Emerson on Hurumzi

Entering the hotel from a narrow alleyway, you're greeted by intricately carved wooden doors and chequered black and white marble floors. Ornate chandeliers and antique furniture will catch your eye, as will the lovely staircases. The rooftop restaurant serves up a delicious taste of the island's culinary heritage, and is the perfect place for sunset cocktails. (There's a decent ground-floor café if you're not keen on stairs.). The focus is on privacy, so there are no other communal areas.

The 17 air-conditioned bedrooms epitomise romance, with antique netted Zanzibari beds, rich jewel-like fabrics, glass chandeliers, hand-painted window panes, large stone baths and open-air verandas offering views across the city. The rooms range in size from standard to deluxe suites, the latter equipped with private tearooms and plunge pools. The nine standard rooms are lovely too, with their antiques and en-suite bathrooms, and offer great views thanks to their open sides.

There's lots to do in town and further afield. Wander the car-free alleyways and take a dip in the Persian Baths. Visit the mosques, Catholic cathedral and Hindu temple for an insight into the island's diverse past. Book a spice tour; explore Jozani Forest to look for red colobus monkeys; swim with dolphins at Kizimkazi; or take a dhow trip to Changuu Island to see giant Aldabra tortoises. Shopping is plentiful, and the Forodhani Night Food Market is a must-see.