Boutique Hotel Matlai

Hotels
Independent
10 (20 reviews)
Michamvi Beach, Michamvi , Michamvi , TZ

Facilities

Full-service spa
Proposal/romance packages available
Free bicycles on site
Boat tours on site
Terrace
Garden
Luggage storage
Concierge service
Wheelchair accessible
Infinity pool
See all facilities

Review Highlights

Pros:
Clean rooms
Friendly staff
Great location
Comfortable beds
Cons:
Limited parking
Expensive breakfast
No spa services

Categories

Cleanliness
7.5
Guests consistently mentioned cleanliness as a positive aspect.
Service
8.3
Service was generally appreciated, although a few guests had complaints about wait times.
Location
8.1
The hotel is located in close proximity to many key landmarks and public transport.
Room Quality
7.8
Rooms were spacious and comfortable, although some guests mentioned minor maintenance issues.
Amenities
7.2
The amenities provided were satisfactory, with some guests highlighting the gym and pool, while others mentioned the lack of spa services.
Value for Money
6.9
Some guests felt that the price was a bit high for the services offered, while others thought it was reasonable given the location.
Food and Beverage
7.3
Breakfast and restaurant services were generally well-received, although a few guests thought there could be more variety.
Overall Experience
8
Most guests had a positive overall experience and would recommend the hotel to others.
* This sentiment is summarized by AI based on user reviews.
Updated at: 2025-08-25 14:01

Property Description

Luxurious Spa Services
Indulge in massages, body treatments, and facials at the full-service spa to rejuvenate your senses and unwind during your stay.

Dining and Entertainment
Savor delectable meals at the hotel's restaurant or opt for room service to enjoy gourmet dishes in the comfort of your room. Unwind with a drink at the bar/lounge or the beach bar for a relaxing evening.

Convenient Amenities
Benefit from services such as concierge assistance, wedding planning, and luggage storage for a seamless stay. A roundtrip airport shuttle is available for your convenience, ensuring hassle-free travel arrangements.

Escape to Boutique Hotel Matlai for an unforgettable beachfront experience - book now for an exquisite getaway.

Important information:

  • This property's policy is to refuse certain bookings for the purpose of group events or parties, including pre-wedding stag/bachelor and hen/bachelorette parties.
  • Reservations are required for massage services. Reservations can be made by contacting the hotel prior to arrival, using the contact information on the booking confirmation.
  • Children 12 years old and younger are not permitted at this property.
  • Only registered guests are allowed in the guestrooms.
  • No pets and no service animals are allowed at this property.

Check-in and check-out hours:
Check-out: 10:00 AM
Airport code: ZNZ

Property Policies

  • Pets

    Pets not allowed

  • General

    Events/parties allowed

  • Children and extra beds

    No rollaway/extra beds available

  • Pets

    Service animals not allowed

  • Guest type

    Essential workers only - NO

See all policies

Location

Guest Reviews

10
Based on 20 reviews
Cleanliness: 7.5
Service: 8.3
Location: 8.1
Room Quality: 7.8
Amenities: 7.2
Value for Money: 6.9
Food and Beverage: 7.3
Overall Experience: 8
H
Håkan
10
Ett underbart supermysigt boutiquehotel.
Pros:

Fantastiskt mysigt boutiquehotel. Verligen en pärla. Mycket god mat som serverades i restaurant, på rummets balkong eller på ett av flera ställen i den fina trädgården (man valde själv ställe varje dag). Mycket trevlig personal, alla hälsade och pratade gärna. Ett drömställe - vi längtar tillbaka.

2025-03-18 via Nuitee
M
Monica partner
10
Pros:

Bellissimo boutique hotel, con pochi appartamenti molto belli, ogni particolare è curato con attenzione per il benessere dei clienti. L'appartamento dove abbiamo soggiornato, il Maji, è molto grande con patio e giardino esterno e vista mare. Il personale molto professionale e gentile, sempre pronto a soddisfare qualsiasi esigenza. Ashim, che ci ha seguiti durante il nostro soggiorno è un ragazzo fantastico, molto professionale, discreto e educato.
Il ristorante è davvero ottimo,
con tante proposte interessanti, cucinate con gusto. Complimenti allo chef. Abbiamo usufruito anche del centro benessere, Maryem e l'altra ragazza sono davvero bravissime. Abbiamo passato una settimana incantevole e speriamo di poterci tornare presto. Lo consiglio a tutti coloro che voglio rilassarsi e godersi lo splendido mare di Zanzibar.
Personale accoglientw e pronto a so

2024-12-26 via Nuitee
J
Jonathan partner
10
Pros:

A beautiful small resort with just 6 rooms in two separate buildings. Very attentive and friendly staff. Lovely pool. Beautiful gardens. Long white sand beach right in front of the rooms is perfect for walks and swimming (with sea shoes, and somewhat tide dependent).

