The Nest: Unveiling Paradise at a Luxury Resort Retreat in Zanzibar

The Nest

Welcome to unparalleled luxury and blissful serenity at the 5-star luxury resort nestled in the pristine shores of Zanzibar, Tanzania. Experience the epitome of indulgence and sophistication as you immerse yourself in the breathtaking beauty of the Indian Ocean at the Nest. The resort offers an exquisite blend of amenities, personalized service, and stunning natural surroundings, ensuring an unforgettable escape for discerning travelers seeking the ultimate in relaxation and rejuvenation. From lavish accommodations to gourmet dining and exclusive experiences, every moment at this resort is crafted to exceed your expectations and create cherished memories that will last a lifetime. Welcome to a world of luxury beyond compare in Zanzibar, where every detail is designed to elevate your stay to extraordinary heights.

Here is what we will cover in this article!

• Location & Accessibility
  • Description of the hotel’s location
  • Proximity to transportation hubs, attractions, and amenities
• Accommodation Features
  • Room types and amenities offered
  • Workspace availability and quality
  • Internet speed and reliability
  • Noise levels and privacy
• Facilities & Services
  • On-site facilities such as gyms, pools, co-working spaces, etc.
  • Quality of services provided (housekeeping, front desk, etc.)
  • Availability of additional amenities (laundry, restaurant, spa, etc.)
• Value for Money
  • Pricing compared to similar accommodations in the area
  • Inclusion of value-added services or perks
  • Overall value proposition for digital nomads
• Sustainability & Eco- Friendly Focuses
  • Efforts towards sustainability and social responsibility
  • Impact on the local community and environment
• Our Experience & Thoughts
  • Personal experience and impressions
• Additional Information
  • Contact details and booking information

If you are visiting Zanzibar, make sure you check out our full travel review guide with all the recommendations for the best activities, local food dishes, places to eat and more!

Zanzibar, Tanzania

Location & Accessibility

Hotel’s location

The Nest is located in Paje, which lies on the South East region of the island. To get to the island of Zanzibar, the best way is to fly into Abeid Amani Karume International Airport  ZNZ , which is located in the capital city, Zanzibar City. You can find direct flights to Zanzibar from major airports in Africa, Europe, and the Middle East. Some popular airlines that fly to Zanzibar include Ethiopian Airlines, Qatar Airways, Turkish Airlines, and Kenya Airways. Once you arrive at the airport, you can take a taxi or arrange airport transfers to your accommodation. Remember to check the entry requirements and visa regulations before your trip. 

Proximity to transportation hubs and Attractions

You can see on the image above, Paje is located on the opposite side of the island but on the same end. As expected, transportation on the island isn’t what you would find in a city infrastructure. While they do have “public transportation” I would not recommend this as an option when visiting. The “buses” are random vans of all shapes and sizes with the numbers mostly painted on. Many of the locals pack into the backs and it just doesn’t seem like the most organized or easy to use mode of transportation. This leaves you really with three alternative options. 

TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS:

First, you can rent a car. If this is your choice I do suggest you are a brave driver who thrives in chaos because that s what you will be facing on the “roads” of Zanzibar. There is some order to the madness but we were confident in our decision that driving here wasn’t for us. Second, you can rent a motorbike. This was actually our preferred choice but sadly the weather conditions in the beginning of the trip prevented this. Keep in mind that if it rains you will get soaked to the bone as the roads can have massive puddles and you are virtually unprotected. This is by far the cheapest option of the three though so if you are on a budget and brave in traffic, go for it! 

Lastly, you can hire a local driver. This is what we ended up doing as my friend has her connections and usual drivers. We think this is a great option no matter what the weather. You are protected if it rains and you have AC to combat the heat. It also helps when there are local authority checks to have a local handle the situation. We had a few guides who drove depending on where we wanted to go on the island and they would either wait for us or come back when we finished. Overall we highly recommend them all!

Attractions

This side of the island is slightly less populate than closer to Stone Town. You can still find plenty of things to do in the area. The Nest offers a ton of activities such as kite surfing, jet skies, horseback riding, catamaran rides, a volleyball court and outdoor “gym”.

If you are look to simply relax, you can lay by the pool and sip cocktails while snacking on delicious treats or have it sent to your terrace and lounge by your room. Or perhaps you want to book some spa treatments!

Paje itself has tons of beach clubs, restaurants and markets for you to explore. There are so many handmade items, and the locals are super friendly. They can be a little eager but didn’t over step once you said you are not interested. The beach clubs here are incredible and honestly you can spend a full day at each one!

One of the most special things we did was take part in the Nest 7 course gourmet dinner in the sky experience which is literally a “nest” up in the tree tops connected by hanging bridges. This is actually where my fiancé proposed at sunset and it was pure magic! They also have a resident money who hangs around and he crashed our party making it very entertaining.

