Zanzibar
- Hurumzi
The sixteen guestrooms are beautiful and romantic, each representing Zanzibari traditions in a distinct way. All rooms except for the Kipembe room are equipped with large stone bathtubs providing unusual bathing pleasure where a bubble bath and a bottle of wine are a frequent request. Ceiling fans keep our guests cool along with the constant breeze on the upper floors. Second and first floor rooms as well as the South room are equipped with air conditioning for added comfort. The sultan-sized rooms on the first and second floors have 20 foot ceilings, carved doors, original stucco décor and hand painted glass lamps and window panes. All guest rooms have large Zanzibari beds complete with netting.
The Tower Top Restaurant, a common stop for newlyweds and marriage proposers alike, is undoubtedly one of the most romantic restaurants in the world. Featuring a panoramic view of Stone Town and a spectacular view of the Indian Ocean, it is the perfect to watch the sun set. Eighty feet above the Stone Town and sitting on Persian carpets, more than one guest has told us that dinner here feels like a ride on a magic carpet. The dining room is open on all sides and guests sit Arabian-style on pillows and carpets, their shoes having been left at the door, while their dinner is served in five or more courses and accompanied by the sites and sounds of exotic Zanzibar. - Royal Zanzibar Beach Resort
A spacious and attractive new resort in the north of magical and the exotic Zanzibar, the All-inclusive Royal Zanzibar Beach Resort has a lively variety of facilities and a stunning setting by gleaming white sand beaches and sparkling turquoise shallows.
This environmentally friendly hotel is a perfect destination to “truly get away from it all” Set in the midst of exotic and colourful tropical gardens inviting guests to enjoy the prestige and relaxing view of the Indian Ocean. The distance to Zanzibar international airport is about 62 km. Stone town , the island’s capital is about 1 hour drive passing rural villages through the intriguing country side. - Mnemba island Lodge
Imagine an island, a small, perfect island, with coral sands and balmy air; ultimate beach luxury with warm white sands and clear turquoise seas, an unspoilt, natural haven of absolute privacy and peace, and discover that this is no hazy dream… it is Mnemba.
Mnemba Island Lodge is a barefoot paradise on a private island, where just ten simple but luxurious palm-frond bandas lie hidden in a tropical beach forest fringed by a white beach. Midway between the bandas and the Indian Ocean are shaded traditional Zanzibari ‘beach’ beds, perfect for reading, sleeping, gazing at dhows or doing nothing at all. Romantic candlelit dinners are served on the beach with the waves gently lapping a few metres away.
Hand-woven from traditional Zanzibarian palm-matting, each of the ten secluded bandas on Mnemba Island provides an ultimate expression of 'barefoot luxury'.
Set back into the fringes of the pine forest at the island centre, Mnemba's rooms are carefully located to ensure absolute privacy, and built onto wooden platforms over the sand. Detailed woodcarvings and the scrolled headboards adorning the beds are created by some of Zanzibar's most skilled artisans. - Fairmont Zanzibar
The Fairmont Zanzibar resort is located on the Northeast coast of Unguja, Zanzibar's main Island. The resort is 45 minutes from Zanzibar International Airport.
The Fairmont Zanzibar luxury resort has benefited from the recent renovation now offers 109 newly renovated and comfortably appointed rooms and suites that are spread throughout the vast and lush tropical gardens of the resort. Fringed by the powder white 45 kilometers long sandy beach of the East coast, the resort occupies a stretch of 350 meters of pristine open beachfront.
Renowned as one of the most romantic ocean destinations in the world, The Fairmont's Zanzibar accommodations are located on white sand beaches overlooking the Indian Ocean and its spectacular coral reefs. The architecture of the Tanzania resort offers rustic exclusivity and luxury unparalleled on the African coastline. With 109 guestrooms ranging from Villas, Cottages and Deluxe Rooms, each en-suite room sits nestled in the shade of the tropical beach forest and palm-covered walkways.
From the moment each guest arrives they are welcomed with genuine Zanzabarian hospitality. Guests can retreat to the privacy of their accommodations, where they will enjoy the comforts of home including air conditioning, satellite TV, coffee making facilities and hair dryers. Or perhaps they prefer to remain outdoors on their verendah with views of the grounds or tranquil blue ocean waters. - Gemma Del Est
This is by far the largest resort in Zanzibar, not only because they have the most rooms, but also the vast space over which it is situated.
Gemma is located on the North West coast of Zanzibar, near to Kendwa Rocks, on a magnificent stretch of beach. The beauty of this side of the island is that it is not as affected as the East by the tidal fluctuations. You are able to swim during low and high tide. Even though they have a great beach, they went and built the most massive swimming pool on the island with a sunken bar on the northern end where you are able to enjoy cocktails.
