Zanzibar Accommodations


This may be basically divided into:

1. Stone Town hotels, which have few sporting facilities and rarely have a garden but are steeped in character.

2. Out of town beach hotels: these are more modern, generally set in fine gardens by the beach, and offering a variety of water sports. As a rule the East Coast beaches are more beautiful but they face the prevailing winds and as a result the seas here are rougher.


Stone Town Hotels
Emerson and Green Hotel Located in the heart of Stone Town was the former residence of one of the richest men of the Swahili Empire. It is arguably one of the most magnificent hotels on Zanzibar. All the rooms are spacious and have a different, opulent character recreating an atmosphere of the past. All have ornately carved doors, fans, and unique stone baths (in one room the bath is partly open-air and affords fine panoramas of the city). The Tower Top restaurant offers a fine, rooftop panorama of the city.

Serena Inn *****
A very luxurious hotel with large ornately decorated rooms, fully air-conditioned, executive suites, honeymoon suites, swimming pool, overlooking the sea.

Tembo House Hotel ****
A very popular, atmospheric and luxurious hotel with large, air-conditioned rooms, executive suites, honeymoon suites. Rooms are furnished with traditional Zanzibari and Oriental furniture. There is a swimming pool, lounges and restaurant overlooking the sea. No alcohol is served.

Dhow Palace Hotel ***
17 spacious, very well furnished, air-conditioned, old-style rooms are located in a magnificent traditionally decorated old building. The roof top restaurant offers panoramas over the town and harbour. No alcohol is served. A swimming pool is available to residents at the Tembo Hotel - a sister hotel to the Dhow Palace.

Shangani Hotel ***
A pleasant, old-style hotel with air-conditioned rooms with multi-channel TV, fridge, rooftop restaurant overlooking Stone Town and the sea.

Mazsons Hotel ***
A pleasant, old-style hotel in the heart of Stone Town. All rooms are air-conditioned rooms with multi-channel TV, fridge and hair-drier. No alcohol served.


Beach Hotels

Sultan Palace *****
A very luxurious and restful hotel with spacious cottages set in their own private gardens with verandas overlooking the sea. Rooms are furnished with antique furniture and hand-painted tiles decorating the double bed headpieces. All cottages are air-conditioned, with a fan, fridge, hair drier, safe and phone. Children under 12 are only accepted on special request.

Breezes Beach Club *****
Located on a beautiful stretch of beach, the club is composed of little houses located in beautiful grounds. Each house has four spacious, air-conditioned apartments equipped with fridge, safe and other facilities not including TV or phone. There is a fitness and aerobics centre, disco, shop, two restaurants, a bar and a lounge. Water activities provided include windsurfing, pedal boats, snorkelling, sailing and a full range of scuba diving programmes. The dive centre has its own instructors, excellent equipment and offer courses ranging from beginners to those wishing to become a dive guide.

Karafuu Hotel ****
Lies on the unspoilt Eastern Coast of Zanzibar, 65 km. from Zanzibar town and airport. It is an international four star hotel, considered one of the best of the island. It is located in 7 hectares of pleasant tropical garden. 26 cottages facing the sea, all built under "makuti" thatch, furnished with traditional Zanzibar furniture and comprising: entrance through private garden, ample bedroom, dressing room, bathroom in Carrara marble, breathtaking view veranda, mosquito net, ceiling fan, independent air conditioning, hot and cold desalted water, telephone and mini bar.

Fisherman's Resort ***
Being rebuilt after fire A reasonably priced beach hotel located just south of Zanzibar Town and the airport. Lying on the West Coast the beach is very calm. Bungalow accommodation provides spacious rooms, which include air conditioning, fans, hot and cold showers, TV and telephone. There are pleasant bars, restaurants and a swimming pool located in the heart of the gardens. Most water sports, diving and swimming with dolphins may be organised at the hotel.

Sau Inn Hotel ***
A reasonably priced hotel on a beautiful East Coast beach. Bungalow accommodation in nice gardens, each bungalow is self-contained. A variety of activities are offered including swimming with dolphins, fishing and snorkelling trips.

Matemwe Beach Village ***
Beautifully located on the north east coast Matemwe is one of the best diving sites on the island. Several well-furnished cottages with their own verandas offer pleasant accommodation. A leading dive school operates diving here, all level of PADI courses for beginners up to the most advanced - is offered.

Blue Oyster Hotel
A basic, family run hotel, located on a beautiful stretch of beach near Jambiani village. It is composed of 10 simple, clean rooms. The airy restaurant is located on the top floor and overlooks the ocean. A variety of water sports and swimming with dolphins can be arranged at very reasonable prices.

Tamarind Hotel
Located just north of Chwake on the central east coast of the island. This pleasant and friendly hotel is located on a beautiful stretch of beach. Accommodation is in small cottages. A variety of activities may be organised from the hotel including: town tour, spice tour, biking, fishing, swimming, snorkelling, boat trips, diving and swimming with dolphins.

Mbweni Ruins Hotel
On the outskirts of Stone Town lies a magnificent botanical garden known to romantic couples and those seeking privacy. Within this spectacular and secluded setting lies Mbweni Ruins Hotel and Garden.Mbweni offers 13 suites; each decorated in distinctive Zanzibari style, with Oriental rugs, four-poster beds and mosquito nets. All are air-conditioned and furnished with the many cultural flavours that have influenced the Swahili Coast. The rooms are situated in a picturesque setting of 150 types of palm tree and a kaleidoscope of plant life. Most rooms have balconies with seaviews and overlook the vibrant colours of frangipanis, hibiscus, oleander, and 650 other plant species which inhabit the landscape.

Ras Nungwi Hotel
Located on an expanse of beach wilderness on the northern tip of Zanzibar, protected by a coral reef. All watersports are available. The hotel is built from hand-cut fossilised coral limestone and other natural materials. An eco-sensitive approach has ensured that the delicate balance of the land and sea flora and fauna have been preserved.All 32 rooms are tastefully furnished, with hand-crafted four poster beds and indigenous décor, and all have en suite facilities and balconies. Mosquito nets over all beds ensure a peaceful night's sleep, with the sound of the ocean rounding off a relaxing day in paradise.

Pongwe Hotel
This lies a few kilometers north of the Tamarind Hotel and just north of Pongwe village, in an otherwise undeveloped area. The main buildings and several newly refurbished and comfortably-fitted accommodation cottages are set amongst shady palms beside a truly magical beach. The hotel has its own traditional wooden long boat allowing game fishing as well as snorkelling out at Mnemba Atoll renowned for its numerous coral species and marine life. Scuba Diving can be arranged at a nearby centre (PADI).