Azura Retreats to introduce Azura Marlin Beach, new for 2020
Azura Retreats is delighted to announce that it has acquired the hotel previously known as Marlin Lodge, located on Benguerra Island Mozambique, as part of its continuing growth strategy. Azura Marlin Beach will welcome its first guests in 2020.
“We’ve been quietly working on this behind the scenes now for some years,” commented Stella Bettany, Azura Retreats, “it’s on a magnificent stretch of beach and represents a fantastic opportunity to expand our presence on beautiful Benguerra Island.”
Azura will be working with that existing footprint to redevelop Marlin Beach into a new five-star boutique hotel that celebrates Azura Retreats signature ‘eco-chic’ philosophy, exceptional personalised service and vibrant local cuisine. Azura Retreats is well known for operating luxury boutique hotels and already has two multi-award-winning properties in Mozambique: Azura Quilalea Private Island and Azura Benguerra island.
The old Marlin Lodge was one of the first top end properties in Mozambique and was much loved by clients and the trade alike. It had 18 individual beachfront villas and a great reputation for both families and honeymooners. It closed due to a fire back in 2012 that destroyed the main area and some of the rooms, and never re-opened since.
Phase 1 will see the complete refurbishment of the 10 villas that remain, which includes a two-bedroom family villa with pool and a further nine individual beachfront villas. Phase 2 will see a new front of house, plus water sports and spa areas, and the main pool area will be refreshed. A further 10 completely new rooms are also being designed, so that the completed hotel will have 20 rooms and over 50 beds.
“We will be working with our design team at GDF Design Lab to help us outline the look and feel –Marlin Lodge will be light, bright and modern, whilst reflecting Mozambique’s Portuguese heritage,” said Bettany. “We will of course employ our usual ‘Designed to Give Back’ philosophy whereby we utilise local materials and design elements from community projects, as well as employing around 200 islanders in the construction work’.
Azura Marlin Beach is located on a one kilometre stretch of wide white sand beach in the Bazaruto Archipelago Marine National Park, an area that has recently come under conservation management by African Parks, and will be the third in Azura’s Mozambican portfolio. The rebuilding programme has already commenced and completion is expected by middle of next year. Bookings will open from the start of 2020.