Elewana Kilindi Zanzibar - Adults Only

Kilindi Zanzibar felt wonderfully private, with the ocean on one side, wild forest on the other, and a calm atmosphere all around. The villas are thoughtfully designed, secluded, and connected to nature, with beautiful views. Sunset was especially magical, when the sky meets the ocean and everything seems to slow down. What made our visit unforgettable was the care and service, especially from Salehe. He was warm, attentive, and thoughtful, anticipating what we needed and arranging personal, romantic experiences. He created moments we’ll remember for years. For privacy, elegance, authenticity, and heartfelt hospitality, this place is a rare gem. Special thanks to Salehe for such a memorable stay.

The staff were good, and special thanks to Salum, our assigned helper. He looked after us so well and stayed kind and positive throughout. We managed to enjoy our six nights at Kilindi, but it wasn’t always easy. What stayed with me was the sense of potential that wasn’t being met. Some things felt tired or overlooked. The hotel seems quite old and could use a reset. The towels were worn and need replacing. The floor around the shower is going green from staying wet, though a jet wash could tidy it up. The paddle boards clearly needed a good clean. The open-to-nature idea can work well, but at times nature seemed to be taking over, while upkeep and quality control had slipped. We were in villa 15, which may be more jungle-like than the others because it’s in the far back corner of the resort. One day we came back to find monkey poop in the bathroom sink. Bees were nesting in small holes in our bathroom towel rack, where cleaners hang the towels each day. We saw the same thing in chairs in the bar area, and there was an obvious wasp nest in the spa changing room. A few practical suggestions: the butler setup feels outdated, and I doubt most guests care about having one staff member serve every meal. They could have a couple of guest services people and let the rest of the team focus on other work. If they keep the butler setup, WhatsApp would be easier than the impractical old landline in the room. The menu could be simpler. Some dishes were good, but other things, especially bread, tasted stale or odd. Crows were washing fish guts in the pool after getting them from fishermen below. Wires above the pool could keep birds out, or the hotel could bring in a falconer a couple of times a week, as many five-star hotels do. Insects are everywhere, so turning on every light in the rooms and bathrooms each evening makes little sense. A citronella diffuser could replace that practice. I don’t think Kilindi is a five-star hotel right now. It has the basics for one but falls short on cleanliness, food, and service, even though our helper was good. I read Candace Schuster’s review and couldn’t ignore it because it raised several of these same problems. The manager replied that the hotel had been “fully restored” and had undergone “significant refurbishments” after her review. We saw little sign of that work, and many of the issues she mentioned were still there two years later. We found ways to enjoy our stay, but it wasn’t always easy. The team is clearly trying, yet Elwana needs to invest heavily to bring the hotel up to a five-star standard. Photos attached: a scorpion in our bedroom, a nest under the waterfall, bugs in shared areas, and a wasp living in the bathroom towel rack.

We loved the private stretch of beach away from the busy area, and paddle-boarding over the clear water was a highlight. The spa was so good we went three times for its treatments and facilities. Another special touch was dinner in our room with a cozy movie night, such an intimate experience. Every meal was excellent, and the cooking class with Doris was fun and memorable. Our private beach dinner was beautifully arranged, with delicious food and so much care put into the evening. We also came back each night to sweet room decorations and surprises that made us smile. Kilindi made a wonderful honeymoon, full of luxury, relaxing moments, and memorable activities. From the moment we arrived, every staff member went out of their way to make us feel special. A particular thank you to Lily for all the thoughtful details that made the trip unforgettable. We’ll treasure those memories.

The team made this a lovely, welcoming part of our trip and helped create memories we’re grateful for. Lilian, our butler, went above and beyond. I’m also very thankful to Miriam from the cleaning staff, Meegan, the porters, chefs, maintenance crew, the Maasai, and everyone else. Hope we can come back!