Breezes Beach Club and Spa: a slice of pure Zanzibar

Breezes was one of the first luxury resorts to be built on Zanzibar. As a family-run business, we came to the island over 25 years ago with the aim of showcasing Zanzibar’s rich culture, heritage and beauty. We’re located on the tranquil south-east coast among palm trees, on a stretch of white sand that was voted one of the world’s Top 10 Island beaches by Condé Nast. Unlike many other parts of Zanzibar, you can walk for miles and only encounter fishermen coming home from work on their bicycles.

The property has a laid-back, intimate charm with just 70 rooms, so it’s perfect for both couples and families alike. With its soaring, hand-woven Swahili thatched roofs, Breezes blends seamlessly into the tropical island landscape, with bungalows dotted around hibiscus and bougainvillea gardens. Our interior décor features wooden furniture carved by Zanzibar artisans, antiques and brass lanterns, while the Indian Ocean serves as our incredible backdrop.

Spend your days lounging by the pool or on the beach, have a game of tennis or work-out in our gym. To get a taste of Zanzibar’s marine treasures, you can visit the Rising Sun Dive Center and take a snorkelling safari or sailing trip. If you really want to relax though, I’d recommend a trip to our Frangipani Spa to try the Sultan’s Bath treatment, which involves a massage followed by fragrant frangipani bath for two. We also host evening entertainment throughout the week, including local artists who perform Zanzibar’s famous Taarab music.

Lunch is served in the pool bar or at our Breakers Beach Restaurant, where you enjoy the fresh catch of the day with your feet in the sand, overlooking the ocean. In the evening, have a drink at the bar before dinner. Our chefs showcase the wonderful spices Zanzibar is known for and serve seafood sourced directly from local fishermen; some of our guests’ favourite dining experiences include BBQ nights and traditional Swahili feasts. Our romantic beachfront restaurant The Tides also offers private dining by the ocean, ideal for couples.

Many guests fall in love with Breezes – some have even been coming back here for over 15 years. We get lots of amazing comments about our staff; Zanzibaris are truly hospitable people and guests appreciate their friendly, welcoming nature. Many members of the team have been with us for over 20 years and we like to hire and train-up young people, providing job opportunities for the local community. It’s important for us to give back to the island, so over the years we’ve built a school, maternity clinic and are now raising funds for a neonatal clinic in the nearby village.