The newest hotel in the Bluebay Hotels Group, the Sultan Sands on Zanzibar has only been opened since July 2008. The resort occupies 25 acres of landscaped gardens that include over 1,000 palm trees. Guests who have visited this area of Zanzibar before may remember the La Villa Beach Club that once occupied the grounds where the Sultan Sands now stands. It sits next to its sister resort, the Bluebay Beach Resort & Spa. Guests of the Sultan Sands can also enjoy the amenities at the Bluebay.
Both resorts sit on the east coast of the island on the beaches of Kiwengwa. It is less than an hour from the Zanzibar International Airport and is easy to get to. Guests looking for an unusual trip can take a two hour trip from the mainland.
There are 76 rooms at the Sultan Sands that are set up in single storey African style rondavels. Each of the accommodations includes two decorated rooms with a changing room that leads to the en-suite bathroom. The decorations are traditional Zanzibari and include one king or two queen size beds, mosquito netting, veranda, air conditioning, ceiling fans, satellite color television, mini bar, hairdryers, safes and telephones.
The 56 Pwani rooms at the resort are built in the garden and face out over the Indian Ocean. They have a split level lower sitting area with couch. The 20 Bahari Rooms are the refurbished La Villa Beach Club rooms and are located on the beach facing the water. These rooms are spaced out around the small swimming pool at the resort.
Guests to the Sultan Sands can enjoy meals at the resorts two restaurants. The Mwambao restaurant is the main restaurant for the resort and they serve breakfast, lunch and dinner. Located overlooking the swimming pool and ocean, they serve live cooking breakfast buffets and themed dinners every night. The Kivuli Bar & Restaurant is located on the beach and guests can enjoy dipping their toes in the sand while they dine. Lunch and dinners is served here and guests can enjoy light meal selections around the pool.
The Mawimbi bar is the place to go for drinks and guests can enjoy a variety of cold drinks while overlooking the swimming pool. The Casablanca Lounge is open until four in the morning and it sits between the two resorts. Live entertainment is provided and they serve cocktails and beverages.
The island of Zanzibar offers guests a wide variety of activities and historical attractions to view. There are many beaches with lagoons and coral reefs to explore as well as scuba diving in some of the best unexplored waters in the world. The waters are filled with dolphins and guests can take dolphin spotting tours where they may even be able to swim with them. Some of the historic sites include Stone Town, Jozani Forest, Mbweni Ruins, Mtonil Ruins, Kidichi Persian Baths and the Mruhubi Ruins.
Guests can also remain at the resort and enjoy the amenities offered at both. They can enjoy swimming in the resorts pool or relaxing on the beach, walking in the resorts gardens or enjoying a massage at the Oasis Spa. The spa offers massage treatments in a natural setting with treatment rooms that overlook the ocean. Additionally, they sell the natural products they use so guests can bring a touch of Zanzibar home with them.
Location: Sultan Sands is located less than hour from the Zanzibar International Airport on the east coast of the island and along the beaches of Kiwengwa.
General Facilities:
• Restaurant
• Spa
• Bar
• Swimming pool
• Gardens
Room Facilities:
• Two room accommodations
• Changing room
• En-suite bathroom
• King or queen size beds
• Mosquito netting
• Veranda
• Air conditioning
• Ceiling fans
• Satellite color television
• Mini bar
• Hairdryer
• Safe
• Telephones
• Sea views
• Sitting room with couch
Activities: Guests to the Sultan Sands can enjoy swimming, water sports and a fully equipped spa.
Services:
• Banquet services
• Boutique
• Business center and guest services
• Children’s Club
• Conference facilities
• Tours
• Medical attention
• Recreational and water sports center
• PADI diving center
