Ibo Island Lodge

Ibo Island Lodge is located right on the waterfront of Ibo Island with wonderful views over the ocean. The lodge offers a classic island experience, and with just 14 luxury rooms assures guests of exceptional service and flexibility. The lodge has refurbished magnificent mansions each over a century old with high lofty ceilings. The mansions are called Villa Paradiso, Villa Niassa and Villa Bela Vista. Accommodation is split between Paradiso and Niassa only — Bela Vista is the public area of the lodge and houses the lodge's restaurant, shop and the main pool in the main garden.

The large, en suite, air conditioned luxurious rooms are individually designed, and boast antiques and handcrafted furniture, with magnificent wooden doors and shutters that evoke the building's original design. There are four room categories; Standard, Sea Facing, Garden Facing and Historical Facing. All rooms have en suite facilities with twin basins and large marble showers. Some have baths and outside showers. The wide verandas and spaces are adorned with mahogany and teak day beds, carved by some of the island's most skilled artists and decorated with the softest of cushions covered in vibrant local fabrics.

Meals are taken in the dining room, on the verandas or the rooftop terraces. All have wonderful views over the sea and the restaurant features freshly grown organic vegetables, herbs and fruits and combine traditional specialities with seafood, giant tiger prawns, game fish and crab.

By staying on the island you can experience Ibo and her gentle islanders and you will witness a way of life that hasn't changed for hundreds of years. Staying on Ibo Island is not a white sand beach experience, rather a cultural experience enjoying life as the town presents it. Guests can explore the crumbling colonial townhouses, visit the imposing Portuguese fort and watch the skilled local craftsmen producing delicate silver jewelry. You can also do various excursions from Ibo such as take a cruise on a dhow or a boat trip to a neighboring island with sandy beaches.

OUR RATING: First Class