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Reviewed November 7, 2011

This place is amazing. The staff are friendly, sincere and helpful to an amazing standard. The pool and rooms are huge and the food is fantastic. I spent 3 days and did not want to leave. The pool and jetty are probably the most attractive feature and the attention to detail makes you want to just look at the gardens all day long.

I cannot wait to go back.

Date of stay: November 2011
  • Trip type: Travelled as a couple
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3  Thank DanR836
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed November 2, 2011

We concluded our trip to Zanzibar at ZALU and what a fantastic choice!! This is a special place where nothing has been spared. The infinity pool has the 'woo' factor and the attention to detail is astounding. The service at ZALU is probably the best asset of the establishment (from an e-mail response from the GM-Nicolas within the hour regarding our booking enquiries, the presonalised welcome from the manager-Victoria to the excellent daily service (with a smile) from all the staff on the premises. We had a unique four days and look foward to our next break at ZALU (family trip next time!!)
Caroline and Paco Nicodemo

Date of stay: September 2011
  • Trip type: Travelled as a couple
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1  Thank cnamujju
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed November 1, 2011

Our family had really great week-end at the Essque Zalu - Zanzibar : from the welcome greeting till the departure, it was simply fantastic. The food was very good, the service up to the 5* standard and the rooms (the villa) was like in a dream
Everything was perfect and we are just hoping for our next week-end in the Essque Zalu.

.

Room tip: Travelling in couple or alone, you will chose one the nice bungalow. If travelling in Family, you have to chose one of the vila with private jacuzzi, dining and living room, 3 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, kitchen, and, and, and, ...
Date of stay: October 2011
  • Trip type: Travelled with family
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Thank Izaberlyn
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed September 17, 2011

So I arrived to be greeted by an old college mate of mine who is now the Executive Sous chef @ Essque Zalu hotel. His name, Ian van der Walt, his characteristics, charming, sophisticated and wise. He has an in depth understanding about this beautifully created yet somewhat gargantuan establishment. As a chef myself, at Mnemba Island, I was blown away by not only the kitchen and its toys but by the food produced by it. There are 3 dining areas at Zalu, the ala carte restaurant, the Market kitchen (including full deli) and the restaurant out on the Jetty. All of which have incredibly tasty plates to choose from and to my surprise, very reasonably priced.
My meal @ Market kitchen:

Starter: Spinach and feta ravioli in a beurre noisette
Main: Beef Fillet (cooked to perfection) with trufflued brocolli puree, classic chips and Bearnaise sauce
Dessert: Collared creme brulee with passion fruit ice cream

Oh my word, twas all thoroughly delicious and served without pretense.

An upper bar area casts an incredible view over the architectually astounding infinity pool that creates an atmosphere of iminent freedom, complete with fountains and a built in hot tub.
The staff...all welcoming...literally...Karibu sana voiced at you with smiles of true sincerity. The rooms, what can I say, I pride myself on having slept on some comfortable beds in my lifetime and valued many good nights sleep but @ Zalu the bed I slept in made me feel at home in paradise. Waking with such rejuvination and hopping into a well pressured luxury shower room with high end European toiletries (which I did not knick btw).

All in all even with the extravagent design that, at first, I will admit to be a bit intimidating, it all comes together. Once you explore the art gallery, the 50 meter jetty, the elborate entrance hall and of course the unparalleled professionalism of all involved, it simply just works. I will be back again without a doubt

Room tip: Any of them, take a Villa if you have the friends to fill it :)
Date of stay: September 2011
  • Trip type: Travelled with friends
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2  Thank Simon O
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed August 24, 2011

We were three friends visiting Zanzibar for the first time........mainly for business, but our stay, facilities and view at ZALU was so incredible, that we felt like we were on holiday!!

The building and architecture is impressive to say the least - the roof pitch has to be the tallest on the island. They have Suites and Villas set amongst fantastic gardens - we stayed in suites and the standard of offering exceeded our expectations. They only opened in June, so everything is in tip-top condition, but the service culture and slickness feels that they have been open for years!

ZALU is part of the ESSQUE group.......i just love their philosophy and 'essence' : "We have a vision and have made it a reality - to create inspirational places for you to stay, eat, play, relax and do business - your way - translating luxury the way you understand it".....they really lived up to it in their delivery!

There is naturally always somebody that has to make it happen on the ground - i have to compliment the very competent and friendly staff that is dressed in the most beautiful uniforms - they always have a smile to offer and welcoming you in their island/Swahili language....KARIBU!! The General Manager, Nicolas Konig is most charming and looks after all his guest with great ease....always around when you need him for assistance.

The food was outstanding - a variety of venues and styles to choose from, so you will not go hungry.......'The Jetty' for lunch was definitely my favorite - the view and intense blue sea around you is to die for....i could have sat there the entire day.

I went for a run on the beach every day at low tide......I felt completely safe and was enjoying the local island-living around me - boats, fisherman, kids playing soccer, tourist enjoying the sun......and the vibrant beach-bars in Nungwi was also a good experience - 'Cholos' is not far from ZALU and we walked there on the beach one night for a different experience. For some pampering, we went for a treatment at their Spa and the ladies made us feel like princesses!!

We did some water sport with EAST AFRICA DIVING company - jet-ski and paragliding (fantastic and very high!!!).....i unfortunately did not have enough free time to go scuba diving with them, but will definitely put that on my list to do next time - i was very impressed with the quality of their equipment.

One of the best things about the location of ZALU is that it is a bit elevated off the beach, so you do not get any disturbance or interference from local traders bothering you - one can enjoy the exclusivity.

The week went by too quickly!! LUCKILY we were introduced to their Private Residence Club and we have an option to purchase a membership......this will give us the excuse to go there EVERY YEAR FOR 50 YEARS!!!

i will sincerely highly recommend visiting this property when u go to Zanzibar.

Room tip: the suites are one bedroom only, but if you are a group together you should take a 3 or 4 bedroom villa - this gives you a private pool
Date of stay: August 2011
  • Trip type: Travelled with friends
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5  Thank ilovetravelvw
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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