Thailand’s MHG Opens First Avani Hotel in Africa

Thailand’s Avani Hotels & Resorts has opened its first property in Africa, the Avani Pemba Beach Hotel & Spa in Mozambique.

The former Pemba Beach Hotel & Spa is situated in the country’s far northern province of Cabo Delgado, in the port town of Pemba.

As well as a thriving business destination, Pemba is now firmly on the tourist trail, as the gateway to the Quirimbas Archipelago and Niassa Reserve.

The Quirimbas Archipelago is one of Mozambique’s best kept secrets – a 250-kilometre long string of tropical islands surrounded by dazzling coral reefs and a wealth of untouched marine life. This prime diving destination is currently being considered for World Heritage Site status. Pemba is also an ideal base from which to visit northern Mozambique’s Niassa Reserve, where four of the ‘big five’ animals are resident.

Getting there is hassle-free, with flights to Pemba International Airport from Johannesburg, Maputo, Nairobi and Dar as Salaam. Transfers to Avani Pemba take just 15 minutes. For guests who wish to explore the local area a taxi service is available, and for travellers who prefer to drive independently, a car rental desk is located within the resort.

Avani Pemba Beach Hotel & Spa is located on a headland between the rugged coastline of Pemba Bay and Wimbe Beach, overlooking the Indian Ocean.

The 185 guest rooms, suites, villas and apartments are all designed with a view of the ocean or the gardens from their balcony or terrace.

The Two Bedroom Duplex Villas feature a kitchen, dining and living area with an ocean facing terrace downstairs and an en suite queen and twin bedrooms upstairs. In addition, the One Two and Three-Bedroom Apartments have an open living, dining and kitchen area with exclusive use of two swimming pools.

The hotel’s restaurants and bars offer an extensive array of cuisines to satisfy both business and leisure guests. The Niassa Bar invites guests to chat over drinks and boasts a menu with an Asian touch. The flagship restaurant, Clube Naval, is located on the beach adjacent to the yacht marina and offers a selection of international cuisine, and at Quirimbas Restaurant the buffet and a la carte theme nights are abundant with local produce and delicious fresh seafood.

With the rebranding come some added Avani touches, such as the newly opened Grab & Go deli, selling high quality chocolates, pasta, olive oils, wines from South Africa, Italy and Portugal, as well as a Segafredo coffee corner. In addition the hotel has just launched an in-room dining service.

In terms of relaxing and outdoor activities, a selection of four swimming pools will please swimmers and a well-equipped gym is open 24 hours. Tennis courts are available for players who want to keep up their game while on holiday. Water sports include snorkelling, sailing, skiing, wakeboarding and kayaking. Guests can also enjoy romantic sunset cruises, experience whale watching and deep sea fishing, or take the plunge with a scuba course and dive trips to the nearby reefs. Exploring the region is easy with a variety of excursions, from bustling markets and a picturesque wetland lake to watch bird life and local fishermen.

On a site that seems to hover above the Indian Ocean, the Avani Spa offers an array of treatments from massages, body wraps and facials.

The hotel has become a sought after conference and incentive destination with its functional 12-seater executive boardroom and main conference room seating up to 200 people.