An intimate beachfront retreat on the coral coast of Jambiani, with carved doors, coral stone and the long white line of the reef.
Request your stayRaffia takes its texture from the woven palm fibre that dresses Swahili homes, and its face from the carved door: geometry cut in relief, brass set into dark timber, a rosette turning quietly at the centre.
Just twelve rooms on a private stretch of sand, where the Indian Ocean is the first thing you hear each morning. Breakfast when you wake, dinner when you’re hungry, and the rest of the day left open.
Twelve rooms in four kinds, from a garden-view double to a two-bedroom apartment. Every room has air conditioning, a mosquito net, an ensuite bathroom and a private patio or balcony. Open any room to see its full gallery.
A bright, easy room opening to a private balcony over the palm garden, a few steps from the sand.
A private balcony where the Indian Ocean opens out beyond the palms, made for slow mornings.
A thatched villa with your own private pool, the golden hour entirely to yourselves.
A whole apartment for family or friends, with two bedrooms, a full kitchen and room to spread out.
Our most relaxed way to stay. A comfortable room with a private balcony that looks over the palm garden, a generous bed and a quiet sitting corner. Everything is close to hand, with the pool and the beach a short barefoot walk away.
Wake to the water. A comfortable room with a private balcony that looks past the garden to the sea, a hand-carved Zanzibari bed and a calm, uncluttered feel. Take breakfast in the breeze and let the day find its own pace.
Our flagship. Behind a woven palm screen, a thatched villa opens to a private pool that is yours alone, with a garden terrace for long evenings and an outdoor shower under the sky. A separate bedroom, an ensuite bathroom, and the sound of the Indian Ocean never far off.
Space for everyone. A private apartment with two bedrooms (each with a king bed), two bathrooms, a living room and a fully equipped kitchen with fridge, hob and microwave. A garden patio, a private entrance, and comfortably home for a family or two couples travelling together.
Mornings begin with a swim in the oceanfront pool, the Indian Ocean just beyond the palms.
After a day by the reef, let it all soften. Our therapists bring the spa to you, on the terrace, by the pool, or in the quiet of your room.
Warm, reef-protected shallows right off the beach.
On requestDive sites and dhow fishing trips arranged nearby.
NearbyVillage walks and Zanzibar spice-farm tours.
GuidedSomething cool on the terrace as the tide rolls out.
Each eveningFreshly prepared dishes and local ingredients, served with an open view of the Indian Ocean. Breakfast à la carte or continental, the day’s catch in the evening, and something cool at the pool bar as the light turns gold.
Guests rate our team 9.2, higher than the rooms, the beach or anything else we could build. Most of them grew up in Jambiani, and karibu is not a word learned for work: it is how this coast has always greeted people. They will remember how you take your coffee, and leave you to your book when the day calls for that instead.
We thought this hotel was fantastic. A special mention to the manager and his team. Quiet, a fabulous location, and every need was met. A wonderful stay, and we would go again.
We chose Raffia for the first week of our honeymoon and couldn’t have been happier. From day one we felt so welcome. We left with hearts full and beautiful memories.
A dream holiday. Sea with postcard colours, the real Zanzibar. The room was cared for and spotless; the garden, pool and beach superb. A place where relaxing is effortless.
A fishing village on the quiet side of the island: dhows on the horizon, seaweed farmers at low tide, and small kitchens along the beach road. We arrange airport transfers, dives and the drive to Stone Town.
No online payment, no anonymous booking engine. Tell us your dates and wishes, and we confirm availability personally, usually within a day.
No payment is taken here · rates are indicative · we reply personally