When the four-star Southern Sun re-opens on August 1st, it will rival the Hotel Polana as one of the most beautiful (and comfortable) places to stay in Maputo. Perched on the edge of the Indian Ocean and flanked by a white sandy beach, it’s still only a ten-minute drive from the city center (and 7km from the airport), making it a perfect base for both business and pleasure.

Until now, mostly business travellers have passed through its doors, but the refit is likely to change that; we’ve been primed to expect a more stylish vibe than the smart beige furniture of before, as well as a jump in the number of rooms available — 158, including suites, we’re told. Wi-Fi is fast and free, and there’s a beauty salon, bar, restaurant, souvenir store (with a small stock of swimwear), and tiny bookstore in the grounds.

But let’s talk about those views: the ground-floor rooms look out onto the manicured lawn and pool that backs onto the ocean. You can pop out of your room and nap on a sun lounger while you wait for the lunch service to start. The second and third floor rooms and suites command stunning views of the Indian Ocean, salted with the billowing sails of dhows and, if you’re lucky, the occasional dolphin sighting.

We stayed in one of the opulent three-room executive suites, complete with comfortable (beige) sofas to sink into, and bathtubs hidden by shutters that open and close. The turret balcony was the perfect spot for sundowners; room service is fast and good. Walking along the hallways, lined with Mozambican art, we noticed South African Airlines pilots and cabin crew checking into nearby rooms for the night on their layover from Johannesburg.

Breakfast in the Bayside restaurant was a feast of hot and cold options, including plenty of well-presented seasonal fruit. The lunch and dinner menus include dishes such as tuna steak with fresh lemon and fat capers, roasted duck, Brazilian barbecue, chickpea and spinach stew, and a copious salad buffet. For dessert, there are cheese plates, little pots of creme brulee, sticky fruit cake, and rich wedges of chocolate cake. We slept comfortably, sated and satisfied.