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HOTEL NAMEPresskit
ZURI ZANZIBARPress Kit
ZURI ZANZIBAR
As the first Design Hotels™ member on the Tanzanian archipelago, Zuri Zanzibar is the ultimate spot to take in the natural beauty of the main island, Unguja. In this semi-autonomous region of Tanzania, East Africa, a confluence of influences from Africa, Arabia, India, and Europe means a cultural mosaic which sets the scene for a rich travel experience. Here in the Indian Ocean, some 25-50 kilometers off the mainland, one will find an island bustling with vibrant life, incredibly lush flora, and some of the best beaches anywhere in the world.
The archipelago consists of many small islands and two large ones: Unguja (the main island, also known as Zanzibar) and Pemba Island. The capital is Zanzibar City, located on the island of Unguja, and the historic center is referred to as Stone Town, a World Heritage Site. Zanzibar’s location on the African coast made it a popular stop on trading routes and for adventurers journeying from Africa to Arabia. The Portuguese arrived in the 15th century and stayed until 1698, when Zanzibar came under Omani rule. Around 1830, Said bin Sultan, the Sultan of Muscat and Oman, moved the capital from Muscat, Oman, to Stone Town. Following Said bin Sultan’s death in 1856, the next centuries see both the British and Germans lay claims, before the island’s ultimate independence in 1960. It’s this history that makes Zanzibar the tapestry that it is; colorful, peaceful, and ever-changing. Today’s Zanzibar is a testament to
this past, often still referred to as ‘Spice Islands’ for its production of cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon, and black pepper. Swahili is the official language, but Arabic, French, and English is also common.
Nestled on the prime west-facing Kendwa beach, overlooking the azure waters of the Indian Ocean, Zuri Zanzibar takes its name from the Swahili word for ‘beautiful’ and is the result of a 10-year passion project by Czech entrepreneur, art lover, and filmmaker, Václav Dejčmar. Here, on a 300-meter long stretch of white sand in Kendwa—a rare spot without dramatic tide changes—55 thatched roofed villas and bungalows take inspiration from a typical village atmosphere, epitomizing modern-meets-traditional African design. Surrounded by a bounty of indigenous plants and foliage, the villas are an expression of African ethos and have been informed by an environmentally and socially sensitive approach to building, design, and operations. The high-luxury experience features seven sunset-facing restaurants and bars, a full yoga and wellness center, an infinity pool, a water sports center, and a book and movie collection specializing in rare art house films. The hotel’s vast spice garden immerses guests in the aroma of the island’s exotic flora, providing an olfactory glimpse into Zanzibar’s spice trading history. At the center of the entire approach is a deep appreciation of the treasured location and a responsibility to work with the local community to ensure sustainable practices.
DESIGN
Designed by celebrated London and Prague-based firm Jestico & Whiles, the 55 thatched bungalows and villas are the height of refined and uncomplicated luxury. Established in 2011, the team (with projects throughout Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Australia and India), was tasked with a brief to conceive a concept both chic and modern but with profound respect for traditional African design. The central design consideration borrows from the clustering of homes in a typical village style. Private and protected, the villas peak from curtains of greenery, yet are placed so that each has ocean views with winding paths connecting to the many social spaces and environments.
At every point of the process, from design to construction, the team behind the 13-acre property took ecological considerations as the guiding principle. From the climate and geographical elements to the local materials sourced with these factors in mind, the sum total invariably influenced by African craftsmanship. The main reception building is the welcome point, where an open-air lodge type structure sets the scene for supreme relaxation. Hammocks, hanging wicker chairs, and casual seating arrangements beckon the flight-weary, as does a cold drink and aromatic cooling towel.
Inside the stilted wood structures, villas range from 66 sqm to 250 sqm, with the addition of an owner’s villa of 500 sqm. Spaces are high-end with a classic with neutral palette; tan wood and wicker dominating and each villa with its own expansive terrace. The borders between indoor and outdoor spaces are entirely fluid with large glass sliding doors open onto the terraces. Custom-crafted regional artworks have been produced by local artisans; including handmade wall murals, spice motif carved doors, beaded curtains, and lotus flower decorations. Bathrooms (both indoor and outdoor) continue the earthy and organic theme, with concrete basins, louvered wood doors, and bathroom amenities are from the socially-conscious Seaweed Co. The open, airy layouts define each space, with stunning ocean and nature views providing an idyllic backdrop.
The VillasAll villa guests have the exclusive benefit of complimentary villa service. Villa hosts can advise their guests on everything relating to the resort as well as the many different activities to be found in Zanzibar, and can organize local activities, including a private villa lunch or dinner.
Forty-six bungalows (66 sqm) with terraces, 10 of which have interconnecting options, outdoor showers, and some with private Jacuzzis.
Six deluxe suites (132 sqm) with outdoor lounge terrace, outdoor showers, and private Jacuzzis.
Two seafront two bedroom villas (250 sqm) with lounge, kitchen, outdoor lounge terrace, outdoor showers, Jacuzzi and private beach access.
