As its name suggests, this hotel’s all about the beach. The long, flat strip of sand that runs along the coast is what put Paje on the sun-seeker’s map, sought not only for its forget-the-world character and suitability for sunset walks, but because of the crystal clear water that laps the shore. This makes for excellent snorkelling – for the best experience, get the hotel to take you out the reef on a boat. The southeast coast’s diminutive waves have also led to the Zanzibar becoming one the world’s best kitesurfing destinations. The hotel has its own highly regarded kitesurfing school, open from 15 June to 15 September and 15 December to 15 March. Zanzibar’s Unesco-protected capital, Stone Town, is on the island’s west coast, around an hour’s drive from the hotel. The rich history of this Swahili trading town is written on its walls, with buildings cycling between Indian, Arabic, European and East African architectural styles. One of the city’s most famous features are its ornate doors, which grace nearly every building of note. Many are carved from thick slabs of teak or mahogany and decorated with artwork that reflected the occupation and social status of the owner that commissioned them. Another Zanzibari hallmark are the pungent spice markets, which have been a mainstay in Stone Town for as long as people can remember. The best way to get to grips with this rich heritage is on a spice tour – they can be a little touristy, but most involve a visit to a spice farm in a local village, making them one of the best ways to experience rural Zanzibari life. For more natural thrills, journey into Jozani national park, a sometimes swampy landscape that allows the trees and ferns to thrive, supporting a large population of indigenous red colobus monkeys.