Breezes Beach Club

Breezes Beach Club is expansive, with over 70 rooms spread out amongst beautiful tropical gardens. The rooms are grouped into a number of bungalows around the property. While sea views are not guaranteed, all of the rooms are large, light and airy, with romantic Zanzibari décor.

The 10 standard rooms and 40 deluxe rooms are similar in size and interior design, differing only in proximity to the sea. Air-conditioned, with en-suite bathrooms, they all have a double bed with mosquito net and a sofa which can be turned into an extra bed. Décor is light, with Zanzibari touches and no TV, ensuring a peaceful stay. All rooms have a veranda.

The 20 suites are situated on the second floor and have large balconies, including a shaded outside lounge area. The bedroom area is the same as the standard and deluxe rooms but the suites include a larger bathroom and walk-in dressing room. Honeymooners and other romantically inclined couples can request for the bed to be made out on the balcony under the stars.

Finally, a separate, two-storey villa offers four deluxe rooms sleeping up to six people. The villa has a living room with TV and a DVD player.

Main hotel area

The main area is large and centres around a huge, sparkling swimming pool, surrounded by sunbeds and shady thatched lapas while the warm, turquoise Indian Ocean plays with the pristine white sand of the beach.

Dining

The Salama Restaurant which is the main dining area is a large, thatched room with a buffet table where breakfast and dinner are served. Lunch is served at The Breakers Grill under the palm trees. Fresher-than-fresh seafood and barbecues are the main delights here.

For a romantic dinner for two, The Tides is a private table set up on the beach, overlooking the Indian Ocean.

A fourth restaurant, The Sultan's Table, offers an incredible, aromatic Swahili-Indian fusion menu with the most fabulous seafood.

Refreshments

There are three bars at Breezes, ensuring that you never need to go thirsty. The Dhow Bar at the pool serves up icy drinks and offers some shade from the African sun. In the evenings, the candlelit Safari Bar harkens back to yesteryear, and the Baraza Bar offers fine whiskies, liqueurs and cigars.

If you're looking for somewhere to enjoy Tanzanian coffee or tea, look no further than The Chai Room, which also serves cakes each day.

Frangipani Spa

With an international team of therapists, this is one of the best spas in Zanzibar. It offers treatments ranging from facials, manicures and pedicures to a number of different massages and meditation. The spa boasts numerous treatment and relaxation rooms, including a yoga room. In the Sultan's Bath House, the heady aromas of essential oils fill the air.

Watersports and beach activities

Breezes Beach Club offers pretty much every watersport possible. From kitesurfing to windsurfing, kayaking to pedal boating and sailing, you can do it here.

Explore the beautiful coral reefs by renting reef shoes and walking out, or spend an afternoon snorkelling. For those wanting to scuba dive, the Rising Sun Dive Centre, the only PADI 5* Gold Palm and National Geographic Dive Centre in Zanzibar, offers diving from beginner to professional level.

On the beach, games are available. Regular frisbee, volleyball, football, tennis and sandcastle building activities are organised.

Things to do nearby

• Hire a bike and explore the island, visiting nearby villages like Bwejuu
• Read up on Zanzibari history, culture and traditions in the well-stocked library
• Learn Swahili, how to cook traditional Swahili food or do palm weaving
• Play a game of tennis, day or night (the courts are floodlit)
• Go on a day trip to explore the winding, bustling streets of Stone Town
• Visit the aromatic spice farms

Getting there

By air - A number of international airlines offer flights to Dar es Salaam, some directly to Zanzibar. Domestic flights are available from Tanzania's main cities to Zanzibar. From Dar es Salaam, it's a 20- to 30-minute flight to Zanzibar. A 50-minute drive on good roads takes you from the airport to Breezes Beach Club and Spa.

By sea - Several ferries run between the mainland and Zanzibar.

Our take on Breezes Beach Club and Spa

While the resort is large, it is family-run and retains a personal touch. Its wonderful position and multitude of activities, combined with pure island relaxation, make this a perfect holiday destination and an incredible place to wind down after a safari.