Conde Nast Traveller Hot List 2012

Baraza Resort and Spa Zanzibar was featured in the Hot List for the 60 best new hotels in the world. The hotels were chosen from hundreds of suggestions from Conde Nast Traveller, a Prestigious worldwide Travel Magazine, correspondents from all over the world. Here is the article from the May 2012 issue of the magazine:

With its Middle Eastern arches, carved white -plaster walls, ornate golden mirrors and sparkling brass lamps. Baraza resembles a modern-day Ormani palace. The new 30-suite hotel. on Zanzibar’s south-west coast, is set in 70 hectares planted with multi-coloured bougainvillea, frangipani and jasmine. Overlooking a dazzling white, powder-fine beach.

There’s no shortage of space; each suite (at least 148 square meters) has a private plunge pool and veranda, living room with double daybed curtained with gold silk, four-poster swathed in mosquito net. and a spacious bathroom wit h a shower and pond-sized bath. Although it’s private and romantic enough for honeymoons, it’s family-fr friendly too with a big swimming pool, a kids’ club packed with games and toys, a water sports center and bicycles for exploring Bwejuu beach. Meals are served indoors and (preferably) out: the food at this all-inclusive resort is plentiful and varied if not particularly inspiring and often accompanied by performances from local Swahili musicians. The highlights are the sea – sparkling in almost unreal shades of brilliant blue and the spa. which could have been built for a princess. The regal Interior, with a secluded pool at its center glitters with mirrors, lamps, mosaics and silk-strewn daybeds and it is staffed by skilled therapists from Bali, Thailand and India, The owners are interior designers, and the boutique shop stocks their own tasteful home-ware range as well as alluring treats from Indian silk kaftans to clove-scented Zanzibari soap. ROOM TO BOOK – The two-bedroom Presidential Villa, on the beach, with a private pool and gardens.

You can download the magazine here.