Zuri Zanzibar: An enigma wrapped in a bohemian rhapsody
Secreted away at the end of an unpaved road, an hour outside of Stone Town lies the Zuri Zanzibar resort. Literally off the beaten track, draped across the beachside slope in Kendwa the 13-acre Zuri micro-universe feeds into a dreamy, sunset-facing beach, uniquely unaffected by the massive tidal fluctuations that plague the rest of the region’s beaches.
Aptly called ‘Zuri’ the Swahili word for beautiful, this highly curated afro-modernist hotel is an amalgamation of sleek design and social awareness. Swahili greetings of ‘Jambo’ or ‘Hakuna Matata’ from staff members in wide-brimmed sunhats welcome you into the al fresco reception cum library where zephyrs from the Indian Ocean carry with them the scent of spices. The use of sixties-style wooden furniture crafted from old dhows, juxtaposed with woven-basket pendant lamps and African textures sets the tone for a boho-chic getaway.
Villas are so discreetly hidden among the well-maintained gardens that each garden bungalow appears to be hidden in its own private jungle. Eucalyptus and nyasi grass thatched roofs sit atop the Tanzanian teak villas. Room keys are silicon bracelets which can even be worn inside the pool (be sure not to lose these as replacements are expensive). Inside, mosquito nets billowing over plush beds act as small cooling chambers, outfitted with Evening Breeze, an eco-friendly cooling system hidden in the folds of the net. Local art and cushions adorned in local African textiles add the perfect sense of place. The cool grey concrete floors of the indoor/outdoor bathroom are artistically offset by delicate colorful curtains of handmade paper beads, the craftsmanship of Chaka, a women-led social enterprise. The rooms spill out effortlessly onto spacious wooden terraces with wicker furniture and come-hither hammocks swinging in the breeze.
An expansive insta-worthy wooden staircase, where swaying palm trees bathing in the sunlight are enveloped in pops of brightly coloured bougainvillea, leads the way to a private curl of beach – a rarity in Zanzibar where all beaches are public. Thatched umbrellas providing shade are dotted along the white sand, as are cabanas with willowing nets. Off to the side is the small Dhow Bar which offers the perfect spot for a casual drink. While the azure waters of the ocean beckon you in for a swim, be sure not to miss taking a dip in the resort’s infinity pool. Sunsets are nothing short of spectacular on the island. Get to the beach early enough to secure a prime spot from which to watch the molten sun melt into the sea as cotton candy clouds drift slowly by accompanied by the sights and sounds of live music and fire dancers which the resort organizes.
Zuri’s restaurants, Upendo, Maisha and Bahari Grill & Bar, serve a fusion of African, Indian, Arabian and European cuisine. Breakfast is served buffet style and the griddle-fresh pancakes topped with dewy honey from the southern islands are not to be missed. Grilled seafood, spiced with the resorts home-grown herbs is remarkable throughout. Service is slow but smiley and the effort to please is palpable. End your evenings sitting under a canopy of stars at the poolside bar with a delicious local dawa cocktail in hand.
Deluxe Garden Villas start at 1,409 AED
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Photos: Zuri Zanzibar
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