Palmeiras Lodge is a little slice of the forest on the edge of the Indian Ocean. It scores points with us for its lovely gardens, shingled with old trees, tangled lianas and shady spots, while being mere meters from the big blue. With reasonable prices and friendly management, this place is a real little oasis.

One of the best things about Palmeiras Lodge is that the rooms aren’t on top of each other. Instead, the small chalets are located in different spots throughout the gardens, making for a secluded stay. The premises only sleeps 17 people in total – a great way of keeping the calm, peaceful vibe. There are three individually decorated chalets that cost 1950 Mets per person, per night. They come with functioning air-conditioning and mosquito nets. Each has its own style, and although the chalets aren’t luxurious, they do have a beach chic thing going on. There are also two larger, tall chalets that can be rented out by self-catering groups.

On-site, there’s a nice pool and a cute wooden restaurant that serves African and European dishes, including specials such as cassava leaf stews, fish dishes, pizzas, and burgers. Breakfast includes hot and cold options. The friendly Portuguese management can help you out with arranging boat trips or diving and snorkelling excursions, and airport transfers can also be organized. The lodge is quite far down the main beach road, past Sailaway Safaris and the field of goats (if you’re driving from the direction of Hotel Dona Ana.)