Hotels South

Anna Of Zanzibar

Built in 2008 with just 4 spacious villas this exclusive hotel fronts on to one of the most attractive beaches on Zanzibar. Being small, the Hotel provides a very personal service and is flexible to individual guests needs. The Hotel is named after the Indian coin which used in Zanzibar in by-gone days.

Location - The Hotel is approximately 60 kilometres from the Airport and Stone Town towards the northern part of the south-east peninsular. It takes a little under an hour to get there from Town.

Accommodation - The four individual villas are built in African-colonial style and are well separated from each other. Each villa has an airconditioned master bedroom, en-suite bathroom with separate shower, dressing room, separate spacious lounge and private terrace overlooking the tropical gardens and out to the beach/ocean. Their construction of local stone and traditional “makuti” (palm thatch) roofs mean they blend perfectly with the local environment. The villas are furnished in a Colonial/Zanzibari style. There is W-lan and Blackberry connection.

Facilities - Within the spacious and lush tropical gardens which has 120 meter beach frontage there is a fresh water swimming pool of 150 square meters and private beach huts with sufficient loungers for all guests. The main guest building is also built in a traditional way and has a spacious bar, dining room and library. Meal are not confined to the dining room as guests can choose to have meals near the pool, on the beach, at one of the beach huts or on the verandah of their villa. There is a “Shisha” lounge where afternoon tea and/or sundowners can be taken. There is a beach-front spa offering a wide range of treatments. The Hotel has its own small boat for snorkelling trips and scuba diving can be arranged with a nearby dive centre. Meals are a fusion of African, Arabian, Indian and “western” style with an emphasis on fresh fish and seafood. Accommodation is on an All Inclusive basis.

The Sultan's Palace

Is a small, exclusive hotel which provides the ultimate "bare-foot luxury". The main building has a terrace overlooking the Ocean and on the first floor the restaurant serves international and Swahili cuisine. The meals are memorable, mainly Zanzibari and Mediterranean with lobster served several times each week.

Location - North of the village of Bwejuu and approximately 1.5 hours drive from Stone Town.

Accommodation - 15 individual cottages, each with their own little garden overlooking the beach and the Indian Ocean beyond. The cottages are extremely spacious (up to 150 square metres in the Imperial Suites) furnished to the very highest standard and each with a verandah where you enjoy your morning breakfast. Garden Suites look over the gardens. The Imperial Suites provide the largest and some of the most luxurious accommodation on Zanzibar.

Facilities - There is no swimming pool, but the Hotel arranges snorkelling (from its own "ngawala", a local fishing boat, in the lagoon in front of the hotel); scuba diving is organised through the dive centre at Breezes Beach Club and the Hotel can arrange big game fishing. The central building houses the bar and restaurant as well as a terrace where afternoon tea is served. Lunches are served in the beach-side restaurant.

web site http://www.sultanzanzibar.com/

Breezes Beach Club & Spa, Zanzibar

Breezes Beach Club & Spa, Zanzibar

One of the best resort-style hotels on the island. Though it has the facilities, and the name, of a resort hotel, it is a friendly place which is well managed by a young team which try to ensure the hotel is as environmentally friendly as possible. The public areas are spacious, airy and comfortable. There are sporting activities available (though not prominent) and the hotel has a dive centre which can arrange scuba diving and snorkelling.

Location - North of Bwejuu village approximately 1.5 hours drive from Stone Town.

Accommodation - A total of 70 rooms in 3 categories, though the room layout and size are similar. Lodge Rooms are located at the rear of the site with garden views. There are cottages spread over the site each with 6 rooms, 4 Deluxe Rooms on the ground floor and 2 "Suite" Rooms on the upper floor with separate dressing room and large wrap-around balconies with shaded seating area. All rooms are airconditioned and have mini-bars and very comfortably furnished.

Breezes Beach Club & Spa, Zanzibar

Facilities - There are a range of bars and restaurants, including the Makuti A La Carte Restaurant specialising in sea food. The dive centre provides scuba diving and snorkelling. A luxurious spa centre is available to guests. The Hotel is able to book a range of activities, including swimming with dolphins at Kizimkazi, sailing in local fishing boats, visits to the village, etc. There is a a TV lounge, shop and conference room.

The Palms

A new exclusive development of just 6 private and elegant villas providing understated elegance. This is a stunning recluse for those in search of tranquillity, yet able to use the facilities of Breezes Beach Club, should they wish.

