Must-see hotels in Zanzibar Town

  • Mangrove Lodge

    Zanzibar Town

    The delightful Mangrove Lodge is owned by a Zanzibari-Italian couple; their gentle style imbues the whole place, from the palm-thatched lounge overlooking…

  • Emerson Spice

    Zanzibar Town

    With its stained-glass windows, wooden latticework balustrades, tinkling fountains and soft-hued colour scheme, Emerson Spice is one of the most stylish…

  • Jambo Guest House

    Zanzibar Town

    Probably the best-value budget accommodation in town and extremely popular with backpackers, Jambo runs like clockwork. Nine spick-and-span rooms with…

  • Lost & Found Hostel

    Zanzibar Town

    Zanzibar's first dedicated backpackers hostel, Lost & Found is perfect for travellers on a tight budget. It's clean, modern, safe, friendly and well…

  • Kiponda B&B

    Zanzibar Town

    A long-standing and popular place with friendly and relaxed staff, the Kiponda has simple but clean rooms (all with fan, some with air-con) on three…

  • Maru Maru Hotel

    Zanzibar Town

    In a grand old building just behind the Old Fort and House of Wonders, this hotel has historic credentials. Spaced over several floors around two…

  • Emerson on Hurumzi

    Zanzibar Town

    This hotel is simply brimming with character. Two adjacent historic buildings have been restored in a fantastical Arabian Nights style; each of the 15…

  • Ikala Zanzibar Stonetown Lodge

    Zanzibar Town

    Bright and cheerful in an unashamed 'economy' model, the Ikala is ideal if all you need is a clean room, friendly staff and efficient service. Extras …

  • Jafferji House

    Zanzibar Town

    The historic former home of the Jafferji family, this beautifully decorated hotel is packed with traditional, modern and colonial artefacts, plus stunning…

  • Kholle House

    Zanzibar Town

    This hotel was once a palace, built in 1860 for Princess Kholle, favoured daughter of Sultan Said. After meticulous renovation, it now offers bright and…

  • Kisiwa House

    Zanzibar Town

    The lovely Kisiwa House has nine spacious rooms and an excellent rooftop restaurant with sea views. Public areas have a traditional appearance, including…

  • Park Hyatt Zanzibar

    Zanzibar Town

    At the time of research, the latest addition to Zanzibar Town's growing roll call of large luxury hotels, the Park Hyatt is in two attached buildings (one…

  • Mizingani Seafront Hotel

    Zanzibar Town

    In a renovated building between two Stone Town landmarks, the Big Tree and the Old Customs House, the Mizingani has a prime location. There's an…

  • Zenji Hotel

    Zanzibar Town

    The Zenji offers clean rooms, efficient service and a friendly welcome. On Malawi Rd, near the port, it's in the heart of the action, or a bit noisy,…

  • Swahili House

    Zanzibar Town

    Over the years, this grand building has been home to an Indian merchant, the sultan's family and other Zanzibari dignitaries. Restored to its original…

  • Mbweni Ruins Hotel

    Zanzibar Town

    Away from the hustle, 5km south of Zanzibar Town, trim and tranquil Mbweni Ruins Hotel (part of the Marriott-Protea chain) has light and airy rooms set in…

  • Tembo House Hotel

    Zanzibar Town

    This attractively restored building has a prime waterfront location, including a patch of private beach (separated from the sea and public beach by a…

  • Zanzibar Coffee House

    Zanzibar Town

    Dating from 1885, this building once belonged to a minister to Sultan Barghash, and today it's a stylish hotel above a first-class coffeeshop. Eight rooms…

  • Garden Lodge

    Zanzibar Town

    This efficient, friendly, family-run place offers 18 rooms in a characterful house fringed with balconies and decorated with stained-glass windows. Rooms…

  • Golden Tulip Stonetown Hotel

    Zanzibar Town

    In a modern building, the Golden Tulip has the air of a business hotel. Rooms are spacious, although the dark wood furniture is a bit gloomy, and…

