Zanzibar Palace Hotel

Royal-red steps lead to the hotel's intricately carved and studded wooden doors, which open to this tall, narrow building wrapped around a secluded, airy atrium. Stone Town's varied past is immediately evident in the wooden finishes, ornate cut-out screens and cylindrical hanging lanterns. Don't miss the bar on the ground level, where you can lounge on cushioned seats enjoying cocktails, flavoured hookahs and snacks. Delectable meals are served in the restaurant, and there's a spa for Zanzi-style pampering.

Stairs lead steeply from the lobby to the nine bedrooms that range over three floors. Each is uniquely styled, with en-suite bathrooms, aircon and a host of mod cons. Accommodation varies in size from rooms and suites to the Dunia Suite, complete with steps to a rooftop bathtub. Although the rooms are delightful and evocative of Stone Town's multi-cultural influences, they're not exactly five-star. Perhaps their best feature is their sense of being so uniquely stuck in time and place.

Wander the alleyways of the old city and stumble upon one fascinating, transporting landmark after another – from the markets, museums, gardens and memorials to the commonplace architecture right on the streets. Hop on a spice tour of the outlying villages and plantations; escape the buzz of the city on a day trip to Jozani Forest for a sighting of the endemic red colobus monkey; and, as you're on an island, the beach is seductive, as is swimming with dolphins.