On the calm southeast coast of Zanzibar, tides set the rhythm and days move at an easy pace. This is Michamvi Pingwe — a stretch that still feels uncrowded—and the home of Boutique Hotel Matlai, set on 10,000 m² of tropical gardens where comfort and authenticity meet.
Why Michamvi Pingwe
- Sunrise mornings. Enjoy breakfast on your balcony while the sun lifts over the Indian Ocean.
- Sandbank walks. As the tide drops, a sandbank emerges just offshore—perfect for a gentle stroll.
- Easy snorkeling. Bright coral gardens lie beyond the sandbank. We provide reef shoes and snorkeling gear, and can arrange short guided trips to the nearby Blue Lagoon and Starfish with its clear, shallow waters (please admire starfish without touching).
For sunset, head across the peninsula to Michamvi Kae where the mangroves glow and the sun sinks over Chwaka Bay.
Rooms & Style
Matlai’s villas and suites blend Swahili, African, and Arabic influences. Asili leans into nature with a soaring makuti thatch roof and handcrafted dhow furniture, while Villa Kidosho channels a Stone Town–inspired Arabic aesthetic. Every room faces the ocean—so sunrise becomes part of your morning routine.
Dining: Zatiny & Duyen
Food sits at the heart of the Matlai experience.
Zatiny by Matlai showcases seafood and island flavors—think grilled lobster from our on-site live lobster aquarium and plates from the smoker.
Duyen by Kim serves refined Vietnamese dishes with bright, balanced notes.
Dine on your balcony, settle into a garden nook, or eat right by the beach—the restaurant welcomes outside guests, too. Between courses, enjoy table soccer (foosball), darts, and board games, and pair the moment with a signature cocktail or mocktail, a glass from our curated wine list, or a pour from one of the island’s most extensive rum menus.
Bustani Spa
Tucked within the gardens, Bustani Spa offers partner massages, facials, and full-body treatments using local ingredients such as aloe vera and coconut oil—a soothing way to unwind after a morning on the reef or sandbank.
A quiet corner of Zanzibar
If you’re seeking space, sea air, and unhurried days, Boutique Hotel Matlai in Zanzibar pairs intimate hospitality with a location that still feels wonderfully natural and serene.
TDN-style news version (neutral, trade-friendly)
Boutique Hotel Matlai Highlights Michamvi Pingwe Snorkeling Access and Garden Spa Offering
Zanzibar (Michamvi Pingwe), August 2025 — Boutique Hotel Matlai, a 10,000 m² oceanfront property on Zanzibar’s southeast coast, is spotlighting easy guest access to the sandbank and coral gardens just offshore from MichamviPingwe, alongside short guided trips to the nearby Blue Lagoon. The hotel provides reef shoes and snorkeling gear and encourages low-impact viewing of marine life.
Matlai’s villas and suites face the Indian Ocean and combine Swahili-inspired architecture with bright, open interiors. Dining spans two on-property concepts: Zatiny by Matlai, focused on seafood and island produce—including lobster sourced from the hotel’s on-site live lobster aquarium—and Duyen by Kim, offering Vietnamese dishes. Guests can dine privately on balconies, within the gardens, or at the beachfront restaurant.
The garden-set Bustani Spa offers partner massages, facials, and full-body treatments using local ingredients such as aloe vera and coconut oil. Sunset viewing is available a short drive away on the peninsula’s western side at Michamvi Kae, overlooking Chwaka Bay.
For more information, visit Boutique Hotel Matlai in Zanzibar.
