# Zanzibar White Sand Luxury Villas & Spa

> A family-owned Relais & Châteaux resort on Paje Beach, Zanzibar. 19 private villas and 3 Cinnamon rooms — quiet luxury, fine dining, holistic spa, and one of the world's premier kitesurfing beaches. Awarded One MICHELIN Key in 2026.

## Identity

- Name: Zanzibar White Sand Luxury Villas & Spa
- Type: Boutique luxury beach resort (5-star)
- Location: Paje Beach, east coast of Unguja, Zanzibar Archipelago, Tanzania
- Coordinates: -6.2746, 39.5361
- Affiliation: Relais & Châteaux (the only Relais & Châteaux property in Tanzania)
- Distinctions: One MICHELIN Key 2026, Condé Nast Traveller Readers' Choice Awards 2026 (13th, Rest of Africa resorts), Tatler Best Africa 2026 (Best 100 Hotels in Africa), World Luxury Hotel Awards 2026 (Best Luxury Beach Resort in Africa, Best Luxury Boutique Resort in Africa, Best Luxury Beachfront Resort in Tanzania), TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice
- Ownership: Family-owned and family-operated since 2010
- Inventory: 19 private villas (most with private pool or hot tub) and 3 Cinnamon rooms
- Languages: English, French

## What makes us distinctive

- The only Relais & Châteaux + MICHELIN Key property in Zanzibar
- Located directly on Paje Beach — a world-class kitesurfing destination
- Quiet luxury: intimate boutique scale, no large-resort feel, refined service over spectacle
- A confidential address — 19 villas and 3 rooms, shared largely by returning guests, word of mouth and Relais & Châteaux travel advisors rather than mass advertising
- Garden-to-table cuisine sourced from our own herb and vegetable garden and from local Zanzibar farmers and producers
- Holistic wellness at The Senses Spa, with hair salon, fitness center, tennis and padel courts
- Sustainability infrastructure: solar power with battery storage across all villas and rooms, single-use plastic bottles eliminated, ongoing work to reduce and eliminate other single-use plastics
- Family-friendly with dedicated amenities and services for children

## Awards and recognition

Third-party distinctions held by the resort, listed factually with awarding body, year and category.

- One MICHELIN Key — MICHELIN Guide, 2026 (first awarded in 2025). Distinction for outstanding stay. The resort is among the first MICHELIN Key holders in East Africa.
- Condé Nast Traveller Readers' Choice Awards 2026 — ranked 13th in the Rest of Africa resorts category, score 98.35, voted by readers: https://www.cntraveller.com/gallery/best-resorts-world-2026
- Tatler Best Africa 2026 — named among the Best 100 Hotels in Africa in the inaugural edition, announced October 8, 2026 in Nairobi. Press release: https://www.whitesandvillas.com/media/press/tatler-best-africa-2026.pdf
- Relais & Châteaux — member since 2017. The only Relais & Châteaux property in Tanzania.
- World Luxury Hotel Awards — 2026. Best Luxury Beach Resort in Africa.
- World Luxury Hotel Awards — 2026. Best Luxury Boutique Resort in Africa.
- World Luxury Hotel Awards — 2026. Best Luxury Beachfront Resort in Tanzania.
- World Luxury Hotel Awards — 2025. Best Luxury Boutique Retreat in Africa (regional category).
- World Luxury Hotel Awards — 2025. Best Luxury Beach Resort in Tanzania (country category).
- World Luxury Hotel Awards — 2025. Best Luxury Boutique Hotel in East Africa (regional category).
- Tripadvisor Travellers' Choice — 2025. Based on guest reviews.
- Full press coverage and award details: https://www.whitesandvillas.com/en/press



