OUR STORY
Villa Lali embodies the elegance, simplicity and warmth of the matriarch of our family and carries her name as well as her spirit. Lali’s shining example inspired us to create a beautiful, welcoming space in her memory – a place where friends and families can share precious time together, and create lasting memories.
Villa Lali has always been a labour of love for us: an opportunity to honour our mother and grandmother by creating a tranquil sanctuary where our guests can feel rested, revived and rejuvenated.
When you stay at Villa Lali, we want you to experience the comfort and laidback charm of a private beach villa, combined with the style and service of a world-class luxury boutique hotel.
In a tribute to the compelling history and rich culture of Zanzibar, Villa Lali blends Omani, Arab, African and Indian influences. We worked closely with local artisans to create a Villa that authentically told the stories of their communities, and that would feel at once both exotic and welcoming.
Many of the furnishings in the Villa were handcrafted or refurbished by carpenters, weavers and metalworkers from nearby villages, helping to keep their skills alive and enhancing the Villa’s authentic style and comfort.
A WORLD AWAY – BUT NOT THAT FAR
Villa Lali is just a few steps from Matemwe beach in the north-east of Zanzibar. One of the most pristine beaches in East Africa, Matemwe offers stunning vistas overlooking Mnemba Island atoll and the Marine Conservation Area. This area is largely untouched by humans, and you can walk for miles along the powdery white sand, seeing no footprints other than your own.
Surrounded by a lush tropical garden that provides pops of colour by day and beguiling fragrances after sunset, Villa Lali is the ultimate sanctuary from the hustle and bustle of the modern world. Equally, if you’re looking for a more active Zanzibar experience, the Villa provides the perfect stepping-stone to all that the Spice Island has to offer.
Take a dip in our pool, stroll along the sand or visit the nearby traditional fishing village. Villa Lali time is your time, and how you choose to enjoy it is completely up to you.
COMMUNITY OUTREACH
At Villa Lali, we believe in responsible, appropriate luxury tourism. That is, we aim to give you the best possible Zanzibar beach villa experience whilst also giving back to our neighbouring communities, without whom none of this would be possible.
We invest in long-term friendships with the people of Zanzibar, and source everything we can from the island. This helps us to create sustainable livelihoods and transfer skills, providing people with increased incomes, enhanced dignity and expanded opportunities.
We are also actively involved in community projects, with a focus on education and safety. Our current projects include refurbishing a local primary school, and installing solar-powered streetlights in main village thoroughfares.
During your stay at Villa Lali, you can visit these projects and even get involved. If you have space in your luggage, please consider bringing school supplies with you – they will be very much appreciated by the younger members of this wonderful community.