Zanzibar is one of the most attractive destinations in the world, where you can enjoy the beautiful beaches and amazing nature of this place. It is part of Tanzania but has some type of autonomy. There are more than 50 islands in the Zanzibar archipelago, located 20 to 50 kilometers from the nearest coast. Zanzibar, as a country, exists since 1964 when it unites with Tanganyika to form Tanzania. The first president of that new country was Julius Nyerere. Today, Zanzibar is a semi-autonomic state, with its president, but as a part of Tanzania, it uses its currency, internet domain, and more.
We can notice that Zanzibar`s culture is a great mixture of different cultures, and that is because there were a lot of nations who had some influence on this island through history. Local culture is influenced mostly by British and Omani Arabs people, but also by Dutch, Portuguese, Persians, Indians, Chinese, Egyptians, Phoenicians, Assyrians, and Sumerians. The Zanzibar archipelago was always attractive for many civilizations, as we can see from how many of them had an impact on the architecture and history of this place.
Under the rule of Sultan of Muscat and Oman, Zanzibar became the economic center of Eastern Africa, mostly because of the agriculture, and the cultivation of spices, which were much more expensive in the 18th and 19th centuries, some of them was more expensive than gold. Some of the most popular spices that grow in Zanzibar are Vanilla, Cinnamon, Ginger, Black Pepper, and Nutmeg.
In modern days, Zanzibar is very popular for tourists, mostly because it can offer both the amazing beaches, and the architecture, art, and history. Stone Town, under the UNESCO heritage, is the historic center of the capital, Zanzibar City. There are a lot of resorts and hotels where you can stay if you ever decide to visit this beautiful place. If you want to go to some luxury resort, here are some of the best luxury hotels that you can visit in Zanzibar.
The Melia Zanzibar
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The Hotel Melia Zanzibar is one of the biggest resorts on the island, and it is on the east coast of Zanzibar. It has two floors and 124 rooms with a view on the beach or the garden. The tide has a big impact on how much you have to walk in the shallows to swim, but there is a long jetty. Also, there is a golf cart tour that is transporting guests every 20 minutes to the area where you can swim all day.
The Melia Zanzibar Resort offers to its guests to enjoy in spa relaxation because it has six private rooms for treatment, and two outdoors objects for massage. Also, there is a lounge bar and a restaurant so you can relax in some shot, or try some of the local food.
Baraza Resort
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The location of the Baraza resort is near Bwejuu-Paje beach, which has a title as one of the best beaches in the world, and it is on the list of Top 30 beaches. In this hotel, you will find some of the most luxury market shops, where you can buy some oriental jewelry and handmade stuff from local people. However, you can also find some antiques and amazing pieces of art, from whom some dates from the era of Sultan of Muscat, or even older.
The Baraza has 29 villas, from which 14 is with one bedroom, and 15 is with two bedrooms. Also, there is a Presidential Villa, with two bedrooms. Each one of them is luxurious, with private pools, big terraces, and comfortable interior.
The Z Hotel
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The Z Hotel represents one of the best hotels in Zanzibar, with its unique design that combines minimalism and simplicity, but still provides its guests with all the modern needs, such as LCD with cable, Wi-Fi, and docking stations in every room. Also, each room has an air-conditioning system and a private balcony. Additionally, your vacation will be even more pleasant with always available room service, excellent bar, lounge, spa center, and pool.
The location of The Z Hotel is near one of the officially best beaches in the world, Nungwi Beach. Here you can enjoy the beautiful Indian Ocean and soft white sand, and besides that, you could go on snorkeling, scuba diving, or fishing. One of the best attractions is diving, because the sea world is amazing, especially sea turtles, with their greatest population in this part of the world.
This hotel guarantees you a wonderful holiday at any moment, with its beautiful private beach, outstanding service, and a relaxing atmosphere. In that matter, The Z Hotel can satisfy every guest because this is a perfect place for people who just want to lay on the beach and relax. However, it can still indulge ones who are more adventuresome.
Diamonds Star of the East
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The Diamond Star of the East is an exclusive part of the Diamonds La Gemma dell` Est resort in the north-western part of Zanzibar. The beautiful beach is just a few meters from the complex, which has eleven villas with one bedroom, and eleven with two bedrooms.
Each villa is made in a local Swahili style in combination with modern architecture for the buildings. There are a separate pool and terrace in front of every villa. Also, every guest has an available personal assistant who can help in every moment during the day or night.
Essque Zalu Zanzibar
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The Essque Zalu Zanzibar is a resort on the northeast coast, which has 40 individual suites and 8 luxury villas. Each one of the suites represents a luxurious space made from local material, full of local art, and on the top of every suit, there is a traditional roof.
The Villas in Essque Zalu offers even more of the luxury, with private swimming pools, personal butler, and much more. Since the Essque Zalu resort is on the edge of the ocean, there is no beach, but you can use the long jetty, and go to the nearest Nungwi Beach, which is one the best beaches in the world.
&Beyond Mnemba Island
Image source: uniqhotels.com
The &Beyond Mnemba is a private island, and it represents one of the most exclusive and luxurious places in Zanzibar. This is a small and inhabited island, which is close to the north-eastern shore of Zanzibar. Since this is a very small island, there can be only around 20 guests in Mnemba at the same time.
In the &Beyond resort, you can enjoy an amazing and beautiful beach with white sand. Also, you can go kayaking or scuba diving, or stay on a beach and have a massage. There are 10 beachside bandas, that are usually for couples because this is one of the most romantic places in this part of the world.
Park Hyatt Zanzibar
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The Park Hyatt is placed in the most popular part of the capital of Zanzibar, Stone Town. The part of the Zanzibar City, which is under the heritage of UNESCO, represents a mixture of various cultures and a place where you can enjoy not just in the beaches, but also in the history, architecture, and art of this place.
The Hyatt in Zanzibar has two buildings, from which one is Mambo Msiige, built in the 17th century. This luxury hotel offers both the commodity and privacy, along with the local food on the menu and amazing view on the Indian Ocean.
Constance Aiyana
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The location of the Constance Aiyana resort is in Pemba Island, which is a place where the Indian Ocean trade route was passing for 2000 years. The whole place is made in eco-friendly materials, like limestone, coconut brooms, and aggregates, but also managed kept its luxury.
The main inspiration for the Constance Ayana comes from the local and African architecture. There are 30 villas with a minimalistic design and a touch of Zanzibar culture. Pemba Island is half-an-hour from Zanzibar if you go by plane, and it is usually part of a safari trip because people rarely go to Zanzibar just to stay only here.
Rui Palace Zanzibar
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The location of the Hotel Rui Palace Zanzibar is in Nungwi in the north-west, which is a beach that we already mentioned as one of the best beaches in the world. The whole resort is set in more than 10 hectares of spice gardens, with an amazing view on the ocean.
There are 100 rooms and suites with private terraces, from which everyone is designed with luxury and in combination with the culture of Zanzibari. One of the most beautiful moments that you can experience here is the sunset.
The Residence Zanzibar
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The location of the Residence Zanzibar is in the south-west, and it is isolated in the forest, with an area of more than 30 hectares. You will need about one hour to get here from Stone Town, or the airport. The beach of the Residence is longer than a mile, and there are coconut palms everywhere.
66 villas offer luxury and privacy to their guests. Each villa has a private swimming pool and a gorgeous garden where you can find some of the popular spices that grow in this part of the world. Also, outside of every villa, there is a lounge with comfortable daybeds and furniture.
