Azura - Benguerra Island, Bazaruto National Park, Mozambique
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LUXURY RESORT • 15 BEACH VILLAS
Azura is Mozambique’s first luxury eco-boutique retreat and spa built on an unspoilt island within a National Park, with deserted beaches of pure white sand, sparkling turquoise seas, swaying palms, sunny days and star studded night sky’s…you are in Azura paradise.
The resort has just 15 villas, each with their own infinity pool and designed for your pampering and privacy. Wonderful Mozambican cuisine and service, a vast range of activities and experiences, and unique African spa treatments in the comfort of your own villa, Azura is your perfect island getaway.
ACCOMMODATION - VILLAS
The villas at Azura blend modern chic with all that is traditional in Mozambique. The creature comforts you would expect from a luxury boutique resort are there, set off by beautifully carved beams and traditional artwork beneath a local thatched jekka roof.
Each is just footsteps from the beach, yet designed with seclusion in mind. Nestled amidst the indigenous trees and bush, we have painstakingly created your own private sanctuary. A haven of rest and relaxation, where you can feel at one with the environment. A fusion of indoor and outdoor space where time becomes your own.
Wander down to the pristine white beach and welcoming azure sea beyond. Or lounge around on plump cushions and have your butler serve you tea. Tan in private beneath the swaying palms, and cool off in your sparkling plunge pool. Dine on your deck, or sip a cocktail in your beachside Sala as the sun goes down. Lie in your bath and gaze at the view, or shower beneath the stars. Do whatever you want to do. Our villas are a welcoming place to stay. You may not want to leave them at all.
FACILITIES
All public areas are open to the beach and sea with amazing vistas across calm blue waters to the Indian Ocean beyond. Furnished with cool contemporary cottons and the textures of Africa, they are open to the breezes, in harmony with nature. Comfortable, simple, spacious and chic.
Wander in and out as you please. Find a quiet corner to read a book, or a place to share the stories of your day with others. Sip champagne on the beach with your feet in the sand, or snack on fresh sushi in the Star Bar, which showcases the magnificence of the skies above you.
Learn more about the environment you are in, or browse our collection of handcrafted artefacts, designer clothing and jewellery (we have our own range by world famous designer David Shilling) at the Trading Store. The mod cons are there too if you need them, with TV and internet discreetly tucked away in our library.
The Staff at Azura is always on hand to look after your every need. Or simply wander off and discover more of what this beautiful island has to offer.
DINING
Indulge your desires in this fine dining experience. Fresh local Mozambican seafood, much of it home caught, put together with contemporary style and flair. The international chef’s signature dishes will not disappoint, and nor will the extensive wine cellar, which usually includes fine wines flown direct from the owner’s chateau in France’s Loire Valley.
Where to eat is as much of a decision as what to eat. The main restaurant has magnificent uninterrupted views. Or they’ll pack a picnic of your choosing and whisk you off to a secluded spot. And nothing beats dining by candlelight on the beach beneath the stars.
ACTIVITIES
Water based Activities
So many things, so little time. With the sea right here, many of the activities are focused around it. You can snorkel or dive, saltwater fly fish or big game fish. Sail on the private dhow, or cruise to deserted beaches to look for pansy shells. Gaze at the dolphins, who are regular visitors to the beach, or track down humpback whales on their migration past the shores (seasonal).
- Scuba diving
- Snorkelling
- Big game fishing
- Salt water fly fishing
- Swimming
- Dhow sailing
Land based Activities
There are land based activities too. Take a tour of the island, and experience the local culture. Climb the dunes, some of which are scattered with the remnants of ancient Arab pottery. Visit the island’s lakes and spot a crocodile or two. Discover the local fauna and flora. Take a long walk and we will meet you with a picnic. Or join one of our star gazing events and lie back and listen to the ancient African stories that chart the cosmos.
- Unique African spa
- Land Rover Island drives
- Cultural encounters
- Beach picnics
- Star gazing
- Day trips to Vilanculos
AFRICAN SPA
An Uniquely African spa
Azura offers spa treatments like no other. The signature treatments are based on local indigenous ingredients and traditions. Be rubbed down with ground coconut shells and natural spices, covered head to toe with tamarind and aloe, and gently massaged with warm marula oil.
Nothing is hurried. Relax, lie back and be pampered in your villa (Spa being built for 2008). Take in the aromas and sounds that surround you. And savour the experience.
