We couldnt have been more thrilled with our stay. Everyone wass extremely helpful and friendly and our wedding was like a dream.

Salim our butler, has done an absolutely remarkable job and has wonderful attention to detail and is about the friendliest person we have ever met. Rama's food was top notch! Our wedding guests were equally impressed with their stay. We will be highly recommending Matemwe Retreat and Lodge to anyone who will listen. It was unforgetable!

Chris Mathiesen and Corey McDougal - 24 June 2011

We loved this place! The service was amazing as was the food. We had a lovely room with a beautiful view. Despite the resort being full, you could spend all day not seeing another soul except for at meal times. There is a lovely relaxed feel and none of the ridiculous dress code restrictions that are often implied at resort restaurants. We did a half day trip into Stonetown ($60 each)which is worth a look and my husband did a few diving trips ($110/double dive). I would definitely return here.

Tripadvisor - January 2011

After our Safari through Tanzania we stayed at Matemwe for four nights relaxing and bathing. The bungalow is spacious and directly at the sea, although there is no sandy beach but a two metres cliff directly in front of the bungalows. So do not jump from the terrace into the water. A large hammock hangs outside for relaxing - great. Room and bathroom are nicely decorated. Even a stylish bathube is there (though we never used it).

There are two swimming pools, one with a great sea view. From the main building it is just a minutes walk to the sandy beach. From the bungalow you have to go through the garden (which is great) and it takes you two to three minutes more (so you are not directly at the sandy beach). Food is good as are the bar and drinks. Diving center is just 100 metres away (very friendly). A PC with Internet connection is free of use. I would certainly recommend the hotel.

Tripadvisor - December 2010

The Telegraph

I have just returned from 4 days staying at Matemwe at the start of my honeymoon.
I have seen some reviews which differ, but the most are very posiitve about the hotel and mine is the same as the majority. I was advised to choose Matenwe as it would be an ideal start to our honeymoon, they could not be more correct. From the gorgoeus individual bandas, with breathtaking views in the morning of the locals sailing in there Dhows to the local women fishing all morning. You could sit and watch for hours whilst relaxing on your own on the hammock!
The staff and management (Sally and Doretta) as so so friendly an accomadating throughout our stay and were always attentive and helpful.
The food is AMAZING, every day it is different but truly spectacular. I have stayed all over the worls, and the thought of a buffet usually with fear as too what they serve. Matemwe chefs offer fresh salds, fruit, fish on a daily basis and each day is different.
I could go on and on about how special Matemwe is, please go and enjoy.
One thing, the beach is a working beach, so you will see boats operating in the sea close to resort, please don;t be put off as you can swim here and the other side.
Go and vist Matemwe and Zanzibar.

Tripadvisor - October 2010

We stayed at Matemwe for a week having been on safari in Kenya for the preceding week. This resort was perfect, no exaggeration. I travel for my work, I have hotel loyalty cards (pick any one) so I have a lot of first hand experience of hotels. We'd come from the Nairobi Serena - that's supposed to be a good one too!

Matemwe service was spot on, the lady served first etc. All the staff was friendly, helpful, attentive, unobtrusive and professional. Something you'd like - just ask. The food was varied from Swahili dishes, barbeque to simple delights - delicious dishes made on site by the chef who you can see and meet. Seafood from lobster to snapper, fresh salads and there's plenty of selection for everyone, carnivore or herbivore.

Sabine and her husband were perfect hosts, checking if all was well but unobtrusive.
The adjacent beach is picture postcard beautiful and fronts the village - do take the offer of a free village tour - most interesting and an eye-opener. The bar serves the usual selection of drinks with a special daily cocktail - just the thing after a hard day by the infinity pool or a fishing trip with one of the local fishermen.

Wake up to uninterrupted views of the Indian Ocean with the locals wading for fish and also some small boats are passing by. The accommodation was very nice with fans, bottled water, mosquito nets, etc as well as the walk in shower, free-standing bath, twin wash basins and - oh I could go on. It was also our 25th wedding anniversary and we were given, unprompted, a beautiful private meal on the beach with Simon our personal butler.
I've been back to one holiday place in my life - this would certainly be another - it is great and the owners are striving for continuous improvement.
Matemwe really is paradise, and some!

Ralph - Tripadvisor August 2010

We went here at the start of our honeymoon - and what a start! The place is just breathtaking. The staff are incredible and we really felt like family by the end. We were totally spoilt each day - we could not rate the food here highly enough! We were lucky enough to see their turtle project hatch and make it to the ocean - just one of the many incredible projects they have set up. If you go here you will not regret it - you will feel beyond peaceful, probably inspired. Thank you to all at Matemwe Bungalows for giving us such a beautiful start to our married life together.

Christene Trip Advisor July 2010

The bungalows at Matemwe were absolutely perfect. A large comfortable bed, a luxurious bathroom with a big tub and guilt free solar heated water and the sea just metres away from the hammock and sofa on our terrace.

The bungalows are set in carefully landscaped grounds which unobtrusively add to the relaxing atmosphere, the pools although small are beautiful and quiet and there are plenty of sun-loungers both on the beach and around the pools.

The restaurant overlooks the sea and the food was superb with wonderful fresh ingredients and plenty of choice, including for vegetarians. Our only criticism was the lack of variety on the predominantly South African wine list.

The beach at Matemwe is beautiful, palm fringed with sand as fine as flour and crystal clear warm water. The only problem is that at low tide the water is very shallow, just up to your knees as far out as the reef over 100m away and the sea anenomies make bathing impractical at low tide. The advantage is that you can watch the local villagers wade in and listen to their songs as they gather up the fishing nets and cultivate seaweed.

José and Geraldine manage Matemwe Bungalows in a relaxed and efficient manner, always ready to advise or chat unobtrusively. The staff are friendly and eager to help without being obsequious. Matemwe and its people seem to generate a friendly and relaxed atmosphere, for us it was the perfect wind down after a week on safari and an ideal break from the European winter.

Tripadvisor March 2010