Essque Zalu

• Enjoy superb ocean views
• Spacious suites with terraces or balconies
• Island excursions and watersports
• Dine al fresco on the jetty
• Lovely swimming pool and ocean access

Open: Essque Zalu is open all year.

Location: The hotel is on the north coast of Zanzibar, near the village of Nungwi. It is about an hour and a half’s drive from the airport and Stone Town.

Rooms: There are 40 guest suites, each with a bedroom, sitting room, bathroom and terrace or balcony. Each suite occupies 85sqm and can sleep up to 3 adults, or 2 adults and 2 children. All have air conditioning, TV, mosquito nets, tea and coffee maker, minibar, safe, hairdryer, and en-suite bathroom stocked with toiletries. There are 4 categories of accommodation, mainly distinguished by location and view: garden-suites, superior garden-suites, ocean suites and seafront suites. There are also 8 villas with either 3 or 4 bedrooms each, a dining room, kitchen, lounge, terrace or balcony and plunge pool.

Activities: You can go snorkelling, kayaking, stand up paddleboarding and go deep-sea fishing. PADI courses are available. You can walk along the beach to Nungwi village at low tide. Staff can arrange various island excursions such as the Safari Blue sailing and snorkelling trip, picnic lunches on sandbanks, dolphin watching trips, dhow cruises including sunset cruises, a spice tour, guided visit to Stone Town, and a tour of Jozani Forest. Activities offered include golf although the golf course is situated an hours drive away, yoga sessions and cooking classes.

Facilities: The hotel has 2 restaurants (see below) and 3 bars. There is an outdoor swimming pool, a spa and a fitness centre. You can swim in the ocean from the jetty. The water sports centre coordinates all the water-based activities and there is a gift shop at the entrance to the hotel.

Dining: Market Kitchen offers breakfast and a range of cuisine for dinner, while The Jetty specialises in seafood eaten in the open air. The chef’s table experience takes place once a week and sits 8 people, a chance to meet the hotel’s chef and enjoy an 8-course tasting menu. Room service is available round the clock, and private dining can be arranged.

Children: Children of all ages are welcome and there is an excellent kids club.

Health: This is a malarial area.

Communication: There is free Wi-Fi internet access in all areas of the hotel.