Holiday review websites have become a hugely powerful force in the tourism industry, used by many prospective guests to try to make a decision as to where they should stay – and they don’t come any bigger than the all-powerful force that is Tripadvisor!

Now we always advise people to approach these reviews with caution – after all, some are frankly just too gushy and complimentary and you wonder whether these guys even stayed at the same mediocre place you experienced; on the other hand, you can often spot when overly-critical guests are simply taking delight in putting in the metaphorical boot into lodges which frankly deserve far better. So we always advise people to try to ignore the extreme opinions and rather look instead for common themes that emerge across numerous reviews – like consistent reports of great food or perhaps poor house-keeping.

That advice is pretty much impossible to follow though with asDunas lodge, as every single review is of the full-on rave variety – so much so in fact, that at the time of writing this profile, of more than 100 reviews for the lodge, asDunas gets the full 5 star rating in every single one of them!!! So clearly this lodge is getting most things very, very right!

If there is one over-riding theme across all those reviews however, it is the massive influence of the owner/managers of asDunas, a wonderfully friendly and hospitable Italian couple, Elena and Fabio. They have lovingly created this stylish retreat on top of the dunes looking out on the spectacular seascape that is the Bazaruto archipelago and manage it with real enthusiasm and dedication.

We’ve always been massive fans of owner-managed lodges here at Barefoot Breaks – simply put, the sheer passion for their product and ensuring their guests are taken care of often tends to be higher in our observation than those properties where the owners are absent and there is a rotating cast of managers passing through.

Elena and Fabio are truly hands-on at asDunas and are determined to go the extra mile to ensure that their guests have a great time. From personally overseeing the production of the delicious Italian-influenced meals that emerge from the kitchen (of which more later) to chatting with guests and making them feel at home, Elena and Fabio run an excellent operation here with an emphasis on getting all the little details right.

asDunas is located out of Vilanculos town itself, about a 20-minute drive north from the airport, where it enjoys a gorgeous position atop the red coastal dunes from where it looks out onto the islands of the Bazaruto archipelago. Being in a more remote location away from the town means that the beach here is pretty much deserted and guests can enjoy long walks in blissful isolation! It also lends itself to the lodge’s quite unique style , with the thatched roofs and many wooden decks fitting in wonderfully into the indigenous coastal bush here – in fact, it almost has the feel of a game lodge, but positioned overlooking the sea rather than a waterhole or riverbed!

That game lodge feel follows through into the rooms, with 6 of the 8 suites at asDunas being luxurious and very spacious safari tents (50 sqm inside and another 50 sqm outside sundeck and veranda with pool!) built over attractive pigmented cement screeded floors and sheltered by lovely thatch roofs which keep the direct sun off the canvas. The beds in these suites occupy a prime central position inside the tents from where you can enjoy views out over the sea from the comfort of your over-sized king-size bed! The one thing to point out is that there’s no air-con in these Luxury Safari Suite tents – instead the tents are very open on the sides to allow for the free flow of the cooling breezes, whilst there’s also a ceiling fan. But if you struggle with the heat this is definitely something to bear in mind.

Of course, there’s little better way to beat the heat than flopping into a swimming pool and at asDunas you’ve come to the right place, as every suite has its own private plunge pool! There’s little to touch being able to gaze out on the spectacular views over the archipelago whilst wallowing in your own refreshing plunge pool! Alternatively, you can always head up to the main lodge pool where you can also benefit from the attentive bar service to enjoy a long and cold drink whilst relaxing in the cooling water!

As mentioned 6 of the 8 rooms are tented, but you also have the option of 2 more conventionally constructed Luxury Cottage Suites which also have their own private sun decks complete with plunge pools – these are located closest to the lodge’s main public areas and although slightly smaller inside than the Safari Suites (40 sqm vs 50), they do have 2 attractive features in their own right: firstly they offer air-conditioning if this is a non-negotiable for you; they also allow you to sleep a 3^rd person, as the sofa in the bedroom also serves as an extra bed (note that asDunas only allows kids over 10 years old)

If you’ve done any research on the Bazaruto archipelago, you’ll know that this is a magnificent natural playground offering a host of varied outdoor activities: from trips to the islands by speedboat or old fashioned dhow, to deep-sea fishing, scuba diving or snorkelling, horse-back riding along the beach to kite-surfing over the azure waters of the archipelago. The good news is that asDunas will arrange with local operators so you can do whatever you choose – and for the water-based activities they’ll even come and pick you up from the beach in front of the lodge!

You may well decide that you’d prefer to just stay and chill at the lodge though, and frankly we wouldn’t blame you in the slightest! The lodge’s fantastic All-Inclusive product includes a daily Spa treatment or 1-hour full body massage which will leave you feeling wonderfully pampered! (there are 3 Spa pavilions beautifully tucked away in the bush - or you can choose to have them done in the comfort and privacy of your suite!)

Speaking of All-Inclusive, the lodge’s rates also include all meals, snacks as well as all drinks – including a great selection of quality Italian wines, local beers, spirits and cocktails, not to mention a daily sundowner aperitif on the red dunes next to the lodge from where you can enjoy stunning sunsets looking out over the African bush before returning to another delicious dinner!

As mentioned previously, Fabio personally supervises the absolutely delicious fare which emerges from the kitchen - it perfectly combines Italian/Mediterranean influences with the freshest Mozambican produce, with sensationally fresh seafood the highlight! Dinner is an especial delight, being a 5-course taste sensation including amuse bouche, starter, first and second courses and dessert! On second thought, perhaps it may well be a good idea to head out on as many activities as possible, if only to keep your waistline under control given all the delicious meals you’ll be enjoying!