Zanzibar Pearl Boutique Hotel & Villas

Zanzibar Pearl occupies one of the longest private beachfronts in Matemwe, on the quiet north east coast of Zanzibar directly opposite Mnemba Atoll. The property was known for years as Matemwe Beach Village, and was extensively renovated and reopened under new management in 2019 as a boutique hotel and villa estate. Twenty four rooms are spread across four hectares of coconut palm and frangipani garden: Pearl Suites and the Pearl Villa sit on the ocean front, while Oyster Suites and Oyster Villas look over the gardens. All are built in Swahili style with makuti thatch, stone washed walls and coral rag detailing, and hold large beds under silk edged mosquito nets, local art, ceiling fans and en suite bathrooms, with extra beds available in most rooms for families. The centre of the hotel is a big open sided thatched banda holding the lounge, the bar and a restaurant of wooden tables looking down over the beach, where the kitchen works through fresh seafood, Swahili dishes and European standards. There is a swimming pool on the terrace above the sand, a spa, a gym, a boutique and free bicycles. A five star PADI dive centre operates from the property and runs daily diving and snorkelling trips to Mnemba Atoll, alongside dhow sunset cruises, deep sea fishing, kite surfing, village walks in Matemwe, Stone Town day trips, spice tours and Jozani forest excursions.