Luxury in Mozambique

Q: Friends of ours from the United States are keen to experience a beach resort in Mozambique later this year and have asked for our recommendation. Our travel agent has suggested Indigo Bay resort, which looks amazing, but perhaps you know of any other upmarket resorts they could consider. - Betty Davison

A: The Indigo Bay Island Resort Hotel on Bazaruto Island is spectacular, but a little larger than most of the luxury options. Dominating a lovely beach, it offers a wealth of activities and good service (www.indigobayonline.com). For a totally different style of resort, try Benguerra Lodge. With only 13 beach bungalows, it offers the ultimate in barefoot luxury. There are no TVs or telephones and all bedrooms have a private deck with plunge pool, hammock and private dining area. It overlooks a picture-perfect beach, ideal for swimming (www.benguerra.co.za). A resort with an alluring Arabian flair is the Pemba Beach Resort and Spa (www.pembabeachresort.com), a gateway to the romantic Quirimbas Archipelago on the northern coastline of Mozambique and the Niassa National Reserve. Other luxury island resorts include Matemo Island Resort (www.matemoresort.com), where all air-conditioned villas are no more than 10 metres from the beach, and Marlin Lodge (www.marlinlodge.co.za) is another stylish resort, with 19 chalets set on dunes overlooking the beach. (19 July 2009)