Zuri Zanzibar Hotel & Resort

Zuri is a member of the Design Hotels collection and, as suspected, not one detail has been overlooked. The main areas are all closest to the beach, and the timber and bamboo walls and thatch roofs blend seamlessly into the tropical surroundings. In the fragrant grounds, you'll find a gym, the lovely Maua Wellness Spa, and a large infinity pool surrounded by hammocks and pristine loungers. And then there's the food. Fusing together the flavours of the Indian Ocean, there's a veritable kaleidoscope of colours and flavours on offer from tapas-style bites at sundowners, to fragrant coconut curries at dinner. It could even be in the secluded location of your choice!

The rooms at Zuri aren’t merely rooms; every single one is a villa or small bungalow, perfectly positioned for the ultimate privacy. Rumour has it that the grounds could have held more than twice the number, but they stuck to only 56 with plenty of space in between. All are chic and elegant, and the combination of traditional African artwork and plush furniture adds a splash of bohemian flair too. All room types have spacious private terraces (they get progressively larger, from bungalow to villa, which has a private pool), but only the suites and villas have Jacuzzis. Most face west toward the ocean, and the angle of slope is specially-designed slope to ensure the very best sunset views. Wow.

Zuri's activity list is as brilliant as the hotel itself. Plenty of watersports await, including diving, surfing, snorkelling, kayaking (and a few more), or, if you'd rather stay on top of the water, take to the waves on a dhow or sailing boat at sunset. Beyond Zuri's walls, there are trips to Jozani Forest, Stone Town and Prison Island, as well as spice tours and market explorations, all which can be organised by the hotel. Otherwise, enjoy your Swahili coffee and breakfast in bed, and don't move much further than the loungers by the infinity pool... or the spa…