Fantastic service, food and facilities, if you are looking for an idyllic 'getaway' retreat, and only wish to relax, stay in one place and not go anywhere else, this would be a great choice. There are daytime excursions that can be booked through the hotel reception, however there is literally nothing to here at night.
For those like me who get bored easily it should be noted that the Zanzibari is set in a location that is very private, and there is not really anything else to do, especially at night. As a result, the prices for drinks and food are at a premium. The menu is very good but it doesn't change (apart from catch of the day).
Nungwi town is about a half hour walk away, where you can find a lot more choice, multiple bars and restaurants, lots of activities, far more competitive prices, and a lovely beach which does not disappear when the tide turns. BUT, it is difficult to reach by road from the Zanzibari due to how poor the road is, and due to the very tidal nature of the sea, it can only be reached on foot from the Zanzibari via the beach at low tide. This should also be borne in mind when choosing your destination.
Whilst the Zanzibari is 'on the beach' it is only possible to swim in the sea when the tide is in, and at this point the beach disappears. At low tide the sea drains so much that it can't be reached. If you have in mind lounging on a beach all day and being able to just go for a dip in the sea, this is not possible here. There is either no beach and sea right up to the hotel boundary, or miles of beach, but with the sea so far away you can't reach it. While I couldn't fault the quality of the Zanzibari, had I known that there were these issues due to its' location, I would have stayed somewhere closer to the town. If you are budget conscious and want choice and variety, plus a lovely beach which is always accessible, you may prefer to base yourself closer to Nungwi town.

The hotel is 4.5 stars for luxury. It doesn't have the opulence (or cost) of Essque next door. But it has the feeling of family intimacy and warmth and caring that, to me, is worth far more than opulence. For example, my arrival flight to Zanzibar was delayed for hours. The hotel driver stayed at the airport for hours waiting for me, with frequent communication between me and the reception manager, Khatib. Khatib stayed until 10:30 at night until I arrived, and then suggested I check in the next morning so I could sleep first (but offered me food in case I was hungry). My walking tour of the village was done by the hotel manager, who introduced me to the weavers, fishermen, and boat repair people he's known for 20 years, giving me chance to try my skills at these tasks. This was a personal, not a commercial experience. I booked only the breakfast (half board), which was excellent with many choices. I then also ate all my dinners at the outdoor, covered, hotel restaurant because the food was so good, reasonably priced, and convenient. When I checked out after a 3 day stay I accidentally left a credit card that was found by housekeeping. Khatib called me that afternoon and took a taxi 1 1/2 hours (each way) to Stonetown to personally deliver my card to me at my next hotel. The staff at the hotel included me as part of their family. My observations of interactions with other guests is that this was not unique to me, but is part of the culture and they are delighted to be warm and supportive. For those, like me, who want a gym to exercise, the Zanzabari doesn't have a gym, but I was able to pay $20 US to use the facilities next door at the Essque. The Zanzabari was a wonderful place to relax and enjoy the hospitality and beauty of the island.