One seafront three-bedroom owner’s villa (500 sqm), with private beach, living room, kitchen with a dining corner, an entertainment room, 12-meter infinity pool, jacuzzi, and Zen pond.
The Beach Zuri Zanzibar’s private, west-facing Kendwa Beach location is free of any tidal impact and is ideal for safe swimming all day long, sunbathing, or simply watching the local fisherman in wooden longboats pull in the day’s catch.
Spice Garden Relax in the property’s green oasis Spice Garden. The five glades of the Zuri Garden are lush with an array of diverse local plants. The garden includes ginger, turmeric, peppers, and cumin, among many more varieties. Guests can enjoy cooking classes with one of the hotel’s chefs at the Spice House—an interactive and authentic way to discover more about Swahili cooking.
Infinity Pool The 32-metre-long infinity pool at Zuri Zanzibar has a contemporary design and is surrounded by a beautifully natural setting. Guests can relax by the pool while taking in views of the Indian Ocean.
Maua Wellness MAUA Wellness has three massage rooms and a hair salon which offers a wide range of treatments, including manicures and facials. This spa also has a Jacuzzi deck with sunbeds, creating one of the best places in Zanzibar to relax.
Yoga Balance yourself in a peaceful environment with panoramic views of Zanzibar’s famous sunrises and sunsets during a yoga session. Private lessons are also available upon request.
Wild fitness and outdoor gym Full gym facilities available outdoor for open-air movement.
Water sports and diving center Located on the beach, the WIMBI Water Sports Centre offers the rental of equipment for snorkeling and various non-motorized water-sports. Experienced instructors are happy to arrange PADI diving courses and lessons. Beach games such as volleyball and pétanque, as well as several kids’ games are also available. Guests can also book the Dhow sunset cruise, the Ngalawa boat trip, fishing trips, and a snorkeling experience through the center.
Book and DVD library Book lovers will be in their own paradise when they visit the hotel’s book and DVD library, located in the reception area. The book collection offers a wide selection of international books, all-time classics of European literature, and books about Zanzibar, Tanzania, Africa, and design. The extensive DVD collection will please all movie lovers with more than 500 DVDs, including some of the best movies of the last five decades, ranging from comedy to drama, to old-time classics, and Oscar winners.
Shop Located on the beach, next to the Bahari Bar and Diving Center, the shop is for hotel guests only, offering local, sustainable souvenirs, toiletries, the Zuri Zanzibar bathroom amenity line by the Seaweed Co., The Healing Earth spa cosmetics, and water sports items.
Medical office Located next to reception, a medical professional is available 24/7.
PROPERTY AT A GLANCE
The dining experiences at Zuri Zanzibar are a reflection of the destination: a mix of African, European, Arabic, and Indian cuisines. Several distinct styles and environments will give guests ample variety during their stay—from casual beach beers and bites to the more chic venue Upendo. Full, half board, all-inclusive, and all-inclusive ‘premium’ options are available.
Upendo Restaurant The Upendo Restaurant overlooks the entire resort and serves international cuisine with an African and Indian Ocean twist. The spacious restaurant has 106 indoor seats, and 40 outdoor. Laid-back Zanzibari style and live cooking shows make it a prime place for breakfast and dinner, while its separate deck is ideal for private events or larger dinner groups.
Peponi Bar Connected to Upendo Restaurant through a wooden deck, the 38-seat bar boasts magnificent ocean views in a peaceful and relaxed environment perfect for a casual drink or snack. Relaxed bench seating and sofas create a perfect perch to get a break from the sun, with a focus on high quality gins and cigars.
Maisha Resto & Bar Decorated in a chic African style, the 101-seat Maisha Resto & Bar has a casual upbeat setting with an easy African vibe. Guests can enjoy its unique fusion cuisine that mixes Southern European and Indian Ocean cuisine throughout the day, and, upon reservation, typical Middle Eastern and Omani food for dinner under the pool’s pergola.
Bahari Pop-up BarThe 36-seat beach restaurant and bar embraces its natural surroundings with modern, yet authentic, features. Enjoy finger food and small bites while taking in the sunset and starry sky at Kendwa beach. Choose from the bar’s wide range of original cocktails, aperitifs, and cooling tonics, including sugar cane cocktails, fruit daiquiris, and smoothies.
Dhow BarThe Dhow Bar is a private beach bar located on the private beach in front of the villas. This exclusive bar offers a casual but chic atmosphere for guests staying in the deluxe suites and villas.
DINING
The delicate balance of life on this island means that with a project of this nature, comes a responsibility to foster deep ties to the local community. This has been done through partnerships with organizations that are ensuring preservation, education, and quality employment remain at the forefront. Zuri Zanzibar provides guests with handpicked amenities and services from local, sustainable, and fair-trade organizations in an attempt to give back to the surrounding community. The resort’s aim is to be as self-sufficient as possible and to be certified as ecologically responsible by using its own water supply, a desalination plant, and the energy-efficient space cooling system ‘Evening Breeze’. Numerous initiatives have been undertaken to ensure Zuri Zanzibar’s footprint is as light as possible and that responsible tourism is paramount. All roofs are made from either “nyasi’’ (a Tanzanian grass) or local wood shingles, offering a more sustainable option to the typical Makuti roof usually used. And opting to build lasting relationships with local suppliers, fruits and vegetables are harvested from organic and small agriculture farms nearby, while the hotel’s fish and seafood is brought in from the local fisherman.