2024-02-03 via Nuitee
K
Kristina
10
Thank you, Matlai, for super happy memories!!
Pros:

There are lots of beautiful boutique hotels everywhere in the world, lots of them have just a beautiful facade, but missing that special personal touch that actually makes the difference by bringing up good emotions and making you always remembering the place.
Matlai gives you that experience and you will want to come back, because everything here is simply very very very good - location, views, facilities, service, food, comfort, design and details, happy staff, peace ... you will not miss a thing from your luxury beach stay!

2022-12-29 via Nuitee
P
Patrick partner
10
Pros:

A Boutique Hotel worth of its name.
The team will welcome you with a smile from the heart and you will have the most pleasant stay in a place that is close to a piece of heaven on earth!
You will not have to worry about anything as the Matlai team will get all your needs covered from out trips to transportation to snorkeling gear to anything you might need.
The outdoor cinema was a charm and the beach bar was great.
Do not hesitate to book your stay with Matlai Hotel.
You won’t be disappointed.
special thanks to Justus and Mohammed from the Matlai team

2021-11-12 via Nuitee
E
Ellyn Dryden
10
Best hotel I have ever stayed in!
Pros:

If I could give this hotel a higher rating I would. Everything was perfect from the time we arrived to when we left, our only regret was we wish we had booked for longer! We stayed for 2 nights as part of our honeymoon.
Inge arranged our airport transfer, when we reached the hotel we got out and didn't need to pay (they put it on our room bill) and took our cases to our room, handed us fresh coconuts with Malibu and got us checked in quickly. We arrived late and ordered our dinner which we ate on our balcony served by the hotel butler.
I love the little quirks of this place:
- You can eat anywhere you like and there are SO many beautiful spaces!
- Cooked to order breakfast you can eat whenever you like and as much as you like with local delicacies
- The room balcony was beautiful and incredible views
- Food is exceptional and well priced
- Service is also exceptional
- It's so relaxing, peaceful and quiet
- The bath and local bath salts are a beautiful touch
- I LOVED the bedtime stories!
- The room spray choice is such a nice touch
- The hotel bar/ restaurant is well decorated
- All the décor is outstanding
- You can pay for everything on your card, even hotel transfers

Do not hesitate about booking this, we would absolutely come back.

Traveller tip: Don't waste your money going to the Rock Restaurant for over priced, below average food and poor service. Eat here and get amazing food for incredible quality with exceptional service!

2020-02-14 via Nuitee
V
Verified traveler partner
10
Pros:

Mátlai boutique hotel is a dream and a little piece of paradise, the owners (manager, director) Tim, Inge and the rest of the staff specially Muhammed, justice and Regina made our stay very special, the view of our room was amazing, the food and service was impecable and We were able to borrow the snorkeling gear (free to use) and we were also able to watch a movie in the outside cinema setting at the hotel (quite romantic and another movie 🍿 in our room.

The matlai hotel is my favorite place and I hope I can be lucky enough to come back every year, it was the most special 5 days I have had in a long time. Thanks to the matlai team for sharing and giving us such a special time.

Ana Beltran

2020-01-29 via Nuitee
J
Julian
10
A piece of paradise in Zanzibar!
Pros:

Paradise! Both in terms of service and grounds. Totally recommend this hotel to those looking for a unique experience in Zanzibar.

2019-07-07 via Nuitee
S
Simone
10
Best hotel we have ever stayed at!
Pros:

This hotel is a 10/10, you will not regret booking it.

The owner Inge is very helpful and attentive from the moment you book and all the staff during our stay was phenomenal. This hotel is a very good value, especially considering other hotels with similar offering are more than double the price. From the food, to the service, to location, to the individually decorated rooms, everything was perfect! Given there are limited rooms and the hotel is located on a large property, it also never feels crowded and you can enjoy your privacy.

