This is a sublimely peaceful beachside resort which combines delicious food, stylish rooms, ecological principles, great diving, 2 pools and superlative service. Which is why it has become, over 20 years of organic growth, the most popular beach lodge on Zanzibar, and a haven for honeymooners (our Editor came here for hers).
Backing onto bougainvillea-filled gardens and facing the endless Indian Ocean, the spacious thatched cottages are secluded and very comfortable, without trying too hard. Electricity comes from the sun, air conditioning from the sea breeze. A sandy stroll away is a palm-fringed beach, busy with fishermen on their outriggers. Out to sea lies Mnemba atoll, which offers the best diving and snorkelling around. And the weather is sunny even by local standards. So what hasn’t it got? Television. Telephones. Crowds. Noise (other than the muted roar of the fringing reef). Stress (other than timing your swim to coincide with high tide). And space for anyone who leaves it too late.
Highs
- Swinging in the double hammock on your very private terrace, to the sound of the ocean
- Excellent food in the beachside restaurant - imaginative salads and fresh-from-the-ocean lobster and tuna
- The service is delightful; nothing is too much trouble and staff soon know you by name
- Some of the best diving and snorkelling in the world at Mnemba reef, which is just offshore
- There are 4 romantic, very spacious Retreat Suites, set at the far end of the property with their own beach
Lows
- Prices have risen to five-star levels over recent years; but guests continue to tell us it's worth every cent, and more
- Sea-swimming is tricky at low tide (a long walk out, over rocky ground); but there are 2 lovely pools
- The surf can be noisy at night; bring ear plugs if you're a light sleeper
- Crabs and other small beasties occasionally enter the rooms
- When we visited, there was seaweed on the beach and the sea was choppy, but this is seasonal (most likely in June, October and November)
Best time to go
All year except April and May, when it's closed for the long rains. Late October, November and early December can bring short showers, but it's much drier here than elsewhere on Unguja. Diving visibility is best from late October to March, and worst in the July and August winds.
Our top tips
If you want to go snorkelling or diving, don't leave it until the last day in case the weather's not good enough then. Even if it looks gorgeous at the hotel, it can often be too rocky for snorkelling out at the Atoll.
- Beach Resort
- 16 rooms
- Half Board
- All ages welcome (except in Retreat Suites)
- Open all year
- Outdoor Pool
- Spa Treatments
- On the beach
- Pet Friendly
- Disabled Access
- Car not necessary
- Parking
- Restaurants Nearby
- WiFi
- Air Conditioning
- Guest Lounge
- Terrace
- Garden
- Gym
- Diving
- Kayaks
Rooms
The Main Lodge consists of 12 spacious suites stretching up the rocky coast, well screened from their neighbours by palms and pine trees. Each cottage has a private path to it, a thatched roof and a private terrace with a double hammock and view to the Indian Ocean. This a perfect place to swing yourself awake as the sun rises over Mnemba Atoll, or swing yourself to sleep as the sky turns lilac.
Inside, the style is organic and gorgeous: white walls, dark wooden doors, beamed or thatched ceilings and natural furniture like bamboo-and-hemp clothes racks, wicker baskets and half-coconut bowls. Comfy net-draped beds (though mozzies are fairly rare) are strewn with flowers on arrival; ceilings have fans; glassless windows have ingenious louvres so you can switch the sea views and the ocean roar on or off.
These are proper suites with an indoor sitting area and (in some cases) a loft space with an extra single sofa bed. All rooms have solar-powered lighting and some have solar-heated showers. Our bathroom was huge, with a sunken tub, double sinks and a walk-in shower.
A short walk north of the main lodge is an even more indulgent Retreat with 4 secluded, free-standing suites set on their own little beach. Each has a vast veranda with a cocktail bar and dining area, a double bedroom with air conditioning and separate shower/tub bathrooms, and an upper sun terrace with a private plunge pool. A butler is at your beck and call. With stone walls, palm-thatch roofs, coconut-wood furniture, solar water and floor matting made by Stone Town's Association of the Blind, it's clear that Matemwe's owners are staying true to their eco principles. This has beach honeymoon writ large all over it - but actually we felt the main lodge suites are just as lovely, and much better value (Liz stayed at the main lodge on her honeymoon and loved it).
