The Residence Zanzibar Hotel

Zanzibar, Tanzania

Immerse yourself in the historic spice island of Zanzibar, off the coast of Tanzania, where a villa-only estate places you at the heart of a cultural and culinary melting pot – and tropical adventures all around

Picture yourself sipping a warming spiced chai on your private balcony overlooking a palm tree-strewn beach. You watch the evening sun sink over the vast Indian Ocean as traditional dhow ships sail by. Tomorrow, the only plan is a luxurious treatment at the spa followed by a dolphin safari…

Enter Residence Zanzibar. A 66-key, villa-only property – each with private pool and balcony – sprawled across a 32ha estate on the south-west corner of Zanzibar. Once East Africa’s key maritime trading centre, the melting pot of cultures is reflected in the hotel’s design – an ideal place to marry beachside relaxation with wild encounters and culinary heritage. Starting with the ancient Jozani Forest Reserve, take a guided trek and cross your fingers for a glimpse of red colobus monkeys, the rarest primate species in Africa. Next, the oldest part of the city, Unescolisted Stone Town, is home to a number of cultural sites: Qur’anic scripts engraved on expertly ornamented doors, whitewashed palaces once home to Arab sultans, and traditional Indian courtyards.

Back at The Residence, unwind in tropical seclusion at your spacious villa. Free spirits can take a ride on a complimentary bicycle to explore the island, while there’s no shortage of adventure for nature lovers: embark on an ocean safari to spot humpback whales and bottlenose dolphins, before snorkelling at Menai Bay Conservation Area. Take a walking tour through spice plantations with a native herbalist to discover the restorative properties of turmeric, cardamom cloves and nutmeg. Come evening, taste them for yourself in The Pavilion Restaurant, where Mediterranean, Arabic and Indian culinary traditions infuse sustainable farm-to-table dishes with fresh ingredients sourced from on-site farms. Tropical adventure, cultural immersion and ultimate relaxation incoming.

Words by Eva Ferguson.

Villas from £351. +255 245 555000, cenizaro.com/theresidence/zanzibar