Baraza Resort and Spa Zanzibar

This place is like heaven on earth. The staff are phenomenal and attentive to your every need. The breakfast buffet is great, the dinners delicious and the activities (both free and paid) are well organised and fun. We were half board and paying for water ($3 a bottle) was the only irritating thing about this trip as the accommodation is already a) super expensive and b) wasn’t branded bottled water, rather stuff they filled in their own glass bottles. By the end of the week our group of 5 spent close to $200 on water!

We had a wonderful stay. This is the most relaxed I’ve ever been on a holiday. All of the staff were extremely pleasant, polite and helpful. Our villa and splash pool were perfect, the cleanliness every where is exceptional. The gardens are beautiful. The choice and quality of food is very very good and the rotation of restaurants works well to prevent that feeling of boredom that can happen in resorts. Having allocated sun beds with the most amazing ocean view and waiter service ensures a relaxing start to your day. The beach is long and beautiful but we didn’t feel the need to live our sun beds for long. There is lots of privacy with space between villas and sun beds adding to a sense of luxury and guarantees a relaxing stay. The house drinks were all of good quality with no need to buy any other drinks. We used the spa and had wonderful massages. I could keep going, there are no negatives!

What a stunning resort! This entire resort is so beautiful! The grounds are gorgeous and the villa rooms were so luxurious it made us feel like royalty. The villas are very spacious and beautifully designed. Dipping in our private plunge pool overlooking the Indian Ocean could not be beat. The pool area and beach are lovely. Having our own assigned beach cabana area was a very nice detail. The entire staff was friendly and helpful...always smiling and offering a kind greeting. Meals were all wonderful and dinner often included local entertainment. On our last day, I was telling our breakfast waitress how sad we were to be leaving. She then arranged a special private beachside table with a special seafood lunch for our last meal in Zanzibar. It was a very thoughtful gesture and a nice ending to our wonderful time there. I am so sad that I didn't write down her name so I could thank her in this review. Our only other regret is that we didn't stay longer. We were just here 3 nights after a safari but it was the ideal place to relax after our adventure. I have traveled a lot but this is one of the most beautiful spots we have stayed.

We first went to Baraza 11 years ago and have made many return visits to what feels like our home in Africa. The place has been created with such love and detail to create a feeling of calm, serenity and pure luxury. Each time we visit we have the same overwhelming feeling that we are entering a safe haven just waiting to look after us and a welcome like no other. I can only reiterate what has been said before and in so many other reviews. The accommodation is spacious, carefully planned to maximise comfort, beautifully maintained and clean. The beds are so, so comfortable. The gardens are beautifully maintained by a large team of passionate people. The food choice is exceptional with every taste catered for to such a high standard and the service is outstanding. We stayed over Christmas and New Year. There was so much planned throughout the whole period to entertain and enjoy. It seemed like one everlasting feast. How the staff made it all happen seamlessly, kept doing more of the same each day and stayed standing is a miracle. We were also there for my daughter’s birthday which despite it being in the middle of all the planned seasonal events was full of surprise. A poolside dinner, cake, serenaded with the Jambo song and just made to feel very special. What is notable is that many of the staff are still those who we first met all those years ago, some of whom have been promoted to senior positions and all of which provide the highest level of service in the friendliest way. Always smile and welcoming and nothing feels like too much trouble. Often they predict what you’d like before you even thought of it! It is because of them that we keep going back. It is hard to name individuals as without exception everyone provided the most exceptional care and made us feel very, very special. Angela was our Villa Host who was always available to help in the most generous way. We wanted to take her home! Regina is very aptly titled Guest Relations Manager who was always ahead of us. The water sports boys take care of everything beach/ water related and beyond. Helping Father Christmas land and the spectacular fireworks on New Years Eve. My daughter promises Mussa they she WILL go out to sea next time! Biggest thanks to Esther who manages the whole amazing food and beverage team, all the dining and bar arrangements for breakfast, lunch , beachside, afternoon tea, dinner and amazingly all the extra beach parties and extras that just appear. Esther really does go above and beyond to make every opportunity memorable. MY daughter is still reliving her birthday which was made so very special for her. Esther and her amazing team really are Baraza for us. Baraza supports the local village of Bwejuu and arranged a visit for us which we would never miss. Take time out to visit, meet the local people and learn about a different way of life that is zanzibar. It’s a great opportunity. We cried when we arrived at the sheer joy and relief of making this r

This place is absolutely amazing. My daughter and I just finished our second visit to this resort and we will go back again! The management staff is amazing, the people who work there are all so friendly and accommodating. The chef, Lucas, is amazing and always welcomes you and suggests different foods for you to try. He’s an exceptional chef! And the water events are also very nice. Mussah, who works in water events, is super sweet, always smiling and makes sure you are safe and having fun. We met Mussah on our trip last year and stay in touch throughout the year. He was the first person we wanted to see when we went back this year. The villas are AMAZING!! 2 bedroom and 2 baths. Very clean, huge living area and beautifully decorated. Love love love Baraza and the people of Zanzibar!!

Baraza -embraced by palmtreas the beach the sea with the magic tides and unvisibly waves coming and going, the hot sun and the wind sizzling. As many other beach hotels around the world.... But, when you step in through the gate it opens up a different world. it like a fairy-tale from the proud history of Zanzibar, an eco from the past but with the modern twist and international winds, as a meetingpoint for different cultures. An unique place resort destination. Luxury laid back cosmopolitan local Zanzibari the Far East... everyting in a exotic cocktail. The meet and greet an arrival -with warm natural hospitality makes you feel welcome from the first step. The area is wide and every building every detail including the green areas flowers... has a thought behind, including the tasteful great architechure Sultan style. Not to forget the fantastic service always with a smile, from the cleaners, garden workers, servants... to the Managers -the fantastic personal attention to every guest, respectful and everyone always there for every demand and wish. I have had the great pleasure of being a guest here a few times during the years, as a solo traveller and togehter with friends/family. this time I was here as a solo- stayed in the beach side "smaller villas", and as everytime the feeling of "coming home" but at the same time far away from my back home. Here you live in an luxury level of top class standard, service and style. the guest from all over the world the staff who always doing the best and makes you feel "just as a princess", but with a relaxing smile. Perfect for families, big or small, or couples or friends or as solo as me this time. The villas are all in different size, but all with top class standard. And not forget the food and drinks. top class! all inclusive in its best version. the food in a wide selection always fresch new baked bread to the fruit vegetables catch of local seafood etc etc. And different areas for lunch and dining, special events and local touch with international twist. You can just relax in the sun or being active -snorkling, diving, reef walk beach walk tennis Yoga Gym Spa tours ... No "must to do!" except enjoy and relax in a very special luxury but relaxed resort, a true paradise, East Africa Zanzibar -magic. "sorry" if I sound tooo positive, but its my version of Paradise - Hakuna Matata.