What makes a stay at Hotel Matlai special?

Hotel Matlai has only 6 rooms across two private villas, which means genuinely personalised service, a private beach with almost no other guests, and the pace of a private home rather than a large resort.

What board basis does Hotel Matlai offer?

Half board is standard — breakfast served until noon and a 3-course dinner at Zatiny Restaurant each evening. Guests can also book lunch, private beach BBQs, and special dining experiences on request.

What is the minimum stay at Hotel Matlai?

The minimum stay is 2 nights for most periods, and 5 nights during peak season (June–October and December–January). Check-in from 14:00, check-out by 10:30.

Does Hotel Matlai arrange airport transfers?

Yes — private airport transfers from Zanzibar Airport (ZNZ) are available on request. The journey takes approximately 1 hour 15 minutes. Transfer costs are not included in the room rate.

Can I rent the entire villa?

Yes. You can book Entire Asili House (4 en-suite sea-view bedrooms for up to 8 guests) or Entire Villa Kidosho (2 sea-view suites for up to 4 guests) for full privacy. Both villas feature a private pool, direct beach access and butler service.

What's the difference between booking a room and renting the whole villa?

Booking by room gives you one en-suite bedroom in a shared villa. Shared spaces like the living area and pool may be used by other guests. Renting the entire villa gives you exclusive use of all bedrooms and common areas.

Are children allowed in the villas?

Yes when booking an entire villa. For individual room bookings, the minimum guest age is 14 years.

What's included in the villa rate?

Rates are on Half Board (breakfast and a daily three-course dinner). Also included are drinking water, tea and coffee station, Wi-Fi, daily housekeeping, evening turndown service and butler service. Private beach dinners can be arranged.

Is this a quiet, swimmable beach area?

Yes. Boutique Hotel Matlai is located in Michamvi Pingwe, a calm bay that remains swimmable even at low tide. A sandbank forms in front of the hotel and the coral area behind it is ideal for snorkeling. We provide reef shoes and snorkeling gear.

Do the villas have kitchens for self-catering?

No. Boutique Hotel Matlai is a full-service hotel rather than a self-catering villa. Meals are prepared by our kitchen and can be served in the villa, on your terrace or on the beach.

Is Matlai good for honeymoons and special occasions?

Yes. With only six rooms across two beachfront villas, Boutique Hotel Matlai is ideal for honeymoons and romantic stays. We arrange romantic setups, spa packages at Bustani Spa by Mariam and candlelight beach dinners.

How far are the villas from The Rock Restaurant?

The Rock Restaurant is about a 10-minute walk along the beach from Boutique Hotel Matlai, depending on the tide.

What are the check-in and check-out times?

Check-in is from 14:00 and check-out is by 10:30. Minimum stay is two nights, and five nights during peak season.

Do you arrange airport transfers and island trips?

Yes. Private transfers from Zanzibar International Airport (ZNZ) start from USD 60 per car (up to 6 passengers). Island tours and excursions can be arranged by your butler. For details call +255 772 628 833.

Which villa should I choose: Asili House or Villa Kidosho?

Asili House (4 bedrooms) is ideal for families or groups up to 8 guests with a large pool. Villa Kidosho (2 suites) offers maximum privacy for up to 4 guests and features an infinity pool. Both villas offer direct sea views from every room.

How do I check availability and book the villas?

You can check live availability and book directly on our Villas page or contact Boutique Hotel Matlai for full-villa reservations and tailored arrangements.

Luxury Boutique Hotel

in Zanzibar

Book individual rooms with full hotel service
or enjoy complete privacy with exclusive villa rental

Asili House Rooms vs Villa Kidosho Suites
Choose Your Stay: Private Room or Exclusive Villa

At Boutique Hotel Matlai, you can stay just like in a classic luxury hotel –
booking a private room with full service – or enjoy complete privacy by reserving an entire villa.

Both options offer beachfront location, personalized service, and a unique Zanzibar experience.

