The Zamani Kempinski hotel is the latest in the internationally renowned Kempinski family and only just opened in December 2005. Needless to say , everything is brand new and of the best and most contemporary quality and style. The hotel is located on the East Coast of Zanzibar and is easily reached by road, although the last 2km or so is on dirt road and a bit rough.
The Kempinski Hotel group is over a hundred years old and the oldest luxury hotel collection in the world. They are known for their fine traditions of European hospitality and superbly high standards. The newly added 5 star Zanzibari Zamani hotel lives up to this image and offers its guests a beautiful island retreat with a selection of top leisure amenities, including a health and wellness centre with health spa, gymnasium, 60m swimming pool and sundeck.
The Spa is said to be the most luxurious in Zanzibar and sports six private treatment rooms where you can experience anything from a back massage to an aromatherapy treatment. The therapists are well-trained and exceptionally professional, making for a truly relaxing and rejuvenating experience.
The rooms, public areas and exteriors are straight out of a decor magazine, with large windows, tiled decks, beautiful turquise swimming pools, airy rooms and only the most modern Europen-styled furnishings. While all the fittings and furnishings have a distinct international flavour to them, the hotel has been built using only materials native to the island, ensuring great support of the local economy.
The Kempinski hotels have always been popular banquet and conference venues, and the Zamani Kempinski isn't any different. The air-conditioned facilities are ideal for small meetings, receptions, seminars and conferences as they include top of the range audiovisual and telecommunication equipment, superb service and great catering by the hotel's dedicated chefs. These facilities can host up to 50 guests.
The staff at Zamani Kempinski are multi-lingual and extremely professional, ensuring your utmost comfort. Something worth mentioning is the hotel's great concierge service. While many hotels the world over have started to down-scale this aspect of hospitality, the Kempinski group still prides itself on their well trained concierge staff. Everything you'd come to expect from a 5 star resort is available at Zamani Kempinski, including laundry and dry-cleaning, 24 hour room service, shoe shining and even a limousine service!
There are also a collection of good amenities such as the dedicated relaxation areas where guests can simply lounge around with a good book, a choice of restaurants and bars, a cafe and seafood grill, 2 boutiques, a gymnasium and of course the beautiful rooms , if you'd simply like to have some private time, away from the hustle and bustle of daily life.
The hotel is surrounded by 30 acres of beautifully landscaped Zen gardens, with relaxation areas between accommodation units. These tranquil gardens have been designed to complement the natural surrounds and the stunning beachfront. All kinds of watersports are available at the hotel including sailing, snorkelling, surfboarding, waterskiing and of course " one of the main attractions on the Zanzibar coast " scuba diving. And if you'd like to learn a bit about the island and its culture-rich history, why not book a spice tour or a trip to Stonetown where you'll encounter some of the island's most interesting sights.
So if you're after some European sophistication mixed with the local atmosphere of friendly island culture, this place is for you. Come relax while experiencing one of the most beautiful islands off the coast of Africa, coupled with superb service and the joys of 5 star luxury.
Accommodation options at the Zamani Kempinski include 112 rooms of which 60 are Garden Rooms, 40 are Terrace Rooms and 10 are Zamani Suites. The remaining two are the exclusive Zanzibar Suite and the Presidential Suite.
All the rooms overlook the ocean and come equipped with private verandas - from where to view this pretty sight. The rooms are all exceptionally private, and you never feel like you are living in a unit with many other guests. The rooms range from the small yet comfortable 60m, Garden Rooms to the huge 300m, Presidential Suite. All of the rooms offer satellite TV (including movie channels), mini-bars, bathrobes, shoeshine and voicemail facilities, tea and coffee stations and personal safes.
The decor is extremely modern and stylish, making use of the colours of the island ; coral, turquoise, spice yellows and browns and bright whites. The en-suite bathrooms are stunning with beautiful freestanding coral coloured bathtubs, glass panels and stylish wooden benches. All the room open out onto private courtyards with striking outdoor showers.
The furnishings and fittings are very contemporary and seem to have jumped right out of a house and decor magazine. Very classy and far removed from the somewhat dilapidated furnishings of some of the older Zanzibari hotels.
There are two restaurants, a cafe and seafood grill as well as two bars to choose from at Zamani Kempinski.
The first restaurant, The Red Snapper, overlooks the picturesque ocean and specialises in seafood dishes. This restaurant serves dinner only and stays open until 10.30 pm.
The second restaurant, Cloves, offers meals throughout the day, including early breakfasts for those who rise with the sun, hearty lunches and good dinners, all with a Mediterranean flavour. You can choose between buffet or a la carte options and the service is very good.
The two bars, the Zanzi Bar and the Pool Bar offer great thirst quenchers, iced teas, smoothies, cocktails, sundowners and everything in between. The Zanzi Bar is located in the lobby area of the resort and operates between noon and midnight, while the Pool bar also serves light meals and snacks from 10am to 7pm.
