Sultan Palace: Our full report

Sultan Palace sits at the northern end of a pristine beach, atop a high coral cliff on Zanzibar’s eastern coast.

Designed and built by Roberto Merlo – an Italian underwater photographer who sadly died in December 2004 – Sultan Palace offers style and comfort and is one of the island’s more elegant lodges.

The entrance and main reception at Sultan Palace is a fantastic structure, with high white walls and huge arched doorways – you feel like you are arriving at Aladdin’s palace! The main lounge and bar area is a large hexagonal room with a number of lounging areas arranged in little clusters. High-quality carved Zanzibari furniture, richly coloured fabrics and multi-coloured glass windows result in a fantastic atmosphere reminiscent of the Arabian days of old. Upstairs, is the main restaurant, where breakfast and dinner is served out on the terrace. It can get a little windy sometimes, but the view of the beach is fantastic and on warm nights the breeze is very welcome.

Sultan Palace’s 15 air-conditioned suites – four Ocean, four Garden and five Imperial – are constructed from white-washed walls and natural stone and spread around immaculately sculptured gardens filled with the scent of citronella and frangipani. The rooms are even named after plants, such as tangerine, which is beautifully painted on a tile on the doorpost.

The Ocean and Garden suites are a good size and perfectly comfortable. The former have superb views of the oceans, while the latter offer a sliver of a sea view. The Imperial suites are simply vast, with two double beds and a huge bathroom. All of the suites are furnished with tasteful antiques, Zanzibari materials, hand-painted tiles and carved wooden doors.

Every room also has a large double bed covered with applique cushions and throws, and big French windows that open out onto a private wooden terrace with loungers – perfect for some peace and quiet. Rooms are colour-coordinated with the bedspread, room-information folder and even the hairdryer all matching! All have a mini-fridge and a digital safe, as well as an umbrella.

The en-suite bathrooms are simple and clean. There are hot showers, flush toilets and single sinks in the Ocean and Garden rooms, while the Imperial suites have a large double shower with seats – similar to a Turkish bath – and a walk-in wardrobe.

From the rooms, a winding path leads down to the beach where there are plenty of loungers and shade. There is also a laid-back beach bar and restaurant where lunch is served.

A handful of activities are on offer at Sultan Palace. The hotel has a boat that it uses for snorkeling trips, and a dugout canoe for visiting the mangroves at Michamvi Kae. Deep-sea fishing and diving can also be arranged. There’s also a pool table in a small room just off from the lounge.

There is a small massage room overlooking the beach. The therapists offer Swedish massage, as well as henna tattoos, waxing and facials.

The hotel also has a relatively large curio shop, which sells a variety of crafts.

Our view

Sultan’s Palace a great option for a romantic stay in Zanzibar. Professionally and efficiently run by the friendly and welcoming Paola, it offers good quality accommodation and an elegant ambience that especially appeals to honeymooners and couples looking to relax and enjoy the peace and quiet. The raised location offers wonderful sea views over the long sweep of powdery white beach.

Elizabeth Chapman

Zanzibar expert

Geographics

Location: Michamvi Peninsula, Zanzibar
Ideal length of stay: 4–5 nights would be ideal.
Directions: It takes around 35 minutes to fly to Zanzibar from Dar es Salaam, and then it’s a further one-hour drive from Stone Town to Sultan Palace.
Accessible by: Fly-and-Transfer

Food & drink

Usual board basis: Full Board
Food quality: Breakfast is served from 7.00am until 10.00am and is an extensive spread of yogurt, cereal, fruit, pastries and a cooked breakfast. It’s served on the terrace above the main lounge, with wonderful views across the sea.

Lunch is usually a relaxed barbeque at the beach restaurant with plenty of seafood, meat and vegetarian options available.

Dinner is a slightly more formal three-course affair taken on the terrace of the main restaurant. The Italian chef has trained the Zanzibari cooks to create a fusion cuisine that combines Swahili and Italian food. On our last visit, we had cream of vegetable soup, grilled Mahi Mahi with roasted vegetables, followed by lemon meringue pie.
Dining style: Individual Tables
Dining locations: Indoor and Outdoor Dining
Further dining info, including room service: Included - there are telephones in all of the rooms.
Drinks included: Drinks are not included at the Sultan Palace.

Children

Attitude towards children: Children are welcome at Sultan Palace – as you might expect from a place with Italian owners.
Property’s age restrictions: There are no age restrictions at Sultan Palace
Special activities & services: There are no special activities or clubs for children
Equipment: There are wonderful Zanzibar cots for babies to use in the rooms, as well as highchairs available on request.
Generally recommended for children: No – the atmosphere here is quite adult, more suited to honeymooners.
Notes: Sultan Palace will happily accept children, but parents should supervise them at all times.

Communications

Power supply notes: There is a mains electricity supply and a back-up generator. The plugs are the three round-pin variety, and there are plenty of adaptors at reception.
Communications: There is free WiFi in the main area.
TV & radio: There is a separate, cosy TV room with DSTV (satellite).

Health & safety

Malarial protection recommended: Yes
Medical care: There is a first-aid box on site, as well as a doctor in the neighbouring resort for more serious medical cases.
Dangerous animals: Low Risk
Security measures: Sultan Palace has a front gate, which is normally closed and watched by discrete security guards around the property.
Fire safety: There are fire extinguishers in all of the rooms.

Activities

Birdwatching
Boat trip
Scuba-diving
Snorkelling
Watersports

Extras

Disabled access: Not Possible
Laundry facilities: A laundry service is available at an extra cost.
Money: Sultan Palace can normally change euros, US dollars and Tanzanian shillings. There is an electronic safe in each room.
Accepted payment on location: Sultan Palace can except payment for any extras in US dollars, Pounds, Euros and Tanzanian Shillings in cash. They also accept Visa and MasterCard – please note that there is a 6% charge for this.