Romance Wanderlust: The Manta Resort

Welcome back to Romance Wanderlust, in which I search the Internet for places that appeal to the romantic in us all. Please keep in mind that no matter how often I try, I can’t seem to get anyone to sponsor me to try these places out for myself. This is daydreaming time, not a review or endorsement of any of these locations. With that in mind, come away with me, or better yet, come away with the celebrity crush of your choice (pick a rich celebrity since the trip is expensive) to the Manta Resort on Pemba Island in Zanzibar.

Let us say that you notice that Tom Hiddleston is showing some signs of stress lately. You call him up and say, in a manner that only works in romance novels and rom-coms, “Tom, come away with me to the Manta Resort for one week. You pay, and I will send you back to Hollywood a relaxed and happy man.” Since this is a complete fantasy, Tom says, “Sure,” and the two of you pack a lot of books and your swimsuits and head off to Zanzibar.

The Manta Resort is located on an island with beaches and rainforest, and it seems to focus on setting rather than having lots of amenities. You and Tom will stay in a private villa. Since Tom has a lot of cash you can get the one with air conditioning, yay! You lounge on the beach or by the pool, reading, and staff bring you drinks. You explore the island — there are few other visitors. You can add on a safari or scuba diving trips or boat rides or tours, including one to a spice farm. Tom is paying! He’s adventurous! Do it all!

If you take one of the trips into the rainforest, you might see these guys – a species of flying fox found nowhere else on Earth:

You and Tom paddle around the island in a kayak and get massages. Occasionally he jots down something thoughtful in his journal about fame. You aren’t here to party, which is a good thing, because no partying is to be had. The resort website is pretty direct in terms of what to expect:tra

The Manta Resort is not a 5 star luxury resort and certainly different to what you might find on other tropical islands. If you’re expecting bling bling bling you will be disappointed.

If you however are looking for serenity, close encounters with nature and a close-knit family of people we look forward to sharing our island with you.

Of course, what REALLY brought you and Tom here is the Underwater Room, where you spend at least one night. The room itself is simple. It consists of a double bed and a lot of windows with which to view the tropical fish. It’s anchored to the sea floor away from the main resort, so you’ll have a lot of privacy.

The floor above, at sea level, has a lounge and dining area (the staff brings you food at pre-arranged times and supplies snack and beverages), and it also has a bathroom. From this floor you can jump in the water and swim and snorkel. You can climb a ladder to the roof and stargaze all night with almost no light pollution, or you can hang out in your room at night and turn on the underwater light that attracts the nighttime sea life. Even the paparazzi can’t find you. Probably Tom will recite love poetry to you beneath the stars and under the sea, because that’s just how he rolls.

Of course eventually the idyll must end and Tom must return to work on his next movie. However, he’s left with a new perspective and plans to refocus on art as opposed to fame and large projects. “Perhaps I’ll do more Shakespeare on stage,” he’ll say, and quote Much Ado About Nothing. He’s also left with the realization that he cannot live without you. “You are the wind beneath my wings,” he says, breathlessly, and you are so mellowed out by your island stay that you don’t even point out that that’s the song from Beaches, not a line penned by The Bard.

To recap from reality: I have not actually visited this location, either with or without Tom Hiddleston. Maybe there are too many bugs. Maybe the food is terrible. Maybe the Underwater Room leaks. I don’t know.

But let’s be honest: they had me at “Underwater Room” and then they had me even more by pointing out that you can also sleep on the roof of the underwater room and see stars without light pollution. They’ve set up lounges on the roof and everything. Bring your own significant other; that double bed has distinct possibilities.

Note: The resort is well-rated in terms of conservation and social responsibility. If you go, you can bring books and school supplies as the resort collects them for the local school.