Luxury Hotels Atlas / Places / Tanzania / Kendwa / Elewana Kilindi Zanzibar
Elewana Kilindi Zanzibar
Kendwa, Zanzibar, Tanzania · Elewana Collection · High Luxury
Kilindi began as a private retreat built for Benny Andersson of ABBA, designed by architect Neil Rocher to fuse Scandinavian minimalism with Middle Eastern domes and arches. It opened to outside guests in 2009 and now holds fifteen white-domed pavilions across fifty acres of garden on Zanzibar's northwest coast, each with its own plunge pool, outdoor rainfall shower, and a personal butler known as a Guest Ambassador.
- 15 rooms
- Opened 2009
- Neighborhood: Kaskazini A
About Elewana Kilindi Zanzibar
- Every pavilion is glassless, cooled by sea breeze and wooden shutters rather than air conditioning.
- The resort runs on rainwater harvesting, part of the eco-minded design Rocher built in from the start.
- A 25-meter infinity pool spills toward the Indian Ocean, with a waterfall bar built into its edge.
History
Originally designed as a private retreat for Benny Andersson of the pop group ABBA, Kilindi Zanzibar was conceptualized by architect Neil Rocher to blend Scandinavian minimalism with Middle Eastern architectural overtones. The property opened to travelers in 2009 and has since become a centerpiece of the Elewana Collection, known for its unique eco-friendly design and open-air philosophy. Each of its signature domed pavilions is set within 50 acres of tropical gardens, utilizing a rainwater harvesting system and natural sea breezes for cooling.
Restaurants and bars
- Main Pavilion 'waterfall' bar — Bar
Experiences
- Private Sunset Dhow Cruise — A 2-3 hour sail on a traditional wooden dhow along the north-west coast, with snorkelling over the Kendwa reef.
- Safari Blue Dolphin & Snorkeling Tour — A full-day dhow cruise in the Minai Bay Conservation Area to see dolphins, swim on sandbanks, snorkel at coral reefs and eat a seafood barbeque.
- Private 'Lobster & Champagne' Beach Dinner — A private dinner on the beach for a minimum of two guests.
- Historical Stone Town Tour — A walk through Stone Town visiting the City Market, the Sultan's Palace Museum, the House of Wonders, Africa House, Forodhani Park food market and the Old Fort.
- Island Spice Tour — A visit to a local spice farm to see, smell and taste spices such as cloves, cardamom, cinnamon, pepper, turmeric, nutmeg and vanilla.
- Jozani Forest Tour — An excursion to Jozani Forest, where the Kirk's Red Colobus monkey is found.
Amenities
- 15 private white-domed pavilion suites with glassless windows and wooden shutters
- Private plunge pools and extraordinary outdoor rainfall shower rooms for each suite
- Dedicated personal butler (Guest Ambassador) service for every pavilion
- 25-metre main infinity pool overlooking the Indian Ocean and a waterfall bar
- Full-service Kilindi Spa offering a variety of luxury treatments and a Turkish Hammam
- Adults-only
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