The Z Hotel Zanzibar

Driving to this boutique hotel might be a mildly stressful experience -- but we promise the payoff is worth it. There are no lights on bumpy, unmade roads that just seem to get rougher the closer you get to the entrance of the hotel. However, it’s a pleasant surprise to arrive at the tidy tree-lined driveway that leads to the charming entrance. Here, a simple thatched roof and leafy foliage canopy the hotel's colorful, open-air lobby. Stepping inside the small space is a preview of the rustic-chic style that's seen throughout the hotel. A single accent wall is lined with cheerful patterned wallpaper and lots of natural artsy details are seen throughout the interiors. The architecture draws on East African forms, but influences of designer Philippe Starck can be seen in the contemporary custom-designed lamps that stand in the corners. The romantic touches and careful attention to detail make this place attractive to honeymooners and couples, many who appreciate the more relaxed, intimate vibe, especially when compared to other nearby chains. 

The Z Hotel is just on the northwestern tip of Zanzibar, on Kendwa Beach. Luckily for guests, this hotel is located on one of the beaches that’s least affected by Zanzibar's drastic tides, which on other coasts can sometimes take the water out as far as 200 meters offshore. Kendwa Beach is considered one of the most popular on the island, for its pretty blue waters, wide stretch of sand, and the palm trees that dot the shores. 

The hotel is situated in Nungwi, one of the largest and most visited villages by international tourists. As such, many of the hotels in Zanzibar are clustered along its northern coastline, Z Hotel included. This means there are plenty of restaurants and bars to choose from nearby. Mangi’s seafood and barbecue dishes are just a minute’s walk, while Cholo’s Bar and Restaurant and Waves are both about a ten-minute walk from the hotel. Most area hotels also have restaurants open to the public, including the restaurants at the Hideaway of Nungwi Resort, a 13-minute drive away. It's around 90 minutes to reach the island's airport, and will take the same amount of time to reach Stone Town, a UNESCO-designated area in the island's capital.

The 38 rooms here are mostly on the compact side, though a few larger suites and cottages are available for those who need a little more room to spread out. All feature lovely balconies or terraces, most of which look out to the garden or pool area. They’re individually decorated in bright colors and vibrant patterns. However, in the room that we visited, disparate elements like the funky burgundy wallpaper somehow managed not to clash with the blue-patterned down comforter that blanketed the four-poster bed. These are covered by sheer mosquito nets that are properly tucked in every evening during the hotel’s turn-down service -- when they’ll also switch on the air-conditioning, making for a pleasantly cool space for sleeping. Even the flat-screen TV sets are built into the bed frames rather than the wall because the designers had the foresight to install them in a place that wouldn’t be blocked by the sheer netting. The amenities are refreshingly modern too. Expect iPod docks, mini-fridges, and coffeemakers, plus bottled water that's replenished daily. Wi-Fi is free, but can be slow. Simple wooden desks, safes, and spacious closets round out the offerings. Bathrooms are bright and clean, and tiled in a cheerful blue color, with up-to-date outlets and clear-glass rainfall showers. Higher category rooms will have separate living and sleeping areas. 

Despite being a boutique hotel, there are a number of features that help add value to a stay here. Of course, the main draw is the hotel's location on the stunning white sands of Kendwa Beach. Beach loungers and umbrellas are set up on the sand, though touts aren't unheard of on this popular strip of shoreline. The hotel’s infinity pool is canopied by green palms and overlooks the sunny beach below. It feels a bit cramped here: two rows of sunbeds and umbrellas are squeezed on one side and a massage bed is on another. While the sea breeze might be nice, it seems like a strange place to get a massage, since it can get quite loud around the pool area, and it generally lacks privacy. There’s a poolside bar as well, which has a happy hour every day and offers a splendid place to enjoy the evening sunsets. An even better perspective might be from Rooftops bar, where guests sip champagne and watch the sun go down from the comfort of four-poster daybeds.

Breakfast at the hotel is a free and varied international buffet with eggs made-to-order. Otherwise there’s a coffee shop on-site selling light snacks. Cinnamon serves tasty burgers and fries in their casual open-air cafe, while Saruche has a fancier vibe, with an Afro-European seafood menu. Both offer lovely views of the white-sand beach below. The Mnazi Mini Spa is not full-service, but there is still a limited range of beauty treatments on offer -- like mani-pedis, facials, and various types of massages. Otherwise expect a gift shop and dive center where guests can sign up for various PADI-certification courses. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel, but slow, which tends to be the case everywhere on the island.