For many years we have arranged trips for clients to Zanzibar – there are now literally hundreds of hotels to choose from, the choice is often confusing and time consuming. So we have carefully selected three properties – each offering a different experience – that we feel embody the essence of a traditional Zanzibari holiday. These are not the flash modern ‘beach clubs’ offering all inclusive shrink wrapped holidays, instead they have absorbed some of the charm and history of the islands, they are sympathetic to their environments and offer value of money and a great experience.

We have visited each of the properties and try here to give you our honest view, you can also have a look at their websites, we hope this will help you in deciding which property or properties would most suit you.

Unguja Lodge
Set on the southern tip of Zanzibar on the western coast (which makes for marvellous sunsets!) this is a small, intimate lodge. Being limited to 10 ‘rooms’ lends a feeling of exclusivity. The lodge has a beautiful freeform pool and great dining and bar areas. The restaurant serves a eclectic mix of western and Zanzibari food.

The rooms themselves are vast affairs – very open plan – under an arching makuti thatched roof. The huge roof makes then cool – and a welcome refuge from the heat of the day, they are designed not just to be the place where you sleep but also have a relaxing area and private veranda. The bedroom is screened and equipped with a fan but the toilets, shower, sitting area and veranda are all ‘ceiling less’ to allow the air to circulate. There is also a loft upstairs above the bedroom with two additional beds – making it perfect for families with children.

Deep sea fishing and boat trips to nearby islands can easily be arranged. A local highlight is the opportunity to swim with wild dolphins in the channel off the lodge. The lodge also has a fully equipped onsite scuba diving centre caters for both beginners courses and the more adventurous diver. At high tide the sea comes right up to the cliffs below the lodge which means great swimming above a clear sandy bottom – at low tide the sea retreats 60m across a pure white sand bar before dropping into deep water. There is some interesting coral right here which makes snorkelling or scuba diving from the lodge very rewarding.

Our opinion: Quiet and secluded – if you are looking for somewhere to relax, unwind and just ‘be’ then this is the spot for you!

Fumba Beach lodge
Larger than Unguja Lodge with 26 rooms this property is also set on the western coast but closer to Stone Town and the airport. With more guests at the lodge there are more things on offer – several different bars and dining options, lots of ‘secret’ hideaways from stilted platforms overlooking the sea to a marvellous spa – complete with private roof top Jacuzzi. A fantastic pool offers a great spot to sit and watch the world go by. At high tide there is a nice sandy beach but low tide the sea retreats a few hundred years across coral flats. Just beyond this there is some interesting snorkelling through small coral ‘bommies’ – surprisingly good coral with some smaller fish.

There are a variety of room options from the expansive Baobab Suites – right on the seafront with plenty of space, private outdoor baths and roof top terrace through standard sea view rooms to the garden rooms which are still airy and comfortable but do not offer a sea view – prices reflect the size of the room and the view! As with Unguja Lodge there is a dive centre on site offering everything from beginners courses to more advanced dives. Boat trips can be arranged to the surrounding islands for a picnic and snorkelling expedition. It’s also close enough to Stone Town for a half day visit – perhaps with lunch.

For the more active kayaks and windsurfers are available and for the more laid back perhaps a day drip on a local dhow, there are some fantastic sand islands to visit.

Our Opinion: More lively with plenty of nooks and crannies to hide in – the lodge doesn’t feel crowded but has more of a buzz. One interesting option for those wanting more than one destination is a boat transfer from Fumba to Unguja Lodge – stopping en-route for a picnic and snorkelling.

The Swahili House
Converted from a 19th Century merchants house The Swahili House is located right in the heart of the bustling alleyways of Stone Town. There is no vehicle access through these narrow twisting and turning alleyways which gives the place its distinctive feel.

The building is traditional Zanzibari style with a ‘hollow centre’ –this allows warm air to be drawn up and fresh air to be pulled in through each of the rooms. Again there is a choice of rooms with prices to match from the Sultan Suite to a standard suite. Each is unique and has air conditioning and a spectacular bathroom.
The crowning glory is the open air roof top restaurant and bar – at the top of 4 steep and gruelling flights of stairs ..... or a short elevator ride – an oasis of tranquillity after the busy bazaars. A plunge in the small Jacuzzi is the perfect antidote to a hot afternoons shopping. Great food and cold drinks make the rooftop a perfect spot for the evening. Alternatively for the more adventurous a short walk through the alley brings you to the harbour front with its open air night market and beachfront bars.

Tours of historic Stone Town, shopping excursions and visits to the nearby spice growing areas as well as Jozani Forrest a nature reserve to see the endemic Red Colobus Monkeys can all be arranged by the hotel or alternatively a trip out to some of the islands for snorkelling and a picnic.