With its Middle Eastern arches, carved white-plaster walls,
ornate golden mirrors and sparkling brass lamps, Baraza
resembles a modern-day Omani palace. The new 30-suite hotel,
on Zanzibar’s south-west coast, is set in 70 hectares planted
with multicolored bougainvillea, frangipani and jasmine,
overlooking a dazzlingly white, powder-fine beach. There's no
shortage of space: each suite (at least 148 square meters) has
a private plunge pool and veranda, living room with double
daybed curtained with gold silk, four-poster swathed in
mosquito net, and a spacious bathroom with a shower and
pond-sized bath. Although it's private and romantic enough for
honeymoons, it's family-friendly, too, with a big swimming
pool, a kids' club packed with games and toys, a water sports
center and bicycles for exploring Bwejuu beach. Meals are
served indoors and (preferably) out; the food at this
all-inclusive resort is plentiful and varied, if not
particularly inspiring, and often accompanied by performances
from local Swahili musicians. The highlights are the sea -
sparkling in almost unreal shades of brilliant blue - and the
spa, which could have been built for a princess. The regal
interior, with a secluded pool at its center, glitters with
mirrors, lamps, mosaics and silk-strewn daybeds and it is
staffed by skilled therapists from Bali, Thailand and India.
Dinner and overnight at
Kilindi / Baraza Resort & SPA (FB)