The hotel will be the first African resort certified to EarthCheck’s Building Planning and Design Standard. In order to achieve this, the hotel team has employed a number of technical practices, primarily around the main environmental concerns of the area, water and waste management. The water supply will come from its own water wells and will not take from the water resources of Kendwa village. This water will be run through a water desalination plants that uses reverse osmosis technology, transforming the well water into high-quality water. Latest ozone technology (one of the first hotels in Africa to use this mechanism) ensures that the whole system is free of bacteria. These technologies have made it possible for Zuri Zanzibar to produce and bottle its own drinking water. Bottles are sterilized, filled, and sealed onsite, and will avoid the use of plastic bottles. Additionally addressing water concerns, a state-of-the art waste management system will turn the property’s sewage into usable water for irrigation. Carrying the same approach throughout the property, most of the furniture has been sourced by Zanzibari brand Dhow Furniture, which takes the recycled wood from old fishing boats and turns it into furniture. And the fish and seafood are sourced from local fishermen.
RESPONSIBLE TOURISM
Chako partnership – Chako makes recycled products out of waste material
that is largely created by the tourism industry. They invite local artisans and
craft workers—most of them women—to their workshop where they learn recycling methods, co-creative design, and artisanal craftsmanship. Workers are encouraged to
independently create products with the end goal of creating social and economic
empowerment and promote sustainability.
The socially responsible side at Zuri Zanzibar is an equally developed aspect. Zuri Zanzibar will employ more than 250 staff, helping the local community access new sources of income. Training and skill development will be a focus of HR, making sure skills acquired will be valuable in the growing tourism sector. Further developing the local skillset, the Vocational Tourism Training program will train 10 students from the area whereby they will complete a two-year education for a certificate in tourism and hospitality. Established in 2015 in cooperation with the Jambiani Tourism Training Institute, the program aims to ensure quality training for young people joining the Zuri team. The team has also collaborated with the British academic retailer Blackwell to accelerate learning through access to high-quality books and reading materials. For every book collection that Blackwell supplies the resort, Zuri Zanzibar will also donate a book to the local school’s reference library. The library and IT corner are organized in collaboration with the Kilindi Primary School. Also contributing to the project, DHOW Furniture has provided the bookshelves made from recycled boat wood. The rest of the furniture has been donated and made by the Zuri team.
The Seaweed Co. partnership – A socially responsible business that
provides female seaweed farmers with the opportunity to improve their living
standards. The project is based in Paje, Zanzibar, and comprises a factory and a
harvesting site that produces soaps and creams from seaweed (including the hotel
amenity line).
Keep Kendwa Clean Project – Waste management is a key concern on
Zanzibar. Since 2016, a collaboration between Zanrec, Chumbe Environmental Education Program, and Zuri Zanzibar
puts a focus on awareness and education, and will see the building of new waste
management facilities and daily collection
and recycling.
MADE BY ORIGINALS
Václav Dejčmar is an entrepreneur, businessman, art-lover, and documentary filmmaker. Since gra-duating from the University of Economics in Prague, Dejčmar has found success in a number of in-dustries. As well as founding Eastern Europe’s most well-known modeling agency, Czechoslovak Top Model, and co-founding the RSJ Algorithmic Trading company and The DOX Centre for Contem-porary Art in Prague, he became a supporter of the Czech Republic’s first philanthropy magazine, The Art of Giving, which adheres to the socially responsible philosophy that he takes with him into hospitality. Dejčmar sums up his drive to create Zuri Zanzibar this way: “I seek truly unique experi-ences. I have a passion for all things Zen, for the aesthetic of nature, for the beauty of simplicity and freedom from the daily routine.”
Zuri Zanzibar is located on a 300-metre stretch of pristine white sand Kendwa Beach, on the northwes-tern coast of Zanzibar’s main island of Unguja—a sun-drenched spot perfect for beach-lounging, snorkeling, and overall mind-body wellness. The local Zanzibar International Airport is approximately a one-hour drive away with the hotel providing pick-up and drop off shuttle service. The island’s capital city of Stone Town is located one hour south of the resort.
LOCATION
ZURI Z ANZIBAR KendwaZanzibar – Tanzania
CONTACTS
Michaela Karabcova, PR Manager Zuri [email protected]
Kai Simon, Head of PR & CommunicationsMedia Markets: DACH, UAE, Russia+49(0)[email protected]
Rosina Budhani, Head of PR Services & Launch Campaigns Media Markets: Spain, Italy, Greece, Turkey+49(0)[email protected]
Ruby Davies, PR Manager Media Markets: USA, France, Benelux+49(0)[email protected]
Ella Marshall, PR Manager Media Markets: UK, Scandics+44 7715 640 [email protected]
Melissa Lee, Community Marketing Manager Media Markets: APAC+ 65 6324 [email protected]
