Azura uses solar-powered showers and boasts environmentally friendly bathroom

Tag : Shower Bar
After almost two decades of civil war and over a decade of peace,Mozambique is once again Africa's hottest beach destination.Benguerra is one of five tropical idylls that make up the BazarutoArchipelago, and enterprising British couple, Christopher andStella Bettany – along with their Mozambican partner, Gabriel– have turned the site of a backpacker's hostel into aluxurious environmentally sensitive haven.
A pebble's throw from the startling blues of the Indian Ocean, onpowder-fine sand, Azura is perfect for a post-safari wind down. Therustic beach-chic lounge, Star Bar, Gecko Deck and dining room wereall constructed by locals from fallen trees, with bushyjekka-thatched roofs open to the sea breeze.
Guests can spend their days in blissful indolence, flitting fromday bed to lounger, pool to ocean or picnic on a shell-strewn sandspit then sail into the sunset on a creaky dhow. For the moreenergetic there is snorkelling and scuba diving on the pristinereefs or fly-fishing in the shallows.
In the evenings, guests gather for cocktails and relaxed chat tothe strains of ambient marrabenta – a blend of pop,Mozambican and Portuguese folk music – accompanied by thefreshest sushi, before feasting on the catch of the day. It doesn'tget more romantic than dining with your feet in the sand under thestar-studded sky, surrounded by a multitude of twinkling candles.
Azura does its bit to preserve the idyllic surroundings. It wasbuilt from sustainable materials, uses solar-powered showers andboasts environmentally friendly bathroom products. As well asimplementing a recycling scheme, the lodge provides employment forthe local population, while its Rainbow Fund offsets your hedonismwith a variety of community and environmental projects, includingthe island's only school.
Location
Azura at Gabriel's, Benguerra Island, Bazaruto Archipelago,Mozambique (00 27 11 258 0180, www.azura-retreats.com). Situated inthe Bazaruto Archipelago National Park, Benguerra Island lies 14kmnorth east of Vilanculos, the nearest mainland town.
Time to international airport: There's a daily two-hour flight fromJohannesburg to Vilanculos. From there, you can hop into Azura'sprivate helicopter or speedboat; 15 minutes later you'll be sippingyour welcome drink and booking your complimentary de-stressmassage.
Comfortable?
The 14 spacious villas are cool, calm and contemporary. A huge bedclad in sea-coloured linens sits within a netting cocoon, whileshell-encrusted lampshades and driftwood-framed mirrors complementthe marine theme. In the equally large bathroom, the mosaic-tiledshower and tub are large enough to share, or opt for the twin alfresco showers.
Sliding glass doors open on to a wooden veranda, artfully unitinginside and outside space. The veranda itself overlooks a luxuriantprivate garden and infinity pool, just footsteps from the beach. Ifyou're feeling sun-frazzled, head to the spa for a soothingtreatment using traditional African ingredients: the aloe andtamarind wrap, perhaps, or a warm marula oil massage.
Freebies: Mini-bar, Molton Brown lotions, laundry service, internetaccess, de-stress massage, island drive, sunset dhow cruise.
Keeping in touch: Direct-dial telephones in every villa; TV, DVDs,Wi-Fi and free internet access in the library.
The Bottom Line
Villas start at $900 (£514), full board; minimum two-nightstay. A helicopter transfer from Vilanculos costs $150 (£86)per person each way.
I'm not paying that: Casa Rex (00 258 293 82048, www.casa-rex.com)in Vilanculos has doubles from $190 (£109) per night.
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