The Palms Zanzibar

We have been totally and utterly spoilt this week. There is not a single part of our stay that hasn't been absolute luxury. The grounds are beautiful, immaculate, and so well kept. It's not uncommon to see people climbing the trees to get coconuts for all to enjoy. Our bungalow was bigger than our flat at home! A small kitchen area, spacious lounge, lovely bedroom with a huge comfy bed, a massive bathroom with a bath, vanity area, his & hers sinks, and separate toilet and shower areas, with an additional bathroom, snug, and wardrobe area make up the bungalow. There is also a plunge pool, bed, and sofa area outside, too. Just incredible! Toiletries, first aid kit, hair dryer & safe are all provided. The pool is great, very refreshing with lovely views. The sun loungers are also very comfortable too. The pool bar is a few steps away in a shaded area with drinks a plenty. Each bungalow has its own private cabana with sun loungers and towels daily. The beach is nice. Quite seaweed-y and lots of sea urchins, so take water shoes. During a low tide, you can take a reef walk, and when the tide is higher, you can enjoy a nice swim. The water is at times like a hot bath! You can see plenty of fish and sea life. There are occasionally people walking along trying to sell stuff, but a polite "Hapana asanti" suffices, and you're left to be. It's nice to take a stroll either way down the beach, too. The food. Oh my god, the food. Just wow. 5 course meals which are absolutely exquisite! We have never had food so good. Seafood lovers will be in their element. Our favourite has to be the octopus we had for lunch one day. Breakfast is a variety of fresh fruit, juices, pastries, and hot/cold options. Lunch & dinner are pre ordered, so you'll be shown a menu a couple of hours before the meal to select from. It is no problem at all to order as you sit down, though, or ask for variations of the menu. Sundowners will help you sample the cocktail menu throughout your stay and have some snacks. Every meal, the tables are decorated differently. To put in to perspective how good the food is, we went for dinner one evening at a nearby restaurant, and it came nowhere near to the standard we'd been used to all week. Occasionally, there is evening entertainment. The staff are amazing and make you feel so well looked after and cared for. Kiba & Jackson, in particular, were brilliant with us. The two sister hotels on either side are also very nice, but we mainly stayed at The Palms, so can't comment too much about either of them. I don't think I've ever had a more relaxing week. We're used to slightly more atmosphere & vibrance when we go away, but on reflection, a super luxury week of pure chill out isn't so bad afterall, especially after a busy week prior on safari. Thank you so much for an utterly fantastic honeymoon!!!

To the entire Team at the Palms Zanzibar, Asante Sana! We decided to visit the Palms to rest after being on safari the prior 2 weeks. When choosing a place to stay, we read the reviews on TA and although higher end in cost, it seemed like you couldn't go wrong. We are happy to say that the reviews are spot on and the Palms is worth every shilling! The resort is run by a top GM, Mr. Siriak, who is so efficient and reassuring that you would expect any request could be met (and in our case were!). Mr Siriak was there when you needed anything, and in the ether running the behind the scenes operations the rest of the time. As for operations, there are services from breakfast through dinner (including Tea Time, Sundowners, Lounge Drinks, In Cabana Service). The staff are exceedingly delightful and apologies for not capturing everyone's names: we specifically received top-tier service throughout each day from Jackson, Ngasa, Kibalabala and Maulid. Upon arrival, you are presented your Villa (one of only 7 on property) which is about the size of a small house! Then, you are shown the beautiful grounds including your personal Cabana overlooking the Indian Ocean, with a tidal cycle allowing for excursions to investigate the interesting sea life between the beach and the breakers offshore. We also enjoyed snorkeling, scuba diving, reef walks, and a day trip to visit the spice farms, butterfly garden and National Forest. Needless to say, each of these activities were scheduled, booked and managed by Mr. Siriak and his Team with precision and joy. The last night we enjoyed live music where for the 10 guests having dinner around the pool, Mr. Siriak had provided a 7-piece! band. Lastly, we would be remiss without mentioning that after noting certain food preferences, my wife was treated to Lobster 3 nights (see photo) and various Shrimp entrees the remaining nights; all of the food was terrific and will require loads of exercise to ensure we can visit again... And we would like to as soon as possible. :-)

Me and my wife had an amazing experience at the Palms. We upgraded our accomodation to the Palms and it didn't disappoint. A true luxury exclusive experience with only 7 villas on site. Your own private beachfront cabana and a more intimate experience for breakfast lunch and dinner. Its just so nice! All the staff members were just so nice and truly professional. We got on with them all and we can't say a bad word about the place. The food all week was really good, and if you didn't fancy something on the menu, they will make you whatever you want. I would 100% recommend this place and would definitelty visit again!

Amzing and diffrent… Quiet side of the island We actually walked to the palms and had fantastic service , the decor was amazing , the Restaurent and the pool area with fantastic staff… Will I go there again ? Yes , however Lots more to explore in zanzibar …

If you ever get a chance to visit The Palms, do NOT hesitate. This was the most romantic, relaxing beyond exceptional place I have ever stayed. The accommodations, the food, the drinks, the setting and the staff were all above exceptional. This is truly an oasis you will enjoy. Our visit to The Palms made me place it Number 1 on places I want to revisit. I travel a lot and have a very short list of places I am wanting to return to—usually I opt for exploring new sites. Not here. Hope you enjoy it as much as the 4 of us did. Positives: small resort, private resort (guests from neighboring resorts are not allowed in premises), staff quickly learned your likes and habits and anticipated our every want and need. Super service. Con: Far away from USA, but I will definitely go back.

This fully inclusive resort on the secluded side of Zanzibar was the perfect place to relax and enjoy an aqua-vacation after exploring the Serengeti in Tanzania. The Palms has just 7 villas (each villa has its own cabana on the beach), so you get personalized service and care. The manager was everywhere and he could not have been more helpful- "Here, let me bring that coffee with milk to your villa" and "Yes, as a matter of fact, we will have a village elder who taught history come and speak about Zanzibar history tomorrow evening after dinner." Our villa had air conditioning, WIFI, two showers and a bath, a king size bed with evening turn-down (and mosquito netting which we felt we didn't need) and everything else you would expect in such a luxurious resort. The pool was perfect and there is an area between the beach and the outer coral reef that you can explore at low tide, which was perfect. The Sport Shop would arrange for anything water related; we loved the Snorkel Safari to the Blue Hole just 10 minutes up the coast. The Palms was a wonderful respite from the challenges of the Serengeti and a chance to recharge. The people could not have been nicer, the food was fantastic and the accommodations were top shelf. Looking to pamper yourself in a beach setting? You could do no better than a stay at The Palms!

a week in true paradise... missing it already while writing this review. This intimate resort is like having your private villa on a secluded island, with wonderful staff attending to all your needs. As the Palms just has a handful of beautiful villas by the beach, it is as tranquil and peaceful as it can get. Want more action? the neighbouring resorts on both sides belong to the same hotel group and have a larger scale. You can make full use of their restaurants, water sports & dive center, spa etc. But the Palms was definitely our favourite! Had a chance to meet the owners, the most friendly and hospitable people you can imagine. ps: the Palms has a no kids policy, only kids 16 and older allowed. Each villa has it's own beach cabana, so no "fighting" over the best lounge spots on the beach..

Incredible staff and property, located on a beautiful beach with a navigable reef at low tide. You feel like you’re at the ideal home away from home as soon as you arrive at The Palms! We loved the adults-only and quiet energy of this resort, and will absolutely return in the future.