The Palms Zanzibar

This review is long overdue but I found myself daydreaming of the Palms as I often do, and figured better late than never. I am an adventurous type who would never dream of staying in a hotel for the length of a vacation, let alone an all-inclusive experience. But for...

This review is long overdue but I found myself daydreaming of the Palms as I often do, and figured better late than never. I am an adventurous type who would never dream of staying in a hotel for the length of a vacation, let alone an all-inclusive experience. But for my honeymoon, I knew I would just want to rest. I scoured the globe for an all-inclusive resort that would be quiet and romantic but sustainably minded, that employs locals and gives back to the surrounding community rather than leeching resources from it. The Palms seemed to fit the bill so I took a chance based on the incredible reviews. I was cautiously optimistic but somewhat unsure what to expect. I cannot emphasize enough what a wonderful stay we had here. Even with the freak rains during our November 2023 stay, I would not have changed a thing. As a longtime NYC native and foodie, I was blown away by the freshness, flavor, and variety of food offered. We loved the opportunity to leave the resort for activities such as snorkeling, a tour of a spice farm, and a guided historical visit to Stonetown. But most memorably, the service provided by the Palms staff strikes the perfect cord: attentive but never invasive, kind but never ingratiating. Just genuine warmth. At times, the personal touches made me quite emotional as I've never really been cared for like this. One evening my new husband and I returned to our villa to find the bathroom tub had been filled with hot water and laden with flower petals, a total surprise. On another day, I thought I might ask for a coconut drink as I'd seen another guest having one the morning prior.. When I realized that the staff climb the trees to retrieve them fresh, and the trunks were too slippery because of last night's rain, I was horrified (please, don't risk your life for my refreshment!! I can easily forgo a coconut!). Two days later, I was presented with a coconut at breakfast. Someone had remembered my request from 48 hours beforehand and indeed climbed up a tree as soon as it was safe to do so. I was speechless. Another evening, manager Siriak was gracious enough to teach my husband and I how to play a traditional board game (bao), taking time out of what I'm sure is a full schedule to patiently explain the rules to us. One afternoon, my husband and I were enjoying the pool and saw Kibalabala leaving the poolside bar with drinks. "Those look delicious," we thought, so we caught him on his way past and asked if we might have two pina coladas. He agreed, but all the sudden I saw him abruptly turn around back to the bar. I was mortified... "Wait, Ben - he made those drinks for US!" Yes, he had put together some beautiful cocktails simply because he saw us enjoying the sunshine and wanted to offer us a nice beverage. We called him back, apologizing and thanking him profusely! (Of course, the drinks were incredible.) For the final meal of our honeymoon, the staff built a cabana BY HAND out of branches, palm fronds, and flowers for us to dine on the beach before we said goodbye to Zanzibar. Again, I was left speechless and almost brought to tears. This is the kind of thoughtfully, lovingly curated environment that turns a vacation into an experience that you think back on anytime you are stressed, or angry, or need a mental escape after you go back to your regular life. Nearly two years later, my husband and I still reminisce about Jackson's breezy skills behind the bar, Kibalabala's devotion to making sure we left the table stuffed, Maulid and Ngasa's wonderful smiles. I have never traveled to the same international locale twice, but for the Palms, I think we will have to make an exception. See you at our 10 year anniversary! Much love from New York!

We had a spectacularly relaxing week at The Palms. There are seven gorgeous villas, each with their own cabana and plunge pool. The villas are very spacious with excellent air conditioning. The staff were all very welcoming and the food was always delicious. We were very sad to leave.

The Palms. I don't know where to begin. Absolutely fantastic stay over Christmas. We enjoyed every minute of it This hotel is very quiet, private and secure! The gardens are lush and very well kept and the villas are huge! The manager Siriak and the entire staff are true professionals....

The Palms. I don't know where to begin. Absolutely fantastic stay over Christmas. We enjoyed every minute of it This hotel is very quiet, private and secure! The gardens are lush and very well kept and the villas are huge! The manager Siriak and the entire staff are true professionals. Excellent service from everyone during the whole 7 night stay! Can' ask for more, thank you! Lastly food and drinks. From breakfast until dinner. We ate only at the hotel snd every meal was very good and the service top notch! Can highly recommend the Palms in Zanzibar!

