Zawadi Hotel

A very spacious, thatched lounge and restaurant are dressed by long, white hanging curtains and lightly colored furniture, fitting for a boutique beach hotel of this quality. The white-washed floors and furniture almost feel like a continuation of the powder-like sand. Exquisitely designed bougainvillaea and palm-dotted gardens lead down to an expansive rim-flow swimming pool, adorned on one side by the Mswakini Beach Bar where you can grab an ice-cold coconut or a light lunch. Of course, there's also the Indian Ocean and a private beach, scattered with sunloungers. And if for some reason you want to sweat it out, there's a 900m long jogging track and a mini open-air gym.

Twelve luxurious villas are spread out along the hillside to ensure maximum privacy and spectacular views. Entering from the large front deck through a sliding glass door, you step into a minimalistic, modern room decorated with lightly painted wooden furniture and woven rugs. Each room has comfortable couches and a spacious double bed. The ensuite bathrooms have freestanding bathtubs, double basins and a shower with room enough for dancing. Other amenities include air conditioning, a minibar, wifi and a satellite TV.

Just a ten-minute walk from the hotel, you'll find the Oba-Oba Lagoon, rich in coral and other sea life - a great and easy snorkelling option. If you want to go deeper, diving can be organized through the Rising Sun Diving Center, nearby. Zawadi can also organize kite surfing and fishing trips, or a sailing excursion with one of the locals in their dhow. Alternatively, just take it easy on the beach, or do some yoga (mats are provided) on your deck.