  • Dhow Palace

    Zanzibar Town

    Built around two open courtyards, one with a swimming pool, the Dhow Palace is liberally decorated with Indian Ocean artefacts. The theme continues in the…

  • Stone Town Café B&B

    Zanzibar Town

    Simple, unpretentious and uncluttered, the Stone Town Café has five rooms with Zanzibari beds dressed in pristine white linens. Black-and-white photos,…

  • Rumaisa Hotel

    Zanzibar Town

    Slightly off the beaten track, the Rumaisa Hotel is worth the journey. Stairs with bamboo bannisters lead to rooms with Zanzibari beds, fridge and TV,…

  • Best Western Plus Zanzibar

    Zanzibar Town

    The Best Western brand comes to Zanzibar with this newly built five-storey hotel near the busy passenger ferry terminal. From the 'water wall' in the…

  • Seyyida Hotel

    Zanzibar Town

    Lighter and brighter than many Stone Town hotels, the Seyyida eschews dark wood in favour of white tiles. Rooms are modern and styled in neutral tones,…

  • Malindi Guesthouse

    Zanzibar Town

    This long-standing backpacker favourite is in the scruffy end of town near the dhow harbour. It's not especially clean, and downstairs rooms are dark and…

  • Zanzibar Serena Inn

    Zanzibar Town

    Serena is a chain with hotels and lodges all over East Africa, and its Zanzibar location is hard to beat: with a huge shady patio set above the beach and…

  • Princess Salme Inn

    Zanzibar Town

    In the scruffy but authentic part of town near the dhow harbour, this friendly place has clean and simple rooms with Zanzibar beds and mosquito nets, plus…

  • Golden Tulip Resort

    Zanzibar Town

    If you need modern and functional facilities near, but not actually in, Stone Town this hotel fits the bill, 7km north of the town centre. Rooms are large…

  • Shaba Hotel

    Zanzibar Town

    Hidden in the back streets in a quiet part of Stone Town, but within a short walk of busy Kenyatta Rd, this small hotel is well located, with welcoming…

  • Hiliki House

    Zanzibar Town

    Covering two houses side by side – the original in colonial style, the other in 1950s retro – this small family-run hotel offers peaceful and elegant…

  • Warere Town House

    Zanzibar Town

    Down by the old dhow harbour, in a restored former merchant's house, the Warere is a friendly and well-run budget hotel. Rooms are clean and tidy, with…

  • Flamingo Guest House

    Zanzibar Town

    The total lack of decor and stark concrete stairwell may be off-putting, but the Flamingo offers perfectly adequate no-frills accommodation at rock-bottom…

  • Abuso Inn

    Zanzibar Town

    Despite its unexciting appearance and dark wood interior, the family-run Abuso is a solid choice with spacious rooms and friendly staff. Triple and quad…

  • Zanzibar Palace Hotel

    Zanzibar Town

    With just nine large rooms over three floors around a central covered courtyard, this hotel has a peaceful and spacious ambience. Rooms are decorated in…

  • Karibu Inn

    Zanzibar Town

    The Karibu’s spartan atmosphere and widely displayed 'rule' notices are compensated by a very convenient location. Accommodation is in dorms of five to…

  • Africa House Hotel

    Zanzibar Town

    The venerable Africa House was formerly the English Club, and decor still has a colonial flavour. Rooms are rather over-furnished with antique-style four…

  • Mazsons Hotel

    Zanzibar Town

    The long-standing Mazsons has comfortable accommodation, but it's a little bland and tired around the edges. On the upside, there's excellent service and…

  • St Monica’s Lodge

    Zanzibar Town

    Built in the late 19th century by UMCA missionairies, St Monica’s is very near the Anglican cathedral and still has a somewhat historic ambience. As well…

  • Zanzibar Hotel

    Zanzibar Town

    This is reputedly the oldest hotel in Zanzibar, and the history theme continues throughout with Zanzibari beds and various Arabesque ornaments alongside…

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