Z Hotel: Our full report

Opened in 2007, the Z Hotel is located up in the north of Zanzibar near Nungwi. This is a busy area of the island with a fair number of hotels along the stretch of beach. However, for those seeking a bit more of a lively atmosphere, Z hotel offers stylish and modern rooms right next to the beach.

Set among lush tropical gardens, the Z hotel has 35 rooms, including 5 suites. These are classified into a range of categories, which comprises 18 Deluxe Seaview rooms, 12 Deluxe Garden View rooms, 2 Roof-top Suites, 2 Oceanfront Cottages and one Z Suite. These are all finished to a high spec by a team of interior designers. The bespoke furniture, including 4-poster beds, is made from locally sourced coconut wood, designed by Philippe Starck and exclusive to the Z Hotel. Each air-conditioned room has floor-to-ceiling glass doors leading to a balcony, which has a garden, beach or sea view. All rooms come equipped with LCD flat screen TVs with DSTV, WiFi, a telephone, a minibar, a safe, and iPhone docking stations. The Italian designer bathrooms come with complimentary White Company of London beauty products.

The Deluxe Garden View Rooms are situated on the ground and first floors of the hotel and have views over the landscaped gardens or the sea. They are stylishly decorated and have tea/coffee making facilities, mini bar, safe and hair dryer – and also have their own private deck. The Deluxe Seaview Rooms offer all the facilities of the Deluxe Garden View room, but are located on the second floor. Unsurprisingly, they all have sea views too!

On the third floor of the Z Hotel is the Roof Top Suite. As well as having all the amenities of a Deluxe Room, there’s also an outside shower, a plasma satellite TV, a DVD player, a sitting area and a private deck overlooking the garden or the coast line.

The 70 square metre Z Suite is placed over the entire rooftop of the hotel, giving it fabulous sea views from the two terraces. It includes the same facilities as the Roof Top Suite plus a lounge area complete with cocktail bar, as well as a king-size bed and an outside shower and Jacuzzi.

The Oceanfront Cottages are totally separate from the rest of the accommodation at the Z Hotel. Built on the side of a cliff and arranged over two floors with a view out to sea, the rooms are furnished with a king-size bed and their own kitchenette, plus outdoor showers. To top it all off, we’re there’s a floating deck from where you can soak up the sun as you listen to the lapping waves!

Raised up on a deck overlooking the sea is the Cinnamon Cocktail Bar. Here and extensive menu of cocktails and champagnes is served as well as a selection of tapas and sharing platters. For something more fancy the Saruche Restaurant offers a 4 course menu of Africa/European cuisine & fresh seafood.

The Z Hotel has a curio shop and tour office that can organise activities for you during your stay – day trips to around Stone Town, Spice Tours and Jozani Forest trips amongst others. They have a dive centre on site and will arrange deep-sea fishing and sunset cruises.

For those preferring to relax at the hotel, there is a mini spa offering massages, manicures, pedicures and facials. Sun loungers are dotted along the beach as well as surrounding the tanga stone infinity pool on the edge of the gardens. Here the sun loungers even have DVD players though their reliability in the salt sea air is unknown!

Our view

The Z hotel’s contemporary design and lively atmosphere will appear to a younger crowd, but there are also plenty of opportunities to relax and chill in this lively area of Nungwi.

Geographics

Location: Northern Zanzibar, Zanzibar

Ideal length of stay: 4-5 nights

Directions: Flights from Dar Es Salaam to Zanzibar take 20 minutes. The Z Hotel is about an hour’s drive from the airport.

Food & drink

Usual board basis: B&B

Food quality: African-European fusion food is served here, with anything from burgers and chips, salads and sandwiches to seafood curries and fresh fish, all washed down with a wide selection of international wines.

Dining style: Individual Tables

Dining locations: Indoor Dining

Cost of meal e.g. lunch: £5-10

Drinks included: Drinks are not included.

Children

Attitude towards children: Children over the age of 12 are welcome.

Equipment: None

Generally recommended for children: No

Central communications

Power supply: Mains Electricity

Communications: WiFi is found throughout the hotel, and computers for guest use are found in the reading room. All rooms have telephones.

TV & radio: All rooms have TVs with satellite channels.

Health & safety

Malarial area: Yes

Medical care: The hotel has close links with a local doctor.

Dangerous animals: Low Risk

Security measures: There is a guard and a pool guard on site 24 hours.

Extras

Disabled access: Not Possible

Laundry facilities: A laundry service is available for an extra charge.

Money: The hotel accepts payments in US dollars and Tanzanian shillings only.