A grand, white-washed Omani-style hotel on Stone Town’s beachfront, the Park Hyatt Zanzibar is one of the best places to stay in the island’s historic hub. With a range of restaurants and bars and a glorious infinity pool that overlooks the Indian Ocean, it’d be very easy to waste away the day here – but we recommend taking advantage of being a mere stroll from Stone Town’s historic sites, markets and cafés.
Nesting arrangements
You probably don’t need us to tell you to nab an ocean-view room – who doesn’t want to wake up to scenes of the glittering Indian Ocean, speckled with little fishing boats? Bonus points if you opt for a room with a balcony.
All 67 rooms and suites are decked out in beige and white fabrics, with pops of blue and Zanzibar influences – ornate hanging lanterns and wooden trunks with brass hardware.
The snazziest suites are the Bahari Terrace Suite – the balcony is big enough to host the island’s entire cat population – and the positively palatial Royal Residence and Zamani Presidential suites.
Food philosophy
Take a break with lunch at the Pool Lounge, which serves light dishes from club sandwiches to nasi goreng. Later, head to the Living Room for a “Mango Tree Punch” cocktail on one of the terrace couches. Another dining option is the Hyatt’s Beach House, a five-minute toddle from the hotel and an ideal spot for a casual lunch or a sunset drink.
Tuck into fresh seafood dishes at the hotel’s main restaurant, the Dining Room, which has a terrace overlooking the ocean – this is also where breakfast is served from 6.30 am. But if you’re in a bathrobe-and-bed frame of mind, you can also always opt for room service – available 24/7.
Secret sauce
The Park Hyatt’s location is pretty hard to beat. With an oceanfront spot in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Stone Town (Zanzibar City’s historic zone), the hotel is an easy stroll from the city’s main attractions, from the 17th-century Old Fort to the Freddie Mercury Museum.
Wander along the beach to watch fishers haul in their boats after a morning on the water. Feeling inspired (but make it bougee)? The Hyatt runs dhow cruises at sunset, including drinks and snacks.
Take a walk through the narrow lanes and see what kind of cool shops, cafés and cats you find – for discovering the well-hidden spots, we recommend a walking tour with a local. Oh, and you have to try Zanzibar pizza (roti stuffed with savoury or sweet fillings) at the Forodhani Market, which is open every evening from sunset.
One more thing…
Access to the hotel’s ocean-view infinity pool is a big perk of staying at the Park Hyatt. The 18-metre pool is open 7 am-7 pm for brisk laps or aimless wallowing. You could easily spend the majority of the day here – cooling off in the water, reading your book on a lounger, and ordering lunch and cocktails from the Pool Lounge.
