La Gemma Del Est North Coast Zanzibar
Nungwi Road, Zanzibar
Zanzibar, Tanzania
Star Rating: 5
This is by far the largest resort in Zanzibar, not only because they have the most rooms, but also the vast space over which it is situated. Gemma is located on the North West coast of Zanzibar, near to Kendwa Rocks, on a magnificent stretch of beach. The beauty of this side of the island is that it is not as affected as the East by the tidal fluctuations. You are able to swim during low and high tide. Even though they have a great beach, they went and built the most massive swimming pool on the island with a sunken bar on the northern end where you are able to enjoy cocktails. We do like the resort, but feel it is a little too big and perhaps not very authentic. Guests are transported by golf carts from the reception area to their rooms. All over the resort they have pathways for the gold carts who transfer guests between the top restaurant or reception and their rooms. From your room, it is a good 80 metres down to the beach. All in all it is almost half a kilometer from reception down to the beach (if not longer). This just gives you an idea of how huge it is. The hotel has been styled on a modern European style, ignoring the Zanzibar style, in which most other resorts have been built. Large white plastic tarpaulins greet you as you enter the main gate, something you might expect to see in Milan. The restaurant area is beautifully decorated using glass windows and water features, all very chic and modern. One of the most stunning features of the resort is the large entertainment area built on a pontile out in the ocean. The jetty just out some 100m into the ocean and provides a stunning place to enjoy cocktails during the day, sundowners at sunset or a late night drink. From the deck in the evening, you can watch the fish swimming in the floodlit ocean.
Accommodation
The resort boasts an impressive 138 rooms, including 17 Junior Suites, 23 Executive Villa guest rooms and a presidential villa which consists of 5 bedrooms. All rooms are fitted with French doors which open out on to a landscaped garden. The rooms also have a small balcony where guests can sit and enjoy the view of the ocean. The rooms all feature kingsize beds or twin beds for single persons. The rooms have all the modern conveniences which include satellite television, air conditioning, ceiling fans, mini bar, safe and telephone. The hotel has blended the room in a terracota and brown colour scheme. The bathroom includes a great shower, bidet, hair dryer, bath robes and hotel personalised toiletries.
Facilities and Services
Suprisingly, the hotel only has one restaurant and 3 bars. The restaurant is situated on the hilltop, so it takes a good effort to get there if you are in one of the rooms closest to the ocean. At least the walk down kills the calories after enjoying your meal. The cuisine is European, serving an English and Continental breakfast, and buffet for lunch and dinner. Snacks and pastries are served at the swimming pool bar throughout the day. There are plans of introducing an a la carte restaurant on the pontille. We will update the site once this has been introduced.