Accommodation Features

Room types and Amenities offered

Tree House

Kingsize bed, Large Sofa, Outdoor bathroom , 70sq.m. +rooftop terrace + under house pool/garden lounge. We did not stay in one of these rooms so we cannot give a review on personal experience.

Poolside vila

Kingsize bed, Large Sofa, Outdoor bathroom, 45 sq.m. + Terrace leading directly to main pool. We absolutely LOVED our poolside villa. I was worried it would be close quarters but it wasn’t at all. We barely ran into anyone else and had the pool to ourselves for 75% of the time! There were obviously a few other couples staying in the pool villa sections but only saw in passing or at the restaurant.

Workspace availability and quality

There are no dedicated work areas at the resort but that didn’t hinder our experience. worked from our room, the lounge area in front and front the beach front restaurant with no problems.

Internet speed and reliability

We had no issues with internet our entire stay. I was working, uploading, downloading and streaming live events as well as movies without any issues. You get a login information at check in and the wifi works on the entire resort. The rooms and restaurant areas are the strongest connection but even out by the pool, or on their beach front I still had decent connection.

Noise levels and privacy

We had plenty of privacy and there was never any noise issue! We thought with the closer quarters in the pool section there might be some issues but the room was very quiet. The rooms come with little front lounge areas that are open and others can cross by depending what room you have, but inside is your own little oasis.

Facilities & Services

On-site facilities such as gyms, pools, co-working spaces, etc.

The Nest has two pools technically. There is a smaller one under the restaurant level closer to the beach front. The main large one has a swing, a nest basket to climb up to, floats and even a paddle board! while the Nest doesn’t have your conventional style of gym, they do have a unique island life take on the concept!

Quality of services provided (housekeeping, front desk, etc.)

When checking in, the front desk team was amazing. They had everything sorted for us upon arrival and we were guided right to our room. The room was decorated and we had different towel art each morning! Shortly after settling in, they brought us delicious welcome drinks to enjoy in our lounge outside of our room. It was a great way to start our stay!

Availability of additional amenities (laundry, restaurant, spa, etc.)

They do have a laundry service available. We did not personally take advantage of it so I cannot give you a timeframe of how quickly it is returned. The restaurant is definitely a highlight! Their cuisine is a mix of Middle-Eastern, Mediterranean and East African influences. Also, if you are vegetarian then you’re in luck as everything on their menu is veggie! They believe in delivering quick and easy good at the beach that fosters good atmosphere and beach memories. You can eat upstairs at the restaurant deck or have the food brought to you down at the beach or to your room ( although the beach has a slightly different menu at certain times of the day). They also have what was a highlight for us: 7 course gourmet dinner under the stars. You climb up and walk rope bridges to your own private “nest” in the sky!

Value for Money

Pricing compared to similar accommodations in the area

The Nest is a luxury 5 star resort but it’s an affordable one in our opinion. The island of Zanzibar has a wide variety of price ranges to fit every budget. I would say the Nest is on the higher end of the spectrum but it is not your typical 5 star luxury resort prices! They have a neighbor next door that is the backpackers heaven so in theory you could split your time between the two.

Inclusion of value-added services or perks

We had all you can eat included in our stay which was incredible as the restaurant has plenty of options and delicious food! Spa services or extra excursion are additional cost of course.

Overall value proposition for digital nomads

I think if you are looking for an upscale and beautiful place to work, then you cannot find a better deal than the Nest. It has all the perks and benefits of a 5 star resort with a much lower price tag. You have steady and reliable internet, a variety of places to work from and plenty of things to see and do in the nearby areas.

Sustainability & Eco- Friendly Focuses

Efforts towards sustainability and social responsibility

“Nest Village” Foundation encourages responsible and sustainable adventures in a safe and healthy form of tourism and sport that brings positive change to travelers, locals, and the Zanzibar Archipelago in particular. They guide people to cherish their bodies, enjoy the wind, waves, and sand, and recharge with sports nutrition and therapy but keep in mind how important it is to sustain the natural eco-balance. 

Impact on the local community and environment

Crystal waters, sandy beaches, fantastic wildlife, and diverse culture attract millions of visitors worldwide. They often don’t realize that their individual actions pose significant challenges to sustainability for the ocean and coastal areas. 

They are committed to protecting the ocean with the same passion they use to guard our own family. Their focus is on improving and protecting the environment and shifting to higher-value models that respect natural resources and social values. They inform fellow travelers and local communities on how to preserve and protect the natural habitat and maintain sustainability and a long-term tourism policy that guarantees economic growth and job creation.

Our Experience & Thoughts

Personal experience and impressions

We absolutely adored our time at the Nest. It was such a magical location that we got engaged here! It has all the things you need as a digital nomad to travel in style, or simply to travel luxuriously! The staff were so friendly, the accommodation was clean and beautiful and we couldn’t have a negative thing to say about our experience.

Recommendations and tips for future guests

Additional Information

Contact details and booking information

Happy travels xx

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