This place is very intimate and one of the most romantic places you can go. The villas are large and spacious, the cabanas were perfect and on the water. we often talk about missing our sundowners (cocktails). The service and details were not overlooked in any way. Ngasa, Kibalabala, Maulid...

This place is very intimate and one of the most romantic places you can go. The villas are large and spacious, the cabanas were perfect and on the water. we often talk about missing our sundowners (cocktails). The service and details were not overlooked in any way. Ngasa, Kibalabala, Maulid and Jackson made our stay incredible.

I am writing this on our last evening at The Palms. I was a bit suspicious about those fantastic 5 star reviews, you know, can they really be true? But me and my wife have been here for 9 days now and we would never, ever, want to leave! The...

I am writing this on our last evening at The Palms. I was a bit suspicious about those fantastic 5 star reviews, you know, can they really be true? But me and my wife have been here for 9 days now and we would never, ever, want to leave! The Palms is that special! Thanks a million Siriak to you and your team, who made our stay - including my wife’s birthday - unforgettable! You are truly special human beings! Asante Sana!

We have just returned from the most Unique Hotel , we have ever stayed in ! From the moment you arrive the welcome is overwhelming ! Fatima on reception so warm and inviting with kind nice smile ! The general manager Siriak making sure every day your stay is going...

We have just returned from the most Unique Hotel , we have ever stayed in ! From the moment you arrive the welcome is overwhelming ! Fatima on reception so warm and inviting with kind nice smile ! The general manager Siriak making sure every day your stay is going well , and making sure anything you need is covered , to making spa reservations, and to organising trips to Stone town (which is a must ) The villas are completely on another level ! I was lost for words when we saw the villa :-) Every one of the bar staff Ngasa and his amazing smile ! , Maulid, Jackson! Who make sure your glasses aren’t empty Also to all the chefs who make everyday the most delicious food , 5 course every evening house keeping and the hard work they put in , the gardeners to the security guards, especially Everest who make sure all safe on the beach , we went to the spa and Had the sultans bath wow wow the ladies are extremely good at their job Nuch and Nara at the Baraza Ten out of ten !!! This small intimate most beautiful Peaceful purest of hotels Will stay in my heart forever We will definitely Be back Hakuna Matata xxx Zanzibar see you very soon

Where to begin! This hotel is honestly the best we have ever stayed in. From start to finish our experience was genuinely flawless. Everything is so personal, from your own Cabana on the beach to the wonderful staff remembering your favourite drink. The food is exceptional, changes every day and...

Where to begin! This hotel is honestly the best we have ever stayed in. From start to finish our experience was genuinely flawless. Everything is so personal, from your own Cabana on the beach to the wonderful staff remembering your favourite drink. The food is exceptional, changes every day and caters for every dietary need or preference possible. Thank you for making our honeymoon so exceptionally memorable. Special mention tk Ngasa, Siriak, Maulid and Jackson the super stars running the show from a guest standpoint. Chef Williams pasta was so good we actually thought he was Italian! We will be back! Plunge pool outside your villa, lunch on the beach and endless views of the Indian Ocean. What more could you want!

We had a lovely time at the Palms as part of our honeymoon after a Safari. The resort was incredibly peaceful and relaxing. Rooms were spacious with a lovely, large and comfortable bed. Staff at the resort were very attentive and the food and drinks were absolutely delicious. We would...

We had a lovely time at the Palms as part of our honeymoon after a Safari. The resort was incredibly peaceful and relaxing. Rooms were spacious with a lovely, large and comfortable bed. Staff at the resort were very attentive and the food and drinks were absolutely delicious. We would definitely stay there again and recommend to family and friends.

This is a stunning hotel. Small, with only seven beautifully appointd villas with bedroom, large bathroom plus extra loo, sitting room at the entrance and a work room (should you want to!). A small private plungepool outside with lounging furniture leads you to a lovely pool and a pool restaurant....

This is a stunning hotel. Small, with only seven beautifully appointd villas with bedroom, large bathroom plus extra loo, sitting room at the entrance and a work room (should you want to!). A small private plungepool outside with lounging furniture leads you to a lovely pool and a pool restaurant. Own beach cabin overlooking the beach (though I didn't swim!). Completed by a sizeable "clubhouse" for cocktails, breakfast and dinner and where you can learn to play Bao! Everything in charming old-fashioned hardwood in a beautifully tended garden. Food excellent and perhaps of greatest importance - the staff who were all delightful and helpful. This is old fashioned style and comfort at its best!

