When Woody and I recently travelled to the capital city, Harare, for business, we were NOT looking forward to the constant noise and the hustle and bustle of the city. I decided to contact Robyn (the manager of Amanzi lodge) whom I had met last year at the AZTA awards (where Amanzi won an award by the way) to see if we could organise a stay at her lodge. With her usual professionalism, after checking availability she booked us in and arranged specially to stay late so she could meet and greet us.
Of course, I had heard of Amanzi and made a point of getting the fact sheet, but nothing can prepare you for the calm you immediately feel when you drive through the guarded boom and are greeted by a stunning rocky waterfall. Robyn showed us around the lodge grounds, which you could see a lot of effort had gone in to. Apparently the owners, Andrew and Julia teamed up with Alan Barbour, one of Zimbabwe’s leading landscape architects, to develop the unique design, which incorporates lots of rock formations, waterfalls and rare cycads. The project took a year to develop and it was most certainly worth it.
We were escorted to our room, the “Morocco Suite”. We also had a sneak peak at the “Nigeria Suite” – oh my word is all I can say about the rooms. Each and every single one is completely differently decorated, in line with a different African Country theme. The Nigerian Suite has its own private balcony overlooking a section of the gardens, while the Morocco Suite has a private verandah, complete with outdoor shower!
The lodge comprises 16 private en-suite thatched rooms or suites. All the en-suite bathrooms have a shower AND a bath. The rooms all have air-conditioners and heaters, heated beds with electric blankets, telephones (for in house and local calls only), as well as tea and coffee making facilities and a mini bar. There is unlimited wireless broadband internet access (free of charge) as well as full satellite TV and an in room safe. In no time at all Woody and I had completely relaxed.
Mention HAS to be made of the lodge’s restaurant and menu options. The owners are clearly “foodies” and you can see by the new and exotic tastes offered with various items on the menu. I have never before been offered a Salmon Sushi Roll for breakfast! It was too hard to resist, and absolutely delicious. The restaurant layout is intimate; with a lovely 2 sided fireplace that I am sure must be an absolute hit in the colder months.
The beds are extremely comfortable, with gorgeous linen, ensuring there is no excuse for a bad night’s sleep. Sadly, we were so relaxed that we never took the opportunity to use the on-site lodge facilities, like the all-weather tennis court, gym, pool and spa! We regret not making the effort to place a game of tennis (possibly Woody was afraid I would beat him!)If you are looking for a 5 Star Lodge, with tranquil gardens, lovely birdlife, all the on-site facilities you can think of, delicious meals, and excellent service, then Amanzi is the place to book. I can guarantee that this lodge will continue to be the huge success it already is.
My personal rating of:
- Most relaxing gardens
- Best Interior décor
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