Kasha Boutique

Chic and minimalistic using the land to create a seamless blend from resort to ocean.

Hotel name:
Kasha Boutique

Address:
Matemwe, Zanzibar

Website:
www.kasha-zanzibar.com

Overview:

Kasha Boutique Hotel is built on a short coral cliff and has 11 luxury villas of beauty and absolute serenity. Kasha is blessed with an amazing view over the lagoon of the Mnemba Atoll coral reef. The spacious Swahili-Arabic style villas are a luxurious experience, each with a private Baraza outdoor lounge and own splash pool with sun terrace. The sounds of the light breezes blowing over the untouched landscape, together with the Indian Ocean waves lapping gently against the coral barrier reef will soothe away any burdens of day-to-day life.

Whilst similar style properties are found on the island, none has the mix of traditional style thatched Makuti bungalows with the mod cons many travellers prefer to have access too – mainly the AC and television for the cool siesta and afternoon movie that is a luxury of holidays and not everyday life. Kasha villas are amongst the best on the island for space, architecture and comforts but the crowning glory of this lodge is the views out to Mnemba Island. The beach stretches out for miles at low tide and rather than the picture perfect white sandy beaches of the south east coast, this landscape is much more interesting. As the sea recedes, coral patches and small rock pools are revealed. Locals form the village at Matemwe come and collect food, spending hours working the beach just like their ancestors before them.

At high tide, you can walk from the front of the infinity pool down steps directly into the ocean to swim and snorkel the crystal clear waters. Mnemba Island lies out in the distance and traditional dhow boats can take you to dive and snorkel the reefs at Mnemba, though the island itself is private.

Kasha is cool, calm and collected. The design is chic and minimalistic using the flatness of the land to create a seamless blend from sand and rock to gardens and the ocean beyond. The public areas are vast open spaces accented with draped fabrics and traditional carved furniture. Kasha is the perfect anecdote to urban living.

Rooms:

Each fully Air Conditioned Villa at Kasha is set within the gardens facing the ocean with 5 front row and 6 second row villas. None of the villas have direct beach access. The beach is instead accessed from steps beside the infinity pool, central and ocean front to the resort. The height and space within each villa is unmatched on the island. The stonewashed light terracotta and burnt cream Niru ( plaster ) bring the interior and exterior of the villas together, with an earthen feel that is offset with soft furnishings in whites, browns and reds. Crisp white linens adorn the large beds draped romantically with soft fabric canopies, giving the illusion of four poster beds and functioning as mosquito nets at night.

Beautifully fragranced toiletries, soft dressing gowns and bathroom linen offer guests luxurious room amenities, fitting for the size and grandness of the bathrooms with the walk in showers and large baths with ocean views.

The lounge area has a sofa, tea and coffee making facilities and flat screen television with a DVD player. The outdoor space has a secondary lounge and private plunge pool with privacy ensured by large fabric drapes hung from the frame of the makuti thatched roofs. All the villas have stunning views of the Ocean. The front row villas offer uninterrupted panoramas whilst the second row do overlook the first.

Service & Facilities

The Sama Restaurant and Sheesha Bar serves mainly African dishes using locally farmed produce, Zanzibar’s world famous spices and ‘catch of the day’ fish straight from the Indian Ocean to the plate. Alongside the seafood, meat and vegetarian dishes are served to guests and any dietary requirements are catered for.

Kasha Boutique also offers the following:

The Lala Spa offers body scrubs, facials, massages and holistic treatments using locally infused oils such as Langi Langi and Lemon grass.
The Infinity pool is the perfect place to relax and take a drink from the pool bar.
Diving and snorkelling trips are arranged through the hotel reception, as are excursions throughout the island. Kasha works with One Ocean dive centre in Matemwe.

Community Projects

Kasha works with the local community by stocking the hotel kitchens with produce from the local village and farms. The fishermen of Matemwe have benefitted hugely from tourism on the east coast and local villagers are given priority to be trained and employed at the hotel.

The management of Kasha can arrange for you to attend local weddings and celebrations giving you an insight to local culture and traditions.

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