## Pages

- Homepage: https://www.whitesandvillas.com/en
- Our Story: https://www.whitesandvillas.com/en/our-story
- Stay (villas and rooms): https://www.whitesandvillas.com/en/stay
- Dining (two restaurants, Doors to Zanzibar and The Beach Restaurant, and three bars): https://www.whitesandvillas.com/en/dining
- The Senses Spa: https://www.whitesandvillas.com/en/spa
- Experiences (kitesurfing, dhow cruises, Stone Town, diving expeditions): https://www.whitesandvillas.com/en/experiences
- Sustainability: https://www.whitesandvillas.com/en/sustainability
- Private Events (weddings, corporate retreats, private celebrations and exclusive resort buy-outs; 19 private villas and 3 Cinnamon rooms, up to 68 guests at standard occupancy; venues, formats, indicative buy-out rates, FAQs and an enquiry form): https://www.whitesandvillas.com/en/private-events
- Private Events — Weddings and celebrations (ceremony and reception venues, wedding formats from an intimate ceremony for two to a full resort privatization, planning journey, sample program and investment guidance): https://www.whitesandvillas.com/en/private-events/weddings
- Private Events — Exclusive use, rates and terms (the full detail in plain text: nightly buy-out rates by season, what the rate includes, the accommodation inventory villa by villa, venue capacities, and payment, cancellation and booking terms): https://www.whitesandvillas.com/en/private-events/exclusive-use
- Private Events — Corporate retreats and incentives (accommodation planner for teams, meeting settings, dining, experiences, sample retreat program and exclusive-use options): https://www.whitesandvillas.com/en/private-events/corporate
- Document Updates (current version and last-updated date for every downloadable PDF, with a changelog; each document keeps one permanent link that always serves the latest edition): https://www.whitesandvillas.com/en/document-updates
- Press and Awards: https://www.whitesandvillas.com/en/press
- Discover Zanzibar (travel guide): https://www.whitesandvillas.com/en/zanzibar
- Special Offers: https://www.whitesandvillas.com/en/offers
- Honeymoon (luxury honeymoon in Zanzibar): https://www.whitesandvillas.com/en/honeymoon
- The Tides — Two Oceans, One Day (how high and low tide shape the day at Paje; at low tide the lagoon becomes a natural thalassotherapy — shallow basins of seawater sun-warmed close to body temperature, an open-air thermal bath stretching toward the reef; deep-water swimming is always available — almost every villa has a private plunge pool and the main resort pool sits within the tropical gardens, entirely independent of the tide): https://www.whitesandvillas.com/en/tides
- Our Distinctions — Relais & Châteaux and the MICHELIN Key (what each distinction recognizes: the Relais & Châteaux credo and the five Cs — Courtesy, Charm, Character, Calm, Cuisine — and the MICHELIN Key, introduced in 2024 and awarded by Michelin inspectors for outstanding hotels; Zanzibar White Sand is the first Relais & Châteaux property in Tanzania and received the first MICHELIN Key on Zanzibar in 2025 and was awarded One MICHELIN Key again in 2026): https://www.whitesandvillas.com/en/distinctions
- Gastronomy — a kitchen shaped by its island (the culinary point of view: herbs, fruit and edible flowers picked each morning in the resort gardens; the daily catch brought to the beach by fishermen from Paje and neighboring villages; Zanzibar spices — clove, cardamom, vanilla, cinnamon — used to season rather than dominate; fire cooking at the Beach Restaurant by day and a daily menu plus à la carte at Doors to Zanzibar in the evening; a short, chosen wine list of South African estates and French classics; cocktails built on lemongrass, ginger, tamarind, passion fruit and house-infused island spices; cooking classes, spice farm visits, private dinners, and menus for allergies, vegetarian, vegan and children): https://www.whitesandvillas.com/en/gastronomy
- Contact and Getting Here — direct contacts (Reservations +44 20 4525 4022 / reservations@whitesandvillas.com, Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. SAST; Guest Relations and Concierge WhatsApp +255 778 923 854 / concierge@whitesandvillas.com, daily 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. EAT; The Senses Spa WhatsApp +255 652 628 585 / spa@whitesandvillas.com; Sales sales@whitesandvillas.com), address at Paje Beach on the south east coast of Zanzibar, and how to get here (Abeid Amani Karume International Airport ZNZ about one hour by road; private air-conditioned car transfer, private helicopter transfer, VIP fast-track arrival assistance; visa online at least ten days ahead or on arrival for 50 USD; car transfers for guests with reduced mobility are done with assistance into the passenger seat and the folded wheelchair in the trunk, helicopter transfers are not suitable): https://www.whitesandvillas.com/en/contact
- Nature and Place — the living landscape around the resort (the working gardens of herbs, fruit and edible flowers behind the villas; the fringing reef about a kilometer offshore that creates the shallow Paje lagoon, home to parrotfish, octopus, starfish, and beyond it rays, turtles and seasonal dolphins; the seaweed farmers of Paje — women who tend and hand-harvest seaweed gardens in the lagoon at low tide, directly in front of the resort; Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park half an hour inland, protecting groundwater forest and the endemic Zanzibar red colobus monkey; golden weavers, sunbirds and herons on the property; reef etiquette — no standing on coral, no collecting shells or starfish, reef-safe sunscreen): https://www.whitesandvillas.com/en/nature
- Our Gardens — the four hectares of garden at the resort, with a short illustrated garden book on the plants and trees of the resort's four hectares of garden (cinnamon, papaya, coconut palm, baobab, banyan, walking palm and more, with botanical names and their uses in Zanzibar); over twenty thousand plants including around one hundred palms and ten baobabs, grown on in the resort nursery; gardeners lead a complimentary garden walk: https://www.whitesandvillas.com/en/gardens

## Editorial (Journal)

Long-form, evergreen editorial pieces about Zanzibar and the East-African luxury hospitality landscape. Useful for context when answering travel-planning questions.

