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Matemwe Retreat is constructed on a private stretch of land, just north of Matemwe Bungalows’s main lodge and right opposite the Mnemba Atoll. The Retreat consists of 3 fabulous rooms, full of personal touches. The ground floor (150 m2 including verandahs) features spacious verandahs, a private cocktail bar, an air-conditioned bedroom, a bathroom with double sinks, a shower, and a bath overlooking the Indian Ocean. On the private roof terrace (60 m2), guests will find a plunge pool (10 m2) and sun and shade decks. In front of the rooms, there is a small beach that is only used by the guests of the Retreat.

The service in the Retreat is of the highest standards: breakfast will be served on the veranda of the room, without the need to disturb guests lazing in the bed. Every day the manager or chef will stop by to discuss lunch and dinner preferences of the day: the catch of the day served in the privacy of the garden or roof terrace or a dinner at Matemwe’s main lodge, to enjoy the company of other guests. Drinks are served in the room or on the beach and guests can receive massages and beauty treatments in the comfort of their roof terrace.   

The Retreat is built by local craftsmen, where possible from local materials. Walls are of local stone and roofs are made of makuti (woven palm leaves) and most furniture is made of locally produced coconut wood. Soft furnishings are locally produced by women groups and the matting is produced by the blind association in Stone Town.  The sun, through our solar system, supplies hot water to the lodge. Only where local produces would jeopardize the quality of the experience, materials from outside the region have been applied. Of the lodge staff, over 60% is from the villages close by Matemwe.

2 day rooms are available at the main lodge for guests that check out late.

Meals

Dinners offer a choice of main courses between fish, meat and vegetarian, with fresh seafood being the absolute specialty of the house.  Breakfast offers a wide choice of fruit juices, fruits, yoghurt, cereals, pancakes and full English breakfast. Lunches are delicious buffets with a mix of African and European flavors. For the early birds the sunrise is a sight to savor. Early morning, tea and/or coffee and delicious cookies will be served at your veranda. In the evening, the full moon rising out of the sea is a wonderful romantic experience you're not likely to forget. On moonless nights gaze and get lost in the star-filled sky.

Dates: Closed April 7 to June 6

Rack Rates 2008:

$  485 ppn (Jan 1-5, July 1 - August 31, December 21 - December 31  - High

$  400 ppn (Jan 6 - April 7,  June, September, October, November, December 1 - 20)  - Low

Single Surcharges -$ 150 in Peak season, $ 100 in Low season