Frequently Asked Questions – Boutique Hotel Matlai Zanzibar

We can arrange for a driver to pick you up directly outside the arrivals hall; he will be holding a sign displaying your name and the hotel's name. He charges 60 $, payable in the hotel by credit card or cash.

Boutique Hotel Matlai comprises two villas, Asili House and Villa Kidosho, offering a total of six private en-suite bedrooms. Asili House features four themed sea-view bedrooms, while Villa Kidosho offers two bedrooms, providing an intimate and luxurious retreat for guests.

All our rooms have direct sea view.

Yes, the restaurant Zatiny by Matlai is also open for outside guests.

Boutique Hotel Matlai offers a variety of dining options to cater to diverse culinary preferences:

• Zatiny by Matlai: This beachfront restaurant serves an excellent selection of Zanzibari and international dishes, including freshly caught seafood, premium beef, and a variety of wines and tropical cocktails. Guests can enjoy their meals with a fantastic view of the ocean. 

• Duyên Home Cooking: Located within Zatiny Restaurant, Duyên Home Cooking specializes in authentic Vietnamese cuisine. The menu features traditional recipes and techniques from Northern Vietnam, offering guests a unique dining experience. 

• Flexible Dining: Guests have the option to enjoy breakfast in their rooms or on their private terraces, providing a personalized dining experience. The hotel also offers a pre-fixe three-course dinner menu or à la carte options, with the flexibility to dine at any time between 7:00 AM and 11:00 PM. Special arrangements, such as private beach dinners under the stars, can be organized upon request. ​

The hotel's chefs are attentive to dietary requirements and can tailor meals accordingly, ensuring a delightful culinary experience for all guests. Guests are encouraged to communicate their dietary preferences in advance to ensure a personalized dining experience.

We strive to minimize our environmental footprint through various sustainable practices, such as using locally sourced ingredients, minimizing waste, and conserving water and energy. Our aim is to provide a luxurious experience while being mindful of the environment.

You can choose between:

• a half-board meal plan, which includes breakfast and a three-course dinner.

• a full board meal plan with additional lunch or

• a breakfast only meal plan

Guests can choose their menu preferences and enjoy flexible meal times between 7:00 AM and 11:00 PM. 
However, we do not provide an all-inclusive package. Guests can enjoy additional meals and beverages from the menu of the on-site Zatiny Bar & Restaurant, which offers a variety of Zanzibari and international dishes, as well as a selection of wines, beers, and tropical cocktails. 

Guests seeking maximum privacy will find Villa Kidosho ideal, as it accommodates only one other couple. The private terraces are thoughtfully designed to ensure seclusion, preventing guests from seeing each other, and each suite boasts its own exclusive sun terrace.

The booking & cancellation terms are as follows:

• 25% non-refundable deposit must be paid within 14 days to secure the booking. 

• The full payment must be done 30 days in advance of arrival. 

• All banking and transaction fees will be charged to the guest.

Cancellation fees:

• up to 90 days - 25% of the booking price

• up to 60 days  - 50% of the booking price

• up to 30 days  - 100% of the booking price

Yes, Boutique Hotel Matlai is an ideal location for weddings, anniversaries, or any special events. We offer a range of services, including event planning, catering, and unique settings such as our beachfront or private dining spots. Please contact us for more information on event packages and customizations.

The hotel is approximately 70 minutes by car from Zanzibar International Airport (ZNZ). We can arrange airport transfers for you, ensuring a smooth and comfortable journey to and from the hotel.

Yes, we provide complimentary Wi-Fi throughout the hotel, including all rooms and common areas.

All rooms are equipped with both showers and bathtubs. Each room features a double sink, rain shower head, and bathtub, providing guests with a luxurious and comfortable bathing experience. The suites in Villa Kidosho are equipped with double showers, offering a luxurious bathing experience. 

Yes, we provide snorkeling gear and water shoes for guests. Guests can borrow snorkeling equipment and water shoes for exploring tidal pools and nearby coral reefs during low tide.

Yes, you can request an early check-in or late check-out at Boutique Hotel Matlai. The standard check-in time is from 14:00, and check-out is until 10:30. Early check-in and late check-out are subject to availability and may incur additional fees. It's recommended to contact us directly to arrange these services in advance.

There is no strict dress code at Zatiny by Matlai, but we recommend smart casual attire to enhance your dining experience. For evening meals, many guests prefer to dress up for a more formal ambiance, especially when enjoying our candlelit dinners.

Yes, at Boutique Hotel Matlai, you can arrange a private dinner on the beach on extra charge. We offer romantic candlelight dinners set in a beautifully decorated beachfront setting, providing an intimate dining experience under the stars. To ensure availability and allow for personalized arrangements, it's recommended to contact the hotel in advance to reserve your private beach dinner.

Yes, we offer a laundry service. Each room at Boutique Hotel Matlai is equipped with a laundry bag for guests to use. Please note that laundry services are available upon request and incur additional charges.

Please note that the minimum age requirement for bookings of individual rooms is 14 years. We can only accept bookings for the entire villa when accommodating young children. While we value and welcome children, it's important to note that our pool and sun terraces, located near the rooms in both villas, are designed to provide a tranquil and relaxing experience for honeymooners and couples. Having energetic children around may potentially disrupt the peaceful ambiance that our guests seek. Additionally, it can be challenging for parents to maintain a quiet environment for their little ones throughout the day. 

Yes, Boutique Hotel Matlai offers intimate beach weddings, but we do not personally organize weddings; instead, we collaborate with experienced professionals to ensure a seamless and unforgettable celebration. To plan your special day, it's recommended to contact us directly to discuss your requirements and check availability.

We understand you might have a special room in mind, and we always do our best to fulfill those wishes. However, with just six rooms in total, we aren't always able to guarantee a specific room.

Yes, Boutique Hotel Matlai offers special arrangements tailored for honeymooners.
The hotel offers dedicated packages that includes:

• A complimentary bottle of wine

• Partner massages

• Breakfast in bed

• A romantic dinner

• A special honeymoon tour

• Welcome cocktails

Please find here more information.​

On top of your villa’s private pool and gardens, you can enjoy Bustani Spa by Mariam, our restaurants Zatiny (seafood & international, with a live lobster tank) and Duyen (Vietnamese home-cooking), beach setups, kayaks, jungle gym and our open-air cinema experiences.

• All bedrooms in that villa (king beds; ensuite bathrooms).
• Indoor lounge & shaded outdoor dining/veranda.
• Private swimming pool and beachfront garden area.
• Daily housekeeping, evening turndown, and butler service.
• In-villa breakfast and the option of private dinners on your terrace or the beach.

• All bedrooms in that villa (king beds; ensuite bathrooms).
• Indoor lounge & shaded outdoor dining/veranda.
• Private swimming pool and beachfront garden area.
• Daily housekeeping, evening turndown, and butler service.
• In-villa breakfast and the option of private dinners on your terrace or the beach.

Yes—meals and drinks can be served directly to your room or villa terrace without extra charge at your preferred time.

We accept major credit cards at the hotel: AMEX, MasterCard, Visa. We don’t provide currency exchange on site, but we’ll direct you to the nearest reliable ATM and advise on the best options during your stay.

We’re a full-service hotel, not self-catering, so in-room cooking isn’t offered. If you have dietary preferences or special requests, tell us in advance and our chefs will happily arrange them.

Daily housekeeping keeps everything fresh, and we provide evening turndown to set the perfect night-time atmosphere.