A spirited boutique resort in Zanzibar, inspired by the Spice Islands’ storied past and set on the iconic beach of the peaceful East coast

The beach in front of LUX* Marijani, Pwani Mchangani, is paradise defined: powdery white sand, swaying coconut palms, and the blue-green waters of the Zanzibar archipelago. At low tide, a sandbank emerges–the perfect spot for a sun salutation. Rise early to catch a glimpse of the seaweed mamas, ankle-deep in the warm waters, or a traditional dhow sailing past. When the tides rise, the lagoon becomes the dreamiest swimming pool, begging a dip. Soak up the Zanzibari sun, get a head massage in a thatched hut, take a seat at The Beach restaurant for a long, lazy lunch, or do all three. This is beachside living at its best.

Known as Spice Island, Zanzibar was once an important trading hub for traders from mainland Africa, India, and the Arab Peninsula. The unique mix of influences is what inspired our Omani-style architecture with a Swahili coastal feel. White-washed walls and coral stones, locally-crafted terrazzo tiles, intricate hand-carved wooden doors reminiscent of the century-old doors found in Stonetown, arches, ornate lanterns, pink coral… Each element of design tells the story of the artisans behind it, but also the complex, fascinating past of Zanzibar, which has long lured curious travellers.

Triple-cooked octopus in Zanzibar spiced coconut milk, raw, vegan green papaya salad, Mezze platters, cocktails designed around spices… Our chefs get creative in the kitchen. From the Zanzibar Kahwa hot brew at Café LUX* to a lunch at The Beach, our varied and creative dining experiences cater to all palates. Coming soon is ICI, our very own house brand of ice-cream and Samāa, our exquisite levantine restaurant on the beach under a starry sky. Zanzibar’s bounty is plentiful, whether it’s the tropical fruit, the local honey, or the freshly-caught seafood. We bring it all to your plate in the most creative and delicious manner possible. Think breakfast on a sandbank with your toes in the water and fabulous barbecue dinners on the beach. There’s no better way to discover a destination than through its cuisine.

If you are up at daybreak, you will see women, ‘seaweed mamas’, tending to their seaweed gardens when the tide pulls out. To the left of the beach, you can see the harvested produce drying in the African sun. Sadly, resorts and tourism often push entire communities out, even though their livelihoods depend on it. Not at LUX* Marijani though. In the shallow waters facing our hotel, women have found work and independence. When the hotel was built, local craftsmen hand-carved the wooden doors, cut the white and pink stone, created the terrazzo floors… Endemic trees were also planted in the gardens. At LUX* Marijani, we say goodbye to single-use plastic. No tiny plastic shampoo bottles here. Refill your reusable water bottle throughout the hotel. We give you everything to make travel more mindful and your trip more meaningful.

From the moment you step inside LUX* Marijani, you feel the energy: calming, invigorating. Maybe it’s the salty air, the glow of the sun, or the lush tropical gardens. Rise at dawn for an early morning beach jog, swim laps in our pool, plunge into the warm Indian Ocean, or practice yoga on a sandbank. Be sure to keep an eye open for our indigenous forest, the perfect place to get into ‘Forest bathing’. At the boutique-size LUX* ME spa, treat yourself to a custom massage, a facial, or a mani and pedi. At our restaurants, you will see the menus labelled in green; they stand for our Keen on Green concept, which are all the vegan, raw and vegetarian dishes. Holidays are the perfect time to reset.

Stories of early adventurers’ visits to Zanzibar have inspired countless travellers. The Spice Island is a heady mix of Arabic, Swahili, Portuguese and African influences. There’s a lot to explore out here. Tour a woodwork shop tucked between century-old trees and see how the hotel’s grand wooden doors were hand-carved. Visit a spice plantation and learn how spices are grown and harvested. Wander through the labyrinthine streets of Stonetown, a UNESCO World Heritage site, the LUX* way. Hop onboard a traditional sailing dhow to the shallows of Mnemba Island, famed for its dive sites. Take your yoga practice off the mat and onto a sandbank, which only emerges at low tide. Zanzibar is a magical place, and you will soon see why.

We love a good surprise, when the unexpected creates magic. That’s why when you stay with us, you will stumble upon pop-ups and surprises. An outdoor movie on the beach at Cinema Paradiso. A Tree of Wishes where you can manifest your dream life. A Message in Bottle which contains a little gift for those who find the hidden treasure. A sunrise beach breakfast. At LUX* we believe that every single moment is worth celebrating. Worth making remarkable. From life’s big moments to the small ones. Every moment is made extraordinary.