The festive and unique Hakuna Matata Beach Lodge &
Spa stands proudly amongst the ruins, granting travellers the opportunity to
enjoy the pristine private bay and white sandy beach – which once made the area
fit for royalty - in comfort and style. Personally managed by German owners
Rose and Fritz Geuen, the four-star resort is just 12 km north of Zanzibar’s
historical Stone Town, and offers easy access to the myriad attractions of the
island.
Nestled in a lush tropical garden overflowing with
papaya, banana, mango, coconut, and lime, the intimate resort’s 13 exclusive
bungalows and one villa accommodate a total of 37 guests. Each bungalow (and
the villa) boasts a spectacular view of the Indian Ocean, and a spacious
terrace from which to enjoy it.
The bungalows range from Executive Suites (with
spacious bed-, bath- and living rooms), through Luxury and Comfort options, to
Standard Twin Bungalows perfect for budget-friendly holidays. There is also a
magical Honeymoon Suite complete with a large terrace jutting out over the
ocean and a memorable outside bath. All bungalows are equipped with
air-conditioning and decorated with beautiful African artifacts.
The resort’s flagship accommodation offering is its
Villa, which comprises two bedrooms (each with its own bathroom) and a studio
with an exceptional view of Stone Town able to accommodate two guests on the
second floor. Up to six guests can enjoy the exclusive comforts and privacy of
the Villa, which sports a large living room and a stretching terrace built on a
cliff over the ocean.
Dining at Hakuna Matata is a most memorable affair.
Unsurprisingly, the restaurant – Rose’s Kitchen – specializes in fresh fish and
other seafood, as well as other local and international dishes that make the
most of the myriad spices and fresh ingredients available on the island. Hearty
breakfast spreads, fresh à la carte lunches, tasty teatimes and gourmet dinners
offers guests the best in Zanzibari fare. The resort hosts festive themed
dinners, including the unforgettable Sultan Barghash’s Swahili Night, which
sees guests seated at one big table in the ruins and taken on a journey through
Swahili Cuisine in a magical candlelit setting. For those who would like to
take full advantage of the romance of the location, the culinary team is able
to create exclusive five-course menus for two to be enjoyed in the ruins.
Complementing the exceptional dining is the resort’s
well stocked bar, which offers a great selection of South African wines as well
as all manner of other local and global sips to be enjoyed throughout the day
and night (but particularly while watching yet another magical sunset in the
outdoor lounge that juts out over the ocean).
When not feasting like sultans or quietly taking in
the breathtaking natural splendour in which the resort has found a home,guests
can escape to the unrivalled peace of the day spa. Integrated into the ruins,
the spa at Hakuna Matata makes use of pure African ingredients harnessed by the
Healing Earth spa brand, which aims to instill in guests an awareness of how
the continent’s rich natural resources can aid them in their healing journeys,
as well as to inspire them to respect and protect this potential by using
products that are not harmful to the earth or any of its myriad beings.
Whether indulging in a sensual massage with fragrant
plant oils or soaking in a relaxing floral Jacuzzi bath, guests at the Hakuna
Matata spa will no doubt resonate with the Healing Earth philosophy of
attaining restoration and transformation by being “true to you and the world
around you.” While it is tempting to spend the whole holiday luxuriating within
the idyllic confines of the resort, the most noteworthy attractions of Zanzibar
beckon from just a short distance away. Hakuna Matata staff can organize
excursions to historic Stone Town, the lush Jozani Forest with its playful
colobus monkeys, Prison Island with its giant tortoises, and a private sandbank
with untouched reefs perfect for snorkelling.
The famous spice farms as well as a host of
bucket-list PADI dive spots are also just a stone’s throw away. Even with all
of this on offer, guests will no doubt still want to spend most of their time
within the sanctuary of the resort, where they can also enjoy star-gazing
through a telescope on the rooftop of the minaret or enjoying a film in the
open-air cinema after a long day spent enjoying the sandy beach of the private
bay.
Although a great choice for those looking for any kind
of exotic breakaway, Hakuna Matata is perfect for weddings and other special
occasions. The resort’s events team is able to see to all aspects of wedding
organisation, from catering and decoration to legal procedures and other
formalities.
Regardless of the occasion, guests at Hakuna Matata
are guaranteed to find themselves adopting the namesake philosophy – “no
worries” – when kicking back in the unique resort that offers a touch of
history, an abundance of natural splendour, and access to the best that
Zanzibar
has to offer.
HAKUNA MATATA BEACH LODGE & SPA
Friday, March 13, 2015
