Matemwe Attitude

Matemwe Lodge is a locally known institution and one of the first lodges in Zanzibar, found on the quieter north-eastern coast of the island. Perched on an outcrop overlooking a shallow coral-fringed lagoon, the lodge offers a peaceful location with famed relaxed barefoot luxury. It was one of the island's original barefoot-luxury hotels and still gets rave reviews today. The peaceful atmosphere is palpable, with daily routine revolving around seafood, massages, poolside cocktails, and mastering the art of hammock swinging.

Rooms

The lodge features 12 large, whitewashed bungalows (chalet suites) lined along the top of a small cliff overlooking the Indian Ocean and turquoise lagoon. The chalets are very much designed with nature in mind—there's no air-conditioning, instead the walls are thick and thatched roofs are high to keep guests cool. Curtains billow in the sea breeze, and guests can lose hours rocking in hammocks listening to ocean sounds from the verandah. Each suite has a private verandah with a hammock, en-suite bathroom with bathtub and walk-in shower, and private plunge pools in 2 chalets.

Facilities

The chalets are surrounded by lush tropical gardens offering quiet corners and various guest areas to relax and watch fishermen sail their dhows. The 12 chalets include 6 triples and 2 with private plunge pools. Each of the 12 chalets has a private ocean view veranda situated on the edge of a picturesque lagoon where water reaches right to the lodge at high tide. Follow winding stone pathways through the gardens back to the main lodge, passing two small lovely pools perfect for snoozing beside and taking a dip in.

Restaurant

Dining takes place at the open-air ocean-view restaurant offering a great variety of seafood in a mixture of gourmet-style cooking and Zanzibari cuisine. The menu focuses on what's best locally—freshly caught fish, spices, and endless just-ripe tropical fruit. Three-course meals are served for lunch and dinner, with barbecue nights and Swahili buffets on selected days of the week. There's also a bar serving excellent cocktails including G&Ts, and the dining room looks out over dhows floating back and forth on the water.

Activities

The lodge offers a multi-level swimming pool ideal for relaxing and taking a dip, plus a spa for massages. Activities include world-class diving and snorkelling at Mnemba Atoll just off the coast (one of Zanzibar's most iconic dive sites with high chances of spotting dolphins, turtles, whales, and even whale sharks). The lodge runs a fully equipped PADI-recognised dive shop on site. Other activities include kayaking, traditional outrigger canoe trips, guided village tours, sailing with local fishermen, and beach walks. The beach is a small pretty cove, occasionally used for candlelit dinners.

Matemwe is a small traditional fishermen's village 75 minutes from the airport on the northeastern coast of Zanzibar. The lodge is 1 hour from Zanzibar airport and Stone Town (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) is just one hour away. Matemwe is one of the most scenic places on the east coast where phones and television sets seem to belong to another planet—a place where nature is still unspoilt and the clock is the position of the moon itself. The size of the hotel ensures an exclusive experience with friendly and personal attention.