Out in Africa

The new Echo Beach Hotel resort offers visitors a slice of paradise on the dreamy tropical island of Zanzibar, East Africa. The very name Zanzibar evokes a sense of mystique and adventure. Sue and Andrew Page, the owners of Echo Beach bought a 5 acre stretch of unspoilt beach to create a unique 5* getaway.

There are now nine individual villas combining the unpretentious architecture of Africa with state of art technology, interior design, fixtures and fittings.

Although Sue and Andrew hail from England they have been successfully running Chambre d’hote in the Loire Valley for 14 years, gaining rave reviews in Alistair Sawday, Hotel Inns and other places, Charming Small Hotels, Guide de Routard and the AA to mention a few. Andrew is a French trained Chef and has cooked for British Prime Ministers and celebrities alike, while Sue has always had a flair for interior design and has run art galleries and design businesses along the way.

Sue Page comments: “Many people who come to Africa for a holiday often are very concerned about the plumbing. We felt it was imperative to offer state of the art bathrooms to allay these fears. I sourced all the taps and showers from Samuel Heath, because I knew it would give my guests the sense of luxury they require. All the taps and showers are crafted from the finest solid brass and are perfect for a seaside location as they simply won’t rust, will be hard wearing and they look truly stunning in the chrome finish.”

The last word in luxury, the villas all have stunning bathrooms with Italian tiles and Samuel Heath showers and taps from the modern Xenon for the ultimate wet room experience. Sue plumbed for the Xenon wall mounted taps offering greater flexibility for design and these were teamed with the Xenon dual control thermostatic shower. Impeccable design and technology is combined with some quirky individual touches such as coconut wooden ladders for bespoke towel rails.

The individually designed Bandas (the word for villas in Swahili) are constructed from local stone and capped with Makuti roofs and painted in the Little Green Paint Company’s iridescent white that reflects the sun. Each dwelling boasts exquisitely hand carved balconies and verandas where guests can enjoy a drink in the shade. Each Banda is completely private and not over looked, allowing visitors to relish the unspoilt surroundings and uninterrupted views of the beautiful Indian Ocean.

All the air-conditioned bedrooms are uniquely decorated with fine silks and a combination of locally commissioned pieces of furniture, hand picked antiques and pictures. Offering 21st Century luxury whilst capturing the essence of Zanzibarian interior design, which takes on many influences from around the world. Sue says: “Many of the pictures and antiques have come from England and France and I have found some beautiful prints in John Garner’s antique shop in Uppingham, he has some amazing pictures and furniture and I have known him for many years. I like to be incorporate a mixture of Zanzibarian antiques with European pieces for a highly individual look”

Each house boasts a spacious veranda measuring in excess of 20 square metres. Stylishly furnished with day beds so guests can languish away the hours, taking in the stupendous views. There are also dining tables and chairs for romantic alfresco dining.

Dining in the beachside restaurant, decorated with Vanessa Arbothnott fabric in the white and turquoise of the seashore is going to be a highly pleasurable experience, impeccable design combined with discreet and efficient service. Supervised by Andrew with his French training the kitchen is going to make the most of local fresh ingredients to offer an eclectic menu. For those who want to get the true taste of Zanzibar there will be a wealth of local dishes on the menu not to mention some carefully selected International favourites. The ultimate in fresh fair, produce is purchased daily including fresh lobster, crab, mussels and squid straight from local fisherman who come to the beach.

There is welcome and refreshing breeze blowing in from the sea where guests can unwind and relax with a decadent cocktail in the stylish bar area, where designer fabrics are teamed with Zanzibar carved furnishings and uninterrupted views of the ocean.

Imagine basking in the sun by the ultimate affinity pool over looking clear white sands and crystal blue sea. Why not lounge in the Jacuzzi before enjoying a dip to cool off.

Zanzibar is famous for having the best beaches in the world and Echo Beach has a very special charm; views from the palm-fringed sands reveal the hand-sewn sails of traditional wooden fishing dhows. Ocean explorers can discover the glorious depths of the thriving coral reefs all around. The sun shimmers on luminescent clear waters in a range of striking turquoise blues and the sand is white clean, bright and delicately fine. Who could want more than this?

For more information, visit Echobeachhotel.com.