The Spice Island Resort, near Jambiani Village is quite Remote. 1 hours drive from Stonetown and a further, from the airport. This means transfers for tours such as the spice farm, and stonetown tour are expensive. I would highly recommend doing the rainforest tour/walk, which is relatively close by (20mins drive) where you can see the local wildlife.
The reception staff were friendly and professional. Room and restaurant staff however spoke little English which made communication of our needs difficult. Resulted in long waits for drinks and incorrect orders.
The mosquito net in on my bed was ripped, but this was repaired upon request. I would have appreciated insect spray available in the rooms for guest use. This was standard in most of the hotels we stayed in, on our holiday in Tanzania.
Food was passable, meat at the restaurant was tough. I contracted food poisoning from the BBQ dinner served by the pool. I believe it was the cold octopus salad. Other guests were ill too. The hotel showed their concern and did provide me with a ginger tea to settle my stomach which was appreciated.
The ocean tide goes a long way out, at low tide, making swimming not really an option. The brief paddle we did have at high tide, resulted in being stung by jelly fish. The private pier and bar at the end are delightful. When we stayed, early January, it was blowing an absolute gale. Possibly the fabled 'trade winds'?
The pool is lovely and kept spotlessly clean. Not many sun lounges, and people leave towels on them to reserve them for full day use, even though they have gone for a walk. I don't think this should be allowed.
Through no fault of the resort, there are frequent power cuts. The electricity usually comes back on within the hour, but on one occasion whilst I was ill with food poisoning, it was off for most of the afternoon, which made being bed ridden in the villa very uncomfortable (with no AC).
On the whole a pleasant stay, but I would stay somewhere else if I were to return to Zanzibar.