“Excellent!”

We had an exceptional stay at Boutique Hotel Matlai! The staff were incredible - so helpful and lovely. Tim the owner had so many fantastic tips, including the best places to snorkel (equipment and rock shoes provided for free). We felt so looked after - thank you so much!

“Very good”

Wonderful hotel. Good food, excellent location, very nice staf and good spa.

“Heaven in Paradise”

Out of the four luxury hotels I stayed in Zanzibar, this was by far my favorite! It’s a super small, family owned/run property with very professionally trained staff. The butlers are incredibly friendly (thank you Glory!), as is the skilled wait staff and the brilliant chef (the smoked chicken curry is beyond belief) and bartender. The jungle gym is breathtaking, the massage service worth every dollar, and the dogs super cute. When I return to Zanzibar, it will definitely be here.

“The best hotel in whole Zanzibar”

We have been to 4 hotels in Zanzibar and it was by far the best. It was thousand times better than Zuri Zanzibar. Everything was just exceptional starting with the warm welcome by the owner, the beautiful romantic suprise dinner by the beach, the butler service, the cleanliness, the amazing view from our villa, the sandbank which is in front of the hotel where you can walk to when there is low tide as well as the food. We love beautiful hotels with this kind of high-end service and we will for sure come back one day! :) Thank you very much for the wonderful stay!

“Excellent!”

We had an exceptional stay at Boutique Hotel Matlai! The staff were incredible - so helpful and lovely. Tim the owner had so many fantastic tips, including the best places to snorkel (equipment and rock shoes provided for free). We felt so looked after - thank you so much!

“Staying at Boutique Hotel Matlak was an absolutely wonderful experience! ❤️ The staff was incredibly warm and professional, making us feel at home from the very first moment. The food was simply delicious, prepared with so much care and attention to detail. And the views… breathtaking! 🌿✨ Thank you for creating such a special place that makes you want to come back again and again. It was more than just a stay – it was a true feast for the senses and the soul.”

“home away from home in paradise”

Special property set within beautifully landscaped gardens. The service was excellent and personalised, with great attention to detail. The food offering was also to a high quality

“Fabulous location, luxurious accommodation, excellent staff - a perfect relaxing retreat.”

We chose Hotel Matlai as a place to relax and unwind after a 2 week safari and it was absolutely perfect. It was unexpectedly luxurious with a beautifully appointed large bedroom with a huge comfortable bed, lots of wardrobe space for unpacking, comfortable seating and a private terrace where our breakfast was served each day. The bathroom had twin basins, a free standing bathtub and an excellent shower with lots of hot water. The hotel has extensive landscaped grounds with plenty of hidden spots to sit and relax. Each of the villas (we stayed in the one with four bedrooms) has it's own pool and it's a few steps down to the beach. Excellent restaurant and delicious food. The staff are amazing - consistently friendly, helpful with nothing being too much trouble. The butler service is outstanding - and puts Hotel Matlai into a class of it's own. There is a great spa centre on site with excellent massage service. Tim (one of the owners) took the time to come and meet us and was always available for any queries. We had a wonderful 4 days and would not hesitate to go back.

“Best place to relax in Zanzibar!”

Had an amazing time in Matlai! Everything was perfect! Breakfast was delicious and the restaurant had the best dumplings and Bao buns! Our butlers Tito and Jubair were very friendly and always ready to provide us with whatever we needed. The hotel spa was great as well!

“An unforgettable week in paradise”

The staff here are fantastic! They’re friendly and go above and beyond to be helpful and accommodating. The attention to detail is excellent and the personalised little touches are an extra treat. They just made our stay unforgettable. Especially Hashim and Glory, who we will miss very much and must come back and visit! It’s a beautiful hotel in luscious tropical gardens that feels secluded and private at the same time as well connected with other places nearby to visit and other hotels and restaurants along the beautiful white sandy beach. The pool is wonderful and always immaculately clean with beautiful views of the ocean. The food was also excellent! The best in the area for sure so no need to eat anywhere else. The chef included delicious veggie options every day on the menu of the day so I never ate the same thing twice! The excellent reviews here are truly deserved and I would highly recommend staying here for a relaxing or active few days. Also a shout out to the ladies in the spa, who added blissful pampering to the unforgettable experience! Thanks for having us! Heidi and Anne Gunn ❤️

