(10 rooms) PO Box 2728, Zanzibar. Ø 0777 418548.

Under joint French–Zanzibari ownership, Les Toits de Palme has 6 separate rooms in 3 bungalows raised above the beach on coral rock. All have dbl/twin beds and ensuite, cold water facilities. In addition, there are also 4 beach bandas, each of which has woven palm sides, a makuti roof and twin coir-rope beds. These are about as simple as you can get.

That said, the sand is clean and soft underfoot, the bedding is fresh and the shared bathroom immediately behind has a European-style flush toilet and cold-water shower. There's generator electricity available from 18.00 to 24.00, when the atmospheric light of storm lanterns takes over. US$15/20 sgl low/high season and US$20/35 dbl low/high season, b&b.