Spice Island Hotel & Resort

Surrounded by lush foliage and just steps away from the beach, the resort's peanut-shaped pool is just the place for a dip or an evening of live music. The main restaurant, Makuti, serves a bevy of Indian, African and seafood dishes presented on rustic trays laid with flowers. The Ocean Lounge is a casual lunch spot filled with day beds covered in patterned cushions, deep leather couches and an old-school gramophone. Spend a few hours in the cushy library or relaxing at the spa.

The resort has a range of classic thatched bungalows and ocean-front suites. Each has a large canopied bed and a lounge designed with a blend of colours and influences from Zanzibar to India. Most en-suite bathrooms are decked out in sage-green stone with an open-air shower and the rooms all come with a private patio. The suites have a luxury touch with a library, espresso machine, butler and access to a private beach. Other amenities include a vanity table, air-con and a safe.

Zanzibar may be small but Spice Island Resort is close to plenty of nightlife options (including karaoke!). Enjoy a variety of water sports from tubing to wakeboarding to cruising the lagoon in a catamaran. Venture out to the overgrown world of Jozani National Forest where you could spot a Red Colobus Monkey amongst the trees. Explore Zanzibar's historic side in the UNESCO-recognised Stone Town where ruins, perfumed markets and museums line the streets. When relaxation is all that's needed, take a stroll down the beach or recline on the sand as you sip on a fresh coconut.