Kono Kono has to be one of the classiest new lodges to have opened in Zanzibar in many years! So many of the new developments that have opened their doors in recent years have been bland and anonymous large modern resorts that have little or no local character, but instead could be found on just about any beach in the world – which makes the recent launch of Kono Kono so welcome! This is a seriously classy new lodge aimed at the upper end of the market that's located in the south-east of the island overlooking the gorgeous palm lined beaches of Chwaka Bay - the refreshing difference is that, whilst it boasts all the modern luxuries and conveniences, Kono Kono also oozes local character and authentic Zanzibar style!

It also manages that most difficult of balancing acts - combining a fantastic level of luxury with the casual barefoot atmosphere that ensures you enjoy a wonderfully relaxing stay! Located on a massive plot above a gorgeous sandy beach lined with casuarina trees, Kono Kono promises to kick some serious butt in what is an increasingly competitive segment of the market. If you’re looking for a really romantic lodge offering superior levels of service, luxury and privacy, Kono Kono competes alongside old favourites like Matemwe Bungalows and Unguja Lodge not to mention its similarly new and classy sister lodge Kasha. a seriously classy new lodge aimed at the upper end of the market which, whilst boasting all the modern luxuries and conveniences, also oozes local character and authentic Zanzibar style!

It helps then that Kono Kono brings some fantastic strengths to the party! First up there are the 11 villas themselves – hugely spacious and superbly finished and even boasting their own individual plunge pools! Then there’s the lodge’s wonderfully secluded position above one of the finest beaches on the island, a stretch of powder-soft sand largely deserted apart from the odd fisherman. Another massive “plus” is that the sea here is far less tidal than the rest of Zanzibar’s east coast as there is no fringing reef directly offshore – so the sea is swimmable for far longer each day than at most other lodges.You’re also guaranteed a warm personal welcome and service from the South African couple who manage Kono Kono, Kevin and Sandra, and their wonderfully friendly team.

Another aspect that the lodge is keen to stress is the quality of the food – in fact, the chef here is ex-Singita Grumeti (part of the famous Singita group and one of the finest game lodges in the Serengeti) so you're in for a treat! Your day gets off to a great start with breakfast served to you in the privacy of your villa's veranda. After lazing in the sun around the pool or on the beach, enjoy a light lunch at the Barefoot Beach Bar where you can also drain an ice-cold Kili or cocktail! But what we found truly sensational were the dinners served down on the beach under the stars with your feet buried in the silky-soft beach sand and a bonfire blazing in the background - definitely one of our favourite dining experiences of any lodge we've stayed at!

The lodge is built on a long thin property which boasts a lot of trees and bush – in fact over 40% of the property has purposefully been left undeveloped, so if you’re lucky you might spot one of the monkeys or shy duiker that also call this lovely spot home (interestingly the neighbouring land on both sides of Kono Kono has just been declared a conservation area, so the lodge should retain its quiet and seclusion in future) The Jungle Spa takes full advantage of these gorgeous natural surroundings as it is in the form of a platform built on stilts that stands perched amidst the canopies of the trees – so you can enjoy a soothing massage whilst open to the cooling sea breezes and sound of bird song with just some soft white curtains serving to preserve your privacy. The shape of the plot dictates that the villas themselves are built in 3 rows – the 4 in the front being the Sea View Villas, the next 4 known as the Jungle Front Villas (still with slight sea views) and the back 3 called the Jungle Back Villas – as you might expect, the further back you go from the sea so the room rate gets trimmed slightly.

No doubt many guests will be tempted to simply hole up in their spacious and luxurious villas, but that would be a great pity when you’re in such a beautiful spot and there’s the opportunity instead to take long strolls along the palm lined beaches of Chwaka Bay; or relax on one of the comfortable loungers before cooling off with a dip, either in the turquoise sea or in the main pool which is perched on top of a small coral cliff about 3 metres above the sandy beach. Over sundowners in the bar (and the good news is that the lodge faces west so you get to enjoy spectacular sunsets - unlike virtually all the other east coast lodges!) you’ll no doubt meet up with fellow guests and agree how lucky you all are to have discovered this hidden but precious jewel of Zanzibar!

The villas are simply huge and wonderfully tastefully and luxuriously decorated – a great refuge for body and soul where, if you like, you can simply hole up in blissful seclusion

Dining on the beach under the stars by the light of a blazing bonfire and paraffin lamps with your feet buried in the sand - Kono Kono serves up a fantastically romantic atmosphere (not to mention delicious food!)

The beach here is far less tidal than the rest of Zanzibar’s east coast – a big plus for those who enjoy swimming in the sea.

Unusually for the east coast of zanzibar, the lodge faces the spectacular sunsets, so you can really enjoy your sundowners!

There’s always something about having your own individual plunge pool at your villa that is deliciously decadent!

Peace and quiet par excellence – this is one of the least developed parts of the island and a real refuge if you’re wanting to get away from it all

Pity that not all the villas have sea views on account of the shape of the plot

If you’re the type who enjoys a lot of socializing this may not be the place for you as the spread out layout can mean that other guests seem few and far between

The diving and snorkeling in this area are not as good here as the north-east of the island so keen divers may choose to stay in Matemwe instead

The swimming pool is not as classy as the rest of the lodge - but there are already plans to convert it into a stylish rim flow pool