As Individual

Exclusive. Private. Memorable

Hard to find. Hard to leave.

A feeling, not about price. You’ll have that here, at Jua, with meaningful human connections and as we create exceptional and surprising moments. 4 very private villas, max 8* guests, private beach, landscaped tropical gardens and a world of passion.

Jua is Romantic. Peaceful. Individual.

As You Are

About Jua

Uniquely located on the tip of the Michamvi peninsula, South East of Zanzibar, Jua offers blissful, barefoot luxury for very few, and small intimate groups.

Only 4 villas sleeping* 8 – 12 guests in total. Handmade furniture, specifically designed for the feeling of freedom and complete intimacy.

All villas have 200° view of both sea and big sky. Private pools and patios, butler style service ensure you dictate the rhythm of each day.

Highest Score on Zanzibar 2026

(An award which applies for all our guests, including those booking direct for even better value, and an experience from the get-go.)

Direct access to beaches untouched by others, untamed nature, and warm service befitting your schedule come together to create an extra-ordinary experience. When, and if, the mood grabs you to venture beyond our private estate, Jua is waiting to take you there.

Our passion will touch you forever

Our guests love to tell their story

Tripadvisor
J18295 profile picture
J18295
Tripadvisor star 1Tripadvisor star 2Tripadvisor star 3Tripadvisor star 4Tripadvisor star 5
A truly special place, with wonderful hospitality. We spent a long time researching to find the perfect place for our honeymoon, and Jua Retreat exceeded every expectation. It is a true hidden gem. With only four beautiful villas, it feels peaceful, intimate and incredibly unique amongst the many choices in Zanzibar. Waking up every morning to breathtaking ocean views, fresh coffee delivered to our door, and watching the changing tides throughout the day was unforgettable. The food was fresh and delicious, the cocktails were fantastic, and the surprise honeymoon dinner was the perfect ending to our stay. The bed was so comfortable, the fan kept us cool at night, and we loved all the little touches in our room. The pool was beautiful and a real highlight, and we also enjoyed having the gym and tennis court (although the court could do with a little maintenance!). A huge part of what made our stay so special was the staff. Hassan, Emmanuel, Jamal, Pascal and the Maasai team, along with everyone else (sorry I can't remember all the names!), gave us the warmest welcome and couldn't do enough for us. Nothing was ever too much trouble. When I mentioned how much I loved the beach bag in our room, Hassan even sourced similar fabric at the local market and took it to a tailor so I could have one made! Thank you to everyone at Jua Retreat for making our honeymoon so memorable. We really hope we'll be lucky enough to return one day.
Tripadvisor
jpicke835520 profile picture
jpicke835520
Tripadvisor star 1Tripadvisor star 2Tripadvisor star 3Tripadvisor star 4Tripadvisor star 5
Relaxing and calm We stayed 4 nights at Jua after a safari in the Serengeti. It was peaceful and very private with exceptional personalized service. The spa services were outstanding. Food and drinks were very good with ample choice. The setting was lovely but a bit remote from other places. Some details like outdoor cushions could use updating but, generally, the amenities were acceptable.
Tripadvisor
GrandTour52611621426 profile picture
GrandTour52611621426
Tripadvisor star 1Tripadvisor star 2Tripadvisor star 3Tripadvisor star 4Tripadvisor star 5
Beautiful and memorable 3 night retreat! Here is my review: Jua Retreat was such a special stay and one of the most personalized boutique hospitality experiences I’ve had in all my travels. I’ve been fortunate enough to visit 74 countries (with Seychelles about to make it 75 😊), and Jua truly stands out for its warmth, care, and intimacy. I absolutely loved the concept of having just four rooms - it creates such a peaceful, thoughtful, and genuinely cared-for atmosphere that feels worlds away from a typical resort experience. The vegan food was exceptional. Every meal felt fresh, nourishing, and completely made from scratch with so much care and creativity. What made it even more memorable was how personalized everything was - the chef went above and beyond to prepare veganized Swahili dishes for me so I could still experience the local cuisine in an authentic and thoughtful way. It honestly felt like dining in someone’s beautiful private home rather than at a hotel. The dining room staff were also wonderful throughout my stay, always so welcoming, attentive, and genuinely caring at every meal. Hasan was the ultimate host - warm, attentive, professional, and always making sure every detail was taken care of with genuine kindness. Emmanuel was also incredibly patient and helpful when I was dealing with a very frustrating phone issue during my stay. He calmly helped coordinate everything, organized my taxis to and from Stone Town, and connected me with Daniel, who ultimately helped get the issue resolved. That level of care and willingness to help goes far beyond normal hospitality. I also have to mention Farhaa, whose massages were absolutely incredible and added so much to the sense of relaxation and care throughout my stay. And the cleaners did an exceptional job every single day - the rooms were absolutely spotless and maintained with such attention and pride. The combination of personalized service, peaceful atmosphere, beautiful design, heartfelt hospitality, and incredible food made Jua Retreat truly unforgettable. I would return in a heartbeat.
Tripadvisor
Marina D profile picture
Marina D
Tripadvisor star 1Tripadvisor star 2Tripadvisor star 3Tripadvisor star 4Tripadvisor star 5
