The Residence Zanzibar

Sitting in 80 acres of tropical gardens and opening onto a mile-long stretch of pristine beach, The Residence Zanzibar has just about the most stunning setting imaginable. With the Indian Ocean on one side, and the dense vegetation of the Muyuni Forest on the other, The Residence feels like it’s in a world of its own, but the island’s capital city and smaller towns and villages are within easy reach.

Dotted among the hotel’s lush gardens are 66 beautiful villas, all supremely luxurious and designed in the same exotic style which characterises the whole resort. All feature a lounge deck with wicker furniture beside a private swimming pool, with views beyond of either the gardens or the ocean.

Inside, the villas feature one or two bedrooms with carved wooden four-posters, bathrooms with huge freestanding tubs, and a traditional yet relaxed look characterised by beautiful wooden furniture, breezy linens and wooden screens and blinds. Luxurious room amenities include huge LCD TVs and Nespresso machines on request.

International flavours collide to spectacular effect in the Dining Room, the hotel’s main restaurant, with Omani and African dishes given an extra zing by the famous spices of Zanzibar. There’s more fantastic fusion at the Pavilion, where Middle Eastern and Mediterranean traditions meet with delicious results.

Both restaurants are atmospherically adorned with Oriental lanterns, hookahs and wooden screens; you can also choose to eat in the privacy of your room, on the beach, or by the pool. Needless to say, wherever you eat the seafood is exquisite – try the juicy prawns.

Nestled away in the hotel’s lush gardens is the luxurious spa, where you’ll find whirlpool, sauna and steam room alongside six private treatment rooms. Therapies on offer include a frankincense facial therapy, and massages and wraps which make use of Zanzibar’s famous exotic spices.

If you’re feeling energetic there’s a state-of-the-art gym on site too, and a beautiful infinity pool which overlooks the beach and melts away into the blue of the Indian Ocean.

Sporty types will find plenty to keep them occupied at The Residence Zanzibar, with floodlit tennis courts, a volleyball court, and a watersports centre where activities on offer include scuba diving, big game fishing and more.

Culture and history buffs will relish the chance to explore Stone Town, Zanzibar’s atmospheric old capital, with its historic forts, bustling markets and sultans’ palaces; tours are also on offer to Muyuni, a traditional village where the locals will teach you about rope making, basket weaving, and other ancient crafts.

In the Jozani Forest you can spot the enigmatic red colobus monkey, which lives nowhere else, while crocs and hippos lurk in the Selous Game Reserve.

With so many beautiful surroundings to explore you can either head out on foot or on the bicycles that are provided with your villa.