CONSERVATION & COMMUNITY
Azura’s dedication to conservation and the community lies at the heart of everything they do. They are one of a handful of resorts where the community are major contributors and stakeholders. Gabriel and his family, after whom the site is named, first established a tourism business here several years ago. They are major stakeholders in the resort, and continue to be involved on a daily basis.
Many of the staff have grown up in the local community, and are welcoming you to their home. In return, you do your best to make their home a better place for them and their families.
The Rainbow Fund initiated by the resort supports a variety of social and environmental projects large and small. From building a new school (which was unfortunately destroyed in the cyclone but will be re-built) to sponsoring the local football team, to helping protect the last viable population of the elusive dugongs found in our waters.
The resort works alongside the National Park and local communities in all of these initiatives. $10 a night is added to your stay which goes towards the Rainbow Fund. It’s not compulsory, but we hope that you will want to be part of helping preserve what you will have discovered during your stay at Azura.
Address: Azura Retreats Benguerra Island Mozambique
Airport: Vilanculos (VNX)
Al Johari Boutique Hotel - Stone Town, Zanzibar, Tanzania
BOUTIQUE HOTEL • 15 ROOMS & SUITES
Al Johari meaning ‘Jewel’ in certain translations of Kiswahili and Arabic is a small 15 room Boutique Hotel in the Stone Town area of Zanzibar, and is the result of a careful refurbishment combining two ancient buildings in the UNESCO World Heritage site of Stone Town.
We have endeavoured to produce an exceptional hotel property while keeping within the Architecture and dimensions of Stone Town history and have placed an emphasis on modern state of the art amenities as well as the opulent luxuries of the Omani, Persian, Indian and Swahili influences that have dwelled in the Islands of East Africa and particularly Zanzibar.
STONE TOWN
The Stone Town of Zanzibar is a fine example of the Swahili coastal trading towns of East Africa and is the old city and cultural heart of Zanzibar, where little has changed for hundreds of years. For many centuries there was intense sea borne trading activity between Asia and Africa, and this is illustrated in an exceptional manner by the architecture and urban structure of Stone Town.
Most of the buildings were built by the Omani sultans in the 19th century when Zanzibar was one of the most important trading centers in the Indian Ocean and western influences such as balconies and verandas were added some years later one common feature are the barazas which are long stone benches built along the outside walls of the houses which also serve as raised walkways when Stone Town gets flooded in the rainy season.
You can spend hours getting lost in the fascinating network of alleyways full of shops and stalls selling spices, coconuts, mangos and lots of fresh seafood. It’s a good place to pick up souvenirs such as jewellery, colourful clothes, beaded leather shoes and wood carvings. Stone Town is also the starting point for a Spice Tour to the surrounding countryside and sites such as the Slave Caves of Mangapwani, Zanzibar has great symbolic importance in the suppression of slavery, since it was one of the main slave-trading ports in East Africa and also the base from which its opponents such as David Livingstone conducted their campaigns.
The Town of Zanzibar is an outstanding material manifestation of cultural fusion and harmonization. Mosques to churches, Indian temples to the Omani palaces and so forth are a testimony to the thousands of years of mutual tolerance among communities of different cultural origins.
Zanzibar Stone Town was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2000: http://whc.unesco.org/pg.cfm?cid=31&id_site=173
AL JOHARI FUSION LOUNGE & RESTAURANT
The Fusion Lounge is probably the most fashionable bar of its kind in Stone town, it elegantly leans towards opulence in its décor and furnishing, and our courteous
staff will serve you in a manner befitting the atmosphere with a selection of perfect sundowners as you watch a glorious sunset over the Indian Ocean. Later in the evening there is a laid back ambiance with a medley of lounge music, Sheesha’s, Havana Cigars and Tapa’s to indulge you.
The Restaurant emphasizes it name FUSION in its Décor and atmosphere, and more so in the menu which is Our Chef’s composition of Dishes utilizing only the freshest local Seafood , Poultry and vegetables & meat from Pemba or Arusha prepared using most of the spices Zanzibar is famous for . The menu offers a variety of delicate Fusion and traditional recipes all prepared for a variety of palettes.
ACCOMMODATION
Al Johari offers 15 Rooms in four categories;
Two Deluxe Suites, Six Junior Suites, Four Standard Suites and 3 Superior rooms.
Each room is superbly appointed with marble flooring, Persian rugs, Flat Screen LCD Screens with Cable Television, well stocked mini-bars, and all the rooms are climate controlled.
The Bathrooms feature Kama Ayurveda Spa Toiletries and products and have Massage Showers with the Suites featuring Jacuzzis.