Location - Adjacent to Breezes Beach Club some 1.5 hours drive from Stone Town.

Accommodation - 6 private villas, each of over 140 square metres with a bedroom, living room and another en-suite bedroom plus satellite TV & telephone. Each villa has a large furnished terrace with ocean views and a plunge pool on its veranda.

Facilities - There is a dining room, evening bar, swimming pool; massage facilities are available. In addition residents at The Palms have access to the wide range of facilities of Breezes Beach Club.

web site http://www.palms-zanzibar.com/

Baraza Resort & Spa

Image courtesy Baraza Resort & SpaBaraza Resort & Spa - Represents a new and luxurious concept in hotels on Zanzibar with each individual villa having a separate lounge, terrace and plunge pool. The fusion of Indian, Arabic and Swahili design and decor, together with furniture and fittings specifically designed and commissioned for the Hotel makes Baraza a truly unique and magnificent destination.

Location - On the south east coast under an hours drive from the Airport & Stone Town, Baraza has a 400 meter beachfront location on a beach voted by Conde Nast as one of the top 30 beaches in the world.

Accommodation - There are 30 individual villas, 14 are one bedroom of 148 square meters, 15 are two bedroom (193 square meters) and one Presidential Villa (254 square meters). There are four categories of villa according to their location in the very spacious grounds, some are ocean front, ocean view, sea facing or garden view. All have a master bedroom, en-suite bathroom with free-standing bath, dressing room, separate living room, mini-bar area with tea & coffee making facilities, private terrace and plunge pool. Two bedroom villas have a second en-suite bedroom.

Image courtesy Baraza Resort & SpaFacilities - Baraza has all guests can expect from an hotel of this standard, and more. Swimming pool, tennis court, fitness room, watersport and PADI dive centre, library, meeting room and boutique. There is a luxury spa and yoga area, three restaurant areas, pool bar and business centre with internet access. A list of facilities does not do justice to the thought, design, sumptuous decor, furniture and fittings which sets Baraza apart from other hotels. Whilst all this may sound daunting, it has an informal atmosphere engendered by its very friendly staff, is child friendly in terms of providing baby sitting facilities and supervised children’s play area, but also rates are set to attract families with children up to the age of 18 years. Accommodation is on an All Inclusive basis.

Images courtesy Baraza Resort & Spa.

Echo Beach Hotel

Echo Beach villaOpened in late 2007 with just 9 spacious villas set in a 5 acre site offering privacy and fronting one of the most attractive beaches on Zanzibar.

Location - The Hotel is approximately 55 kilometres from the Airport and Stone Town close to the fishing village of Bwejuu towards the north of the south-east peninsular. It takes a little under an hour to get there from Town.

Accommodation - The nine individually furnished and airconditioned villas offer very spacious accommodation, each with a sea view. Their construction of local stone and traditional “makuti” (palm thatch) roofs mean they blend perfectly with the local environment. They are positioned so as not to be overlooked either by other villas or from the public areas. The owner/managers, Andrew & Sue Page, have furnished the villas to a very high standard with an imaginative mix of imported and locally sourced furniture and fitting. The verandahs are expansive, have breathtaking views of the Indian Ocean and are furnished so that guests can relax in comfort, and a dining table for private dining should guests wish. Toilet/shower rooms boast “wet areas”, imported Italian tiles as well extremely high specification shower and tap fittings.

Echo Beach poolFacilities - Echo Beach has a beach side swimming pool with adjacent Jacuzzi. The open sided bar area is furnished with traditional hand carved Zanzibari furniture combined with imported designer fabrics. One of the high points of the hotel is the restaurant, personally supervised by Andrew with his French training, and is known for the quality of its fresh locally sourced ingredients and the imaginative local and international menus. The restaurant is tastefully decorated in white and turquoise to blend with its beach-side setting. Diving can be arranged through a nearby dive centre.

Kichanga Lodge

Kichanga LodgeKichanga Lodge is a relatively small hotel with just 23 villas and bungalows set in luxuriant gardens with its own private beach frontage.

Location - The Lodge is located about 65 kilometres from Stone Town and the Airport on the northern tip of the south east peninsular. It takes about 1 hour 20 minutes by car to get to Kichanga.

