The Palms is a luxury resort situated along an unspoiled white beach on the East Coast of Zanzibar. It is the island’s only boutique hotel and offers the facilities of a five star private resort. The hotel is family owned and the hosts have thought of everything to make their guests’ stay exceptional.
The blend of African, Portuguese, Arab and European culture has created a great fusion that is visible in everything from the architecture to the décor to the cuisine.
There are six massive villas available; each with all the creature comforts one could ask for (even a DVD lending facility, free of charge! The rooms are fully air-conditioned and offer a stylish retreat from the hustle and bustle of daily life. In fact, they are so well equipped, one could really spend an entire holiday indoors.
That is what we thought before we stepped outside. Each room has a private beach Banda with a thatched roof, mattress and sun beds – ideal for a quiet afternoon on the beach with the wind in your hair. We could live like this! The resort has its own spa, The Palms Sanctuary (the first on Zanzibar) which offers a variety of treatments to counter the negative effects of modern living.
A professional therapist is available to bring relief to tired hands, feet and bodies. All massages, treatments and facials are performed with high quality skin care products and make use of therapies that range from western to exotic oriental. All pampering is carried out in a quiet and private setting.
As if that’s not enough, should the treatment you require not be available at The Palms Sanctuary, their nearby sister facility, the Frangipani Spa will be more than happy to accommodate you.
While the resort doesn’t offer its own diving, sports and water sports facilities, activities such as tennis, windsurfing, snorkelling, scuba diving, and even shopping for antiques, souvenirs and African arts & crafts is offered at Breezes, their sister resort. These can easily be booked through hotel reception. This shouldn’t however put you off, as the resort offers a great variety of lazy lounging options. The blue mosaic swimming pool is a popular venue for relaxation, as its poolside loggia and driftwood bar is only a few steps away and serves cocktails all day long (the resort also offers fresh fruit throughout the day). There are various private spots in and around the resort that offer an escape from the typical commotion of civilization.
Dining is an experience in itself and takes place in an old-styled dining room, adjacent to the resort’s spice inspired evening bar. Jazz music and candlelight create a romantic ambience and adds to the dining experience.
The Palms is Zanzibar at its best and we highly recommend it to anyone in search of a healthy combination of relaxation, comfort and luxury.
The accommodation at The Palms consist of 6 huge luxury villas (140 m² plus!). Each villa is fully air-conditioned and has a master bedroom, full en-suite bathroom, walk-in changing room, extra room with en-suite bathroom and large furnished terrace with a view of the ocean. Local architecture, combined with elegant, yet relaxed décor makes for a warm and stylish island setting.
The rooms are immaculate and it’s easy to see that every detail has been taken care of. We were quite impressed by the antique Zanzibar bed and the beautiful outdoor Jacuzzi. Each room also has a tea and coffee station, a mini bar, satellite TV, a cd player and a phone– making it hard to leave your room once you’ve settled in!
As an added luxury, each villa has its own thatched beach Banda with a large double mattress for shady retreats and two loungers for the sun worshippers.
If it’s understated elegance and comfort you’re after – The Palms won’t disappoint.
| Dining |
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The cuisine on offer at The Palms is a fusion of freshly caught fish, freshly picked produce and the fragrant spices and flavours of the various Zanzibar island cultures – making for great tasting meals and a welcome alternative to the many European-only dishes on offer at other resorts.
The Dining room forms part of the main house and serves a four course dinner each evening. The décor changes daily and alternates between crisp white linens and rust coloured silks. This ‘change of scenery’ is rather pleasing and adds to the overall dining experience.
There are two bars on the property. The Pool Bar and Lunch Terrace serves a variety of cocktails throughout the day as well as hearty lunches, while the evening bar offers a relaxed atmosphere for pre and after dinner drinks, accompanied by jazz music and candlelight. House wine, beer and their selection of in-house spirits are included in the package. Also included are all meals, water, soft drinks, coffee and tea. Breakfast is served on the main terrace overlooking the ocean and consists of sparkling wine, a variety of juices, pastries, fruits, tea & coffee, yoghurt and cereals. A cooked breakfast can also be ordered. Fresh fruit is served throughout the day – which is especially good after a morning at the beach.Afternoon Tea is served daily between 4 and 5pm and includes coffee, tea and cakes (also included).
