Zanzibar Retreat Hotel

With bright white facades, thatched roofs, limestone patios and lush vegetation, the hotel's grounds are exceptional. Arabian-inspired archways, built-in corners with benches strewn with pillows and inspired details add romance to the atmosphere. Dining happens outside on the patio or in the thatch-roofed restaurant (the seafood is superb), where there's also a small bamboo bar. Parasols and wooden sunloungers surround the large pool, hammocks in the garden are placed to optimise shade and breeze, and umbrella-shaded loungers line the beach.

The 12 double rooms, neat and decorated in classic minimalist style, feature well-made dark wood furniture and crisp white linen. Upstairs, the duo of newly renovated seaview rooms have commanding sea views from both bed and furnished outdoor patio. Designed for two, they're large enough for two extra single beds, if necessary. Eight ground-floor rooms have furnished patios leading into the garden; the smallest garden-view rooms lack the patio. All rooms have en-suite bathrooms with toilets and hot showers.

For some action, snorkel and dive the mesmerising Mnemba Atoll, go dolphin- or turtle-spotting, cruise in a dhow, or fish with locals. Tour Matemwe village with a local guide to see some great entrepreneurial projects. The island's historic capital, Stone Town, lies to the south. Wander its streets and admire the famous coral architecture; explore eclectic bazaars full of antiques, fabrics and crafts, and heady-fragranced spices. Nearby Jozani Forest is home to the endemic red colobus monkey.