Qambani Zanzibar

A fusion of ancient Swahili crafts - perfected in the palaces of the sultans along the East African shores - and modern coastal design, it gives shady sanctuary, while turning the inside out, so every space takes great gulps of the sea and the balmy tropical air.

The six thatched bedroom villas are scattered east to west along the coral ras, with lovely sea views and generous living areas. Furnished to an extremely high spec, they are a joy to behold and delight to stay in. Each of the villas is different - in different styles with different treats: extra rooms and bathrooms for children, breeze-cooled loft rooms, outside showers or baths; one even has its own parapet terrace right on the sea's edge. 

It's hard to say what's the best thing about the grounds that surround Qambani: the splendid pools for endless afternoons in the water, the exotic gardens with palms and sunbirds – planted by one of East Africa's best gardeners - or the Indian Oceans' craggy coral edge with seaviews splashed all the way along the front.

 A little stroll down through the grounds takes you to five wooden steps and the shore. From June to November, a miles-long white sand beach curls around the headland. From December to May, a smaller beach is no more than ten minutes walk away on the coral at low tide.