Boutique Hotel Matlai, Michamvi Kae

Accommodations

The hotel offers 6 villas and suites across two buildings, each with direct Indian Ocean views and private terraces or balconies. Rooms in Asili House and Villa Kidosho are named in Swahili, such as 'Hewa' meaning breeze, and feature handmade wooden furniture, mosquito nets sealed against the ceiling, and open-air bathrooms with freestanding bathtubs. Guests in ground-floor suites have a private pool, while all rooms include a minibar, bathrobes, and a menu of bath salts.

Dining

Breakfast and dinner are included, prepared by a private chef who specializes in traditional Kiswahili dishes and international cuisine. Guests can choose their dining location each meal - on their private terrace, in the garden, on the beach, or at the on-site Vietnamese restaurant. The chef accommodates dietary restrictions such as gluten-free and vegetarian requests, and the bar on the beach serves cocktails and refreshments.

Wellness & Spa

The Bustani Spa offers a range of treatments including full-body massages, facials, body scrubs, and manicures, set in a garden pavilion with ocean views. Guests can book yoga classes, or choose from spa packages that combine massages with access to the spa lounge and relaxation area. Two outdoor infinity pools - one per villa building - provide panoramic views of the Indian Ocean and are equipped with sun loungers and beach towels.

Services & Activities

Each guest is assigned a personal butler who handles everything from in-room check-in to arranging private dinners or surprise gifts. The hotel provides bicycle rentals, kayaks, snorkelling gear, and fishing equipment for exploring the beach and the nearby sandbar at low tide. Evening entertainment includes outdoor cinema screenings under the stars, themed dinner nights, and a shared lounge with board games.

Family & Children

The hotel welcomes families and offers spacious two-bedroom villas with private pools for small groups. Babysitting services are available on request, and children can join cooking classes or play board games in the shared lounge. The family-friendly property also features a picnic area, a garden with hammocks, and access to the beach where low tide reveals a sandbar for safe wading.

Highlights

Location: Beachfront on Michamvi Kae, 5 km from Chwaka Bay Conservation area

Rooms: 6 villas with private terraces, sea views, and freestanding bathtubs

Dining: Private chef cooking Kiswahili & Vietnamese cuisine

Wellness: Bustani Spa with full-body massages and yoga classes

Service: Personal butler for each guest, private in-room check-in

Activities: Outdoor cinema, bicycle rentals, kayaking, snorkelling