On our first evening there, we were surprised with sundowners served out on our private terrace. This turned out to be a welcome daily ritual.
The culinary staff at the Palms are happy to fulfill any special dietary needs but we ask that you inform us at your time of booking to ensure ample preparation time.
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| Fast Facts |
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Location: The Palms is situated on the east coast of Zanzibar, amidst a pristine white beach and tropical gardens.
General facilities:
• Dining room
• Evening bar
• Pool bar and lunch area
• Private beachfront Banda
• Swimming pool
• Boutique with massage facilities
• Internet facilities
• Fax services at reception
• The Sanctuary Spa: offering a variety of treatments and therapies of western and exotic oriental descent.
• DVD lending (All the rooms are equipped with satellite TV and a DVD player and there is a selection of DVD movies at the reception which can be rented free of charge).
• Cashier’s Office (for exchanging money and travellers’ cheques), please note that it isn’t possible to draw cash from credit cards at the hotel
Room facilities:
• Mini bar
• Standing bar with tea/coffee making facilities
• Mosquito nets
• Safe deposit box
• Satellite TV, CD and DVD player
• Telephone
Activities:
Nearby facilities include:
• Fitness and aerobics centre
• Floodlit tennis court
• Marine activities centre (windsurfing and snorkelling)
• Scuba diving centre (available at a charge payable directly)
• Shopping bazaar
Services:
• In house laundry service
• Room service upon request
Closed: The Palms will be closed during the low season in 2006
Exclusive use of The Palms
The entire property at The Palms can be exclusively rented out for special occasions such as anniversaries, weddings or birthday parties. If you require that extra attention to detail and a stylish venue, the staff at The Palms are willing to go the extra mile to make your celebration extra special.
Weddings and Renewal of vows
The Palms is ideal for weddings and renewal of vows can even organise special island ceremonies. Their attention to detail makes for great celebrations and they even throw in a complimentary massage for bride and groom on the morning of the wedding.
The Palms Escape Wedding
(Minimum 3 Night Stay)
• Procurement of the marriage documents
• Wedding ceremony on the beach with a Minister or Regional Commissioner for Civil Wedding Service (or at the Regional Commissioners Office in Stone Town
• Reception on the beach with canapés & sparkling wine
• Gala wedding dinner in a romantic private setting
• Wedding cake (home made)
Included in the package:
• Assistance of Wedding Coordinator
• Transport to Regional Commissioner’s Office if necessary
• Bouquet of tropical flowers, fruit platter and sparkling wine upon arrival
• Bottle of champagne and canapés served by your private Jacuzzi with candles and flowers on the evening before your wedding day
• Bridal bouquet and flowers for ceremony (please note tropical flowers only)
• Photographer (local photographer with 36 prints)
• Witness (if required)
• Special gift for bride & groom
• Complimentary relaxing massage for bride & groom on the morning of the wedding day
• Breakfast in bed on day after wedding day
• Beach barbeque lunch under a specially decorated canopy for two on the day after the wedding
• Complimentary Dolphin & Jozani Forest Excursion
Renewal of vows
(Minimum 3 night stay)
• Wedding Ceremony on the beach with or without a Minister
• Reception on the beach with canapés & sparkling wine
• Gala Wedding Dinner in romantic private setting
• Wedding Cake (home made)
Included in the package:
• Assistance of Wedding Coordinator
• Flowers and fruit plate in the room upon arrival
• Bridal bouquet and flower for ceremony
• Witness (if required)
• Special gift for bride & groom
• Complimentary massage for bride & groom on the wedding day
• Breakfast in bed on day after wedding day
• Photographer (local photographer with 36 prints)
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