더 원 리조트 잔지바르

We were very disappointed with our stay. When you book a holiday to relax, the last thing you want is to arrive at a hotel where construction work is going on all day. This was definitely not what we expected from a “luxury” hotel — and there was absolutely no information provided about it beforehand. We also noticed mold on the toothpicks, which was very unpleasant. The food, especially the meat, was really poor in quality. The fish and meat were always very dry. The breakfast was always the same and didn’t offer many options. The all-inclusive selection is quite limited and not very varied, especially if you stay for more than a week. Many things are not included, and it becomes annoying to eat and drink the same options repeatedly — particularly when the taste changes every time, since the dishes are prepared differently each day. The pool water was also very dirty, and the Wi-Fi connection was constantly lagging. On a positive note, the staff were very kind and respectful throughout our stay.

We stayed at The One Resort in Makunduchi, in the quiet south-east of Zanzibar, and absolutely loved the peaceful vibe. It’s a bit remote (which we liked), so if you’re looking for a break from the crowds and want to truly unwind, this is a great pick. The setting is beautiful, lovely pool area with a swim-up bar, stylish and spacious rooms, and great food. Both the buffet and à la carte menus were excellent (I’d seen other reviews mention the food being top-notch, and they were right). The staff were friendly and attentive throughout, and the evening entertainment was varied and surprisingly good without being over-the-top. The only downside for me was the mattress, extremely firm, almost like sleeping on a board. Might be fine if you like that, but as a side sleeper I didn’t sleep great. Otherwise, the room was lovely and clean. The hotel can arrange tours, but we chose to explore on our own with a great local taxi driver. We swam with turtles, visited Paje, and went to The Rock restaurant, all easily doable with a bit of planning. If you’re after a chilled out place with good food, great service, and no big crowds, this place is a solid choice. Just be prepared for the remote location, and maybe ask about a mattress topper if you’re picky about beds!