First impressions of Zawadi Hotel unveil a clifftop setting amid lofty palm trees and bright flowering bougainvillea, greeted by terrific views of the Indian Ocean. Privacy, intimacy and tranquillity are the name of the game here, achieved effortlessly via the hotel’s secluded surroundings and boutique collection of just twelve villas. Overcrowding is never an issue here. The overall design is in the elegant beach style and the location is coveted to say the least; Zanazibar holidays at Zawadi feel exclusive. And the tantalising raised position needn’t impede your beach time either – the cliff recedes at the centre of the hotel to reveal a quaint sandy cove where beachgoers, swimmers and snorkelers can easily access the resort’s coastal charms.

Luxury holidays to Zawadi Hotel

Just twelve villas – hence the resort’s private, intimate feel – make up the accommodation options at this island hideaway. Service and hospitality recall the bygone eras of Sultans and kings, while thatched roofs, brushed wood interiors, white walls and ornamental furniture fuse local influences in a design style that is at once traditional and utterly contemporary. For holidays to Tanzania, the luxury standards awaiting guests at Zanzibar's Zawadi Hotel are unparalleled. And to match the A-list service and luxurious surroundings there are a range of immersive experiences catering to both relaxation and adventure at this New York Times-featured resort.

Things to do at Zawadi Hotel in Zanzibar

For total R&R, retreat to the onsite infinity pool and wile away an afternoon with a cocktail in hand. Elsewhere, culture vultures discover bao games, palm weaving, Swahili cooking, coconut harvesting and more. Zawadi Hotel’s superb coastal setting of course unveils an underwater kingdom for divers to explore – head to Rising Sun Dive Centre for expert tuition from the only PADI five-star Gold Palm and RAID diving certified dive centre in Zanzibar. For open water activities that don’t involve delving below the surface, learn kayaking, wind surfing and kite surfing at The Water Club. And there’s romance in the air with destination beach dining for two gazing out over the Indian Ocean.