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A year of island hopping: December
This is post twelove of twelve  and so concludes  our daily look at the best islands in the world to visit, when to visit them and where to stay (where individual recommendations are made). For December, the following are recommended:
- Bay of Islands, New Zealand: Cliff Edge by the Sea
- Cyprus: Hilton Cyprus and The Anassa
- Florida Keys: Sunset Key Guest Cottages and Little Palm Island
- Jamaica: Half Moon and Round Hill
- Mafia, Tanzania: Kinasi and Pole Pole Bungalow
- Phuket, Thailand: JW Marriott Resort & Spa and Evason Phuket Resort & Six Senses Spa
Paul Johnson
Paul Johnson is Editor of A Luxury Travel Blog and has worked in the travel industry for more than 30 years. He is Winner of the Innovations in Travel ‘Best Travel Influencer’ Award from WIRED magazine. In addition to other awards, the blog has also been voted “one of the world’s best travel blogs” and “best for luxury” by The Daily Telegraph.
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When I read;
Mafia Island is a true remnant of the old Swahili coast, a place unspoiled, unaffected by commercialism and timeless. Local people go about their traditional activities seemingly detached from the outside world.
Mafia has so far escaped the invasion of mass tourism as building has been restricted to three tourist lodges with a combined bed capacity of 120.
The lodges are like “bush resorts” in that everything is quiet, thus offering the perfect alternative safari experience.
Major tourist activities are scuba diving, snorkeling, beach and offshore island excursions.
The places to visit are: Chole Bay, Kinasi Pass Islets, Mange reef, Kitutia, and Jibondo Pass .
Diving safaris around Chole Bay, within Mafia IslandÂ’s Marine Park are outstanding.
I had to see it for myself!
So, I went to Mafia, where I stayed at Pole Pole Resort, and have now added yet another special place in my heart, one that must be returned to!
Pole Pole Resort faces the beautiful turquoise waters of Chole Bay on the southeast coast of the Mafia Island Marine Park, and is nestled perfectly into its tropical gardens.
It feels tranquil, and perfect as you walk barefoot around camp.
Its 7 ‘Luxury bungalows’, are built to the finest detail, with interiors all picture-perfect, hardwood flooring and high quality hand made coconut wood furniture.
Elegant and spacious, the rooms are furnished with hand carved and antique pieces, every large private veranda is furnished with a Zanzibari bed, chairs, table and an armchair.
I loved sitting there, gazing out over the palm fringed bay.
The food was excellent, with an Italian style touch of class and perfectly presented.
Staff were extremely friendly and welcoming, with service smooth and professional.
I would recommend Pole Pole for honeymoons, wellness retreats, anyone looking to explore a less visited remote island paradise that doesn’t mind being completely spoiled at the same time.