Boutique Hotel Matlai

Only 6 rooms in 2 separate houses in this unique resort so book early!Gorgeous room with huge bathroom including freestanding soaking tub, with a menu of bath salts to select. Beautiful ocean  views and large pool. What sets it apart are the  bespoke experiences they offer and the professional and personalized service provided by the staff, including your private butler (thank you Tito!) that was always available with a call from the cell phone provided when you check in.  Where else can you have a candlelight dinner and watch a movie in your own private outdoor amphitheater while lounging under a blanket with popcorn! A must-do!! We also highly recommend the private romantic dinner on the beach. A magical experience with candles and lanterns and crystal glasses! One of our favorite amenities provided was the choice to eat where you wanted,  and when you wanted.  You could wake up and have breakfast on your terrace in your bathrobe! The food was fresh, beautifully presented, and every course was amazing! We tried many items on the menu and even created a few of our own in consultation with the chef. A big thank you to Tim the manager and creator of this very special place!!

We had a wonderful, relaxing break at Matlai. The entire team were courteous, accommodating and professional throughout our stay. On our first morning, the owner made a special effort to locate us, and extend their welcome. This personal touch was very much appreciated. The butlers were all efficient and effective, and refreshingly not overly-deferential. I very rarely mention names when submitting reviews, but it’s fitting to single-out Hashim, who did an amazing job at being our first point of contact. He listens, makes assurances that are always followed-through effectively, has an eye for detail as well as a broad vision, and is affable, authoritative, and highly professional: A great asset to the butler team, and to the wider operation. Dinner was served in a variety of locations around the property, ranging from our room’s terrace, to the restaurant’s beach terrace, including several secluded places in and around the gardens. The service was impeccable, and I very much appreciate the chef’s efforts in being aware of, remembering and accommodating my dietary requests throughout our stay. It was a team effort–and was much appreciated. The Housekeeping team were fabulous and worked really hard. They were around when it was convenient for us, and didn’t disturb us when we needed to rest. If we happened to be on our terrace while they were cleaning the room, they were discreet, and always kind and courteous. The best! It was also fun to have a ‘room fragrance menu’, and to enjoy the varied, daily ‘bedspread art’. It was no surprise that the gardeners and gatekeepers were also really courteous. I’m not keen on massages, but the one I had at the spa at Matlai was the best I’ve ever had. My wife, who loves massages, confirmed that in her view, the masseuse was excellent. The spa is located in the gardens, and has wonderful, relaxing views. The soundscape at Matlai is memorable: A loop of silence followed by the sound of powerful waves, followed by silence … The (very efficient) air-conditioning in our room was quiet, and the minibar compressor was perfectly silent (hurrah)! ... and: No. Screaming. Kids. As many reviews have mentioned, the changing views are breathtaking. The room was spacious and the bed and other furnishings were very comfortable. We had one of the smaller bathrooms, but there was still plenty of room for a tub, a double basin with plenty of counter space, and a shower. The rain shower itself was in a wetroom with a toilet. After having used the shower, we’d sometimes get our feet wet if we needed to get to the toilet–but the bathmats were changed regularly, and it wasn’t a big deal. Splitting hairs (so to speak), it would have been good if the hairdryer cable had been longer. The bed had shelves attached on either side in place of nightstands. These were neat, but rather small. It would have been useful to have compact bedside tables instead, ideally with accessible power sockets. Breakfast was excellent, and served in

In one word: fantastic! Our stay at Boutique Hotel Matlai was unforgettable. From the moment we arrived, the owner greeted us with genuine warmth and hospitality, making us feel instantly at home. The rooms are very spacious and offer breathtaking views. The food is of exceptional quality – every meal was a culinary delight. The butler service is a true luxury. Our butler Hashim (and his team), went above and beyond to make our stay perfect; his dedication was truly impressive. If you’re looking for peace and quiet in an idyllic corner of Zanzibar, this is the place to be. Enjoyment with a capital E!

Matlai is a true Swahili dream. There’s something incredibly special about the place: it’s elegant and intimate, and full of quiet beauty. The warmth of the team made it feel like a home away from home, and the food was absolutely outstanding. I spent an hour just wandering the gardens, but the villa was so comfortable and beautifully thought through that I didn’t want to leave it at all. The private spa was a treat and we spent hours there. I’m already hoping to come back. It stays with you, this place.

Perfect for a quiet beachside break. This is a luxury boutique experience with a difference. That difference is the butler service. Nothing was too much trouble. Never encountered a ‘no’. It was always a ‘let’s see how we can make that happen for you. Amazing food which varied every day. Well appointed rooms with luxurious toiletries. Thoughtful management that has an eye on sustainability. As a reader it’s always hard to know whether you have anything in common with a reviewer, so just to put things into perspective, we generally tend to have vacations in luxury resorts such as Sandals in the Caribbean and Baros in Maldives and the level of service and relaxation was on a par (and in some ways superseded) by this experience. We split our holiday in two with the second facility being more focused on the beach. I am already regretting the decision to not spend more of our time in the relaxing surroundings of Hotel Matlai.