Mvuvi Boutique Resort

Rooms

Each of the 18 rooms is a good size and evenly spread across two buildings set on the beach. Those in the original Mvuvi building have a more traditional Swahili charm, with carved wooden four-poster beds and plenty of local arts and crafts like bold, patterned cushions and handcrafted homewares. Rooms in the newer Mnara building feel more contemporary and pared-back, with warm stone tiles creeping up the white walls and built-in platform beds draped in gauze curtains. There are ceiling fans and air-con to keep things cool.

In both buildings, rooms are spread across the ground level and the first floor. The garden-view rooms are split into categories – Standard, Deluxe, and (in Mvuvi) Superior – according to their size, and you can expect lush green garden views from the woven chairs on the terrace. If you want to see the water, the best options are the suites on the first floor of Mnara; they have superb views across the pool, beach and out to sea. There are a few rooms in both buildings that pack a punch with their proximity to the ocean – we’re talking sand hitting your toes the moment you leave your terrace. Mnara also has a few rooms with two or three extra beds that are perfect for families.

Features include:

• Air conditioning
• Coffee / tea making
• Fan
• Hairdryer
• In-room treatments available
• Safe box
• Toiletries
• WiFi

Eating

A relaxing, shaded terrace positioned directly on the hotel’s private beach makes for an impossibly beautiful dining setting. You could spend hours here, gazing at the ocean with a glass of something cold. Cuisine-wise, think Mediterranean-Swahili fusion, with an emphasis on fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Breakfast is delicious fruit platters alongside your usual hot contenders. We hear it’s quite the spread.

The dishes served at lunch and dinner sound divine. We’re talking lobster with grilled vegetables, house fries and aioli; or seared tuna with green papaya, daikon and sesame dressing. Expect a good range of meat and vegetarian options also. There’s an impressive drinks menu too; spend evenings in the same spot, cocktail in hand. If you’d prefer something a little more private, the hotel staff can arrange a starlit table for two on the beach.

If you’d like to mix it up, there are other highly rated seafront restaurants within walking distance.

Features include:

• Restaurant
• Restaurants nearby
• Vegetarian options

Activities

• Cool off in the hotel’s peaceful tree-lined, oasis-like pool
  
• For peak relaxation, choose from a range of massages on offer in a serene cabana, nestled among the trees
  
• Spend easy-breezy days chilling on the private beach, stopping only for a dip in the crystal-clear blue ocean
  
• Dive or snorkel alongside dolphins, turtles and whales in Mnemba Atoll, a stunning conservation area. The hotel organises excursions
  
• Set sail on a hand-crafted trimaran sailing boat. Cruises leave from outside the hotel and take you to the magical, starfish-filled coral reef
  
• The hotel has its own premium watersports centre, located a 3-minute stroll along the beach, offering kitesurfing, stand-up paddleboarding and wing foiling. Take lessons or borrow the gear and do your own thing
  
• If your style is more slow-paced, try a yoga flow in their sea view rooftop shala
  
• Explore Stone Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Zanzibar’s historical heart (60 mins). Potter the mazy pebbled streets, barter in the spice market and devour freshly grilled fish at the buzzy Forodhani Gardens
  
• Explore the immediate locality, there are bike rentals in the area

Activities on site or nearby include:

• Boat trips
• Cycling
• Dolphin watching
• Historical sites
• Kitesurfing
• Private guided tours
• Shopping / markets
• Snorkelling
• Swimming
• Watersports
• Well being
• Whale watching
• Yoga

Kids

All ages are welcome at Mvuvi Boutique Resort, but parents take note: there aren’t any facilities aimed at children. We suspect the spectacular beach, watersports and shaded pool should keep them busy though. Kids aged 5 and under stay free.

Best for:

Children (4-12 years), Teens (over 12)

Family friendly accommodation:

Most rooms can come with an extra sofabed or cot, so families of 3 are well catered for. If travelling as a family of 4, you’ll need the Superior Mvuvi Garden View room or the Superior Mnara Family Seafront room, each with 2 single sofabeds. Families of 5 can take the Suite Mnara Family Sea View. It's a split-level room with an upstairs master bedroom and 3 sofabeds on the entry floor. This is the largest of them all and is adequately roomy. The two Standard rooms in Mnara can connect, which may better suit families with 1-2 teens who'd like separate sleeping areas.

Distances:

• Airport: 1 hour
• Hospital: 15 minutes
• Shops: 2 minutes

For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection

Location

Mvuvi Boutique Resort is set on Kiwengwa beach, on the northeast coast of Zanzibar (Unguja) island, an hour northeast of Stone Town.

By Air:
Fly into Zanzibar International Airport. Regular flights from Heathrow and Gatwick take about 15 hours via Dubai.

From the Airport:
The hotel offers private transfers. Or take a cab from the airport (45km/1 hour).

By Car:
Check out our car rental guide if you need your own wheels. Be warned though, that roads are bumpy and signage is unreliable. Taxies are fairly pricey but less stressful!

Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.