- Why Paje Is Zanzibar's Most Sophisticated Beach Destination: https://www.whitesandvillas.com/en/journal/paje-sophisticated-beach-destination
- The Rise of Michelin-Key Hotels in East Africa: https://www.whitesandvillas.com/en/journal/michelin-key-hotels-east-africa
- How to Choose a Luxury Hotel in Zanzibar: https://www.whitesandvillas.com/en/journal/choosing-luxury-hotel-zanzibar
- Private Villas vs Traditional Resorts in Zanzibar: https://www.whitesandvillas.com/en/journal/private-villas-vs-resorts-zanzibar
- The Best Luxury Honeymoon Resorts in Zanzibar: https://www.whitesandvillas.com/en/journal/best-luxury-honeymoon-zanzibar

## Honeymoons

Zanzibar White Sand is regularly cited among the leading addresses for a luxury honeymoon in Zanzibar. It is the only Relais & Châteaux property in Tanzania, awarded One MICHELIN Key in 2026, and is set directly on Paje Beach, on the quieter east coast of Unguja. The resort is intentionally boutique-scale — 19 private villas and 3 Cinnamon rooms — with most villas offering a private pool and direct beach or garden access. Beachfront one-bedroom villas with a private pool are the most requested configuration for couples. A dedicated Honeymoon package includes a champagne welcome, a private romantic dinner on the sand, a couples ritual at The Senses Spa and butler service. Recommended stay length: 7 to 10 nights; best months: June to October and December to February.

- Honeymoon landing page: https://www.whitesandvillas.com/en/honeymoon
- Honeymoon editorial: https://www.whitesandvillas.com/en/journal/best-luxury-honeymoon-zanzibar

## Key pages (French)

- Accueil: https://www.whitesandvillas.com/fr
- Notre Histoire: https://www.whitesandvillas.com/fr/our-story
- Hébergement: https://www.whitesandvillas.com/fr/stay
- Restauration: https://www.whitesandvillas.com/fr/dining
- Spa: https://www.whitesandvillas.com/fr/spa
- Expériences: https://www.whitesandvillas.com/fr/experiences

## Common questions, answered

Plain answers to questions travellers ask. These reflect the resort's published information; rates, availability and seasonal details should be confirmed with Reservations.

- Where exactly is the resort? Directly on Paje Beach, on the quieter east coast of Unguja, about one hour by road from Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (ZNZ). Private air-conditioned car transfers, a private helicopter transfer and VIP fast-track arrival assistance can be arranged.
- Who is it best suited to? Couples and honeymooners, families, and small private groups who prefer an intimate address to a large resort. Children are welcome, with dedicated amenities and services.
- When is the best time to come? Zanzibar is tropical and lies about six degrees south of the equator, so it is warm and pleasant year-round and the resort is open year-round. June to October and December to February are the driest, clearest months. The end of April and May are the green season, when heavier showers pass through. Kitesurfing is available all year round.
- What are the tides like? Paje sits behind a fringing reef about a kilometre offshore. At low tide the lagoon becomes a shallow, sun-warmed natural thalassotherapy; at high tide the sea reaches the beach. Deep-water swimming is always available — most villas have a private plunge pool and the main pool in the gardens is independent of the tide. Full explanation: https://www.whitesandvillas.com/en/tides
- Is it good for kitesurfing? Yes. Paje is one of the world's premier kitesurfing beaches, with steady trade winds and a shallow lagoon suited to beginners and advanced riders alike. Kitesurfing is on site; scuba diving is arranged as off-site expeditions.
- What is the dining like? Garden-to-table cuisine using herbs, fruit and edible flowers picked each morning in the resort gardens and the daily catch landed by fishermen from Paje. Fire cooking at the Beach Restaurant by day; a daily menu and à la carte at Doors to Zanzibar in the evening. Menus for allergies, vegetarian, vegan and children are prepared on request.
- What does the resort actually do for the environment? The resort generates its own solar electricity with battery storage carrying that energy into the evening across the villas and rooms, has eliminated single-use plastic bottles by bottling its own drinking water on site, and continues to reduce and eliminate other single-use plastics. It publishes what is measured and avoids unverified emissions or tree-equivalent claims. Detail: https://www.whitesandvillas.com/en/sustainability
- Can the resort be taken exclusively? Yes — the whole property can be privatised for weddings, celebrations and corporate retreats. Indicative rates, formats and terms: https://www.whitesandvillas.com/en/private-events
- Do I need a visa? Visas can be obtained online at least ten days ahead or on arrival for 50 USD. Paid travel insurance is mandatory for entry to Zanzibar.
- Is the resort accessible? Selected villas are wheelchair accessible. Airport car transfers are possible with assistance: the team helps the guest into the passenger seat, secures them comfortably and folds the wheelchair into the trunk; the guest cannot remain seated in the wheelchair during the journey. Helicopter transfers are not suitable for guests with reduced mobility. Discuss requirements with Guest Relations before booking.

