Design New or redone
andBeyond Mnemba Island
“Barefoot coral lodge”
Be Zanzibar
“Palm-framed beach bungalows”
Bawe Island Resort
“Private island roost”
Local
Emerson on Hurumzi
“Restored merchant palace”
Emerson Spice Hotel
“Restored Swahili quarters”
Be Zanzibar
“Palm-framed beach bungalows”
Sharazad Wonders Boutique Hotel
“Restored Swahili townhouse”
Kizikula
“Coral limestone guesthouses”
Park Hyatt Zanzibar
“Swahili beachfront bastion”
Zuri Zanzibar
“Thatched hillside village”
Xanadu Luxury Villas & Retreat Zanzibar
“Sculpted domed sanctuary”
Wellness Quiet Secluded
Zanzibar White Sand Luxury Villas & Spa
“Eco-conscious beachfront hideaway”
The Residence Zanzibar
“Forested oceanfront refuge”
Kizikula
“Coral limestone guesthouses”
Design $–$$
Mvuvi Boutique Resort
“Thatched beach lodge”
Emerson Spice Hotel
“Restored Swahili quarters”
Sharazad Wonders Boutique Hotel
“Restored Swahili townhouse”
Emerson on Hurumzi
“Restored merchant palace”
$$$$ Medalled
Xanadu Luxury Villas & Retreat Zanzibar
“Sculpted domed sanctuary”
andBeyond Mnemba Island
“Barefoot coral lodge”
The Residence Zanzibar
“Forested oceanfront refuge”
Bawe Island Resort
“Private island roost”
Park Hyatt Zanzibar
“Swahili beachfront bastion”
Zuri Zanzibar
“Thatched hillside village”
Secluded
Essque Zalu Zanzibar
“Thatched cliffside compound”
Zanzibar White Sand Luxury Villas & Spa
“Eco-conscious beachfront hideaway”
Mvuvi Boutique Resort
“Thatched beach lodge”
LUX Marijani, Zanzibar
“Omani-style beach resort”
Upendo Beach Boutique Hotel
“Bohemian beachfront villas”
Editorial mentions
The Neela Boutique Hotel Stone Town
“Restored coral-stone townhouse”
LUX Marijani, Zanzibar
“Omani-style beach resort”
Essque Zalu Zanzibar
“Thatched cliffside compound”
Upendo Beach Boutique Hotel
“Bohemian beachfront villas”
A
andBeyond Mnemba IslandBarefoot coral lodgeDesignLuxeResort$$$$B
Bawe Island ResortFitness center, tennis court, padel court, yoga and Pilates instruction, and complimentary island bicyclesResortDesignLuxe$$$$ Be ZanzibarPalm-framed beach bungalowsDesignLocalWellness$$$E
Emerson on HurumziRestored merchant palaceHeritageLocalDesign$$ Emerson Spice HotelRestored Swahili quartersDesignHeritageLocal$$ Essque Zalu Zanzibar24-hour fitness centre outfitted with Technogym equipment.DesignLuxeResort$$$K
KizikulaCoral limestone guesthousesDesignWellnessLocal$$$L
LUX Marijani, Zanzibar24/7 fitness centre beside the main pool, sandbank yoga sessions timed to ocean tides, beach jogging paths, and guided forest bathing in the Msitu coastal forest pocket.DesignResortLocal$$$M
Mvuvi Boutique ResortOutdoor beach gym on the sand at the Mnara section equipped with basic training apparatus, and an open-air wooden sea-view rooftop yoga shala atop the Mnara building.DesignResortLocal$$P
Park Hyatt Zanzibar24-hour fitness centre equipped with cardio machines and free weightsHeritageDesignLocal$$$$S
Sharazad Wonders Boutique HotelRestored Swahili townhouseDesignHeritageLocal$$T
The Neela Boutique Hotel Stone TownRestored coral-stone townhouseDesignHeritageLuxe$$$ The Residence ZanzibarFitness centre, floodlit tennis courts, volleyball court, and complimentary scheduled yoga sessions.ResortLuxeWellness$$$$U
Upendo Beach Boutique HotelBohemian beachfront villasDesignLuxeSocial$$$X
Xanadu Luxury Villas & Retreat ZanzibarSculpted domed sanctuaryDesignLuxeLocal$$$$Z
Zanzibar White Sand Luxury Villas & SpaFitness room, floodlit tennis court, padel court, complimentary resort bicycles, beachfront and poolside yoga sessions, kitesurfing center, paddleboards, and kayaksLuxeWellnessResort$$$$ Zuri Zanzibar24-hour indoor gym, outdoor Wild Fitness station built with natural wood and stone equipment under the canopy, elevated oceanfront open-air yoga pavilion hosting daily sunrise and group yoga classes, and meditation pods in the Spice GardenDesignResortLocal$$$$Gold. Extremely rare. Sets the global standard.
Silver. Brilliant execution. And we’re picky.
Bronze. They did this well. You’ll notice.
Listed. A defining trait. Makes the hotel what it is.
Design. Built around a vision. Even the door handles have a designer.
Luxe. Cared for at every turn. The bath is drawn before you ask.
Local. It could only be here. You wake up knowing where you are.
Heritage. A building with a story. Once a palace, a monastery, a station.
Wellness. You leave feeling new. Rest, sweat, soak and sleep like a stone.
Classic. The city grew up with it. Same rituals, same regulars, same bar.
Resort. A world of its own. Something to do from breakfast to nightcap.