Imagine if you can, a villa designed to accommodate just 2 people in the most romantic way possible. Add in a wonderfully unusual piece of design that’ll have you wandering the place in amazement as you notice one astonishing detail after another. Then throw in your own private chef ready to create deliciously tasty dinners just for the 2 of you in the privacy of your decadent haven without you ever having so much as venture from your villa’s addictive embrace. Put it all together and you’ve got the Asali Suite, quite possibly the most original and exclusive lodging on the entire island of Zanzibar!

It’s all the creation of Gail, a South African girl who heads up Matemwe Beach Village – an otherwise mid-range beach lodge in the north-east of the island. She’s designed and decorated this honeymoon suite with great flair and imagination. The astonishing end result has wowed guests and travel journalists alike (see “other reviews”) Perhaps the ultimate accolade though was paid by the UK Sunday Times newspaper who named the Asali Suite as one of its “50 Most Romantic Places in the World”, describing it wonderfully aptly as a “love nest for a love fest!”

a place where you can literally drop off the face of the planet for a few days – emerging eventually with a hugely self-satisfied grin on your face and a treasure-trove of special memoriesThis really is a place where you can literally drop off the face of the planet for a few days – emerging eventually with a hugely self-satisfied grin on your face and a treasure-trove of special memories. With your own private access to the beach, and even your own little beach hut where you can take shelter from the tropical rays, the Asali Suite ensures that you can truly be as alone as it’s possible to be whilst still been shamelessly pampered and indulged.

The focal point of the whole fantasy suite is the private plunge pool that lies directly underneath a chunky glass chandelier – the pool is a circular affair where you can cool off with your partner from the tropical heat outside (or perhaps more likely get even hotter!)

The whole front half of the suite is open, allowing you secretive views of the gorgeous white sand beach that lies beyond the screening ring of coastal bush that lends privacy from casual beach strollers – this open design means that you catch the cooling sea breezes whilst relaxing in the very comfortable wooden lazy chairs that face the ocean and listening to some suitable mood music from the suite’s CD stereo.

All that remains is your private dining table for 2 and kitchen area, complete with honesty bar, where your own dedicated chef will prepare a special meal just for the 2 of you. During our stay here Harrison, the wonderfully gracious and pleasant chef, whipped us up a delicious 4-course feast of tomato soup, superbly spicy vegetable samoosas with mango chutney, fresh white snapper in a creamy coconut sauce, and finally ending off with pineapple upside-down cake! It really is a case of making every attempt to spoil you – if the weather’s good Harrison will happily set up a table for you on the beautiful deserted beach in front of the suite where you can dine by candle and moon light.

Take time out to read the beautiful leather-bound guest book – it’s like looking at the secret diary complete with memories and musings of all the contented guests who have gone before.

If you want some company then just take a minute’s stroll down a sandy path which will bring you to the main Matemwe Beach Village lodge – where you will turn other guests at the bar more than a few shades of green with jealousy!

Unbridled romance at a surprisingly affordable price

Literally on a great beach – think talcum powder sand and never-ending palm trees

Consistent rave reviews from guests about the excellent and oh-so friendly service from staff

The sheer decadent luxury of having your own plunge pool at the centre of your room

Just wish that there was more than one, as it’s so popular you have to sweat to get in

The inside bathroom is quite dark – instead enjoy using the outside bathroom (a warm shower outside whilst the rain poured down just a metre or two away was an absolutely exhilarating experience)

So good it almost deserves to be tucked away on its own little island by itself