Essque Zalu Zanzibar

Essque Zalu Zanzibar, a Michelin Key Selected property, offers a luxurious escape on the picturesque northeast coast of Zanzibar, blending contemporary elegance with traditional Swahili design. Guests frequently praise its stunning aesthetics, exceptional service, and extensive amenities, making it a highly recommended destination.

1. Overall Rating & Sentiment

Essque Zalu Zanzibar generally receives a "Very Good" rating with an average score of 8.4 out of 10 based on numerous guest reviews. The overwhelming sentiment is positive, with guests frequently describing their stays as "fantastic," "breathtaking," "amazing," and a "10 out of 10" experience. It is widely regarded as a 5-star luxury hotel.

2. Key Highlights

Guests consistently laud several aspects of Essque Zalu Zanzibar:

• Service & Hospitality: The staff are often highlighted as "friendly and amazing," going "out of their way to make our stay comfortable and enjoyable" and even calling guests by name.
• Design & Ambiance: The hotel's design, which thoughtfully combines contemporary and Swahili elements under traditional Makuti roofs, is a significant draw. The "breathtaking" pool, lush gardens, and stunning walk from the lobby to the ocean create a memorable atmosphere.
• Amenities: The large outdoor pool, full-service spa offering a variety of treatments, sauna, and hydro shower room are frequently appreciated. Other facilities include a fitness center, art gallery, kids' club, and options for windsurfing, diving, and snorkeling. Complimentary Wi-Fi is available throughout the property. Villas also come with private pools.

3. Room Quality

The accommodation at Essque Zalu Zanzibar comprises 40 spacious suites and 8 villas, all boasting views of either the Indian Ocean or the lush tropical gardens. These are housed under distinctive traditional Makuti roofs and feature balconies or terraces. Each suite is well-equipped with air conditioning, a minibar, a spacious bedroom, a living area, and a bathroom with a bidet and shower. Villas offer even more space, including separate living and sleeping areas, elegant bathrooms, stylish kitchens, and private pools, creating a sense of complete luxury and comfort. Guests report rooms are elegantly furnished, well-stocked, and maintained with daily housekeeping, including turndown service.

4. Dining Experience

Essque Zalu Zanzibar features three restaurants and three bars, offering a diverse culinary journey.

• The Jetty: Provides modern Arabic cuisine in an ocean-surrounded setting.
• A La Carte: Offers a fine dining experience, sometimes featuring an innovative 'Signature Plate' and char-grilled prime South African beef steak.
• The Market Kitchen: Specializes in international cuisine, serving a cosmopolitan selection of fresh salads, cured meats, seafood, and baked goods for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with an emphasis on organic and local produce.
• Breakfast: Generally described as good, varied, and including local flavors. More recent feedback highlights a wide selection of continental delights and even floating breakfast options.
• Dinner: Praised for being well-organized with varied options and occasional themed evenings.
• Bars: The 1506 Bar and Terrace, The Jetty, and The Baobab Bar serve snacks, cocktails, and refreshments.

5. Service & Staff

The staff at Essque Zalu Zanzibar are a significant highlight, consistently receiving high praise for their friendliness, helpfulness, and professional service. Many guests appreciate the personal touch, such as staff remembering their names and assisting with meals. Services like reception, baggage handling, and laundry are noted for being efficient. However, some older reviews mention instances of slow service in restaurants and bars, with guests reporting long waits for drinks and occasional incorrect orders.

6. Location & Accessibility

The resort is ideally situated in Nungwi, on the northern tip of Zanzibar, nestled in a natural cove overlooking the Indian Ocean and adjacent to a lush forest. It offers direct access to the beach. Essque Zalu Zanzibar is approximately 63 km (39 miles) from Zanzibar International Airport (ZNZ) and 58 km (36 miles) from Stone Town, with airport transfers available for a surcharge. While close to local activities and shops, it's important to note that the immediate beach area is tidal and submerges during high tide. However, the famous Nungwi Beach is nearby and accessible by walking during low tide or by taxi.

7. Value & Pricing

Guests generally rate the value for money at Essque Zalu Zanzibar as 8.1 out of 10. The typical room rate in the past month was around $635.9 USD, which is higher than the city's average. A surcharge of $70 USD per person, per night, applies for each additional guest. While a luxury experience comes with a higher price point, many guests feel the service, amenities, and overall experience justify the cost.

8. Common Complaints

While largely positive, some recurring issues and criticisms have been noted:

• Service Speed: Despite the friendly staff, some guests have experienced "frustratingly slow" service in the restaurants and bars, with long waits for drinks and occasional order inaccuracies.
• Tidal Beach: The fact that the immediate beachfront is tidal and disappears at high tide can be a disappointment for guests expecting a permanent, accessible beach directly in front of the resort.
• Room Issues: One review mentioned a room having a non-working phone.
• Dining Consistency (Historical): Older reviews occasionally cited breakfast as being "below standards" for a five-star hotel, with limited choices and a lack of fresh fruit juices, and dinner, while good, not always meeting "fine dining" expectations for the price. However, more recent reviews indicate improvements in dining variety and quality.

Sources

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