2019-03-22 via Nuitee
E
Elizabeth
10
Book it already. Amazing time.
Pros:

Amazing hotel with the bestest of service. The owners were beyond nice and the staff was the most enjoyable and professional. Great experience and would definitely stay again. Only thing that could be improved is the wifi speed.

2018-02-20 via Nuitee
V
Verified traveler
10
Great hotel, amazing staff
Pros:

I turned up and was very slightly disappointed. However, the staff are amazing and more than made up for my initial thoughts
Great location and a walk away from The Rock

2017-12-06 via Nuitee
T
Terri
10
Heaven on Earth!
Pros:

Never in my life have I been to such an amazing hotel! Beautiful ocean views, gardens, lounging areas. The only thing better than the breathtaking hotel itself is the amazing staff. So incredibly friendly and helpful, they made you feel like you were the most important person there. And the food....delicious! If there was more than a 5 star rating, this place deserves it! Everyone should have a chance to visit this place at least once in their lives, truly paradise on Earth! - Adam and Terri

2017-11-20 via Nuitee
R
Roberta
10
zanzibar paradise
Pros:

Boutique Hotel Matlai is a wonderful place to stay - everything from the beginning to end was perfect!
All the staff was amazing, Tim the general manager was friendly and helpful. The room was well designed, spacious, had every comfort needed. Our room was a few feet from the beach - incredible view - couldn't ask to for a better location. With only 6 rooms great attention was paid to all details and to making every guest feel as if they were at home. Food was very good and it was the only place in Zanzibar that we found could make a good aperol spritz! We had a fantastic 4 day stay - I would only change one thing - to have stayed longer!

2017-09-07 via Nuitee
V
Verified traveler
10
Beautiful!!!
Pros:

Breathtakingly gorgeous private place right on the beach! Wonderful staff and delicious food! Its like a private paradise and once youre there you just want to remain napping on the bahari overlooking the ocean and never leave! Only fault is slow wifi but its not even needed because you just want to forget the outside world when youre there. Definitely will recommend it and be back!

2016-11-23 via Nuitee
V
Verified traveler
10
Wonderful hotel, great experience
Pros:

True luxury, beautiful hotel by the sea. Recommend Villa Kidosho for honeymooners

2016-08-07 via Nuitee
H
Heather
10
A little piece of indulgent paradise!
Pros:

What an amazing stay at Boutique Hotel Matlai! From the butler service to the private pool to the great transport to and from the airport - will definitely come back!

2016-04-17 via Nuitee
V
Verified traveler
10
Opulence at a great price
Pros:

We stayed at the Villa Kidosho, Mwezi (Moon) room, which is a 2-room house with private balcony, salt water pool, dining area, and plenty of reading and lounging areas inside and outside. Also, there was a butler. Yes, you read this right, there is a butler 24/7. You can summon the butler with a cell phone that you can use in town (might need to reset the phone when you get off the property). Tim, the co-owner/manager with his mother, Inge, did a wonderful job of coordinating trips to Stone Town and to Cheetah's Rock, a must-do. The taxi people he uses are secure and prompt, so leaving things in the taxi for a while is no issue with security. This was low season, and we were the only ones in the entire hotel for a few days, which was quite pleasant. 1/2 board is breakfast and dinner included, which has a large menu selection that is made to order. This was truly a royal treatment.

2016-04-12 via Nuitee
J
Jeroen
10
Like royals
Pros:

We had a great stay here on the final days of our honeymoon.
The service and facilities were just perfect, we were treated like royals!!

2015-11-27 via Nuitee
T
Thomas
8
Small and friendly
Pros:

Beautiful small property with great rooms and gardens. Loved the ability to eat when and where you like. Service was very friendly if a bit slow at times. While you are free to request dishes, the actual range and quality delivered depends on the limited availability of produce and sometimes lead times that surprised us. The beach is nice for long walks, but swimming is subject to the tides as everywhere on Zanzibar. During low tide the plentiful rock pools are an attraction for explorers.

2015-10-01 via Nuitee
P
Paul
10
Very convenient boutique hotel
Pros:

Four great rooms with each a butler for all your wishes. Nice pool almost on the beach. For quietness and relaxing. Superb!

2015-07-28 via Nuitee