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The Residence

A stunning property that hasn't scrimped on any aspect

Outstanding Five hearts from 8 votes
The Residence Zanzibar
The Residence Zanzibar

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Review

The first of a new breed of hotel on the island, The Residence is forging the way in the up market hotel category. Situated right in the very south of the island, this vast plot of land hosts 66 luxury villas, all complete with their own pool and sun deck, set in amongst stunning gardens. With a good beach and a range of facilities, this is certainly a property to watch for the future as it settles into it surroundings.

Beach

While not a white sand beach as on the east cost of the island, it is still a workable beach and has the big benefits of being totally private as well as west facing for the sunset. As always, low tide makes it fairly unusable, but with a private pool to each villa and a huge main swimming pool this should not prove to be a problem.

Rooms

Vast rooms that are laid out as Ocean front and garden view in essence. They are all basically the same, with a big lounge area, the master bedroom, outdoor pool and sun lounger area and indoor and outdoor showers. We struggled a little with the logic of having such a vast lounge area as there is not a whole load in there apart from the tv, but it does add to the feeling of space and, for the family villas, it is the perfect communal area. Using many imported fabrics and woods (from Indonesia and Malasia) they have been completed to a very high standard.

Layout

With such a vast area (around 32 hectares), they have done a good job all in all. Obviously the main issue is trying to get as many beach front villas without making them feel crowded together….this they have managed pretty well by planting between the two. Each of the ocean front villas also has access to their own beach loungers.

With a hotel of this size, there is also always going to be a few issues with getting around. They have side stepped it to a degree by offering a bicycle to everyone and so there are small, Chinese style, movements of guests at around supper and lunch times! They do also offer a golf cart type transport for those that are slightly less mobile. The main areas of the hotel work well, with the spa and entrance behind the pool and the restaurant and bar off to the right of this.

Beautiful rooms with plunge pools, outdoor showers and plenty of room, good beach, faces the sunset, good activities on offer, private butlers

Spaced out, confusing pricing scheme

Our rating: 
3
User rating: 
0
Price: 
4

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