Un moment hors du temps Séjour exceptionnel à Jua Zanzibar 🌿 Un véritable havre de paix en pleine nature. Le complexe se compose de seulement 4 villas, ce qui rend l’expérience intime et très exclusive. Chaque villa dispose de sa propre piscine privée, un vrai luxe pour se détendre en toute tranquillité. Tout est pensé pour créer une atmosphère cocooning : il n’y a pas de fenêtres, mais des ouvertures entièrement équipées de moustiquaires, permettant de profiter pleinement de l’air naturel tout en étant protégé. On se sent vraiment dans un petit cocon, parfaitement intégré à l’environnement. Le personnel est absolument incroyable : toujours aux petits soins, d’une grande gentillesse et très attentionné. Leur accueil fait toute la différence. La piscine principale est également très agréable, et l’accès direct à la plage est un vrai plus pour profiter du cadre paradisiaque. Un lieu idéal pour se ressourcer, se déconnecter et vivre une expérience unique.
Tripadvisor
kakarnak profile picture
kakarnak
Tripadvisor star 1Tripadvisor star 2Tripadvisor star 3Tripadvisor star 4Tripadvisor star 5
hospitality has a name wonderful experience in a beautiful landscape...the food are excellent and generous...the villa doesnt have air conditioning but the breeze and the surrounding make the sojourn comfortable its very surprising...the people who works there are pro active and happy ..so doent hesitate for a relaxing vacation
Tripadvisor
Katia G profile picture
Katia G
Tripadvisor star 1Tripadvisor star 2Tripadvisor star 3Tripadvisor star 4Tripadvisor star 5
Incrível 😍 Passei o Réveillon com meu marido e amamos tudo!!!Comida maravilhosa, drinks deliciosos, estrutura sensacional, quartos incríveis 😍não poderia ter escolhido um lugar melhor para começar o ano na paz do Jua Agradeço a TODOS da equipe Jua que fizeram da Minha estadia muito especial e um agradecimento ao Hassam 😊
Tripadvisor
Navigator21678830331 profile picture
Navigator21678830331
Tripadvisor star 1Tripadvisor star 2Tripadvisor star 3Tripadvisor star 4Tripadvisor star 5
paradiesisch!!!! .... Es war ein Traum!!!! .... vielen lieben Dank Hassan, Djamal, Emanuel und den Rest der Mannschaft!!!!! Ute und Frank ❤️
Tripadvisor
Giuly profile picture
Giuly
Tripadvisor star 1Tripadvisor star 2Tripadvisor star 3Tripadvisor star 4Tripadvisor star 5
Jua: un angolo perfetto nascosto tra le meraviglie di Zanzibar Difficile trovare le parole giuste per descrivere l’esperienza vissuta in questo angolo di mondo, ma ci provo. Perché quello che ho vissuto non è stata una semplice vacanza: è stato un sogno ad occhi aperti, un dipinto vivente di pace, bellezza, cura e perfezione. Zanzibar è un gioiello della natura, sì… ma Jua, è il suo diamante più puro. Appena arrivati, ho capito che non si trattava di un soggiorno qualsiasi. Era come entrare in una favola tropicale in cui ogni dettaglio raccontava una storia, parlava di amore, di un senso della bellezza che va oltre ogni immaginazione. Dalle pareti dipinte con colori naturali e rilassanti, agli arredi etnici di una raffinatezza disarmante, fino alle luci soffuse che al calar della sera creavano un’atmosfera magica e intima… tutto era curato nei minimi particolari. Ogni singolo elemento era pensato con attenzione maniacale. Cuscini ricamati a mano, lenzuola profumate di pulito e di sogni: nulla era lasciato al caso. La piscina privata era un’oasi nella natura: acqua perfetta, cristallina, silenziosa, con lettini comodissimi immersi tra piante tropicali e il canto degli uccelli. E la vista sull’oceano… sembrava una di quelle cartoline che si appendono al muro, solo che questa era reale. Ogni mattina mi svegliavo con la luce del sole che entrava delicatamente nella stanza, col rumore del mare in lontananza e un solo pensiero fisso in mente: sono nel posto più bello del mondo. Il personale è stato qualcosa di straordinario. Persone gentili, sorridenti, attente ad ogni minima esigenza, sempre presenti senza mai essere invadenti. Avevano la capacità di farti sentire importante, coccolata, accolta. Ogni dettaglio era pensato per il nostro benessere, e ogni giorno mi stupivano con una delicatezza nuova, con un gesto premuroso, con una parola detta al momento giusto. Non è solo professionalità: è passione, è amore per l’ospitalità, è un calore umano che si percepisce dal primo all’ultimo giorno. E poi il cibo. Se il paradiso avesse un sapore, sarebbe questo. Ogni pasto era una celebrazione della cucina locale e internazionale. Pesce freschissimo cucinato in mille modi diversi, pane caldo fatto in casa, dolci irresistibili, frutta maturata al sole e profumata di tropici. Le colazioni erano abbondanti, genuine, servite con un sorriso che bastava da solo a iniziare bene la giornata. I pranzi semplicemente deliziosi. Le cene, vere e proprie esperienze sensoriali. Una sera abbiamo cenato in spiaggia, con i piedi nella sabbia, il cielo pieno di stelle sopra di noi e una tavola imbandita sotto le lanterne: una scena da film, ma vissuta davvero. E poi c’era il mare. Acqua talmente trasparente da sembrare irreale, con sfumature di blu e turchese che cambiavano a seconda dell’ora del giorno. Sabbia bianca, soffice, perfetta. Ogni bagno era una carezza, ogni passeggiata lungo la riva un momento di pura libertà. Ho passato ore semplicemente guardando l’orizzonte, respirando la pace, lasciando che la bellezza di quel luogo mi entrasse dentro. Non credevo esistesse un posto capace di emozionarmi così tanto. E invece sì. Questo non è stato solo un viaggio, è stato un incontro con qualcosa di raro. Una bellezza che va oltre le parole, che si sente dentro e che ti accompagna anche dopo il ritorno. Ho viaggiato tanto, ho visto posti meravigliosi, ho vissuto esperienze indimenticabili. Ma qui… qui c’era qualcosa di diverso. C’era la cura, l’anima, l’amore per ogni singolo dettaglio. C’era una perfezione che non stanca mai. Torno a casa con il cuore pieno, con gli occhi ancora colmi di meraviglia e con una sola certezza: tornerò. Perché chi ha la fortuna di toccare il paradiso, non può non desiderare di tornarci ancora. Se state pensando a Zanzibar, non pensateci troppo. Prenotate. Vivetelo. E lasciatevi travolgere da tutto ciò che questo posto ha da offrire. È un’esperienza che cambia qualcosa dentro. E quella sensazione, ve lo assicuro, non la dimenticherete mai.