There is free Wireless internet access in all the rooms and throughout the Hotel.
KAMA AYURVEDA SPA
We offer the following Treatments at our Spa:
The Kama Ayurveda Facial
This cleanses, detoxifies and nourishes the skin & the alive and nutritive ingredients heal and sooth the skin, resulting in a glowing, flawless, radiant skin. It also relieves congestion and pent up emotions & enhances health and beauty from within with a heightened state of awareness.
The Kama Ayurveda Head Massage
The head is considered to be the center of the body’s nervous system and we utilize Kama Ayurveda Bringadi Oil for the massage. This treatment helps to increase blood circulation to the scalp and the herbal oil nourishes not only the scalp but the hair. In addition, the process relaxes the one by addressing the pressure points on the head.
Kama Ayurveda Body Massage
This treatment relaxes the mind and body , we use a warmed herbal-oil to nourish the skin and stimulates both arterial and lymphatic circulation which removes stagnant waste and heightens the state of awareness
Kama Ayurveda Ubtan Body Polish
This treatment softens and smoothes the skin and effectively exfoliates the outer tissue layers to stimulate circulation and cleanse the pores bringing a glowing luster to the skin.
Kama Ayurveda Pedicure
The treatment begins with soaking the feet in warm water and cleansing them using Kama Bath Salts and after the pedicure a massage of the calves and feet with the Rejuvenating Body Treatment Swagandhadi and Cleansing using the Soap Free Cleanser Ubtan prior to completing the treatment.
For further information on Kama Ayurveda : http://www.kamaayurveda.com
RECREATION & ACTIVITES
Enjoy a pleasurable and fun day trip on the beautiful waters of Zanzibar. We invite you in one of our jet boats to enjoy a day out snorkelling or visiting secluded beaches on the smaller isles such as Prison Island where there is a sanctuary for an endangered species of the Giant Tortoise and a beautiful beach where you can relax and take in the beauty of the Indian Ocean, and we can arrange all kinds of delicious picnic hampers for the day out upon request.
Diving can be arranged from one of the PADI Certified Diving Companies that we use and is an unforgettable experience for the more adventurous.
The Spice Tour: An enthralling visit to a Spice farm and see the variety of local herbs, medicinal plants, cosmetic plants, tropical spices and flowers that gave Zanzibar and Pemba the name “Spice Islands”.
The Stone Town tour: takes you around the historical old town the architecture of which is very much influenced by the Omani Arabs since the 14th century. This tour includes a visit to the former slave market site, now standing as an Anglican Church, built back in 1817, the town market, the Zanzibar Memorial Museum, The House of Wonders built in 1883 (Beit-Al-Ajaib), the Old Arab fort, the Palace Museum, the old Indian Dispensary (cultural centre), the Maruhubi Palace Ruins as well as Livingstone House.
There are a variety of places to visit on the Island ; one can take a trip to Kizimkazi beach, an unforgettable experience where you can swim and play with resident spinner and bottle-nose dolphins or visit Jozani Forest which is home to red colobus monkeys, or one can take a trip back into the history of the infamous Slave Trade by visiting the Mangapwani slave caves.
Address: AL JOHARI 116 SHANGANI (STONETOWN) P.O.BOX 3234 ZANZIBAR - UNITED REPUBLIC OF TANZANIA
Arizona Inn - Tucson, Arizona
AWARD-WINNING 1930 LUXURY RESORT HOTEL • 86 ROOMS & 2 SUITES
Words cannot describe the beauty and grace of the Arizona Inn. Built in the 1930’s as the home of Congresswoman Isabella Greenway, this luxurious property has entertained such guests as Eleanor Roosevelt and John D. Rockefeller, Jr.
The Inn is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and has a reputation as one of the best hotels in the world. Lushly landscaped and brimming with charm, this 1930s resort is located in a historic neighbourhood a mile from the University of Arizona campus and medical centre, and 3 miles from downtown Tucson. In warm weather, the resort hosts ice-cream socials by the 60-foot outdoor pool. Cooler months bring complimentary high tea. The acclaimed restaurant serves international and South-Western cuisine. Guestrooms are individually decorated, but all offer 1930s-inspired decor, garden views, complimentary high-speed Internet access and refrigerators. The New York Times is delivered each morning.
© Images courtesy of Arizona Inn
ADDRESS: 2200 EAST ELM STREET, TUCSON, AZ, US, 85719
AIRPORT: Tucson International Airport
