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Attitude Hotels opened Matemwe Attitude, its first hotel outside Mauritius, on 4 November 2025 on the north-east coast of Zanzibar. Built on a 23-acre seafront site facing Mnemba Atoll, the project represents an investment of around USD 26 million. A little more than six months later, the 74-villa, adults-only resort is recording an average occupancy of about 60 per cent and drawing strong interest from both guests and travel partners. Behind these numbers lies a clear decision to grow in East Africa with a hotel model that stays close to Zanzibar's people, landscape and Swahili culture.
For Attitude's Chief Executive Officer Vincent Desvaux de Marigny, Matemwe Attitude marks a new chapter rather than an exception. "When we decided to develop in East Africa, we quickly realised we should not reproduce what already exists," he says. "We do not want to be a chain of standardised hotels; each address must have its own identity, rooted in its destination, and Matemwe Attitude is the first step of a wider plan for the region."
Set in a lush permaculture garden at the heart of Matemwe village, the resort offers 74 one-bedroom villas, each with a pool, spread across some 80,000 square metres of greenery facing the Indian Ocean. Architect Olivia Eynaud designed the project around the existing topography and coral cliffs, keeping structures low and organic with coral-toned walls, makuti roofs and screens inspired by Stone Town's carved woodwork. Interior designer Géraldine Harel shaped bright, contemporary spaces where hand-woven textiles, handmade ceramics and locally crafted furniture express the Swahili spirit without leaning on cliché or pastiche.
Beyond the built environment, the hotel's daily life reflects its setting. Menus focus on fresh local fish, fruits and spices, while experiences range from traditional bao games to Taste of Swahili cooking and artisan-led workshops, all developed with nearby communities and suppliers. "Our teams and partners are at the heart of this project," says Chief Operations and Opening Officer Ravin Untiah. "In Matemwe, we have created local jobs, passed on our know-how and built a strong team spirit, and this people-first approach is what will guide our growth."
