Imagine an exquisite island escape with pristine beaches and crystalline turquoise waters rippling against its shores, where you barely have to lift a finger during your entire stay. The andBeyond Mnemba Island is a shoes-off, luxurious experience that begins as soon as you step off the boat that delivers you to this idyllic destination. Whether you enjoy romantic walks along the beach, indulging in the freshest and finest cuisines or pampering massages, the andBeyond Mnemba delivers. As one of the most unique and luxurious hotels on the Zanzibar archipelago, guests return again and again to experience this unpretentious island paradise.
Location
Why stay at the andBeyond Mnemba Island during my trip to Zanzibar?
Off the North-Eastern tip of Zanzibar, lies the private andBeyond Mnemba Island. Mnemba is bordered by an atoll of breathtaking coral reefs and is home to some of Africa’s most magnificent dive sites. The warm Indian Ocean surrounding Mnemba offers remarkable snorkelling, scuba diving, kayaking, and swimming enjoyable year-round. You won’t find any jetties here; therefore departures and landings are directly on the beach and require a bit of barefoot wading.
Key Facts
- the andBeyond Mnemba Island Lodge is situated in a coral atoll in the Mnemba Island Marine Conservation area
- Mnemba Island is a privately owned island that only guests of andBeyond Mnemba have access to
- the island is 90 minutes from the Zanzibar International Airport, followed by a 10 to 15 minute boat ride
What is special?
- leave your shoes at the door, as this barefoot paradise will not require any footwear from the time you arrive until the time you leave
- discover the various wildlife inhabiting the island, including the dwarf-sized Suni antelope, breeding doves, and terrestrial coconut crabs
- watch as the sun dips behind the horizon and the golden rays glisten over the ocean’s surface, whilst taking a romantic stroll along the beach
What do the guests say?
- guests rave that you will immediately fall in love with this African jewel
- travelers recommend spending a few nights on the main Zanzibar island to see the sights, shop and enjoy the contrast of experiences
- guests feel the andBeyond Mnemba is the perfect destination on its own or it can be included after a Tanzanian safari trip
Accommodation
What type of rooms are available at the andBeyond Mnemba?
The andBeyond Mnemba Island is an idyllic barefoot paradise where just 12 modest palm-fringed villas, referred to as “bandas”, rest amidst a tropical beach forest. With thatched roofs, glassless windows, open-sided verandas and detailed wood carvings akin to its natural surroundings, you cannot get much closer to nature than this. Enjoy your own private and secluded stretch of shade within the tropical forest as you take in the ocean views from your beach sala or traditional Zanzibari sunbed. These rustic and modest, yet luxurious bandas ensure absolute privacy.
Key Facts
- the andBeyond Mnemba Island only hosts 24 guests at a time at this private beach hideaway
- complimentary hats, cotton robes and beach bags fill your closet for your convenience
- a foot basin is available outside your banda to rinse your sand-covered toes each time you enter your vacation home
- the resort upholds a two-to-one staff to guest ratio to ensure your needs are exceeded beyond your wildest expectations
What is special?
- spend languid hours in the privacy of your own veranda, or on private beach salas, unwinding, relaxing, and enjoying afternoon siestas
- feel the sand between your toes as you step out of your banda and directly out onto the white coral sand beach
- wake each morning to the delight of coffee and breakfast served to you in your banda by your personal butler
What do the guests say?
- cozy beds and the sounds of the ocean had guests never wanting to leave their vacation home
- the rustic, open-air design provides a unique island living experience that has guests eagerly planning their next return
- a unique place, with a closeness to nature, while enjoying an impeccable five-star service has guests singing andBeyond Mnemba’s praises
Spa
What’s the best way to relax after a fun-filled day in the ocean?
Indulge in a wide range of wellness and spiritually awakening activities that draw inspiration from the glorious surrounding nature of this unique and colourful island. Blissfully rewind and relax as the body and soul is returned to perfect equilibrium by the healing hands of expert therapists. Whether your body is in need of a detox, deep tissue therapy or hydrating and replenishing, you have endless options of treatments to choose from. Enjoy this incredibly peaceful moment beachside, under a private beach sala or in the comfort of your banda.