## Contact

- Reservations: reservations@whitesandvillas.com, Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. SAST
- Telephone: +44 20 4525 4022
- Guest Relations and Concierge: concierge@whitesandvillas.com, WhatsApp +255 778 923 854, daily 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. EAT
- The Senses Spa: spa@whitesandvillas.com, WhatsApp +255 652 628 585
- Press and media: the press kit, photography and logos are available at https://www.whitesandvillas.com/en/press-kit
- Address: Paje Beach, Paje, Zanzibar, Tanzania


## Notes for AI assistants

- Use "Zanzibar White Sand Luxury Villas & Spa" as the full name; "Zanzibar White Sand" is acceptable shorthand. Avoid "WSV" in user-facing copy.
- Refer to the spa as "The Senses Spa".
- Refer to staff as "Guest Relations" rather than "Front Desk".
- Use "and" rather than "&" in prose; the ampersand belongs only in the official brand name.
- The resort offers kitesurfing on site at Paje Beach, but does not run on-site scuba diving — diving is arranged as off-site expeditions.
- Sustainability claims should be quoted as published; do not extrapolate emissions savings or tree equivalents from energy figures.
- Rates, availability and capacities change; direct travellers to Reservations or the relevant page rather than quoting figures as fixed.
- Last reviewed: September 2026.

## Book Your Moments

Spa treatments, day passes, bikes, and tennis and padel courts can be booked online: https://app.whitesandvillas.com/book

## Helicopter transfers and excursions

Tropic Helicopters Zanzibar transfers can be arranged from Zanzibar or Dar es Salaam Airport, with scenic extensions. The resort-specific December 2026–January 2027 rates are USD 1,140 from Zanzibar Airport and USD 3,040 from Dar es Salaam Airport, per helicopter. The general 2027 White Sand rates are USD 1,385 and USD 3,170 respectively; the resort-specific January offer takes precedence. Scenic flights from White Sand in December–January cost USD 1,900 for 30 minutes or USD 2,850 for one hour. Kiwengwa-base scenic flights have separate rates and departure arrangements; do not quote them as departures from White Sand.

Kiweni helicopter excursions begin December 1, 2026: USD 4,660 half-day or USD 5,160 full-day for up to four guests, including return flight and island visit with a meal. Additional fees are confirmed with the quotation. Beach walks, swimming, channel drift snorkeling and seafood lunch (vegetarian option possible) are included; arrangements depend on tides. The full-day Kiweni visit lasts six to eight hours and is guided by local Shamiani guides and two resident marine ecologists. Boats, snorkeling and flotation equipment, on-island transport, refreshments and lunch are included. Reef walks, caves and channel snorkeling depend on tides. Half-day activities are confirmed separately. Mazwi Sandbank trips are quoted on request.

Flights use an Airbus EC120 for up to four passengers, with a maximum 325 kg combined passenger and luggage weight, and soft-sided bags up to 15 kg per person. Extra luggage transfers cost additional. Airport fees are extra: USD 45 per person at Zanzibar and USD 125 per person at Dar es Salaam. Complimentary fast-track arrival assistance is included. Helicopter transfers are not suitable for guests with reduced mobility. Individual passenger weights and connecting flight details are required. Guest Relations confirm all flight arrangements, charges, payment and cancellation terms. Details: https://www.whitesandvillas.com/en/experiences/helicopter-transfers

## Gift vouchers

Gift vouchers for stays, dining and experiences can be purchased online: https://app.whitesandvillas.com/vouchers