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| The
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 If you’re after warm personalised service in an attractive, quiet and intimate setting (rather than a large resort-style hotel) head straight for Shooting Star. The place has a great feel about it, especially if you’re looking for a peaceful spot to put your feet up and relax. We simply love it!
This small, family-run guesthouse is situated on a hill near the fishing village of Kiwengwa and overlooks a magnificent stretch of white beach and dazzling blue ocean. The small makuti-roofed lodge is nestled in lovely well-tended gardens alive with birdsong. It only has 14 rooms, located a short distance from the lodge, so you’ll never feel crowded. Its cliff-top setting means the ocean views are superb and all-encompassing. Access to the beach is via a short but steep flight of stairs (good for the calves).
The welcome is warm with owner Elly going out of his way to make your stay pleasurable. Elly is Tanzanian and his wife Lesley is English. Elly has developed the guesthouse into its current form and takes great pride in sharing it with guests. There is an open-air restaurant and lots of chill-out and sun lounging areas with hammocks. It's been decorated with care using wooden furniture, African carvings, colourful cushions and local fabrics. The guestrooms are neat, clean and attractive. There are no disturbances here, no ringing phones or loud televisions, just the blissful sound and sights of the sea.
A huge advantage of this guesthouse is that it has been built far away from the other hotels on the Kiwengwa Coast, ensuring a private seaside away from hoards of holidaymakers. What a treat! There are shady makuti umbrellas under which to lie and the coral cliff face creates interesting coves to explore. It’s the perfect place to escape to and watch local village life pass by quietly. Witness the morning rituals of the local women farming seaweed and the fishermen returning with their catch. You can listen to the lively melodies of children singing as they gather cockles and mussels in the shallows.
The hotel has a beautiful salt water infinity pool, the only one of its kind on the island, offering great panoramic views of the beachfront, the Indian Ocean and beyond.
Shooting Star is not your regular action-packed hotel, supplying guests with planned itineraries and tons of activities to pass the days. Instead it offers that well-deserved retreat away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Here hospitality, relaxation, serenity and winding down form part of the everyday custom. Guests are encouraged to chill out and enjoy the freedom and tranquility of Zanzibar living. .
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| The
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 The 14 thatched guestrooms, connected by sandy paths, are very comfortable. Although simply decorated, they have a romantic feel with purple batik bedspreads, white curtains and hibiscus flower decorations.
The eleven Seaview Cottages, set away from the bar and restaurant, are by far the best and most private option. These spacious, en-suite rooms feature traditional Zanzibari-style furniture, air conditioning as well as ceiling and table fans and private verandas with wonderful sea views. Four of the Sea View Cottages have been especially designed for families. They have a large double room, closet shower and WC on the ground floor and a staircase leading up to a twin bedded room in the roof space. The four en-suite Garden Lodge rooms are closer to the bar, restaurant and pool. They have terraces leading onto a tropical garden. There are two interconnecting rooms for families.
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| The
Kusi
& Kaskazi Suites |
The names are taken from the trade winds that pass by each 6 months, Kusi from South and Kaskazi from the North. The suites are located on the hill over looking the existing Sea View Cottages and are reached via a sandy path through the tropical garden; both are set in private gardens.
Each suite is entered through a pair of fabulous carved Zanzibari doors, and has simple, but high quality finishes, antique furniture, and is fully air-conditioned. The Ground floor (60 sq m) has a huge hallway, which will open up onto a large terraced exterior Verandah with a private swimming pool. Shower and WC are reached from the hallway. Extra beds can be added to enable the hall way to be made into an additional bedroom with twin beds. There will be a large walk in wardrobe with fitted shelves and rails a fridge stocked with drinks and a kettle. Fresh fruit is delivered daily.
The Verandah (70 sq m) and pool deck have dining and lounging areas as well as a kitchen space so that the chefs can prepare meals if required. The swimming pool is sculptured into the landscape and is 8 m long x 5 m wide. The first floor is reached up a curved staircase reminiscent of the existing Family Cottages and houses the Master bedroom suite. The bedroom itself is some 60sq m and has magnificent panoramic views both up and down the coast. Windows are shuttered as well as glazed so that those guests who prefer the ocean breeze to the AC can have the option. The 2 m wide bed is of a traditional Zanzibari style and fitted with batik and cream linen. Large Shower and separate WC are adjoining with separate double vanity basins A further walk in wardrobe is located in the hallway. Continuing up the stairs to the roof level, the guests will find the perfect place to relax in the evening, the views from the flat roof will allow them to watch the sun set over the island and rise over the Ocean. The fantastically starry skies have inspired them to furnish the roof with a fully netted bed so that a night or a nap under the stars can be more than a dream. We have also built a huge bath on the roof for those who enjoy the alfresco touch.
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| The
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Facilities:
• Magnificent infinity swimming pool
• While there is no diving school or water sports centre, the hotel will arrange scuba diving, PADI courses, snorkelling, fishing, boat trips and windsurfing with nearby operators at no extra charge.
Room facilities:
• All rooms have airconditioning
• Zanzibar-style furniture
• En-suite bathrooms
• Private verandas
Activities:
• Swim in the warm water at high tide and explore the tidal pools during low tide.
• Visit the nearby fishing village.
• Shop for carvings and brightly coloured sarongs at Kiwengwa’s local bazaar.
• Hire bicycles and explore the island.
• Visits to Stone Town, Nungwi, Kizimkazi, Jozani Forest, spice tours, sunset cruises and trips to many sights of historical interest can also be organised through the hotel.
• Sailing trips on a luxury catamaran.
• Snorkelling and diving at the Mnemeba Atoll.
Services:
• Laundry service
• Room service (not 24 hour)
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| Bookings |
Bookings
for Shooting
Star are done
through this website:
Contact:
African Encounters |
Postnet
Suite 45
Private Bag x 12
Roosevelt Park
2129 |
Tel:
(011) 880 3079
Fax: (011) 447 6773
email: info@africanencounters.com |
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