A sea-view room at the Meliá Zanzibar. Courtesy Meliá Zanzibar
The welcome
After a six-hour flight from Dubai (with a short stop in Dar es Salaam), followed by a 45-minute bus ride from Zanzibar airport, it’s nice to be greeted warmly by a number of hotel staff. I’m whisked into the lobby’s lounge area, where I’m given a frangipani and an African bracelet. Before I know it, I’m being taken to my room by the staff, who already feel more like friends than hotel employees.
The neighbourhood
The five-star resort is set on a sprawling, 16-hectare estate on the north-east coast of Zanzibar. It’s a fairly isolated retreat, with everything that you need on hand. The resort is a 45-minute drive from Stone Town, which is a Unesco World Heritage Site.
The room
I’m in a Meliá room with terrace partial view, at one end of the property. The king bed with its canopy netting and dim lighting is nice at first, but the lack of actual light becomes a bit of an annoyance after a while, especially when looking for something in your suitcase at night. In addition to this, the light switches are tricky to locate at times. When I see the bathroom with its large tub, twin sinks and outdoor tropical shower, I suspect I could quite happily hang out in there more than anywhere else.
The service
The service
Impressive. Everything goes pretty much like clockwork from check-in to checkout. The removal of my fruit platter before I’d had a chance to delve into it and the lack of replacement of a facecloth with the linen in the bathroom are small annoyances.
The scene
Very beach club and not so African. At times, I feel like I could be anywhere in the world. The hotel has its own beach set-up that’s bustling the evening that I arrive – there’s a band and lots of guests dancing to the Taarab music. The property is so big that it doesn’t feel overcrowded – there are three restaurants, a pool bar and a lobby lounge area that are occupied at different times by a more European crowd and airline flight crew.
The food
The Gabi Beach barbecue is a highlight, with its selection of food options – from curries and salads to local fare, such as beef and chicken skewers and sugar-cane juice. The tapas at the Jetty Lounge is delectable, too – the gluten-free spring rolls deserve a special mention. The breakfast options at Spices are as you’d expect, with omelette and waffle stations, and the usual fruit and hot-dish options. Unlike the three outlets mentioned above, meals at Aqua aren’t all-inclusive in your rate, but the grilled lobster with vegetables and turmeric rice, fresh lemon butter and a touch of garlic (Dh136) is so worth it.
Loved
The outdoor shower – the weather is perfectly balmy to use the shower morning and evening. And the hammock by the pool.
Hated
My room being right at the end of the property – a pain when you have a schedule to keep to.
The verdict
A relaxing holiday retreat far enough away from the action but also close enough for sightseeing.
The bottom line
Garden rooms at the Meliá Zanzibar (www.melia.com/en/hotels/tanzania/zanzibar/melia-zanzibar/index.html) cost from Dh892 per room, per night, including taxes, a selection of resort activities, meals in Spices, the Jetty Lounge and Gabi Beach (à la carte). A premium supplements package costs from Dh202 per person, per day, and includes minibar refill, 24-hour room service, access to Aqua restaurant and premium drinks in all outlets.
http://www.thenational.ae/arts-life/travel/hotel-insider-melia-zanzibar
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