Accommodation - The very spacious and finely furnished bungalow rooms are in African style with large beds with testers, mosquito nets, ceiling fan, safe, mini-bar, hair dryer, wardrobe and en-suite bathroom with shower. Kichanga’s bungalows and villas are made of stone with large wooden terraces with “makuti” thatch roofs. There are 18 double bungalows, 12 with panoramic beach & ocean views and 6 with garden views, 3 villas and 1 suite. Some of the bungalows have inter-connecting doors which are suitable for families.

Kichanga LodgeFacilities - There is a swimming pool overlooking the beach/ocean. The main building accommodates the bar and restaurant, reception area and internet/telephone facility. There is a PADI dive centre on site which provides courses for all levels as well as diving for experienced divers. The area provides rewarding snorkelling when people go out with the dive boat.

Mountain bikes are available to ride for miles along the south east beach of Zanzibar and explore the fishing villages on this stretch of coast. The open sided restaurant has uninterrupted views over the beach and ocean and serves local dishes, especially fish, as well as international and Italian cuisine. Adjacent to the restaurant is the main bar and there is another bar beside the swimming pool. There is a massage area on the beach.

Kichanga LodgeKichanga Lodge

Ras Michamvi Beach Resort - is not a “resort” but is a small hotel with the most stunning views over the Indian Ocean. It is locally owned/managed and, as such, service may have more of a local feel rather than hotels managed by ex-pats.

Location - The hotel is located on the northern tip of the south east peninsular about one hours drive from the airport & Stone Town, the last mile is on a very rough road. It must be one of the best located hotels on Zanzibar with amazing views where guests are able to witness both the sunrise and the sunset.

Accommodation - There are 15 en-suite rooms, some of which have sea views. All rooms have airconditioning and ceiling fans, have locally built furniture and fittings, mini-fridges and have verandahs. Rooms are spacious and when we visited, soon after the opening of the hotel late in 2008, rooms were pristine clean.

Facilities - There is a spacious, open sided bar, restaurant area and games area overlooking the beach and ocean. There is a reasonably equipped fitness area. The large swimming pool is set above beach. Diving (with a PADI accredited centre) and snorkelling can be arranged, though snorkelling can be done off the beach at high tide. There are two beaches which are almost exclusive to hotel guests.

The Sunrise Hotel

A good mid-range hotel, owned and managed by George Noel, originally from Belgium . Set in lush gardens, this delightful small hotel is right on the beach. There is a genteel, old-fashioned atmosphere and the staff are well trained and attentive.

Location - 3Kms north of Bwejuu, just over 1 hour from Stone Town.

Accommodation - The en-suite bungalow bedrooms are clean and cool with ceiling fans and small verandah. In 2006 the beach facing rooms were extensively upgraded and now have air conditioners, bathrooms have been tiled and many of the fittings and furnishings replaced.

Facilities - The restaurant has an excellent reputation, not surprisingly as it is supervised by the owner, George Noel who has a background of catering in Belgium. The bar overlooks the beach/ocean. A small swimming pool is set between the bar/dining area ant the beach.

web site http://www.sunrise-zanzibar.com/

Arabian Nights Hotel

Directly on the beach Arabian Nights opened in 2006 and has had consistently good reports from people who have stayed as it offers very good value for money given the high standard of rooms and their cleanliness. It is owned and managed by local people who also run the Paje Dive Centre.

Location - In the fishing village of Paje on the south east coast approximately 1 hour from Stone Town and the Airport.

Accommodation - All rooms are en-suite, airconditioned, have ceiling fans and mosquito nets. In addition they have tea/coffee making facilities, a refrigerator, safety box, telephone and satellite TV. There are three grades of room. Top of the range are the Suite Rooms, larger than others and the Hotel rightly boasts the Suite Rooms are the closest to the beach/ocean of any hotel room on Zanzibar. The Sea View Rooms are 2 rooms in each bungalow with a common verandah. The Garden View Rooms, as described, are at the rear of the Hotel with views over the tropical gardens.

Facilities - There is a semi-enclosed restaurant which serves traditional Zanzibar food as well as international cuisine. There is also a lounge area built to resemble the feel an Arabian sheiks tent. The PADI dive centre is adjacent to the Hotel which also takes people snorkelling beyond the reef. Deep sea fishing can be arranged in a traditional “ngalawa” (fishing boat) and a range of other excursions can be organised by the Hotel. There is internet access for those needing to keep in touch with world events.