We do like the resort, but feel it is a little too big and perhaps not very authentic. Guests are transported by golf carts from the reception area to their rooms. All over the resort they have pathways for the gold carts who transfer guests between the top restaurant or reception and their rooms. From your room, it is a good 80 metres down to the beach. All in all it is almost half a kilometer from reception down to the beach (if not longer). This just gives you an idea of how huge it is.
The hotel has been styled on a modern European style, ignoring the Zanzibar style, in which most other resorts have been built. Large white plastic tarpaulins greet you as you enter the main gate, something you might expect to see in Milan. The restaurant area is beautifully decorated using glass windows and water features, all very chic and modern.
One of the most stunning features of the resort is the large entertainment area built on a pontile out in the ocean. The jetty just out some 100m into the ocean and provides a stunning place to enjoy cocktails during the day, sundowners at sunset or a late night drink. From the deck in the evening, you can watch the fish swimming in the floodlit ocean. - Bluebay Beach Resort
Bluebay Beach Resort is situated on the finest wide, white, sandy beach on the island of Zanzibar. Located on the East Coast in an area known as Kiwengwa, the hotel is only 35 minutes drive from the town and the airport on a recently built tarmac road.
Bluebay Beach Resort opened in December 1999 and offers a wide range of facilities in addition to the magic Indian Ocean "Spice island" itself.
Bluebay Beach Resort is situated on the most beautiful 25 acre site with its bedroom cottages located on rising ground overlooking verdant gardens, the public areas, the pool, the more than 1,000 beautiful palm trees, the sparkling white beach and the azure sea with its coral reef offering particularly warm and safe swimming. - Ocean Paradise
Situated on Zanzibar’s picturesque North East coast, overlooking the turquoise Indian Ocean, it is as the name suggests a little piece of paradise.
From your arrival at Zanzibar Airport, the resort is a meandering 45 minute journey through un-spoilt scenery, passing typical African villages where the way of life has changed little for hundreds of years.
At Ocean Paradise Resort Zanzibar, you will be greeted by a blaze of colour as you sweep down the imposing driveway, saluted by a Masai warrior as you pass through the entrance gate and be captivated as you arrive in reception and look out over the resort and the azure blue sea. Mature coconut palms swinging in the breeze, white sandy beach, beautiful landscaped gardens, and traditional style round chalets with pitched makuti roof, a stunning waterfall feature and the largest swimming pool in Zanzibar are just some of the sights that await you. A big smile and the greeting of "Jambo" will be the first words you hear, as you begin to feel the warmth that the people of Zanzibar are famed for. - Kinasi Lodgess
KINASI is a small, private lodge situated in a coconut and cashew plantation facing Chole Bay on Mafia Island. It provides a high standard of accommodation in only lanteen bungalows (one is a family unit with two bedrooms), each with a large verandah and ensuite bathroom. The bungalows have been constructed in rendered concrete block, with palm-leaf (makuti) roofs, and concrete foundations and floors. There is all-day mains electricity and hot and cold water supply from three permanent wells on the property. Our rooms not air-conditioned but one cooled by fans and the large shutter doors and windows.
The intention has been to create a resort that is relaxing and stylish, with a very personal feel. KINASI is beautifully furnished with antiques and hand-crafted furniture, made for us to our own designs. The dining room is appointed with crockery and hand-blown glassware made specially for us and there are original works of art by East African artists.
Our catering is based upon local seafood: fresh fish, prawns, crab, lobster, octopus and calamari, with fresh vegetables and fruit flown from the mainland. Our breads, rolls, pizzas and variety of yoghurts, preserves and sauces are all home made, from traditional recipes. Seafood barbecues and Swahili cuisine are established KINASI customs.
Most of all there is tranquility and privacy in beautiful, natural surroundings, and our friendly staff will do their best to look after you with service to your rooms, morning tea and coffee with fresh biscuits and cakes, sundowners and cocktails, delicious food and attention to any requests you may have. KINASI started as a private home, and that is how we wish our guests to feel - as if they are in their own home. So enjoy Mafia and this little retreat we have created with all its activities, the swimming pool, gardens and beach, and the relaxed atmosphere and good company.
Mafia Island is-in the true sense-an island paradise for the active beachcomber who is serious about enjoying the sea and islands, adventure divers, game fishermen, bird-watchers or just for simple feet-up relaxation. Be as active as you wish...or simply relax and do nothing and let us take care of you.
The following 360 images of Kinasi - taken in 2000 - can be viewed if you have Qiicktime installed on your computer (click here to install) - they provide a good feeling for Kinasi and its main features. Many improvements have since been made and we hope to update these in the near future, but we hope you will agree that Kinasi is like a lovely private home and is a perfect getaway.
