&Beyond Mnemba Island, Tanzania hero
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&Beyond Mnemba Island, Tanzania

andBeyond Mnemba Island, Zanzibar, Tanzania
Condé Nast Gold List '25
Google 4.7
Overall 72
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Review

Synthesized from Condé Nast Traveler
Condé Nast Gold List 2025

Character and identity

Mnemba is a 1.5km speck of sand off Zanzibar's north-east coast, ringed by its own private marine reserve and reachable only by a six-minute speedboat ride. Twelve nautilus-shell-shaped bandas, freshly rebuilt in 2024 by Fox Browne and Jack Alexander Studio, sit tucked into casuarina forest in tadelakt-plastered coral stone, palm-thatched roofs, and rattan. The mood is barefoot, biodegradable, deliberately un-bling. At the heart of the island, a wavy bar anchors indoor and courtyard dining where chef Celeste Kotze cooks southern African and pan-global plates. A two-room spa, yoga deck, dive centre and Oceans Without Borders space round out a tightly choreographed operation with roughly 80 staff to 26 guests.

Who's it for

Best for:
Couples and honeymooners who want seclusion, snorkellers and divers drawn to a protected reef system, and design-literate travellers who appreciate natural-material restraint over gilt and marble. Conservation-minded guests will value the $100-per-night Wild Impact contribution. Families work too, with kid-tailored spa treatments, sushi classes and one two-bedroom villa.

Should look elsewhere:
Anyone who needs hard-surface accessibility, multiple restaurant choices, or the buzz of a larger resort. Wheelchair users will struggle with soft sand, boat transfers and stepped rooms. Those who like dressing up for dinner or want nightlife beyond a starlit bar should pick a different Indian Ocean address.

Bottom line

What sets Mnemba apart is the combination of a genuinely private marine reserve and a serious conservation operation, wrapped in design that feels handmade rather than hotelier-engineered. Book one of the eleven one-bedroom villas for a honeymoon or milestone trip; the two-bedroom suits a family of four. Aim for the dry months and book well ahead given the twelve-key inventory.

Location

andBeyond Mnemba Island, Zanzibar, Tanzania · 10 nearest tracked hotels

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Amenities

11 features
Wi-Fi
Restaurant
Breakfast
All inclusive available
Beach front
Full service laundry
Kid-friendly
Pool
Parking
Local shuttle
Kitchen

Practical info