Dolphin View Paradise Resort

Dolphin View Paradise Resort - Opening fully in 2009 the resort has 30 individual villas and has the feel and atmosphere of an boutique hotel, but with the facilities of much larger hotels. Each villa has traditional “makuti” (thatch) roof and interiors are of a simple design, but with strong Arabic, Indian and Swahili influences.

Location - On the south coast adjacent to the fishing village of Kizimkazi an hour from the Airport and Stone Town, the favoured part of Zanzibar for dolphin viewing. The resort built on 10 hectares fronts on to a typical Zanzibar beach.

Accommodation - The 30 individual villas are well spread out on the spacious grounds, all with breathtaking sea views, some are ocean front and 21 of the villas have their own 8 x 4 meter swimming pool. All villas are built on two levels with a spacious lounge/sitting room and balcony on the upper floor. On the ground floor is a master en-suite (with bath) bedroom with Zanzibari four-poster bed and a further 2 double/twin en-suite (shower) bedrooms. Therefore, all villas can accommodate up to 6 people in comfort. The downstairs area also has a living room with dining space and kitchenette (where a chef can prepare meals for guests); there is access to a paved or decked patio. The villas are equipped with all modern fittings including air conditioning, flat screen TV and wireless internet access.

Facilities - Dolphin View has a spa, restaurantand bar as well as a jetty bar, games area, main pool, business centre, boutique, fitness entre and tennis court. The Hotel can arrangediving, deep-sea fishing, kite surfing, dolphin excursions (leaving from the Hotels jetty) as well as many land basedexcursions.

Fumba Beach Lodge

This is a new hotel, opened at Easter 2005, set in 40 acres of exquisite gardens with three naturally sheltered beaches. Gijs de Raadt who owns lodges in Northern Tanzania is developing Fumba Beach Lodge along the lines, and with the feel of a safari lodge, as a luxurious and peaceful hideaway, offering a perfect blend of casual elegance and friendly, first class service.

Location - Just 40 minutes South West of Zanzibar''s historic capital, Stone Town the Lodge is concealed well away from the busy tourist areas, making it the perfect venue for enjoying the peace and tranquility of this tropical island paradise.

Accommodation - Fumba Beach Lodge has 26 spacious rooms, each with an en-suite bathroom, private terrace and stunning ocean view. The rooms are scattered throughout the extensive grounds, shaded by a forest of magnificent baobab trees and whispering palm fronds and cooled by gentle sea breezes. For the ultimate in extravagance, the six luxury suites also include a private roof terrace with open air shower and sumptuous bath overlooking the clear blue waters of the Indian Ocean .

Facilities - As an alternative to scuba diving, water sports, swimming with the local dolphins or simply ambling on the beach collecting shells, the cliff top swimming pool provides a breathtaking view of the Ocean, the perfect place to relax with a delicious snack or a cool, refreshing drink. The comfortable open air restaurant serves a tantalizing array of expertly prepared dishes including local specialties, the freshest seafood and traditional international cuisine in a relaxing and tranquil atmosphere. From our beach bar various Zanzibari cocktails will be served. The well-trained staff provide a friendly, professional service and take the greatest care to look after all guests, young or old, whatever their tastes.

web site http://www.fumbabeachlodge.com/

Unguja Resort

This small, superior hotel opened late in 2006. It is not a “resort” at all. We tried to persuade Ralph & Elies Kruidering to call it a “lodge”. However, “lodge” in their homeland of Holland describes a low budget establishment, which Unguja certainly is not. With their three children, they and business partner Frans Fiegge moved to Zanzibar to develop an hotel which will meet the needs of people looking for a real Zanzibar experience, comfort, relaxation, personal service and rewarding snorkelling & diving.

Location - Adjacent to the village of Kizimkazi on the southern tip of Zanzibar just over an hours drive from Stone Town and the Airport. It is very favourably located for swimming even at low tide as here the reef is close to shore so the tide does not recede as far as it does on other parts of Zanzibar. It is also located close to the dolphin viewing area.

Accommodation - There are just 10 villas built in a circular shape well separated from each other in extensive tropical gardens. All have a spacious bedroom with fan, mosquito net, safe and two wash basins. There is a spacious bathroom (shower, toilet and wash basin), in the Sea View Villas and the Villas the bathrooms overlook the ocean. Also on the ground floor there is a “baraza” style lounge/sitting area. Each villa has an upstairs “lounge” area which can also sleep 2 additional people. Whilst the rooms have similar dimensions, some specifications differ according to their location within the gardens. The Baobab Suites which do not have sea views from downstairs (they do from the upper area) have a plunge pool on the verandah and are airconditioned. Sea View Villas & Villas are closer to the sea have direct ocean views.

