Spice up your holiday in Zanzibar

Rated with five stars (the only such hotel in Stone Town), the Inn comprises fifty-one luxurious bedrooms, a sea front restaurant, bar and swimming pool besides other amenities that include its own pristine beach facility at Mangapwani for the exclusive use of its guests.

The 30-minute ride from the Inn to Mangapwani by private dalla-dalla (an open-sided taxi) is a scenic tour in its own right.

Other attractions

Outside Zanzibar Town there are other options for those who feel like greener surroundings with sea views away from the hassle of the centre.

One such is the Mtoni Marine Centre that offers two and three bedroom bungalows from $150 per night and is particularly suitable for families or small groups.

Eating out too offers a bewildering variety of choice but with emphasis on restaurants offering Swahili cuisine; perhaps the best of these in terms of décor, atmosphere and food is the Monsoon Restaurant located between the Old Fort and the sea.

Mercury’s, named in honour of Queen vocalist Freddie Mercury who was born nearby, is good for sea grills and its terrace bar is an ideal spot for taking a sundowner while watching the passing parade.

For those who are seeking the extraordinary, taking the road less travelled to the eastern coast or the northern tip of the island is advised.

It is still possible to find serene and rural beach front villages in Zanzibar.

On this island, nowhere is far away and taxis and dalla-dallas are plentiful, so for those who want to combine a beach holiday go for it and for this my pick would be the Bluebay Beach Resort near the village of Kiwengwa on the island’s east side.

It lies on a beautiful beach yet is unspoiled and tranquil with every amenity amid extensive gardens.

Zanzibar has been referred to as a “paradise on earth” and while that may be a slight overstatement there is still plenty there to justify the claim.