On the northeast coast of Zanzibar (Unguja), an hour from the city, is Kiwengwa beach, one of the island's most beautiful. Here, perched right on the powder-white sand, is Mvuvi Boutique Resort. With just 18 light and welcoming rooms, this family-run beach retreat delivers on charm in a big way. For such an awe-inspiring setting, the vibe is pleasingly unpretentious. Rooms are contemporary and charming with a traditional Swahili twist – think whitewashed walls and pops of colour from locally sourced crafts and cushions. All come with a lovely outdoor terrace or balcony and a view of the turquoise sea or lush green, flower-filled gardens.
Spend days lazing by the oasis-style pool, tucked away in the resort, surrounded by trees and flowers. The restaurant here is an experience in itself; scoff just-caught seafood on the relaxing shaded deck overlooking the ocean. Walk a few steps across the resort’s private beach and go starfish-spotting in the crystal-clear blue sea. You might venture to a nearby diving site and swim alongside dolphins and turtles, or paddleboard at sunrise. Whatever you do, we suspect this is one for the memory bank. If you’re hankering for a chilled, bucket-list-worthy beach escape, this is it.
Highs
- Doorstep access to a stunning private white-sand beach and clear blue ocean. Heaven!
- The hotel staff are lovely and, by all accounts, offer an exceptional service
- A top-rated restaurant in a chilled, to-die-for seafront setting
- Spa treatments to the sound of the sea
- A great location close to phenomenal diving/snorkelling sites
Lows
- We hear the WiFi is a little patchy in the rooms but better elsewhere in the hotel
- It’s not ideal for those with limited mobility – while there are spacious ground-floor rooms, there is sand right outside and no adapted bathrooms
- The restaurant is pricey compared to others in the area
- Expect a small traipse to the sea at low tide
Best time to go
June to October is Zanzibar’s dry season. June, July, September and October are especially pleasant times to visit. Temperatures are balmy and there's little rain.
There are two rainy seasons: mid-March to late May, and November. March brings the best diving conditions. Expect sweltering conditions in January and February. Note: it’s worth checking Ramadan dates if you plan to travel outside the resort because some restaurants close and there’s no drinking or dining outdoors during this time.
There are two rainy seasons: mid-March to late May, and November. March brings the best diving conditions. Expect sweltering conditions in January and February. Note: it’s worth checking Ramadan dates if you plan to travel outside the resort because some restaurants close and there’s no drinking or dining outdoors during this time.
Our top tips
Be sure to pack limb-covering, light cotton clothes - not just for mozzie protection purposes, but also for respecting Muslim tradition when venturing into the town.
Our guests' ratings...
Based on 2 independent reviews from i-escape guests
We loved Mvuvi. It's a small, very personal boutique hotel where the welcoming and cheerful team do whatever they can to make sure your stay is good. The ability to flip one's daytime activities between Mvuvi and sister hotel 'The Beach Lounge', 2 minutes down the beach, is a real bonus - allowing use of the larger pool as well as providing a mix of venues for, for example, breakfast, cocktails, dinner and of course sunbathing and swimming. We thought Flore was an exceptional manager, always on hand to help with activities, restaurant bookings and general information about Zanzibar.
Beautiful little hotel, very pretty rooms and great restaurant. We felt that the service was relatively weak as meals took forever to be served and the team seemed fairly sleepy. Would still recommend it!
Feedback is only from guests who have booked and stayed through i-escape