A newer addition is the stunning Beach House, a 3-bedroom villa with a private pool and direct access to the beach. The villa is spread over 2 floors, with a ground floor bedroom that avoids any steep stairs (making it perfect for younger children) and a mezzanine reached via a ladder-like staircase. The 3 airy rooms make use of natural light and the stone walls ensure that the interior remains blissfully cool. The Beach House (which, confusingly, is also referred to as a retreat) comes complete with butler who will also help with booking activities, a private chef who visits the villa on a daily basis to discuss meal plans for the day (all meals are freshly prepared), and bar service which you can enjoy from the seclusion of your private terrace.
Features include:
- WiFi
Eating
Leave your window louvres open and let the wonderful sunrise start your day bright and early. Wander along to breakfast from 8am and help yourself to fresh fruit, bought from the local market and piled high on a wooden tray: melon, watermelon, passion, mango, papaya, pineapple and others we didn’t even recognise! Yoghurt, cereals, mini-croissants and eggs set you up for a busy day, and the spiced tea clears any remaining drowsiness. If this all sounds far too healthy, there’s excellent filter coffee and other teas.
Step off the beach at lunchtime and an equally rich buffet greets you: seafood, salads and excellent puddings, which put to bed any thoughts of snorkelling to the back of your mind.
Dinner is one of the highlights of the day, with a daily-changing choice of 3 courses based on local seafood with a more European slant than at other lodges. You might find lobster stew, grilled chicken or crême caramel, or a more African BBQ of meats and fish, but either way it's always fresh and delicious, and can make a refreshing change from the ubiquitous fish curry and fruit salad.
Meals are served in the thatched restaurant area whose open sides let in a cooling breeze from the sea. There's a lovely bar by the pool for (fabulous) pre-dinner cocktails, styled to resemble a boat, with the skeleton of a sperm whale stretched out for guests to gawp over. Guests staying in the Retreat Suites can have their meals brought to their dining terrace and served under the African stars, while those in the Beach House have use of a private chef and meals are arranged daily. The chef will make suggestions depending on special deliveries and the catch of the day.
Activities
Activities on site or nearby include:
- Cooking classes
- Cycling
- Fishing
- Golf
- Kayaking
- Sailing
- Scuba diving
- Snorkelling
- Wildlife
Kids
Children are very welcome here, but there are some restrictions: over 5s only in the Lodge Suites (unless the lodge is booked exclusively), and over 18s in the Retreat Suites. The 3-bedroom Beach House has no restrictions - all ages are welcome, and it's a great family option. It also comes with a private chef who will discuss meal plans on a daily basis (under 5s can't dine in the main restaurant).
Overall, this is a great place for adventurous kids, with a sandy beach, kayaks and boat trips. Note that there are no organised kids' activities, the sun is fierce and the coast is rocky in places, with some sea urchins.
Best for:
Children (4-12 years), Teens (over 12)
Family friendly accommodation:
The 3-bedroom Beach House is the best option for a (large) family, or if coming with pre-schoolers: all ages are welcome here. It has two downstairs bedrooms (better for young children) and a mezzanine twin (better for older kids); and it comes with a private chef, a safety net for its private pool, and a portable bathtub for babies.
The Lodge Suites with Mezzanine are suitable for families with up to two children aged 5 or over, but note that these have 2 king beds (no twins).
Cots Available, Extra Beds Available
Baby equipment:
Baby cots available on request (in the Beach House only)
Remember baby and child equipment may be limited or need pre-booking
Families Should Know:
The Beach House is close to the sea so children must be supervised; at low tide a reef is revealed which can be sharp to walk on. The staircase to its mezzanine room has no railings.
Distances:
- Airport: 75 minutes (Stone Town)
- Hospital: 75 minutes (Stone Town)
- Shops: 75 minutes (Stone Town)
For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection
Location
Matemwe is in the north-east corner of Zanzibar’s main island, Unguja.
By Air:
Zanzibar International is outside Stone Town (55km away). You can fly from London Heathrow via Nairobi. The flight time is approximately 10-15 hours - click on the links below for more information.
From the Airport:
The hotel can arrange a transfer - see Rates.
By Car:
Hire cars aren't very popular because of the bumpy roads, bad signposting and short distances involved, but work out well if you are a group of four or want complete independence. If you’re interested, see our car rental recommendations.
Detailed directions will be sent when you book through i-escape.
Airports:
- Zanzibar 55.0 km ZNZ
Other:
- Beach 0.1 km
- Shops 12.0 km
- Restaurant 2.0 km