Arrival

It can take between two and seven hours to arrive from Stone Town to Sunshine Marine Lodge, depending on which taxi and driver you are taking. and whether you can get gasoline that day! Yes, seriously! AND…The weather conditions can make it easy or difficult to get from one end to the other end of the island.

On parts of the trip we drove on gravel roads as a beautiful African scenario unfolded. Primitive clay huts alongside the edge of the primeval green forest. African children running after the cars and women balancing water jugs or firewood on their head. Straight out of a storybook!.

After a long drive with nothing in sight other than dry plains and the feeling of being "in the middle of nowhere", we arrived on a small, dusty, dry and bumpy gravel road, at the end of which was a rusty metal gate. I actually had a little trouble believing this could be a retreat!

When the doors opened and we drove in to the Sunshine Marine Lodge, I saw a sight I could not have imagined. Lush and exotic landscape with small lined paths and charming small houses. Palm trees, colorful flowers, scents and the sound of insects surrounded me. This is not a traditional luxury resort, but more what I define as "the new luxury". It's laid-back luxury, where you immediately feel completely at home and it’s so easy to disconnect. The staff was prepared for us and we were given instructions about the place and the surroundings. Keys were handed out and we were shown around the entire resort.

A really excellent and friendly welcome.

Design and decor

All the trails at Sunshine Marine Lodge lead down to the "centre", the place where you hang out, namely the pool, the restaurant, the bar, all with an exquisite and stunning view of the sea. It is magnificently exotic and full of self-indulgence. A kind of “bohemian-luxury-hippie” style, with African colors and furnishings.

Around the pool you lie on sun beds and look out at the turquoise blue sea, immerse the body in the infinity pool, while drinking vitamin-rich juices made from local fruits. This is heaven!! :-)

The design focus is on mood and the natural surroundings. You are close to nature in a cozy comfort. Which is one of the best things I know.

Ambiance

Here things run on African time! Everything takes time, from serving a cup of coffee to a meal. It definitely takes time for the Scandinavian pace to get used to it. But that's part of the experience - to slow down!

The staff are sweet and friendly. There are not many guests and so an amicable atmosphere quickly develops when you recognize each other.

Room

The rooms are cosy, clean and boast bohemian luxury. Traditional African clay walls form both a sofa and half walls to the bathroom. The bed is a classic tropical bed, with posts in the four corners and every evening the staff makes the room ready for the evening with mosquito net carefully placed, so neither mosquitoes nor other small animals can disturb you during the night.

Restaurant

Neither the food nor the level of service is top notch. That's the only big disappointment.

Service is friendly, but incredibly slow and the food is unimaginative and boring. The juices though are yummy.

Location

We are simply "in the middle of nowhere", and it is fantastic!

There are no neighbors, no hotels nearby, no traffic, no people.

Nature and the sea, the sunrise and sunset have your full focus and you follow the rising and falling of the tide during the day.

Overall

• This is not just a hotel… it is a all-round experience

• This hotel is a “once in a lifetime experience”

• Good value for your money

• I love it here

RATING - OUT OF 5

Comfort:❤️ ❤️ ❤️❤️

Style: ❤️❤️ ❤️❤️

Friendship:❤️ ❤️❤️

Taste: ❤️❤️