Hotels I Can’t Stop Thinking About: Baraza Resort and Spa
What makes a hotel experience unforgettable and what makes it disappointing? It is not just about five stars or a jaw-dropping lobby. It is something deeper: soul, service, thoughtfulness, the kind of magic you cannot always find in a search.
The best hotel experience I have had, and the one that still shapes how I plan and curate travel today, was at Baraza Resort and Spa in Zanzibar.
Zanzibar feels like a secret whispered across the Indian Ocean, a place layered with African, Arab, and Indian influences. And Baraza is a hidden gem glittering along the coast, a boutique escape that feels both timeless and transportive.
Everything about Baraza is stunning, but not in a way that screams for attention. Think white-sand beaches, soft breezes, and a property that blends naturally into its surroundings. It is luxurious, yes, but quietly so. The kind of place where every detail feels effortless, soulful, beautiful, and truly welcoming.
And yes, it is an all-inclusive. Normally, I am allergic to that concept. But if you know where to look and spend wisely, there is a world of bespoke luxury all-inclusives that completely redefine what "all-inclusive" means. Baraza is one of them.
The food was incredible. Every night brought a new themed dinner that made getting ready feel exciting again. Breakfasts stretched lazily into the morning, and lunches had a way of making you cancel whatever plans you thought you had. Everything was fresh, thoughtful, and actually delicious, which is not something you can say about most resorts.
The service was even better. Genuine, warm, and somehow intuitive, like they knew what you needed before you realized it yourself. One of my favorite memories is sitting by the pool, a drink in hand, watching the sunlight scatter across the water like a million tiny diamonds, and thinking, this is what it feels like to be exactly where you are supposed to be.
Baraza did not just meet expectations. It quietly rewrote them.
It showed me that a truly great hotel is not about flash. It is about soul. It is about paying attention in all the ways that matter and knowing when to step in and when to let you simply exist in the moment. It is about giving travelers a space that feels like it was designed just for them, whether you are there to celebrate, to dream, or just to breathe for a little while.
That is the kind of travel experience I believe in. Bespoke, soulful, quietly spectacular escapes, the kind you do not just visit but carry with you.
I have seen a lot of the world already, and there is so much more to explore. But no matter where I go, Baraza is still the gold standard I find myself comparing everything else to.
And that, I think, is the highest compliment a hotel can ever earn.
All the best,
Daniel
