Vilanculos Beach Lodge is a MUST if you are traveling to Vilanculos. Every staff member we encountered was friendly and always had a smile to offer. All of our needs were met.
The rooms are fantastic, pool amazing and food was delicious. I would suggest you never miss happy hour as was fun to socialize with other guests and staff. Plus they have the best potato skins! Grant and Sean never missed a beat...they run a great outfit! I don't think anything would have made our stay better! Thank you!!!!
Stayed April 2011, travelled with friends
“Most wondeful week ever!”
My husband and I have just returned from a week stay at Vilanculos Beach Lodge and had the most wonderful time ever. It is the type of place where you can be as lazy or as active as you wish in a dream setting. We chose to cram as much as possible into our 7 day stay. The friendly staff organized a tuck tuck for us and January, our driver, who was also a wonderful tour guide and spoke excellent English, showed us around the harbour and town. They also organized us a rental car that was delivered to the Lodge.
We explored the countryside up to the small town of Inhassoro. Daniel runs the activity centre. What a guy! We went diving and snorkelling with him twice during our stay. He knows so much about the ocean, the area and its people that after a day out with him, you feel that you have not just enjoyed the activities, but you have also enriched your mind. He showed us the flamingos, the fish traps, Pansy shell Island and also encouraged us to climb the huge sand dune at the southern end of Bazaruto Island, from where the view is breath taking! Diving with him was a fantastic experience. His staff at the activity centre seems to share his love for the ocean. They are extremely helpful and friendly. He also organized for us to go deep sea fishing and we managed to catch some yellow fin tuna for supper. His skippers and deck hands really know what they're doing. On our last evening there, we went on a sunset sail on a local dhow. Daniel saw to it that we had a basket packed with lovely snacks (even small stuffed crabs) and an ice bucket with wine and glasses. What great people to spend a day with!
The Lodge and the grounds are immaculately clean and neat. I was a bit worried about traveling to Mozambique because of Malaria, but every evening staff let down the mosquito nets over the beds and sprayed the room for insects. I love cooking and was allowed to cook our tuna myself. The chef and his staff are very helpful and friendly and their food is individually prepared and very tasty. The kitchen was clean and well organized. We paid our bill by credit card and there are ATMs in the town and at the airport. Staff might need a bit of training, but the new management is pulling out all the stops to rectify this. What a wonderful experience! When we left it was like leaving new family behind!
Stayed July 2011, travelled as a couple
“We did love it and hope to be back”
The staff were extremely helpful.
The hotel was not busy and this did add to our enjoyment.
We felt that the hotel grounds, and generally, that it was obvious that the management were efficient and involved. Stayed June 2011, travelled as a couple
“Nice place to stay, great view, hospitable staff”
Recommend the Sunset cruise in a traditional sailing boat!
Stayed June 2011, travelled as a couple
“Almost perfect”
A splendid beach location and a delightful infinity pool, combined with spacious shady palm gardens, make this a prime destination.
The food is good but not special and the wait between choice and service and between courses is lengthy (this is common in Mozambique). Helpful and friendly staff contribute to a comfortable stay; although, some would benefit from further training. Prices are a little high for this level of accommodation. The steps down from the car-park (which has a fishing pool - the children loved it) are tricky for the old or infirm. Stayed May 2011, travelled with family
“Paradise found”
We had the good fortune of experiencing an idyllic, memorable and relaxing break for a week at this picturesque lodge, right on the beach. From the moment we arrived, the staff and management made us feel very welcome. Hours spent around the magnificent rim pool were de-stressing and good for the soul. We were able to enjoy total relaxation away from the hustle and bustle of city life.
Sean and Grant set the standard, ensuring nothing was too much trouble in making our stay both comfortable and enjoyable and the friendly Moçambican staff followed their example with their unique unobtrusive style and beaming smiles.
A sneak peak at the new menu has left us wishing we could revisit soon, however we did manage to enjoy a crab curry (freshly caught that morning) which was out of this world. Sean's inspired creation of a home-madepapardelle pasta, topped with prawns in a champagne sauce was outstanding.
The knowledgeable skipper and his assistant allowed us to encounter dolphins twice, turtles and some of the best snorkelling ever and we returned to the lodge having being waited on hand and foot. They had good knowledge of the current and the reefs.
Muito obrigado. John and Trish
“A fabulous destination”
The spectacular view, open space, sea breeze and warm sunlight were enough to rejuvenate my soul, but combined with the great facilities, wonderful service and good food offered by the lodge it made for a memorable holiday.
Our room was comfortable and air conditioned with a great view of the sea and the islands in the distance. Getting up early to watch the sun rise was definitely worth it. There was no TV or telephone in the room and we did not miss them. We spent our time snorkeling, walking or just relaxing in the sun. The pool is large and situated on the beach front, it was marvellously calming to relax in the water, gaze out to sea and let my mind wonder.
My husband and I had a wonderful time we will definitely be returning
Stayed April 2010, travelled as a couple
“isolated wonderland”
Spent 4 days at this recently revamped lodge. Approximately a 2 hour flight from Johannesburg.
This town north of Maputo is very close to the Bazaruto islands.
The rooms are air conditioned with no telephones and no television which is very relaxing. Cell phone reception is good.
The restaurant area is open and facing the new fantastic infinity pool (55000l). Lazing around the pool is idyllic but the sun is a scorcher and therefore take a lot of extra strong sun block.
An excellent choice of water activities are available (weather permitting) such as scuba diving, snorkeling, water skiing and dhow sailing.
The breakfast was always wholesome with eggs yoghurt and cereals. Dinner menu is somewhat limited and probably due to the limitations of infrastructure to supply high end meals.
Staff members are friendly and very helpful and not intrusive. They were all fluent in English.
This hotel is highly recommended to those who want to get away from it all.
