Zanzibar has no shortage of postcard perfect escapes, but the newly opened Matemwe Attitude brings something genuinely fresh to the island’s luxury landscape.
Open only a few weeks, this fully sustainable boutique resort sits on the quieter northeastern coast, where the Indian Ocean shifts from turquoise to deep jade and the rhythm of island life slows to something wonderfully restorative.
The resort is designed as a village‑style retreat, with 74 villas spread across lush coastal gardens. Of these, 24 are swim‑up villas, each one offering direct access to a ribbon of shimmering pool that winds through the property like a private lagoon. The architecture leans into natural textures – pale woods, woven fibres, coral‑stone walls – creating a sense of barefoot elegance that feels both contemporary and deeply rooted in Zanzibar’s coastal heritage.
Inside the villas, the aesthetic is calm and uncluttered. Expect high, thatched ceilings, generous terraces, and interiors bathed in soft, natural light. The rooms are intentionally tech‑free: no televisions, no digital distractions, just the sound of the ocean and the rustle of palm leaves. It’s a deliberate invitation to disconnect, and it works beautifully.
In keeping with the resort’s sustainability philosophy, the mini‑bar is left empty, but not as a cost‑cutting gesture. Instead, guests can stock up at the resort’s bulk shop, where tea, coffee, snacks and essentials are offered without single‑use packaging. It’s a thoughtful, intelligent approach, luxury without waste, indulgence without excess.
Dining at Matemwe Attitude is a celebration of local flavour. The main restaurant serves a refined take on Swahili and East African cuisine, with just‑caught seafood, fragrant spices and produce sourced from nearby farms. A beachside grill offers relaxed lunches with ocean views, while the resort’s bars and lounges provide elegant spaces for sundowners, cocktails infused with island botanicals, and late‑evening conversations under the stars.
Beyond the villas and dining spaces, the resort’s amenities are designed to nurture both body and mind. There’s a well‑equipped gym, open‑air yoga sessions overlooking the water, and guided coastal walks that reveal the island’s tidal rhythms and traditional fishing culture. Matemwe Attitude also places strong emphasis on community connection: guests can join workshops led by local artisans, from cooking classes that explore Zanzibari spice traditions to textile weaving and craft sessions that support local makers.
The result is a resort that feels quietly luxurious rather than ostentatious, an escape where sustainability is not a marketing line but a lived philosophy. Matemwe Attitude offers the kind of experience that stays with you: serene, sensory, and deeply human. It’s a place to slow down, breathe deeply, and rediscover the pleasure of travelling lightly.