getaway.co.za 17ESCAPE FIRST LOOK
Whetheryou find yourselfin Maputofor businessor pleasure,this new hotel has
all you need, says CAROLINEWEBBSuppliedFirst impressionscan be
deceiving:a six-storey,
corporate-lookingbuilding
attachedto a mall – ‘But at
least it’s next to the sea,’
I thoughtto myselfon arrival.
However,insideit’s pleasant
and welcoming;staff always
have a smile, there’s
an air of efficiency,and the
entireplace is light, brightand
colourful.The loungearea has
floor-to-ceilingwindowsthat
show off the pool deck and
oceanbeyond.In my top-floor
room,I had a giddyingview of
that same beachfront,alsoStayEasy Maputo
MozaMbiquethrougha large glass wall.
StayEasyis the budget
siblingof the SouthernSun
hotel (and with the same
manager),furtherdown
Avenidada Marginal,on the
way to Costa do Sol and the
fish market.The beachacross
the road unusuallyhas a stand
of shadytrees, which means
locals gatherhere. It makes
for great people-watching
from the terrace:vendorswith
barrowspiled high with fruit,
womencarryingcrafts on their
heads,kids playingon the
outdoorgym, fishermen
pullinglines in on the beach...
All 125 roomsare the samesize – compact,with just
enoughspace for a doubleor
twin beds, small desk, clothes-
hangingrail, and a showerand
toilet. But they have all the mod
cons – DStv, free Wi-Fi, small
fridge,coffee/tea-making
facilities,air con (vital) – and
the bed linen is top quality.I’d
recommendpayingthe extra
R144 for a sea view.
There’sa complimentary
breakfast– a good buffetwith
all the popularhot and cold
choices,and great coffee– but
there is no other food on site
(whichis fine, as diningout is
the main attractionin this city).
In the late afternoon,a pop-upTOP LEFT Large windows ensure
light-filled interiors. MIDDLE
Decor is imaginative, such as
these panama-hat lampshades
in reception. LEFT The modern
StayEasy hotel was purpose-
built last year. BELOW The pool
deck with a view.Easy, breezy beachfront vibes
Boost the luxury
The StayEasy’s grander sister,
the Southern Sun, is the only
hotel in Maputo right on the
beachfront – here you can step
from the lawns straight onto
the neatly raked sand. This
heritage building has a great
cafe-lounge-bar on the terrace
next to the beach, a beautiful
pool under swaying palm trees,
and a restaurant that offers à la
carte and a buffet (a fantastic
spread, whether for breakfast
or dinner, with more than
30 choices of dishes you had
no idea you were craving, until
now...). From R1 096 pp sharing.
tsogosun.combar opens for guests who want
to relax on the terrace as the
day winds down.
The location wins hands-
down for convenience, as
there’s a petrol station right
next door and, on the other
side, the new Baía Mall with
upmarket shops, restaurants,
banks and even a Woolies.
It’s about five minutes from
the Polana district, and 15
minutes to the CBD and Baixa.
When you visit Maputo, there’s
no way you’ll be hanging out
in your hotel room. What you
need is a smart, well-run,
comfortablebase, and this
place ticks all the boxes.
beSTFeaTuRe The pool deck
puts you above the busy
street and in prime sea-view
position. The pool itself, a
gorgeous deep-blue rectangle,
is a boon in this humid city.
Being able to take a dip
whenever you want (at night
it looks even more inviting,
thanksto underwaterlighting)
is priceless.
CoSTR793,50pp sharingB&B
(R865,50pp sea view).
CoNTaCT +258-20-607-030,
tsogosun.com