 10
- Service
- 8.8 out of 10
- Beach
- 8.2 out of 10
- Dining
- 8.4 out of 10
- Rooms
- 9.5 out of 10
- Pools & Spa
- 9.1 out of 10
Confidence is high across the board except value and beach, where the evidence is thinner.
Score breakdown, research & sources
How we scored The Residence Zanzibar
8 categories, scored from official sources and read against what guests actually report. Verified Jul 16, 2026 under Palmprint methodology 1.0.
The six that set the score
And 2 more we track
Confidence is high across the board except value and beach, where the evidence is thinner.
Open a category
Value7.5Medium confidence
- Villa Quality
- 9.3
- Ai Optional Value
- 7.4
- Package Restrictions
- 6.8
- Transfer Extra Penalty
- 6.5
Service8.8High confidence
- Villa Privacy
- 9.0
- Transfer Logistics
- 7.2
- Butler Style Service
- 8.8
Beach8.2Medium confidence
- Seclusion
- 8.6
- Mile Long Beach
- 8.5
- Tide Variability
- 6.8
- Southwest Location
- 8.0
Dining8.4High confidence
- Package Limits
- 7.2
- Zanzibari Flavors
- 8.4
- Restaurant Quality
- 8.6
- In Villa Extra Penalty
- 6.8
Rooms9.5High confidence
- Recent Renovation
- 8.6
- Villa Size Privacy
- 9.4
- Two Bedroom Options
- 9.0
- Private Pool Standard
- 9.6
Pools & Spa9.1High confidence
- Main Pool
- 8.4
- Shallow Area
- 8.0
- Private Pool Each Villa
- 9.6
Luxury9.3High confidence
- Spa
- 8.6
- Dining
- 8.4
- Service
- 8.8
- Setting
- 9.0
- Private Villas
- 9.5
Romance9.2High confidence
- Private Pools
- 9.6
- Villa Privacy
- 9.5
- Secluded Beach
- 8.8
- Family Presence Penalty
- 7.2
What it does best
- Every villa has a private pool
- Secluded beachfront estate
- Strong romance fit
- Two-bedroom villa options
Where it costs you
- All-inclusive is optional and restricted
- Remote southwest location
- Tide-dependent beach use
- Transfers extra
Room intelligence
- Rooms To Avoid
- Garden categories if direct ocean frontage is the priorityAll villas have private pools, so view and beach position are the main trade-offs.
- Best Room Category
- Luxury Ocean Front Pool VillaStrong balance of oceanfront positioning, private pool and one-bedroom privacy without Presidential Villa pricing.
- Best Room Category For Families
- Frangipani Ocean Front Pool VillaTwo-bedroom oceanfront villa category is the strongest evidenced family or two-couple option.
Everything we read on The Residence Zanzibar
Restaurants & bars
Palmprint food score 8.4 / 10
- Places to eat
- 2
- A la carte
- 2
- Bars and lounges
- 2
International · Zanzibari · Island flavors · In-villa dining
Official dining page identifies two restaurants, The Dining Room and The Pavilion, plus in-villa dining and beach or pool-deck dining experiences.
Venues, opening hours and plan inclusions can change by season. Confirm your choices when booking.
Do you need dinner reservations at The Residence Zanzibar?
Official dining page identifies two restaurants, The Dining Room and The Pavilion, plus in-villa dining and beach or pool-deck dining experiences.
Rooms & suites
Seasonally sampled rooms are not available yet.
More room options (6)
| Suite | Occupancy | Bedrooms | Aspect |
|---|---|---|---|
| Luxury Garden Pool Villa | Sleeps 4 | 1 bedroom | Garden viewprivate pool |
| Luxury Ocean Front Pool Villa | Sleeps 4 | 1 bedroom | Oceanfrontprivate pool |
| Prestige Ocean Front Pool Villa | Sleeps 4 | 1 bedroom | Oceanfrontprivate pool |
| Frangipani Garden Pool Villa | Sleeps 6 | 2 bedrooms | Garden viewprivate pool |
| Frangipani Ocean Front Pool Villa | Sleeps 6 | 2 bedrooms | Oceanfrontprivate pool |
| Presidential Villa | Sleeps 6 | 2 bedrooms | Not publishedprivate pool |
Occupancy limits and connecting-room requests should be confirmed for your party before booking.
Pools and the beach
Pools & waterplay
Each villa has a private pool; Tripadvisor FAQ notes private villa pools and a main pool with a shallow area.
The beach itself
Southwest Zanzibar beachfront with tidal Indian Ocean conditions; swimming and beach size can vary with tides.
- Caveat: Water conditions vary through the year
- Caveat: Entry depth varies along the shore
Counts come from the resort's own published information; the scores are ours, from the Palmprint file below.
Families & group stays
Bringing the kids to The Residence Zanzibar
What decides whether a resort works with children in tow, answered from what the resort publishes rather than from the brochure.
