Gold Zanzibar

Arriving at Kendwa on Zanzibar's northwest coast, guests reach a stretch of sand with almost no tide, so the shoreline holds its shape through the day. Gold Zanzibar sits directly on it, a resort of 72 rooms built low across grounds that mix African and Arab design with more contemporary lines. Three signature villas anchor the property, each built to a different theme: Arab, African and Italian. Every villa runs to 200 square metres, with two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a private pool and a tent set up on the beach; a private butler comes with each one. Suites and Jungle Villas add garden or ocean outlooks, some with Italian mosaic bathrooms and room for a family across a king bed and sofa beds. The spa uses Healing Earth products, made without synthetics and packaged to biodegrade, in a treatment area built around a natural, unhurried approach. A small gym holds Technogym equipment for guests keeping to a routine on holiday. Out on the water, the resort runs diving, kite surfing, sailing and kayaking directly from the beach, with deep-sea fishing and para-sailing arranged further out. The beach restaurant serves an à la carte menu through the evening, timed to the sunset over the channel. It is a resort built for slow days and a wide pool, with the option of full board through its Gourmet Meal Plan. Check-in runs from 2pm.