Anantara Bazaruto Island Resort

During our 10-day stay at Anantara Bazaruto Island Resort starting August 5, 2024, we experienced both the charm and the challenges of this tropical paradise. **Booking Process** The financial handling during the booking process was frustrating. We assumed our holiday was paid for on the Anantara website using American Express (a surcharge applied which was fine to us). However, just a few days before the intended arrival to Anantara, while already on holiday in the South African bush with limited access to mobile connectivity, we were informed that they could not process the American Express payment due to a banking system transition. We were asked to pay by bank transfer with unclear banking details, which were blocked by our bank's fraud department. This took a lot of time and effort to resolve. It would be much simpler if Anantara arranged a PayPal payment option or some other payment terminal which could easily avoid this kind of struggles. **Helicopter transfer and airport handling** The welcome and organisation on the Vilanculo airport by the Anatara staff was friendly and well organized delivering a swift pass through to the helicopter transfer. This helicopter ride over the azur blue ocean is an amazing experience to get to the resort. The pilot very friendly and experienced. **Accommodation and Facilities** The villas, while spacious and offering stunning ocean views, are noticeably outdated. The interior decor feels very old, with in example broken lamps, old useless kitchens as a memory to appartment style units in the past and curtain rails that no longer function properly. This detracted from the overall comfort and luxury we expected from an Anantara brand property. **Resort Infrastructure** The resort features, as a main walking infrastructure to get around, elevated wooden walkways and terraces, which are unfortunately in a state of disrepair. I even fell through one of the planks, and I am not particularly heavy. The lighting installed in these areas is exposed, posing a hazard, especially around the pool with water where children play. Additionally, the available airstrip is completely outdated, the tennis court has cracked and uneven tarmac, the artificial grass football field is half torn and damaged, all the signing is old and unreadable and the asphalt paths throughout the resort are all broken and worn out. A thorough renovation is urgently needed to address these safety concerns and to meet the high standards associated with the Anantara brand. **Staff and Service** Despite the outdated facilities, the staff performed wonders with the limited resources and outdated infrastructure and accommodation available. From housekeeping to the restaurants and reception, everyone was attentive and helpful. Their dedication and friendliness significantly enhanced our stay. **Food and Beverage Experience** Although we generally prefer à la carte dining, the buffets exceeded our expectations. The quality, themes, and variety were

Arrived 1pm yesterday in the hotel. We booked a two bedroom villo in order to be all together as a family. The villa is an absolute disaster, dirty toilette, one out of use, blanket with a dirt spot, dirty coach and sofa, can't even dare to seat and old broken furnitures. Frighten to open the window as broken glass on it. Te hotel offer to change our room, even worse than the first villa. the hotel director is proposing us even to move to another hotel or to have 2 others rooms one for our daughter and one for us while we booked a 2 bedroom suite. At 9:30 and the problem stil the same, unsolved.we pre payed 2000€/night. You can find much better for much cheaper! I have send a complain to minor group, a nd will call them in Bangkok let's see the response. If nothing will contact ministry of tourism of Mozambique to understand how can they give 5 stars to such hotel!!! Only positive point seems to be the view of the room. But again cheaper in much better in Seychelles, Mauritius or Maldives. We got an email from the GM this morning,very surprised by the way he answer our request and give us a departure time for boat to leave the hotel since we are unhappy which I don’t call it a customer service attitud. Only resort manager doing his job trying to find a solution.

The location is a paradise and that is the only positive thing. The rooms are old, there are no activities for children even though hotel advertises them. The rooms were full with mosquitos and we had very poor sleep quality. Our laundry was not returned in time, the transfer boat was late and the communication was poor from the staff.

I've read a couple of negative reviews of this place and was a little nervous about going but honestly- I could not find one thing to complain about. The staff are so inviting and friendly- nothing was too much trouble for them. The food was great- there was a decent selection to suit any palate and everything we had was really delicious and packed with flavour. They had a large selection of all- inclusive drinks and the service was great- nothing we ordered was out of stock or unavailable. We stayed in the beach villa and the room was stunning- the view from our deck and beach loungers was postcard perfect. We spent most of our time at the adult pool area and everything there was gorgeous- they even do a sundowner set up on the beach that is spectacular. Honestly, this place is perfect for couples looking to switch off and reconnect with one another. Its an African island resort so if perfect wifi and top of the range Balsamic vinegar (yes, I actually heard people complaining about this) are what's important to you then this may not be the resort for you. The price point was worth every penny spent in my mind- for the view and the private beach loungers alone. There are plenty of free activities to keep you busy- walks along the beach, paddle boarding and kayaking. The dhow cruise (included in the stay) was also really special and worth doing. The sunsets are AMAZING- my poor phone photography skills just couldnt do them justice. We will definitely be going back!

What a wonderful resort! From the minute we arrived till we left our every need was met. I would return to this beautiful resort without a doubt. Friendly staff, great rooms, excellent food and wonderful excursions! Beaches are long and quiet and clean, water is safe

The service was amazing and the people were so friendly when we went to the island that was close but the boat driver took time out of his day to show us around and it was overall a wonderful experience i am so grateful I chose anatara resort thxbd

We celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary at Anantara. The helicopter transfer from Vilanculos airport was a treat and got us to the resort an hour ahead of those who used the speedboat transfer. The beach villa complete with plunge pool ensured we had the best view, the beach close to the villa and the added spoilt to have a pool. Our host Claudio was attentive, well-spoken and knowledgeable. The food was good, decent wine selection and the seafood was nothing short of brilliant. We will definitely be back.

We loved every single moment of our 8 days at Anantara Bazaruto. It is absolute paradise and I really struggle to understand some of the negative comments made. The island is breathtakingly beautiful, our beach villas were lovely and sat a few steps from the endless white sand, the food was varied and delicious and the fabulous staff could not have done more to help. Yes the hotel is a little ‘rustic’ in places but you are in a very remote part of Africa. The plus points so far outweigh any negatives it is difficult to put everything good into words. Where else in the world can you do superb snorkelling and diving with giant Loggerhead turtles appearing in all directions amongst the giant tropical fish, rays and sharks; see Dugongs and pods of Bottlenose dolphins playing in the water from the boat; watch enormous flocks of flamingos walking along the sand, swimming and flying; go dune boarding to play in the endless huge sand dunes; watch endless humpback whales playing in the open sea while migrating; and eat prawns as big as your dinner plate for every lunch and dinner. It is a truly magical place and we really could not recommend a trip to Anantara Bazaruto more.

The smile and kindness of the entire staffare the sixth star of the Resort. Unrepeatable colors kept us company during the entire stay. Being moved by the staff's very long farewell when we left will always remain in our hearts! Pinotta and Renato (from Naples - ITALY)