Aerial view of Asili House at Boutique Hotel Matlai in Zanzibar surrounded by lush tropical garden and turquoise ocean in Michamvi Pingwe

Asili House –
Natural, Social, Spacious

4 themed deluxe rooms (Dunia, Maji, Hewa, Moto)
African design with natural materials and palm-leaf roofing
Set within lush tropical gardens
Large shared lounge and dining area
Pool connecting indoor and outdoor spaces
Ideal for couples and honeymooners as well for families, small groups, or relaxed stays
Rooms approx. 56 sqm

Villa Kidosho at Boutique Hotel Matlai in Zanzibar with infinity pool, palm trees and ocean view in Michamvi Pingwe

Villa Kidosho –
Private, Elegant, Intimate

2 spacious suites (Jua & Mwezi)
Arabic / Omani-inspired architecture
Elevated infinity pool with ocean view
More privacy between suites
Private terraces, hanging beds, and outdoor areas
Ideal for couples and honeymooners as well for families, small groups, or relaxed stays
Suites approx. 80 sqm

Villa Kidosho Zanzibar - In the style of Stonetown - Arabic Influenced

Private Room Stay –
Like a Boutique Hotel

• Book individual rooms (no need to rent full villa)
• Ensuite bathroom, full privacy
• Daily service & butler support
• Access to pool, beach, restaurant & spa
• Ideal for couples and honeymoon stays
• Luxury experience without full villa booking

Unlike many villa resorts in Zanzibar, Boutique Hotel Matlai offers the flexibility of booking individual luxury rooms – combining the privacy of a villa with the comfort of a boutique hotel.

✔ Book by Room
✔ Or Rent Entire Villa
✔ Only 6 Rooms – Very Private

Why Guests Choose Boutique Hotel Matlai

Boutique Hotel Matlai is not about size — it’s about how a stay feels.

With only six rooms set on a 10,000 sqm beachfront property, guests experience a level of space and calm that is rarely found in Zanzibar. Even when the hotel is fully booked, it never feels crowded — there is always a quiet place to relax, whether by the pool, in the garden, or overlooking the ocean.

Interior of Jua Suite at Villa Kidosho in Zanzibar with elegant seating area, natural materials and soft neutral tones at Boutique Hotel Matlai

A true boutique experience

At Matlai, boutique means more than just design. It means flexibility, personal attention, and the freedom to shape your stay exactly as you like.

Meals are not fixed to strict schedules — breakfast can be enjoyed until late morning, often served on your private balcony, while dinner can be arranged earlier or later depending on your plans. Guests can dine in the garden, by the pool, on their terrace, or at specially prepared locations across the property.

Bathroom of Hewa Room at Asili House in Zanzibar with freestanding bathtub, natural stone finishes and warm wooden details at Boutique Hotel Matlai

Space, privacy, and personal service

With nearly 40 staff members caring for just six rooms, service is attentive yet unobtrusive. Our butler team is available throughout the day and always reachable, allowing guests to request anything they need — from drinks and meals to snorkeling equipment or a spontaneous change of plans.

Traditional brass decoration at Villa Kidosho in Zanzibar with Arabic-inspired design details at Boutique Hotel Matlai

A place to stay — and not want to leave

Many guests arrive with plans to explore Zanzibar — and then choose to stay. The property offers a wide range of experiences, from open-air cinema nights and beach activities to quiet moments in the garden or by the ocean.

Kayaks, bicycles, games, and the nearby sandbank invite guests to explore at their own pace, while the calm atmosphere makes it just as easy to simply do nothing at all.

Canopy bed in Hewa Room at Asili House in Zanzibar with white fabrics, romantic setup and flower decoration at Boutique Hotel Matlai

A unique ocean experience

Unlike many areas of Zanzibar, the ocean in front of Matlai remains enjoyable even at low tide. A natural lagoon and sandbank create conditions where guests can swim, relax in the water, or explore the reef — directly from the beach.

Bathtub in Jua Suite at Villa Kidosho in Zanzibar with vintage brass fixtures and elegant bathroom design at Boutique Hotel Matlai

Wellness and dining, your way

At Bustani Spa, set within the tropical garden, couples can enjoy massages and treatments in a peaceful, natural setting.

Dining is equally personal — whether at our beachfront restaurant Zatiny, with Vietnamese cuisine at Duyen, or through private dining experiences arranged anywhere on the property.

Private balcony lounge at Villa Kidosho in Zanzibar with wooden chair, tropical plants and garden view at Boutique Hotel Matlai

More than a hotel

What makes Matlai truly different is the feeling it creates — a place where guests can slow down, disconnect from daily routines, and feel completely at ease.

For many, it becomes more than just a stay. It becomes a place to return to.

More Privacy Than a Typical Hotel

While Boutique Hotel Matlai consists of two villas, each space was intentionally designed to feel completely private.

