Zanzibar Palace Hotel

Tucked away in the Kiponda area of Stone Town, Zanzibar Palace Hotel is a boutique hotel in a beautifully restored Zanzibari house. Owners Co and Frans aim to provide a truly personal service, getting to know guests themselves and making sure they are well looked after.

Each of the nine bedrooms has its own character, but all are decorated in Swahili style, a blend of African and Arabian. Carved dark wood, stained glass, and jewel-colored drapes are dotted around the hotel, giving it a modern-day Arabian Nights feel. The traditional style and decor of the Palace is combined with a few modern luxuries, so it's possible to soak up the traditional atmosphere of the town, without losing too many 21st century comforts. Each room has an en suite bathroom, air-conditioning and 24-hour room service, and the staff aim to ensure that "all of our clients are treated like Sultans and Sultanas". Every room has a DVD player and guests can take their pick from the hotel's extensive DVD library if they just want a quiet night in.

There is a small restaurant and bar area on the ground floor and a new spa adjacent to the hotel which offers massages, pedicures and manicures if you need a bit of pampering! The hotel is also located very close to the main shopping streets and is within easy walking distance of restaurants, cafés and bars.

OUR RATING: First Class