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 $–$$
Mvuvi Boutique Resort
“Thatched beach lodge”
Emerson Spice Hotel
“Restored Swahili quarters”
Sharazad Wonders Boutique Hotel
“Restored Swahili townhouse”
Emerson on Hurumzi
“Restored merchant palace”
$$$$ Medalled
Xanadu Luxury Villas & Retreat Zanzibar
“Sculpted domed sanctuary”
andBeyond Mnemba Island
“Barefoot coral lodge”
The Residence Zanzibar
“Forested oceanfront refuge”
Bawe Island Resort
“Private island roost”
Park Hyatt Zanzibar
“Swahili beachfront bastion”
Zuri Zanzibar
“Thatched hillside village”
Secluded
Essque Zalu Zanzibar
“Thatched cliffside compound”
Zanzibar White Sand Luxury Villas & Spa
“Eco-conscious beachfront hideaway”
Mvuvi Boutique Resort
“Thatched beach lodge”
LUX Marijani, Zanzibar
“Omani-style beach resort”
Upendo Beach Boutique Hotel
“Bohemian beachfront villas”
Editorial mentions
The Neela Boutique Hotel Stone Town
“Restored coral-stone townhouse”
LUX Marijani, Zanzibar
“Omani-style beach resort”
Essque Zalu Zanzibar
“Thatched cliffside compound”
Upendo Beach Boutique Hotel
“Bohemian beachfront villas”
A
andBeyond Mnemba IslandPrivate island shores with house-reef scuba diving, sea kayaking, and coral restoration.DesignLuxeResort$$$$B
Bawe Island ResortA private island playground with house-reef scuba diving, padel courts, seabobs, and excursions to nearby sandbanks.ResortDesignLuxe$$$$ Be ZanzibarPalm-framed beach bungalowsDesignLocalWellness$$$E
Emerson on HurumziRestored merchant palaceHeritageLocalDesign$$ Emerson Spice HotelRestored Swahili quartersDesignHeritageLocal$$ Essque Zalu ZanzibarA split-level infinity pool and an ocean pier host sunset dhow watching.DesignLuxeResort$$$K
KizikulaCoral limestone guesthousesDesignWellnessLocal$$$L
LUX Marijani, ZanzibarTidal sandbank yoga and open-air cinema nights frame the oceanfront freshwater pool.DesignResortLocal$$$M
Mvuvi Boutique ResortOn-site kitesurfing and oceanfront pools span two beach compounds facing the reef.DesignResortLocal$$P
Park Hyatt ZanzibarSwahili beachfront bastionHeritageDesignLocal$$$$S
Sharazad Wonders Boutique HotelRestored Swahili townhouseDesignHeritageLocal$$T
The Neela Boutique Hotel Stone TownRestored coral-stone townhouseDesignHeritageLuxe$$$ The Residence ZanzibarA 32-hectare forested estate offering a 500-foot activity jetty, non-motorized watersports, floodlit tennis courts, and sandbank excursions.ResortLuxeWellness$$$$U
Upendo Beach Boutique HotelBohemian beachfront villasDesignLuxeSocial$$$X
Xanadu Luxury Villas & Retreat ZanzibarSculpted domed sanctuaryDesignLuxeLocal$$$$Z
Zanzibar White Sand Luxury Villas & SpaAn on-site kitesurfing school, padel and tennis courts, and low-tide marine safaris anchor the coastal activity programme.LuxeWellnessResort$$$$ Zuri ZanzibarWimbi Watersports Centre operates sailing, diving, and sunset cruises on traditional dhows.DesignResortLocal$$$$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.