Every couple enjoys their own secluded areas, allowing you to experience Zanzibar at your own pace.
Whether it’s breakfast on your balcony, a quiet afternoon by the pool, or a romantic dinner in a hidden corner of the garden – everything can be arranged just for you.

There is no fixed routine. No shared schedules. No pressure to interact.

Just privacy, flexibility, and a stay shaped entirely around you.

Aerial view of Boutique Hotel Matlai beachfront villas in Zanzibar with tropical garden, private pools and white sand beach in Michamvi Pingwe

Private Villa Experience in Zanzibar

Staying in a private villa in Zanzibar is very different from a traditional hotel experience. At Boutique Hotel Matlai, guests enjoy the privacy of their own space combined with the service and comfort of a luxury boutique hotel.

Whether you stay in Asili House or Villa Kidosho, the entire property is designed to give you freedom — no fixed schedules, no crowded areas, and complete flexibility throughout your stay.

You can enjoy breakfast on your private balcony, dine in the tropical garden, relax by the pool, or choose a special location anywhere on the property. Our team can set up private dining experiences in unique spots, creating unforgettable moments during your stay.

👉 For more inspiration, explore our Zanzibar Travel Guide and discover what makes this island so unique.

What to Do During Your Villa Stay
in Zanzibar

Many guests arrive planning to explore Zanzibar — but often choose to spend most of their time at the villa.

The 10,000 sqm beachfront property offers space, privacy, and a wide range of experiences:

Open-air cinema nights under the stars
Kayaks and snorkeling directly in front of the hotel
Access to the sandbank and natural lagoon
Beach volleyball, boule, and garden games
Bicycles to explore Michamvi village
Bustani Spa for massages and wellness treatments

Even at low tide, swimming is possible in the natural creek in front of the sandbank — a unique feature of this part of Zanzibar.

👉 Discover more in our guide to Things to do in Michamvi or explore the best snorkeling in Zanzibar.

Kayaking and snorkeling in shallow turquoise lagoon in front of Boutique Hotel Matlai in Michamvi Pingwe Zanzibar near the sandbank

Dining Without Limits

Dining at Boutique Hotel Matlai is designed around flexibility and personal preference.

There are no fixed dining locations or strict schedules. Breakfast can be enjoyed until late morning, often served on your private balcony, while dinner can be arranged at different times depending on your plans.

Guests can dine:

At the beachfront restaurant
In the tropical garden
On private terraces or balconies
At specially arranged locations across the property

With two kitchens — Zatiny and Duyen — we offer a wide variety of international and Asian cuisine, and we are happy to accommodate dietary requirements and personal preferences.

Dining at Boutique Hotel Matlai in Zanzibar with diverse dishes, tropical setting and beachfront restaurant experience in Michamvi Pingwe

Why This Location in Zanzibar Is Special

Boutique Hotel Matlai is located in Michamvi Pingwe, on the quiet and more untouched side of Zanzibar’s east coast — a place known for its calm atmosphere, natural beauty, and sense of space.

Unlike the busier northern beaches, Michamvi offers a more peaceful and authentic experience. Even during high season, it never feels crowded, making it one of the best choices for travelers seeking privacy and relaxation.

One of the most unique features of this location is the sandbank directly in front of the hotel. Depending on the tide, it reveals itself as a stunning natural landscape where guests can walk, relax, or explore the shallow waters. Just behind it, a natural lagoon and creek allow swimming even at low tide — something that is not common in many parts of Zanzibar.

Another highlight is the sunrise over the Indian Ocean. Each morning, the light transforms the beach and the ocean into a calm and peaceful setting — a moment many guests describe as one of the most special parts of their stay.

👉 If you are exploring different areas, have a look at our guide on best beaches in Zanzibar or learn more about where to stay in Zanzibar to find the location that fits your travel style best.

Discover Our Villas in Motion

Asili House – Space, Nature & Garden Living

Asili House & Garden

Tropical Garden & Hidden Spaces

Villa Kidosho – Private, Elegant, Intimate

Villa Kidosho

Explore Zanzibar from Matlai

Many travelers combine their villa stay with experiences across the island — from snorkeling and sandbanks to cultural visits and safari extensions in mainland Tanzania.

From Matlai, you can easily explore the quieter side of Zanzibar or simply enjoy the unique natural setting directly in front of the hotel.

👉 Discover more in our Zanzibar Travel Guide
👉 Explore the best things to do in Michamvi
👉 Find the best beaches in Zanzibar
👉 Learn about the best time to visit Zanzibar