Facilities - There is a swimming pool and a separate restaurant with bar area which extends on to a timber decking area. There is an on-site dive centre and Ralph & Elies are both PADI qualified dive masters. A purpose built dhow was built to their specification to serve as a dive boat and also takes people wanting snorkel in deeper waters. At reception there is internet access and a telephone service. A range of excursions can be arranged.

Web site www.ungujaresort.com

Kikadini Villas

Kikadini VillasKikadini Villas is a collection of 4 separate beachfront villas of varying sizes (2 - 3 bedrooms plus living space) and can be occupied on an exclusive or shared basis. The villas have been designed by the owner/managers and reflect their fascination with Arabic/Moroccan architecture and ambience. Much of the furniture and decorations have been imported from Morocco.

Location - Adjacent to the fishing village of Jambiani on the south east coast and is approximately 1.25 hours drive from Stone Town and the Airport. The palm fringed beach stretches for about 12 miles, dotted with interesting villages.

Accommodation - There are a total of 10 bedrooms in the four villas.

Villa MarocVilla Maroc (floor space of 140 square meters) has a large master bedroom on the upper floor leading to a private 30 square meter terrace with an open air bath tub and seating area. There is a smaller bedroom on the ground floor. Both bedrooms have their own bathroom/toilet. There is also a living room and outside terrace area. The villa is available on an exclusive basis only and is ideal for honeymooners or a family of four.

Villa Pwani (300 sqm) has 2 beach facing double en-suite bedrooms and each has a private terrace. There is a living room with sofas and a dining table on the upper floor leading to a roof-top terrace which has an open air bath. The villa can be occupied on a shared or exclusive basis.

Villa PalmVilla Palm has 3 double en-suite bedrooms two of which are beach facing and one is garden facing. One room is a suite of 80 sqm with private terrace which includes an open air bath. The villa has a patio, living room and 3rd floor terrace. The villa can be occupied on a shared or exclusive basis.

Villa Kikadini has 2 beach facing double en-suite bedrooms and another smaller bedroom with its own bathroom. The upper floor is a large open sided terrace with sofas and chairs and views over the beach and ocean. Most rooms in the villas can accommodate an additional single bed for triple occupancy. All bedrooms and public areas are furnished to a very high standard.

Facilities - Each villa is serviced by a housekeeper, waiter and chef who prepares meals in the villa. Accommodation is on a half board basis and guests are advised during the day what is on offer for the evening meal. Lunch is available with advance notification. Each villa has a well stocked bar. Excursions can be organised including snorkelling trips to the reef with a local fisherman; car hire can be organised.

Karamba “Resort”

Karamba is not a “resort” at all. It is difficult to describe as, on the surface, it appears as a budget hotel, not having facilities such as airconditioning, swimming pool, etc. However, you do not have to scratch much below the surface to appreciate the friendliness of the well trained staff, the excellent food and the thought which goes in to making a stay rewarding and interesting.

Location - Karamba is on the south coast in the fishing village of Kizimkazi, the setting-off point for dolphin viewing. The Hotel arranges dolphin trips at times which avoids sharing the experience with many other boats.

Accommodation - There are 7 cottages each with two rooms giving a total of 14 en-suite rooms, all of which have sea views. The rooms vary in size and the larger rooms accommodate triple occupancy in comfort, as well as families of up to four people. Many of the rooms have al-fresco shower “rooms”. All rooms have ceiling fans and have locally built furniture and fittings.

Facilities - There is a spacious, open sided bar and restaurant area overlooking the beach and ocean. Owner, Gemma Crespi and chef, Paul, serve excellent and imaginative meals, many Swahili/African dishes are offered using locally sourced ingredients. Paul also specialises in sushi, sashimi meals and takes a pleasure in catering for vegetarians. A nice touch is that dinner orders are taken in the early evening and guests indicate the time they want to eat, thus avoiding waits. The beach at Karamba is shared with local villagers and fishermen, but there is a private sunbathing area with ample sun-loungers overlooking the ocean . A variety of massages are offered; there is a childrens play area and a small boutique.

Web site www.karambaresort.com

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