Commanding a striking oceanfront position on Zanzibar – which is known as ‘Unguja’ in Swahili - and sited spectacularly within an enormous, lushly-landscaped private estate, Meliá Zanzibar fuses moonlit tropical nights with the full spectrum of resort facilities and amenities. With a private beach club and jetty that stretches into the turquoise Indian Ocean, the hotel whispers romance for couples and fun for multi-generational groups.

Guests are spoilt for choice: the Meliá Kids’ Club will keep the little ones safe, stimulated and entertained while spa junkies can sample the saunas, steam rooms, Thai massages, lap pool and fitness centre at the Anantara Spa. Love water sports? The resort offers everything from aqua gym in the pool and sea kayaking to reef snorkelling and scuba diving. Those who prefer something with a more leisurely pace can try their hand at traditional Makuti handcrafts or just wander tranquilly on the beach, spotting exotic sea shells.

With four bars, five restaurants, the exclusive Gabi Beach Club and one of the few floodlit tennis courts on Spice Island, Melià Zanzibar truly lives up to the adage: ‘Something for everyone’.

Highlights

• Meliá Kids’ Club
• 2 swimming pools
• 6-room spa with fitness centre
• Exclusive-use Gabi Beach Club
• 5 restaurants & 4 bars
• Outdoor & indoor tropical rain showers

Activities

• KITE SURFING
• SNORKELLING
• BEACH ACTIVITIES
• KAYAKING
• SCUBA DIVING
• TENNIS

Rooms

Melia Terrace Room

Meliá Zanzibar offers five accommodation options, ranging from Garden and Terrace Rooms with private balconies and partial ocean views, to breathtaking Romance Ocean-Front Suites with traditional Makuti roofs of braided coconut tree leaves.

All rooms are spacious, with Arabian influences like private courtyards, secluded terraces, ornate wooden balconies and classic Zanzibari beds. The luxurious en suite bathrooms, which are almost as large as the bedrooms, have free-standing baths and indoor and outdoor rain showers, ideal for taking advantage of the balmy weather.

Light café tones and the hazy blues of Zanzibar are offset by the flush of soft coral furnishings, with each suite designed to take full advantage of Meliá Zanzibar’s magnificent views. All rooms are equipped with flat-screen satellite TVs, hot beverage facilities, a mini-bar that is replenished daily and an electronic safe.

Facilities

Being an international resort, Meliá Zanzibar is packed with modern facilities. Sports lovers will enjoy staying fit with games of tennis or ping pong or joining aquarobics or stretching classes. Water babies can head into the blue in search of dolphins via kayaking, snorkelling, diving or kite surfing.

Landlubbers need not feel left out. The Anantara Spa – which means ‘without borders’ in Swahili – has six treatment rooms (three with private steam baths) for Ayurvedic healing techniques, a Thai massage room, men’s and women’s saunas, a fitness centre and an outdoor lap pool. It also features a beauty salon for those in need of a little TLC and special treatments for couples.

The soft and inviting sands of the resort’s exclusive Gabi Beach Club boast private rattan loungers on which to enjoy snacks and drinks from the beachfront restaurant, a beach volleyball court, kayaking and chilled tunes to bliss-out by…

Dining

Unusually for the island, Meliá Zanzibar offers a selection of no less than five restaurants, ranging from super laid-back to à la carte fine dining.

Taking its inspiration from Stone Town’s colourful history as an ancient trading post, The Spice Market is the resort’s signature eatery. Spilling onto a terrace that is overhung with tropical trees, it offers tasty Arabian-African fare for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The exotic menu is matched by fun theme nights, like a delicious seafood barbeque done African-style.

Allow the staff to spoil you with the exclusive Aqua restaurant, which is perched on a verdant hillside overlooking the undulating ocean. Priding itself on its à la carte menu, this romantic hideaway offers an intriguing fusion of Mediterranean and African flavours on its menu.

Nestled quietly amongst the palm trees on the powdery sands of the resort’s private beach, the fashionable Gabi Beach Club offers sandwiches, pizzas, and catch of the day, along with seafood specialities from its wood-fired oven – the atmosphere is informal; the accent is decidedly on the fun. Relax, enjoy a drink and dine beside the sea.

Or walk to the end of Meliá Zanzibar’s landmark pier and treat yourself to mouth-watering tapas and sundowners-with-a-difference at the resort’s Jetty Bar & Lounge, perched over the azure Indian Ocean.

Blu Bar, at the infinity pool, is convenient for a quick-and-easy snack like a classic burger or wrap, or for choosing from the extensive wine and beer list for a sundowner before dinner.

Feel like a relaxed night in with a good movie instead? Order from the 24-hour room service.