Melia Zanzibar

The Melia is an all-inclusive resort with lots of grassy areas and palm trees, fountain features full of lilies, and a long stretch of white-sand beach. The lobby is modern and sophisticated, with a few plush seating areas and a posh, living room-like feel -- a clear departure from the thatched, open-air lobbies found in many resorts on Zanzibar island. Most of the guests here are leisure travelers -- namely couples and families with kids -- although there are facilities for business travelers as well. Despite its family friendly atmosphere, the vibe is a bit more sedate than at other family focused properties.

Melia Zanzibar is located right on a white sand beach in northern Zanzibar, an area dominated by hotels and resorts. There's not much in the immediate area, aside from the occasional farm, and the town of Kiwengwa, a seven-minute drive away, isn't exactly the kind of place that package tourists would flock to for sightseeing. The resort is a 50-minute drive from the Zanzibar International Airport and Zanzibar City, where ferries depart to Dar Es Salaam. There are some interesting natural sights in the island's south, including Jozani Chwaka National Park and the Zanzibar Butterfly Center. Both are a 50-minute to one-hour drive from the hotel.

The Melia offers a wide range of room types, from standard Melia Garden Rooms to huge Three-Bedroom Villas with massive gardens and private swimming pools. Room decor is crisp and bright, with off-white floors and walls paired with thick curtains and throw cushions in soft, muted hues of blue, yellow, and rose. Standard features include air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs with international channels, minibars, tea- and coffee-making facilities, and private terraces, many of which face the ocean. Bathrooms are spacious, with large soaking tubs, separate walk-in showers, and two standalone sinks, but they offer limited counter space. All come with makeup mirrors, scales, and hairdryers. Villa and Romance Ocean Front Pavilion guests get access to The LEVEL, the resort's exclusive service package, detailed below. Villas also have extra details like stone walls and outdoor showers, plus gorgeous and vibrantly painted furniture with handsome lines, and high-end photography hanging on the walls.

The resort's gorgeous Anantara Spa features a huge variety of treatments and massages including couples massages, facials, and Thai massage. There's also a fitness center attached to the spa with separate saunas for men and women and a good selection of modern cardio equipment along with limited free weights. The spa has its own smaller lap pool, and there's also a huge pool with views out onto the ocean and plenty of trees to provide shade.
Recreation activities include kayaking, beach volleyball, tennis, table tennis, and aqua aerobics. There's also a kids' club for children aged 5 to 12, but it's only open in peak seasons. The property has its own stretch of white-sand beach with towel service, Balinese sun beds, lounge chairs, and parasols. Guests who want a more active coastal experience can take a free golf cart ride to the nearby Gabi Beach Club, where kayaking and kite surfing lessons are available.
Those staying in the higher category rooms listed above are entitled to a host of perks through the hotel's LEVEL program. Features include free access to The LEVEL Lounge, free minibars, use of a special sun room, free Wi-Fi, and free tennis court use. These bookings also included a free breakfast. Those staying for four nights or more also get a free massage (one per person) at the on-site Anantara Spa.
The resort hosts conferences and weddings, with event space that can seat up to 200 people theater-style. There are also a couple of smaller conference rooms and two boardrooms, and all come with audiovisual equipment. Wi-Fi and parking are free.

Although the Melia is an all-inclusive resort, guests have the option of paying less and only taking advantage of the breakfast service. Those who do want all meals covered also have the option to upgrade to Premium packages, which come with minibar refills and premium liquor. The resort has six restaurants and bars, though opening hours vary a bit. Spices Restaurant features buffet dining for all three meals and has an outdoor terrace and three open-show cooking islands. They have themed nights every evening, each featuring culinary specialties from around the world. For something more exclusive, Aqua serves Mediterranean food a la carte at dinnertime, but the service costs extra for non-Premium/LEVEL guests. As the name suggests, the Jetty Bar and Restaurant sits at the end of a long jetty and serves international tapas items, a set menu of Asian cuisine, and a variety of drinks, but it's only open in the evenings. The Pool Bar is open throughout the day and serves drinks and light snacks poolside, while The Libarary lobby bar serves drinks and cigars from morning until late at night. There's also a daytime restaurant at the Gabi Beach Club, just up the sand from the hotel.