Best hotels in Nampula

Located within an unblemished nature reserve, Coral Lodge lies on an amazing peninsula, minutes from the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Iha de Mocambique. The modern, African-chic villas effortlessly blend Mozambique's rich culture and history with luxury and comfort, and whether you're after an exotic couples’ escape, or a five-star beachside holiday for the whole family, Coral Lodge is a perfect slice of paradise. Whilst you're there, don't forget to try out some of the awesome water sports, discover the pristine beaches, and canoe through the mangroves.

Located on northern Mozambique’s remote coastline and the calm waters of Nanatha Bay, Nuarro Lodge is a rustic escape for responsible eco-tourists and vacant-minded vacationers alike. Just north of the town of Nacala, set within a marine reserve, the lodge is fronted by pristine stretches of beach and hard coral reefs (great for diving), and backed by lush mangrove forest. Locally minded and locally made, the lodge, all its furniture, the food and the staff are local. For many guests this is an important ethical criterion; for others it's simply interesting trivia. Whatever your mindset, this pristine, tropical backwater beckons.

Jardim Dos Aloes is a charming family-run bed and breakfast in the historic old town on Mozambique Island, a Unesco World Heritage Site off the northern coast of mainland Mozambique. The atmosphere is ancient and colonial, emphasised by the number of old stone fortresses, chapels and historic monuments that dot the island in various states of disrepair. Jardim Dos Aloes' cosmopolitan owners have restored one of these crumbling ruins into a family residence and guesthouse that captures the essence of easy-going island living. The result is a very comfortable and intimate hideaway that makes you feel right at home.

Villa Sands is a stylish boutique hotel on Mozambique Island, off the northern coastline of mainland Mozambique. The island is a tiny sliver of paradise just 500 metres wide and three kilometres long, but it has plenty to offer in the way of activities and places of interest. The hotel, on the island's landward side, has an unusual design, with eight modern rooms and three opulent rooftop suites, and glorious ocean views throughout. Its unique style is best described as a clever mix of colonial elegance and modern minimalism – a great choice for a relaxing island getaway.

A bona-fide island paradise off the coast of Mozambique, Banyan Tree's latest endeavour is really making a splash. Its name comes from the similarities to a volcanic caldera, with a ring of sand encircling the palm-covered interior of the lodge. Banyan Tree is the only resort on the island and offers a personalised experience that's difficult to rival. When you're not snorkelling through crystal-clear waters or sailing to secluded isles, there's plenty at the lodge to keep you busy. The award-winning spa springs to mind - and you could easily lose a few hours in the hydrotherapy pool.

Ossimba Beach Lodge lies on the tip of the Nacala Peninsula, at the entrance to a tranquil bay in northern Mozambique. Accessing this remote part of the country requires a long drive or an expensive flight, but there's no question that it's worth it. This new eco-lodge is gorgeous and exclusive. You'll have a beach to yourself, a lively coral reef on your doorstep, super-spacious and lavish accommodation and great hospitality – Ossima is more than a notch above the competition in the region. And the warm Indian Ocean, pristine mangroves and virgin forests offer plenty of adventure.

Arab architecture meets Moorish/Spanish heat at Terraco dos Quitandas, an imposing colonial guesthouse in Mozambique Island’s ancient Stone Town quarter. The 300-year-old house, once part of a wealthy merchant’s estate, has been restored and reinvented as an authentically Mozambican boutique hotel. There are six comfortable rooms, and a charming interior that's steeped in culture, with Arab artefacts, colonial antiques and traditional hand-carved wooden furnishings. This family-run guesthouse has masses of character, and it’s perfectly located for exploring the busier northern part of the island.