&Beyond Mnemba Island, an island paradise situated off the north-eastern coast of Zanzibar, has recently reopened following a comprehensive refurbishment.
Renowned for its natural sense of exclusivity, Mnemba’s trademark brand of barefoot luxury has been fully re imagined, retaining its intimate and relaxed island charm but giving it a refreshed look. Undertaken by long-time &Beyond collaborators Fox Browne Creative and Nicholas Plewman Architects, the refurbishment preserves the understated sophistication of the previous offering.
The overall layout of the lodge remains largely unchanged, with all bandas along the beachfront and the shared guest area in the middle. The bandas have all been completely rebuilt and enlarged, with all interiors replaced. Every banda now features a redesigned private Beach Lounge, ideal for spending all day by the ocean, and one of he bandas has been converted into a two-bedroom family unit. Drawing inspiration from nature, the design of the bandas reflects the form of the nautilus shell, while the interiors maintain the lodge’s current natural colour palette, punctuated by vibrant coral accents. The lodge structure still incorporates coral stone, with the addition of traditional Lamu plaster. Each banda now boasts two entrances for added privacy, one directly from the beach and the other from the island’s interior forest. Floor-to-ceiling louvred blinds provide the options for bedrooms to either be closed off or remain open to the cooling sea breezes.
The lodge’s main guest area has also been completely rebuilt and brought forward in order to maximise the sea views. The bar is the focal point for the new guest area and sprawls both indoors and outdoors, combining laidback luxury with a healthy dose of island glamour. The refreshed layout includes both new areas to socialise and secluded corners for those who value their privacy. New design elements allow for dining spaces to be enclosed in the event of inclement weather, while still allowing for open-air dining that brings the outside in. The much-loved experience of dining with feet in the sand on the beach will also continue to be available. An inner courtyard can also be utilised for torch-lit dinners with a distinct Swahili influence.
Further new additions include a freshly built Beach Shop, as well as the Discovery Centre, a dedicated space providing guests with the opportunity to explore the conservation and community initiatives enabled by Oceans Without Borders, a marine conservation initiative managed in collaboration by &Beyond and Wild Impact. In line with an increasing focus on wellness, a new Wellness Banda offers two treatment rooms that open out onto the island forest, as well as an outdoor yoga platform for sunrise or sunset yoga sessions, sound treatments and mindful meditation sessions.
The lodge’s Dive Centre has been renovated and expanded to serve as the base for even more island activities. Old favourites such as stand-up paddle boarding and kayaking remain available to guests, but now with the addition of clear-bottomed kayaks and sailing Hobie experiences that include tandem kayaking, a catamaran and pedal boarding. Guests are now also able to indulge in a full-day private excursion on the lodge’s dhow, as well as additional experiences such as an island conservation tour highlighting efforts to preserve the island’s delicate ecosystem. A half-day tour of nearby villages is hosted by Wild Impact, &Beyond’s conservation and community development partner, and includes a glimpse of the education and healthcare community projects that the island supports. Guests seeking a hands-on experience can explore the artificial reef structure and coral nursery maintained by the Oceans Without Borders team or even spend a day with the team as they collect and transplant coral fragments for the underwater nursery.