Where You, Nature & Luxury Meet

There is only one Jua, an experience shaped with individual sensitivity.

OUR PHILOSOPHY
OUR VILLAS
OUR SERVICES
CUISINE & Our all inclusive option
ACTIVITIES
DIARY OF A DAY IN JUA

About Zanzibar

Zanzibar is an archipelago of islands – the most famous being Unguja located 25 kms from the mainland coast at Dar es Salaam. The island is famous for its mix of exotic beaches, famous spice plantations, history (Stone Town being the capital) and diverse culture.

Best Time To Visit

Zanzibar is sub-tropical with even temperatures of between 28C-32C year round. June to September is the ‘dry’ season with moderate temperatures and is considered high season. The intermittent ‘small rains’ of  October / November follow which present a welcome relief from the heat of each day and do not present a barrier to being outdoors. Dec – mid March is the hottest time of the year and is also high season. Then come the ‘big rains’ until end May, when tropical storms are ever present.

Getting here & Good to Know

Jua is on the south eastern side of Zanzibar, on the tip of the Michamvi peninsula, 45 minutes from the international airport or ferry terminal, Stone Town. We will transfer you in our ultra sanitised and clean comfortable vehicles. Easy to book at the same time as you make your villa reservation here, on our website.

We accept all major cards.
Visas are available on arrival at International airports ($50 USD pp / $100USD for USA) or online as eVisas (recommended).

Before You Go

Local currency is the Tanzanian shilling (TSH) and is best for paying local businesses / taxis etc. ATMs available in Stone Town as well as a few minutes from Jua, in Paje.
WIFI is not widely available if away from hotels. Mobile SIM readily available at the airport and major towns.

5* / 5*

5* / 5*

Winner 2024

9.9 / 10

10 / 10

The Best Hotels Zanzibar 2025

5* / 5*
5* / 5*
9.9 / 10
10 / 10
Winner 2024
The Best Hotels Zanzibar 2025