Four Seasons has just announced its newest project, but there’s no firm timeline yet on the opening.
In this post:
Basics of the new Four Seasons Zanzibar
Plans have been announced for the new Four Seasons Resort Zanzibar, which will be a beachfront property in Tanzania. This is intended either as a destination for a standalone vacation, or as a complement to a safari, which Tanzania is known for.
Four Seasons is opening this property in partnership with global investment firm Albwardy Investment. Albwardy Investment is already involved in several Four Seasons properties, including in Buenos Aires, Hoi An, Johannesburg, Serengeti, Seychelles, and Desroches Island (that’s quite the collection of hotels).
The Four Seasons Zanzibar will be a 126-acre beachfront property with 60 private villas, each featuring one to three bedrooms. Accommodations will feature interior design by MOMA and eco.id, with each villa having views of the Indian Ocean.
Four Seasons Zanzibar will feature five dining outlets, including a signature seafood restaurant, a Mediterranean all-day dining restaurant, a levantine grill, a poolside bar and grill, and a lobby lounge and bar. Other amenities will include a spa and gym, a kids club, and meeting and event space.
Guests will be able to plan a combined visit to the Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti and Four Seasons Tanzania, with a short flight between the two properties.
Here’s what Bart Carnahan, Four Seasons’ President of Global Business Development, had to say about this new property:
“It’s an honour to partner with Albwardy Investment on this exceptional project in Zanzibar. Together, our shared vision for creating best-in-class experiences will soon introduce a new Four Seasons resort to a destination that luxury travellers already know and love. With this incredible island’s dynamic character and beauty on display, we look forward to welcoming guests as they discover a new side of Tanzania alongside the commitment to genuine care and service of Four Seasons.”
Meanwhile here’s what Ali Saeed Juma Albwardy, Chairman of Albwardy Investment, had to say about this project:
“In partnership with Four Seasons, we have successfully curated a portfolio of unique travel experiences around the world, always honouring the distinct spirit of every location and the legendary service that has earned its longstanding global reputation in luxury hospitality. There is a tremendous opportunity to do the same in Zanzibar, and our new resort will highlight the island’s natural beauty and rich cultural heritage while enriching the region’s vibrant hospitality landscape.”
Below are some renderings of the Four Seasons Zanzibar — it looks beautiful, and unlike anything currently offered on the island, at least when it comes to scale.
Zanzibar’s current luxury hotel scene
Currently Zanzibar doesn’t have many larger international luxury hotel chains. Probably the most well known is the 67-room Park Hyatt Zanzibar, which is a great option for earning and redeeming points. While I haven’t been there, based on what I’ve heard from people who have, it’s not quite up to the usual Park Hyatt standard.
It’s clear the Four Seasons will also have a very different vibe than the Park Hyatt. The Park Hyatt is beachfront but is located right in the city, so it has a busy beach, and doesn’t exactly have a resort vibe, with all rooms being in large buildings. Meanwhile the Four Seasons will be a huge, secluded property, with all-villa accommodations.
While that’s the extent of the major luxury hotel groups in Zanzibar, the island does have some ultra-high end villas, as well as a few luxury boutique properties. For example, Xanadu is regarded as one of the best villa options in Zanzibar, while &Beyond Mnemba Island is another popular property just off the coast of Zanzibar.
Bottom line
A new Four Seasons property has been announced for Zanzibar, Tanzania. This will be a 60-villa beachfront property, and should set the new standard for luxury in Zanzibar as far as international luxury properties go. Now, admittedly a lot of people will be hesitant to vacation in Tanzania, but I still figure it’s worth covering new properties that are in the pipeline, regardless of my personal beliefs about the destination.
What do you make of the new Four Seasons Zanzibar?
Too many hotels coming Zanzibar will destroy everything the island has it, culture, religion, environment and smaller local hotels.
In the article you say
"Now, admittedly a lot of people will be hesitant to vacation in Tanzania"
Could you please elaborate why people would (should?) be hesitant to travel to Tanzania?
There are tons of luxury resorts in Zanzibar. FS is so boring
It will be interesting to see what they will charge and what will be included in the rate and how that compares to other hotels there.
For what it’s worth, I think Tanzania is a great destination (I was there for work/vacation five times from the US last year). I don’t see any downsides to going there!
Zanzibar is also absolutely lovely, and the Park Hyatt in Old Town is a glorious hotel!
I loved my stay on Mnemba island, which seems left out of the above, not sure who would choose a villa at a FS megaresort over Mnemba but I'd say the same about the FS Serengeti property and sasakwa for some reason people go to FS as well, maybe just brand recognition.
Isn't Sasakwa like 2-3x per person than the FS? FS Serengetti is nice (some wear and tear / too many corporate travel trips making it seem like a bit of a factory are valid concerns) but still nice. Mnemba Island is quite nice and likely not that much more than the FS Zanzibar prices at.
I have to disagree. There are a few luxury hotels in Zanzibar that I've stayed at. The best one is: Le Messene, Zanzibar, Autograph Collection. It even has over-water Villas and is walking distance to one of Zanzibar's most popular landmarks, The Rock.
I agree Le Mersenne is a beautiful resort , A Marriott Autograph Collection , located just north of Paje on the north East shore of the Island!
Have either of you stayed or considered staying at Amani? It’s an SLH property within the same area. It offers direct beach access unlike Le Mersernne.
Thanks, Ben! Heading on a Serengeti safari in July 2024 and wish the property would be open by then -- it looks amazing (will be heading to Zanzibar after the safari, which seems like a great way to end the trip).
My family and I are going there after safari in July as well. We just booked a few nights at the Park Hyatt. It may not be perfect, but at 32,000 Hyatt points/night for their 1100 sq/ft suite, I'm pretty excited.