The Palms is a truly 5* All inclusive resort. There are only 7 private lodges all close to the beach with plunge pool at the lodge and all amenities catered for. Each lodge has a private cabana looking out to sea on the beach with sunbeds and towels privided. The...

The Palms is a truly 5* All inclusive resort. There are only 7 private lodges all close to the beach with plunge pool at the lodge and all amenities catered for. Each lodge has a private cabana looking out to sea on the beach with sunbeds and towels privided. The food was exceptional, the chef will cater to any dietary requirements and all the staff are friendly and so helpful, they all go above and beyond to accommodate any of your needs. Siriak the Manager was so engaging always making time for all the guests. He even spent time teaching us how to play their local board game Bao. Thank you for a beautiful week in Paradise we hope to return

One of the most wonderful places to stay. This was our second visit to The Palms and we were not disappointed. From the minute we arrived we were made to feel special and nothing was too much trouble. Just 7 exclusive villas, pool and personal beach side bandas. The staff...

One of the most wonderful places to stay. This was our second visit to The Palms and we were not disappointed. From the minute we arrived we were made to feel special and nothing was too much trouble. Just 7 exclusive villas, pool and personal beach side bandas. The staff and management are the best! If you want a place that will really make you feel like royalty then this is it! The food is amazing - lots of delicious, fresh seafood, great choices and an well chosen wine list. This is the place to come if you really want to relax and be pampered. You also have access to the neighbouring hotels facilities (Breezes and Baraza). We used the spa and gym at Baraza. The beach here is beautiful white sand as far as the eye can see. There is also access to a dive centre, watersports with kayaks, Hobie's and snorkelling etc. The Ops Manager Siriak and his team (Jackson, Maulid, Kibi, Mlacha, Ngasa, Chef William to mention just a few!) were totally wonderful. We really hope to visist again soon!

6 villas embedded in a beautiful garden. Great location - great service - very tasty food. Since there are only 6 villas there is a very individual service. The neighboring hotels can be used, so there are also 2 gyms available and of course other restaurants. Simply a wonderful stay!!

Hands down the most romantic, intimate and beautiful hotel we have ever been to. We could not have asked for a more personalized and intimate setting for us to enjoy the 2nd half of our honeymoon! From the incredibly kind people and deliciously well-crafted daily menus, to the amenities available...

Hands down the most romantic, intimate and beautiful hotel we have ever been to. We could not have asked for a more personalized and intimate setting for us to enjoy the 2nd half of our honeymoon! From the incredibly kind people and deliciously well-crafted daily menus, to the amenities available on the neighboring sister properties, we enjoyed the best 6 days on this amazing hotel. We were able to get a couples massage (at the gorgeous and much larger property right next door) and enjoy their water activities but for the most part, we relaxed in our personal cabanas, pool, and ate til we couldn't eat anymore for every meal. We are already trying to figure out how we can come back with family/friends!

We had a 7 night stay at The Palms as part of our honeymoon and we could not have had a better time anywhere in the world. The honeymoon suite was absolutely stunning - so comfortable, so beautiful and slightly secluded from the rest of the resort, offering a lovely...

We had a 7 night stay at The Palms as part of our honeymoon and we could not have had a better time anywhere in the world. The honeymoon suite was absolutely stunning - so comfortable, so beautiful and slightly secluded from the rest of the resort, offering a lovely slice of calm. Every single member of staff were so lovely and friendly, as well as incredibly attentive with excellent service. The resort itself is gorgeous, and you can use the facilities in the sister resorts which are also lovely. The food and drinks were absolutely top tier, so much choice and it was all delicious. They made such an effort to change things up every day, with some meals having entertainment, some settings being around the pool and different table arrangements. They really think of every little thing at The Palms, we couldn’t recommend it enough as a base to explore Zanzibar (if you even want to leave the resort…)!

The palms is unbelievable for persons looking for privacy, excelllent food and perfect service. One of the best hotels we ever visited. The very friendly manager is regularly looking after his guests to take feedback and organize whatever is needed. Generally, all staff is very friendly and we always felt...

