Baraza Resort & Spa

Zanzibar

Just 40 kilometers from the coast of Africa, in the Indian Ocean, we find the coral islands of the Zanzibar archipelago which belong to Tanzania. At the crossroads of maritime routes, Unguja and its sister island Pemba, have for centuries attracted navigators, merchants and explorers from all over the world. Trading in spices, gold, ivory and later in slaves, made the archipelago very powerful during the Middle Ages. Persians from the kingdom of Shiraz, Bantus from Africa, Arabs from Oman followed by the Portuguese, the Dutch and finally the British all succeeded each other leaving a little bit of themselves behind. These diverse influences have enriched the archipelago greatly. We find them in the language, the architecture and the culture. On the small streets of the old quarters of Zanzibar City, like Stone Town, a UNESCO world heritage, we find a wide variety of local markets, numerous mosques and magnificent Arab homes with their famous carved wooden doors with bronze decorations. Built with coral stone, most of them date back to the 19^th century and are a blend of Swahili, Omani, British and Indian styles. In the north of the city, numerous remains of sultans’ palaces bear witness to the grandeur of Zanzibar during its golden years.

Other, more natural attractions throughout the archipelago are its sand beaches, and to the delight of diving enthusiasts, transparent lagoons and coral reefs, the archipelago’s famous spice growing plantations and its rare and endemic fauna including the red colobus monkey and giant turtles.

A property worth of a sultan

Along the immaculate Bweju Beach, we find the forgotten property of a sultan. The traditional architecture and the honey color of the Baraza Resort and Spa invoke the island’s rich past, when the spice trade flourished.

Just an hour from the Stone Town road, the 30 villas spread throughout a lush garden, create a universe worthy of A Thousand and One Nights. The variety of Arab, Persian and Indian influences are omnipresent. Here, one finds nothing but sculpted arches, ivory arabesques, opulent fabrics, net curtains, marble and copper. Tooled brass lamps exist side by side with sculpted wood, gold colored fabrics and tones of beige and caramel.

On each terrace, an outdoor bed invites guests to relax alongside a private pool. And if you prefer swimming a few lengths, simply head for the immense swimming pool surrounded by white arcades and palm trees. After a day of kite or wind surfing, the ideal destination is the Frangipani Spa. Hidden behind the flamboyant bougainvilleas and in a Swahili décor, it offers treatments from India, Thailand and Bali.

As for meals, each moment of the day has its own special site. Breakfast is served on the Livingston Terrace. A light lunch can be enjoyed at the Ocean Lounge Bar near the swimming pool, and for dinner, the Sultan restaurant proposes traditional Swahili cuisine combined with Arab and Indian influences and of course, a great many local spices.

A baraza is a semi-circular stone bench placed in front of houses for group meetings. People sit there to discuss a variety of subjects. They can be found everywhere in Stone Town, and in all Zanzibar villages.