Sunset Kendwa Beach Hotel

Sunset Kendwa Beach Hotel sits right on the sand at Kendwa, the stretch of Zanzibar's north-west coast known for swimmable water at all tides and some of the island's best sunsets. The hotel is laid out among coconut palms behind the beach, with low whitewashed buildings, arched Swahili-style walkways and rooms and bungalows that have been renovated with four-poster beds under mosquito nets, air conditioning, seating areas and private bathrooms, many opening onto balconies or verandahs facing the garden and the sea. A swimming pool sits on the beach itself, joined to the sand by a walkway, and the large thatched Sunset Restaurant faces the Indian Ocean, serving Swahili and international dishes. The Bikini Bar hosts evening entertainment, and there is a dive centre and a beachside spa. It is a relaxed, good-value choice for travellers who want a lively beach and easy access to Nungwi after a safari.