The palms is unbelievable for persons looking for privacy, excelllent food and perfect service. One of the best hotels we ever visited. The very friendly manager is regularly looking after his guests to take feedback and organize whatever is needed. Generally, all staff is very friendly and we always felt highly welcome. The food is high end level and really fantastic. We already miss it :-) maximum respect to the chef and his team. It is possible to use the facilities of the two other hotels but we preferred to enjoy the private environment of the Palms. We highly recommended this jewel to all travellers looking for a quiete and private team.

Probably the best hotel we have ever stayed in.... the staff were excellent and the chef produced amazing gluten free food for my wife. The hotel is based on relaxation and great service. In addition you can also use the facilities at the adjacent hotels. We used the Frangipani spa...

Probably the best hotel we have ever stayed in.... the staff were excellent and the chef produced amazing gluten free food for my wife. The hotel is based on relaxation and great service. In addition you can also use the facilities at the adjacent hotels. We used the Frangipani spa at the Baraza which was excellent. Each room has it's own cabana and sunbeds with lovely views across the Indian Ocean. If you want to relax and be pampered this hotel is definitely worth a visit! Quiet surroundings with superb gardens.

We have travelled extensively and stayed in some amazing places around the world, The Palms is now definitely one of our favourites. The villa (Cinnamon) was really beautiful, spotlessly clean, with lovely decor and stunning views towards the beach. The service was impeccable, Siriak and his whole team are attentive,...

We have travelled extensively and stayed in some amazing places around the world, The Palms is now definitely one of our favourites. The villa (Cinnamon) was really beautiful, spotlessly clean, with lovely decor and stunning views towards the beach. The service was impeccable, Siriak and his whole team are attentive, kind and friendly. Always on hand if needed, with a constant supply of drinks and snacks. Chef William creates amazing food, beautifully presented, with choices for all tastes (catering well for GF needs). The spa at Baraza was very tranquil with a great massage. Kiba, thank you for our Swahili lessons, we are always on the lookout for komba and kima. Siriak - we will be back for our next bao lesson! Thank you for letting us win. We can’t wait to return xxx

A beautiful hotel sensitive to Zanzibar culture and elegance. The service is excellent, personal yet understated - it feels easy going. The very focused manager ensured each day felt unique - whether taking lunch on the beach, dinner that celebrated local food and music (Zanzibar / Swahili), the charming chef...

A beautiful hotel sensitive to Zanzibar culture and elegance. The service is excellent, personal yet understated - it feels easy going. The very focused manager ensured each day felt unique - whether taking lunch on the beach, dinner that celebrated local food and music (Zanzibar / Swahili), the charming chef demonstrating how to sauté lobster. Lunch and dinner menu offers variety to suit any pallet - vegetables / fish / meat.

There is very little we can add to the already excellent reviews of the Palms. Siriak and his team looked after us to a standard we did not expect. We could not have expected more. I cannot praise the team enough. Overall, the hotel teams were great.

Amazing holiday in one of the most beautiful and luxurous hotel in the world. Service was excellent, friendly and staff was always happy and smiling. They made us feeling so special. Food was delicious and we enjoyed 3-4 courses lunchs and 5-8 courses dinners feeling to be pampered! Almost every...

Amazing holiday in one of the most beautiful and luxurous hotel in the world. Service was excellent, friendly and staff was always happy and smiling. They made us feeling so special. Food was delicious and we enjoyed 3-4 courses lunchs and 5-8 courses dinners feeling to be pampered! Almost every evening there was music entertainment and local cultural performance. Only seven villas guaranteed privacy and peaceful stay. Big and warm thank you to whole staff!

What a wonderful experience at The Palms. Everything was top notch. Our villa was spacious and comfortable. The hotel was intimate with only 7 villas so was quiet and relaxing. Chef William and his team served very delicious food. The service was excellent. Siriak and his team did a great...

What a wonderful experience at The Palms. Everything was top notch. Our villa was spacious and comfortable. The hotel was intimate with only 7 villas so was quiet and relaxing. Chef William and his team served very delicious food. The service was excellent. Siriak and his team did a great job. We highly recommend The Palms if you are planning on visiting Zanzibar.