“Exceptional, thankyou Inge, Justus head butler and the 4 butlers , particularly Ramadhan and Gideon”

What can I say that others haven't already said?! Staying at the Matlai Hotel is an absolute dream, I would rate it in the top 5 places I have stayed in the world, a truly personalised experience. From the exceptional service provided by the butlers, to the utter beauty of the property, the landscaping, the huge rooms and bathrooms, the stunning beach, the sunrise views, and the food, to the private cinema room, the housekeeping service, the tranquility and peace, it is almost indescribable. I cried the night before I left, if you have a chance to stay here, take it, it was truly magical. I don't believe there is anywhere else on the island to compare to this, we left feeling like they were our family, and our every wish was provided for and our dreams came true.

“An amazing place for relaxation.”

Well appointed rooms. A great place for relaxation with only 4 rooms and 1 villa. Incredible butler service. Couldn’t do enough for us.

“Absolutely perfect. Do not hesitate to book this hotel. Recommend booking the Deluxe suite. It was beautiful.”

Wow, this hotel. It’s is an absolute hidden gem. My husband and I travel a lot and this hotel has provided more small touches and personalised experiences than anywhere else we have been. It deserves 5 stars. Tim who runs the hotel is an absolute perfectionist. The butler service was exceptional and no ask was too much. They made romantic dinners all around the property for us with candles and flowers. Shout out to Hashim who is also an acrobat! The food was out of this world from breakfast to dinner. I asked for dishes that weren’t even on the menu and it was no issue for the very talented chef. They created a steak linguine and my lord was it out of this world. The spa was a beautiful experience, the lady is incredibly talented also and created a huge sense of calm for me. She was the sweetest soul with a heart of gold who took a lot of care in her work The pool was stunning looking out to the sea and sunrises were gorgeous. I couldn’t recommend this more to anyone. We stayed at both Zuri Zanzibar and Pongwe Island and this hotel stood out for us as they make you feel so special.

“Absolute Perfection”

So incredibly happy I stumbled upon this gem of a hotel to stay for my birthday! It was absolute perfection. The hotel itself is so well kept, the pool, the amenities! Cannot find a single fault even if I tried. Communication before and during my stay made everything booked so seamless and made the trip so relaxing. The most memorable part apart from the stunning views were the incredible staff. From the moment we arrived we felt so welcomed and closely attended to. Everyone was so attentive, warm and kind. The owners have definitely created a experience that far exceeds five star hotels and I would highly recommend to anyone. Looking forward to return!

“Paradise holiday 💕💕”

It’s paradise, the staff is amazing especially Derrick 👌🏾

“Best vacations ever”

Everything just fantastic.

“Most beautiful oasis of peace <3”

I had an exceptional hotel experience that truly stands out as one of the best I've ever had. From the moment I arrived for my three-day online workshop, I was impressed by the superior internet connectivity, which outperformed even that of my home in Zurich, Switzerland. The room was a masterpiece of thoughtful design, with each detail crafted with love and purpose. The service was outstanding, exceeding all expectations. The culinary delights prepared by the kitchen, along with the warm hospitality of the great owner, added to the overall excellence of my stay. This oasis of peace in Zanzibar is a place I wholeheartedly recommend to all my friends. A heartfelt thank you for such perfection. Well done! ♥️🙏💯

“Fabulous”

Superb room . Attention to build detail was excellent ! ( Congratulations to owners Inge and Tim ) . In fact one of the very best rooms I’ve stayed in , and I travel extensively . Staff could not be more polite and helpful . Outstanding !! :))))

“Fantastic place to relax and unwind on the beach in Zanzibar.”

Very luxurious with great facilities and staff.

“My fav hotel so far”

The breakfast was so good So much to choose from From continental to swahili food The location is perfect The best beach that’s close to the accommodation I would go their again and again