Mozambique holidays at Azura on Benguerra Island will shortly become a well known destination and Hotel, although Azura is really more a luxury eco boutique lodge than an hotel. It opened its doors in the latter part of 2007, and to some extent it is still work in progress, but it has immediately caught the attention of people looking for a romantic beach getaway or a beach front vacation on a Mozambique Island in the Indian Ocean.
Azura is a brand new addition to what are an increasing number of lodges and hotels in the fantastically beautiful Bazaruto Archipelago in Southern Mozambique.
It consists of 3 luxury Villas, 11 infinity villas and a Presidential Villa with private plunge or infinity pool. They are extremely spacious and designed with a combination of traditional Mozambique furniture and ultra modern chic, and the effect is spectacular. Speechless is one word already used to describe the accommodation, each with its own butler who is there purely to pander to your every whim.
Each villa has a beach front cabana style roundel to shelter from the heat of the sun, and is well supplied with comfy plump cushions. The huge beds are very comfortable and the outside showers a great reminder of how great life in the tropics can be, particularly when friends at home in Europe are either soaked and cold or under several meters of snow whilst you are standing under the stars in the open air enjoying a shower.
Azura luxury lodge is a real beachfront location, and the views of the Indian Ocean from the public areas of the Lodge will take your breath away, with the searing blue of the Indian Ocean contrasting with the lovely beach.
What this is saying in effect is that there are just totally idyllic absolutely uninterrupted views everywhere you look of white sand beach which just seems to stretch for miles in both directions, and is invariably empty. The water is warm and totally clear, but when the tide goes out, you have to go a very long way if you want to swim but it makes for great exploring.
As you would expect in a far off isolated spot like Benguerra much of the hotel is open to the cooling breezes, and this kind of design with the cool contemporary cottons used in the furnishings oozes quality allied to relaxation.
The food at Azura is also of very high quality, especially when you remember it all has to be brought from the mainland, although of course the superb fish came from the nearby ocean. There is a lot of fish on the menu, and you will be able to eat on the beach, and don t miss the seafood buffet cooked over an open fire. There is a meat option, and in fact you will get pretty well what you fancy with a good wine list as well.
The Azura is heavily involved in an upliftment programme, where they have to help to improve the lives of the local people. They are training locals in a variety of ways, and this principle of helping the local community, even as a guest because you are giving people the opportunity to take part in the programme makes it all see so much more worthwhile.
You can access Benguerra Island via the international airport at Vilanculos and it is then ten minutes by plane and 30 minutes by boat.
The normal activities that you would expect are available, and as you can imagine snorkeling, scuba diving and fishing are popular favorites, but many guests are content to sit, read, walk on the deserted white sand beach, and perhaps swim with dolphins who visit on occasions.
You might just prefer to lie around on your deck, have your butler serve tea, or cool off in your own plunge pool. Just enjoy the peace and total relaxation that make Mozambique holidays on Benguarra Island at Azura unique.