DoubleTree by Hilton Resort Zanzibar – Nungwi

The DoubleTree Resort by Hilton is perched on the far northern tip of Zanzibar Island in Nungwi, a fishing village that’s experienced a surge in tourism in recent years. Despite this, townspeople continue to rely on fishing and shipbuilding, the traditional trades that have sustained the community for centuries. This creates sometimes clashing elements of new and old -- something that’s tastefully reflected in the hotel’s decor. 

A rustic wooden sailboat rests in the center of the giant open-air rotunda that serves as the lobby of the hotel. Light pours in from all sides as the mostly Italian couples who stay here curl up on soft beige couches under exposed roof beams and Makuti thatching, the traditional East African roofing style (it’s used in some of the rooms, too). Other couples and families relax at the swim-up bar at the hotel’s free-form pool just beyond the lobby. The look throughout the property is casual, with lots of exposed natural woodwork and alternating sandy and grassy areas. While the resort doesn't quite have the same level of charm and character found elsewhere on the island, it's a perfectly pleasant option for a relaxed seaside escape. 

The hotel is on the coast of Nungwi, at the northern end of Zanzibar Island, off of a long and bumpy dirt road leading out from the town center. Nungwi is one of the most visited parts of the island, and so the usual tourist trappings can be found just inland from the coast, including plenty of other hotels, guest houses, and restaurants. Cholo’s Bar and Restaurant, Mama Fatuma, and Gerry’s Bar and Restaurant are just a few of these -- all are less than 10 minutes’ walk from the hotel. Despite the proximity of these and other beach bars, the nightlife scene remains casual and relaxed in Nungwi. Zanzibar International Airport is just under an hour and a half from the hotel. 

The hotel sits on Nungwi Beach, which stretches along the north coast of the island and is one of the more popular beaches among tourists. Kendwa Beach is a bit farther southwest -- about a 12-minute drive. Diving is a common activity here, and various shops selling gear and lessons are nearby, including Poseidon, about a ten-minute walk from the DoubleTree.

The 95 spacious rooms here have modern amenities alongside a fairly classic style. The decor sticks to neutral colors, with tiled floors, while local touches of remind travelers of where they are: vibrant paintings depicting traditional village life hang on the walls, and painted vases decorate the shelves on walls. Furniture has a definitively classic look, with ornate carvings in the heavy hardwood. Layouts are spacious, with entry-level rooms offering 35-square-meter (377-square-foot) floor plans, and things only get larger from there. Multi-room suites are also available. 

All rooms include mini-fridges, a few bottles of water, electric kettles for tea or coffee, free Wi-Fi, and wide flat-screen TVs. Black-out drapes, bathrobes, and iPod docks are thoughtful extras. Air-conditioning and ceiling fans keep rooms cool, along with furnished balconies or patios that mostly look out to the pool or the sea below. Mosquito nets help protect against the often buggy evenings. The beige-tiled bathrooms are large and bright, with a decent amount of counter space and shower stalls or shower/tub combos. 

The lovely white-sand beach is more than just a pretty sight -- beach time here is slightly more appealing than at some other island resorts for two reasons. The first is that local hawkers are kept away by guards who are constantly roaming the property, a much-needed service for this tourist-packed stretch of coast. The beaches around Nungwi are also safe for swimming year round, especially when compare to east coast beaches, where tides are too strong for swimming until late afternoon. Lounge chairs and palapa umbrellas are arranged above a sea wall, along a sandy area overlooking the shore itself. 

Other options for getting wet include the huge, winding pool that's perfectly tropical: tall palm trees surround it, along with a handful of daybeds and shady umbrellas. The swim-up bar is perfect for soaking up tasty cocktails along with the sun’s rays, and lounge chairs and cafe tables ring the perimeter of the water. The kiddie pool is tiny in comparison, but has a fun mini-slide into the water. 

Ngalawa Restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and while the breakfast buffet gets high marks (and include fresh coconut water), the rest of the food here and at Fisherman Bar and Grill is just average, despite the high prices. Theme nights are offered, as are a blend of local and international cuisines. Note that Fisherman Bar and Grill is open for dinner by reservation only. 

The spa is nothing fancy -- don’t expect more than a few rooms for massages and a nail salon -- but there are various other activities to keep people entertained. These include a volleyball court, ping-pong, foosball and pool tables, plus a shop for trinkets and beachwear. Business-friendly perks include free and (mostly) functional Wi-Fi, as well as a 24-hour business center and conference rooms. Self-parking is free.