Villa Kiva Hotel

We’ve travelled a lot, and my wife and I both felt this was one of our best holidays. If we return to Zanzibar, Villa Kiva will be our first choice. The food, clean rooms, caring service and people made the trip memorable, and we left with so many favorite moments. The beach views at sunrise and sunset were stunning. At low tide you can walk a long way out and explore the coast. Watch for sea urchins and softer patches of sand, though the hotel provides protective shoes and clearly warns guests. The cocktails were excellent, the massage service was great, and gardeners and security staff were always friendly and smiling. In the evening, staff came by to prepare the room and arrange the mosquito nets for a more comfortable night. The boutique feel suited us. Villa Kiva isn't a huge resort, so the atmosphere felt peaceful and personal, without the crowds you get at larger hotels. Staff quickly learned who we were and made us feel welcome. The hotel was beautifully looked after, our rooms were cleaned daily, and we came back to towel creations on the bed. Half board was a good choice. Breakfast and dinner were consistently delicious, full of flavor and beautifully presented. The food was one of the things we remember most from Zanzibar. Pedro, the Guest Relations Manager, deserves a special mention. He seemed to know every guest by name and kept checking that everything was right or asking if he could help. His professionalism, friendliness and genuine care made a big difference. We'd booked our rooms through Booking.com, but since it was low season, management kindly upgraded both our room and my mother-in-law's to the oceanfront section. It was a wonderful surprise and a lovely start to the stay. The one small hassle we had in Zanzibar wasn't caused by Villa Kiva. Sometimes the beach boys were a bit persistent when offering excursions or services. Thanks to Pedro and everyone at Villa Kiva for an unforgettable stay.