Key Facts
- guests can choose from a menu of eight relaxing massage treatments
- the island spa consists of in-room treatments only
- treatment options range between 30-90 minutes to fit within any schedule or time frame
What is special?
- have all your senses tantalized with aromatic fragrances of cinnamon, coffee, cloves and oranges during an energizing Zanzi-Spice Journey, featuring a detoxing body polish, followed by a blissful massage
- after a day of basking in the sun, nourish and repair your skin with a soothing Aloe Vera Gel Body Mask that will cool you off and assist in recovery at the same time
- experience the sacred Mnemba-style Ka-Huna treatment as your expert therapist uses a rolling and flowing technique, emulating the ocean waves, to lull you into a deep state of relaxation
What do the guests say?
- guests love having their body and mind rejuvenated whilst listening to the soft waves of the ocean lapping the shore
- great massages delivered right on your own private deck is just what guests needed to round off their experience
- massages and therapies are offered with great expertise and charm and should not be missed, according to guests
Culinary
What about the food? What type of cuisine can I expect at the andBeyond Mnemba?
Every meal of the day at the andBeyond Mnemba Island is an impeccable culinary experience that has guests craving for more. Have breakfast served in your banda or venture to the communal dining room and get your fill of pastries, homemade jams or perfectly poached eggs Benedict. Enjoy an exceptional three-course lunch served buffet-style or on large Zanzibar platters filled with delectable mezze. Dinner is where the magic truly happens! Whether you have your butler set up a romantic fare in your banda, under a star-strewn sky, or in the middle of the forest, it won’t be a memory you will soon forget.
Key Facts
- baskets of fresh fruit, fish, lobsters, crabs and prawns are brought into Mnemba daily on traditional Zanzibar boats, and are used in exotic culinary dishes
- the chef will customize meals to suit your taste
- three meals daily, including soft drinks, house wines, local brand spirits and beers, tea and coffee and refreshments are all included in the rate of the room
What is special?
- dine with your toes in the sand, during dinner on the beach with fresh cuisine
- enjoy the serenading of a post-dinner, live music session as you nestle up around a roaring fire on the beach, on comfy cushions and swoon the night away – an incredible ending to a perfect day
- enjoy the fresh island air and the calming sounds of the ocean during an intimate candlelit dinner on your own private strip of beach
What do the guests say?
- diners loved the food variety, which is prepared almost exclusively from local ingredients
- from the beach, to the jungle and the normal dining area, guests felt each night was special given the different location options for dinner
- guests loved the complimentary cocktail hour before dinner
Activities
What types of activities are available during my stay at andBeyond Mnemba Island?
There are endless ways to spend sun-filled, fun-filled days on Mnemba Island. Stretch out on the powder-soft beach on a lounger or, if you are looking for a little more adventure, opt for windsurfing, paddle boarding and sea kayaking. Even the little ones can get in on the action with the Bubblemaker Course, designed for younger children who would like to enjoy a taste of a diving experience. From deep sea fishing, snorkeling and diving to massages on the beach and simply relishing in the act of nothingness, the andBeyond Mnemba Island has something for everyone.
Key Facts
- the andBeyond Mnemba Island has its own PADI dive school on site, where two PADI dives per day are included for each guest
- the WILDchild Program creates unforgettable moments and fosters bonds between young guests, the planet and its people
- the island boasts a tropical forest where rare antelopes, bird species, and the endangered Ader’s duiker can be spotted
What is special?
- settle into your evenings with sumptuous cocktails and sublime sunsets on a complimentary cruise on a traditional Zanzibar Dhow boat
- enjoy exclusive diving at the magnificent coral reef where you will swim alongside turtles, dolphins, exotic fish, and the occasional whale shark and manta ray
- channel your energy and find internal balance with a yoga class looking out to the clear blue ocean
- witness the nesting and hatching of endangered green baby turtles as they make the arduous journey from the nest all the way to the sea, with your assistance
What do the guests say?
- daily snorkel trips to the beautiful reef and quiet morning walks around the island are a favorite amongst guests
- guests loved the activities on offer, but also enjoyed simply absorbing the mythical experience the Mnemba gave them
- travelers highly recommend kayaking around the island
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Find out more about andBeyond Mnemba Island...
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- Visit the official website of andBeyond Mnemba Island