By Harriet Abiodun
Beyond the crowds
You know that collective sigh of relief you breathe when the plane touches down? That was us the exact moment our family of four stepped off our direct Qatar Airways flight from Doha, leaving the city skyline behind for Zanzibar’s north-east coast.
Most visitors to Zanzibar make a beeline for the bustling beaches of Nungwi and Kendwa. We almost did too. Instead, we ventured just beyond the crowds to a quieter stretch of Zanzibar’s north-east coast, where Safira Blu Luxury Resort & Villas feels like a destination all of its own. No crowded beaches. No racing for sunbeds. Just wide-open space, total privacy, and that rare gift of being able to let our two toddlers roam while my husband and I actually relaxed.
Room to breathe
Spanning 85 secluded acres, Safira Blu offers a refreshing take on luxury. Nothing feels rushed, crowded or overly formal. Instead, the real luxury is found in the space, the stillness, the sound of the Indian Ocean, and the freedom to truly switch off.
The retreat feels wonderfully intimate with just 12 individually styled villas, comprising 10 one-bedroom villas and two spacious two-bedroom residences. Our villa effortlessly accommodated four adults and two toddlers while still feeling incredibly spacious. Finding a place that combines striking design with a practical layout for a multigenerational trip is no easy feat, but Safira Blu gets it exactly right. Inside, we had our own private pool, hot tub and ocean-facing bathtub, while select residences even have steps leading directly onto the sand.
Honestly, the detail that won me over most was how they handle children. This isn’t one of those high-end resorts that merely tolerates kids while subtly side-eyeing you. They genuinely love having them there… and if you’re a parent, you know what a massive difference that makes. Between the dedicated children’s play centre, expansive lawns where little ones could safely burn off energy, and staff who remembered our children’s names almost instantly, we never once felt like we were in the way.
From sunrise to safari
And here’s the best part: the adult experience doesn’t take a back seat. For once, I genuinely felt like I was on holiday, not simply parenting in a prettier postcode. Once the children were asleep, evenings became ours again. We’d sip sunset cocktails overlooking the ocean, linger over dinner, or unwind in our private hot tub beneath a sky full of stars, all without ever needing to leave the resort.
The food quickly became part of the experience rather than simply something between activities. Whether it was leisurely breakfasts overlooking the ocean, romantic dinners at BluFire, relaxed lunches at Drunken Monkey or in-villa dining, every meal encouraged us to slow down and savour the moment. Between visits to the Kioo Spa, quick gym sessions and afternoons by the infinity pool, we’d simply embrace the unhurried pace of it all… doing very little at all. (Quick traveller tip: if you aren’t staying on-site, they offer day passes for 50 USD for a person, which you get back as food and drink credit!)
For a little extra adventure beyond the resort, one of the highlights of our stay was a safari to Mikumi National Park, organised by Explore Zanzibar. Watching our children see some of their favourite animals in the wild added another unforgettable chapter to an already memorable Zanzibar escape.
Slow days, lasting memories
Still, when I look back, it’s the simple moments that stay with me the most: drinking my morning coffee with endless sea views, watching the children belly-laugh as they ran barefoot across the lawns, and taking slow walks beneath a blanket of stars after dinner.
Safira Blu understands that true luxury isn’t always about excess. Sometimes it’s simply having the time, space, and freedom to be fully present with the people you love.
Long after the tan fades, it’s those unhurried moments that stay with you. And perhaps that’s the greatest luxury of all.
