Positioned on the Indian Ocean just off mainland Tanzania, Zanzibar is an island that’s not only famous for its abundance of aromatic spices (hence its nickname “Spice Island”), but also for its spectrum of stupendous hotels and resorts.

We stumbled upon some of the most spectacular villas on the island and they’ve been on our #RadarList of places to stay in Tanzania ever since. Let’s take a look.

Baraza Resort & Spa Zanzibar

Get ready to live – and be pampered – like kings and queens at Baraza Resort & Spa Zanzibar. Designed with Swahili architecture in mind, the resort’s 14 One-Bedroom villas and 15 Two-Bedroom villas offer a historic charm that transports you back to the good old time in Africa, with modern facilities to keep you in good comfort. If in the mood to splurge, be sure to book the Royal Beach Two Bedroom Villa that is set on the beachfront. It comes with a luxurious plunge pool and a 254-sqm space.  

Qambani Luxury Resort

Qambani Luxury Resort will surely charm the nature-loving bon vivants out there. The seaside resort offers 6 types of accommodations, each with a unique name: Sultan, Africa, Plantation, Coastal, Castaway and Sundowner. Without any hesitation, the Sundowner Villa definitely catches our attention with its palace-like design and its location right by the coral cliff.  

Xanadu Villas & Retreat

Boasting only 9 villas in total, Xanadu Villas & Retreat in Tanzania makes sure guests get the most luxurious exclusivity and privacy during their stays at the resort. Here, all the villas come with a zen-inducing aesthetic and a private plunge pool. What’s there not to love? With each villa surrounded by lush greenery and is merely a stone’s throw away from the beach, guests will get to experience the best of both land and sea.