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 $–$$
Mvuvi Boutique Resort
“Thatched beach lodge”
Emerson Spice Hotel
“Restored Swahili quarters”
Sharazad Wonders Boutique Hotel
“Restored Swahili townhouse”
Emerson on Hurumzi
“Restored merchant palace”
$$$$ Medalled
Xanadu Luxury Villas & Retreat Zanzibar
“Sculpted domed sanctuary”
andBeyond Mnemba Island
“Barefoot coral lodge”
The Residence Zanzibar
“Forested oceanfront refuge”
Bawe Island Resort
“Private island roost”
Park Hyatt Zanzibar
“Swahili beachfront bastion”
Zuri Zanzibar
“Thatched hillside village”
Secluded
Essque Zalu Zanzibar
“Thatched cliffside compound”
Zanzibar White Sand Luxury Villas & Spa
“Eco-conscious beachfront hideaway”
Mvuvi Boutique Resort
“Thatched beach lodge”
LUX Marijani, Zanzibar
“Omani-style beach resort”
Upendo Beach Boutique Hotel
“Bohemian beachfront villas”
Editorial mentions
The Neela Boutique Hotel Stone Town
“Restored coral-stone townhouse”
LUX Marijani, Zanzibar
“Omani-style beach resort”
Essque Zalu Zanzibar
“Thatched cliffside compound”
Upendo Beach Boutique Hotel
“Bohemian beachfront villas”
A
andBeyond Mnemba IslandBarefoot coral lodgeDesignLuxeResort$$$$B
Bawe Island ResortCommunal beachfront lagoon-style swimming pool, plus private plunge and swimming pools at all 70 villasResortDesignLuxe$$$$ Be ZanzibarBeachfront outdoor unheated infinity swimming pool facing the Indian Ocean, plus private plunge pools in select bungalows.DesignLocalWellness$$$E
Emerson on HurumziIndoor courtyard poolHeritageLocalDesign$$ Emerson Spice HotelRestored Swahili quartersDesignHeritageLocal$$ Essque Zalu ZanzibarSplit-level outdoor infinity lagoon swimming pool with jacuzzi jets, plus private plunge pools in each of the eight villas.DesignLuxeResort$$$K
KizikulaOutdoor curved pool set into a timber and coral-stone ocean-view terraceDesignWellnessLocal$$$L
LUX Marijani, ZanzibarA 450-square-metre outdoor freshwater swimming pool with an integrated children's area, plus private plunge pools in the beachfront Grand LUX* Suites.DesignResortLocal$$$M
Mvuvi Boutique ResortTwo outdoor freshwater pools, featuring a garden courtyard pool at Makuti and an oceanfront pool at Mnara.DesignResortLocal$$P
Park Hyatt ZanzibarOutdoor oceanfront infinity swimming pool positioned directly above the beach edge overlooking the Zanzibar ChannelHeritageDesignLocal$$$$S
Sharazad Wonders Boutique HotelRestored Swahili townhouseDesignHeritageLocal$$T
The Neela Boutique Hotel Stone TownRestored coral-stone townhouseDesignHeritageLuxe$$$ The Residence ZanzibarSignature glass-walled oceanfront infinity pool and private plunge pools in all 66 villas.ResortLuxeWellness$$$$U
Upendo Beach Boutique HotelCommunal outdoor oceanfront infinity pool overlooking the tidal bay, alongside private villa plunge and infinity poolsDesignLuxeSocial$$$X
Xanadu Luxury Villas & Retreat ZanzibarCentral freeform swimming pool and private plunge pools for all nine villasDesignLuxeLocal$$$$Z
Zanzibar White Sand Luxury Villas & SpaMain outdoor pool, private villa plunge pools, and freestanding outdoor bathtubsLuxeWellnessResort$$$$ Zuri Zanzibar32-meter outdoor infinity pool overlooking the Indian OceanDesignResortLocal$$$$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.