- Kids' club
- Program listed
- Supervision & drop-off
- Confirm rules and current hours before booking
- Rooms that fit a family
- 6 categories, incl. Luxury Garden Pool Villa, Luxury Ocean Front Pool Villa
- Beach for young swimmers
- Entry varies along the beach
- Dinner reservations
- Needed at some restaurants
- Can a family of 5 stay in one room at The Residence Zanzibar?
- Yes. The Residence Zanzibar has room categories that sleep 5 or more in one key: Frangipani Garden Pool Villa, Frangipani Ocean Front Pool Villa, Presidential Villa. The largest stated occupancy is 6. Occupancy rules count most children (and sometimes infants) toward the limit, so confirm your exact ages with the resort when you book.
- Does The Residence Zanzibar have a kids' club, and from what age?
- Yes. The Residence Zanzibar lists a kids' club. Kids club is identified by Zanzibar specialist sources; exact ages and babysitting terms should be manually verified. Confirm supervision, drop-off rules and current hours before booking.
Taking a group
Villa-only luxury resort focused on privacy, dining and quiet beach relaxation rather than nightlife.
- Private dining & events
- Bookable
- Nightlife
- Low-key, quiet by late evening
Tell us the trip, we'll tell you the resort
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Kids' club hours, teen programs and group availability all move with the season. Confirm the specifics with the resort for your dates.
When to go
Best months: Jun to Oct
Temperature barely moves here across the year, so rain is the whole decision: the wet months run Mar to May.
| Measure | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average daily high | 90°F32°C | 91°F33°C | 91°F33°C | 88°F31°C | 86°F30°C | 84°F29°C | 84°F29°C | 84°F29°C | 86°F30°C | 88°F31°C | 90°F32°C | 90°F32°C |
| Rain days | 5 days | 4 days | 9 days | 15 days | 10 days | 4 days | 3 days | 3 days | 3 days | 5 days | 8 days | 7 days |
| Verdict | Fine | Fine | Wet | Wet | Wet | Best | Best | Best | Best | Best | Wet | Wet |
Average daily highs and monthly rain days. Seasonal averages, not a forecast.
Getting to The Residence Zanzibar
- Nearest airport
- ZNZ · Abeid Amani Karume International Airport
- Approximate transfer
- 55 minutes
- Transportation
- The resort lists transfers at extra cost. Your package may differ.
Your own driver. Possibly a lower price.
A personalized airport pickup could cost less than a taxi or shared shuttle. Compare private transfer prices before you decide.
Check my transfer price (opens in a new tab)We may earn a commission if you book through this link.
Destination essentials & trip planning
Zanzibar, Tanzania · +255 24 555 5000
Tanzania
- Language
- Swahili & English (English widely used in tourism)
- Currency
- Tanzanian shilling (TZS); USD widely accepted
- Power
- 230V, Type G (UK-style) plugs – bring an adapter
- Driving
- On the left
- Main airport
- Zanzibar / Abeid Amani Karume (ZNZ)
- Flight time
- ~16–19h+ from the US, with a connection
Who it suits
One of the 8 categories we score in the Palmprint file for The Residence Zanzibar; the full set is above.
What we'd book around it
Affiliate · commission at no cost to youFlights
Fly into ZNZ, 55 minutes from the gate; round trips from about $1562.
Search fares (opens in a new tab)Insurance
Storms move flights in season, and the cheapest rates are usually non-refundable.
Compare cover (opens in a new tab)Data
An eSIM for the flight and the beach; Wi-Fi is included on the resort but stops at the gate.
Get an eSIM (opens in a new tab)Our full take on The Residence Zanzibar
The Residence Zanzibar is 66 villas on a secluded stretch of the southwest coast at Kizimkazi, and every single one has a private pool. That is the proposition: gardens, quiet, space and water you never share, with two restaurants, The Dining Room and The Pavilion, and a main pool with a shallow end for children. The beach here is tidal, so how much sand and how much swimming you get changes through the day.
All-inclusive is a rate option rather than the default, and its limits are specific enough to check line by line. The standard package covers the full-board meals and selected drinks, meaning local beers, selected wines and spirits, cocktails and soft drinks, with sparkling water among the exclusions. The villa minibar is only partly covered, and in-villa dining, which is one of the nicer things about staying in a villa, is charged separately even under those terms. The spa is extra. So is the airport transfer for the fifty-five minute drive.
Our samples run from 402 to 429 dollars a night for two, which for a private-pool villa is a strong number and the main reason this resort keeps appearing in our Tanzanian pages. Ask for the current package terms in writing before you book, because the minibar and specialty dining rules are where guests have been caught out. Villas run from one bedroom up to six-sleeper Frangipani categories and a Presidential villa. Come for the privacy, not for a programme.
Similar all-inclusives to The Residence Zanzibar
The Palms Zanzibar
Dream of Zanzibar Resort & Spa
Compare The Residence Zanzibar with Dream of Zanzibar Resort & Spa
The Mora Zanzibar
Scores higher overall on the same six categories.
Where The Residence Zanzibar ranks
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