ZANZIBAR TOWN HOTELS
swala@habari.co.tz
Revised: May 28, 2006

Stone Town   Budget Hotels    Mid-Market Hotels    Up-Market Hotels    Beach Hotels

HOTELS TARIFFS IN ZANZIBAR. Valid to 31 December 2003. Tariffs are per person.

SPECIAL! Ushongo Beach.

If you are primarily interested in a beach holiday you may consider Ushongo Beach on the cost of Tanzania as an alternative to Zanzibar. Ushongo has very low key tourism and comes highly recommended for those who want to escape mass tourist lodges. 

Ushongo Beach is situated 70 kms south of Tanga and 250 kms north of Dar es Salaam. It has a marvellous typical tropical beach lined with coconut trees, has swimming in the ocean at all times as the tide does not go out far, snorkelling and scuba diving off the nearby reef, sailing, fishing, cultural visits to the old Arab town of Pangani and local fishing villages, tour of sisal estate, and cycling along the beach. Further information available on request. Tides Lodge is small (9 rooms), very comfortable, very affordable, very good food, and owner-managed. 

ZANZIBAR. The following is by no means a full list of available accommodation in Zanzibar. If staying in Stone Town, it is best to book Bed and Breakfast(BB)only as there are plenty of good places to eat. The following is not a fully comprehensive list, but does give some idea of where and where to stay. Most hotels have a web site, particularly the Up-Market hotels. 

In addition to the beach hotels there are a number of guest houses, some of which are overpriced. The tariffs below are High Season rates(1 July-31 March). There is normally a Christmas/New Year supplement varying from $20 to $30 per night per person. Special rates for children under 12.

High Season: 16th of June until 31st of October and 16th December until the 31st of March 2002;
Low Season:1 April-15 June; 1 November-30 November 2002;
Peak Period: 24th, 25th and 31st of December

Children: 0- 6 sharing bed with parents – no charge; 7-12 years US $10 per child.

TARRIFS are per person bed and breakfast except where mentioned otherwise. Single room supplement is $10 for Budget Hotels and $20 to $35 for Mid-Market and Up-Market hotels. For beach hotels it is best to book Half Board or Full Board as many of them do not have a near-by restaurant.  Expect to pay, per person, $10 for lunch and $15 for dinner. Zanzibar's population is 95% Moslem. Some hotels may therefor not serve alcohol. All beach hotels have bars.

A. OLD STONE TOWN

1. Budget Hotels. $15 - $30.

Blue Ocean Hotel  Clove Inn   Coco de Mer   Hotel International   Hotel Kiponda   Hotel Malindi   Island View Hotel   Karibu Inn   Narrow Street Hotel 
Spice Inn    Stone Town Inn       

2. Mid-Market Hotels. $30 - $50.

Baghani House    Coconut Beach Inn    Chapwani Private Hotel  Chavda Hotel    Kinasi      Mtoni Marine Centre   Pyramid  Shangani Hotel          

3. Up-Market Hotels $50 - $100.

Africa House    Dhow Palace    Emersons & Greens    Kinasi Lodge    Mazsons      Salome Gardens     Serena Zanzibar    Shangani House     
Sunrise Hotel      Tembo 

STONE TOWN HOTELS. This is just a small selection of some of the hotels in Zanzibar Stone Town. There are a number of other small hotels, some of them simple but charming. Tariffs are normally bed and breakfast, which leaves visitors the choice of where they would like to eat. There are many good restaurants in the Stone Town.

CHAVDA HOTEL $50:   16 rooms. 5 Suites on top floor, 4 Twin rooms, 5 Double rooms, 2 Single rooms.
All rooms have shower and bathtub. Half of the rooms have balconies. Satellite TV, Telephone, Air conditioning, Fan, Mini bar, Mosquito net, Hairdryer,  and safe for valuables. Situated in the heart of Stone Town, 10 km from the airport. Facilities include Fax and E-mail service, Restaurant and  Coffee Shop, and laundry service. There is roof-top bar and restaurant with a panoramic view of Stone Town. Great for sunsets.

EMERSON AND GREENS $75. One of the best hotels in Stone Town. Excellent restaurant.

DHOW PALACE HOTEL 16 Rooms: 2 Triple Deluxe Suites, 5 Twin Suites, 2 Double Suites, 2 Deluxe twin rooms, 1 Double room, 3 Single rooms with king size bed. All rooms have shower and bathtub. Balconies in six of the rooms. Satellite TV, Telephone, Air Conditioning, Mini Bar, Mosquito Net (on request), and Hairdryer. Situated in the centre of Stone Town, 10 km from the airport. Other facilities include Fax and E-mail service, Roof-Top restaurant where  breakfast, lunch and dinner is served. There is a valuables safe at the reception. No pool on premises, but pool at Tembo Hotel can be used free of charge. No alcohol is served or permitted within Dhow Palace Hotel premises.

MAZSONS $50. Close to the Dhow Palace, and one of the better Stone Town hotels. Furnishings are in Zanzibari style.

SERENA  INN $95.  51 Rooms: 2 Suites, 1 Honeymoon Suite, 7 Deluxe prime rooms, 41 Standard rooms. All rooms are decorated in traditional Zanzibari style and have a balcony overlooking the ocean. All rooms have  satellite TV, telephone, air conditioning, mini bar, mosquito nets, mosquito repellent, hairdryer, and safe for valuables. Serena Inn is situated by the sea in the centre of Stone Town. There is free transport to Mangapwani Beach for Water Sports, Slave Caves and Spice Garden. Daily. Other facilities include Business Center (open 24 hours - Fax and E-mail service available), inside and outside restaurant, Bar, Gift/Antique Shop, Coffee Shop, Conference room seating 20 people, Pool with deck chairs and towel service overlooking the sea, Room Service, Massage, and laundry service. There is a Taarab dancing night on Wednesdays and Fridays. On Fridays there is a lobster special.

TEMBO HOTEL $50. 36 Rooms: 1 Presidential Suite, 2 Deluxe Rooms, 23 Prime Double, 6 Family Rooms, 4 Standard Rooms. All nicely decorated in traditional Zanzibari style. All rooms have Satellite TV, Telephone, Air conditioning, Mini bar, Hairdryer and Mosquito net. Situated by the sea, in the centre of Stone Town, 10 km from the airport. Direct access to sea from Hotel restaurant, with a great view of the islands and the traditional Zanzibari fishing boats (Dhows). Other facilities include pool with towel service, souvenir/ Antique shop, Restaurant (closes at 10 pm),  and Fax and E-mail service. Please note that no alcohol is served or permitted within Tembo Hotel premises.

PROTEA MBWENI RUINS $110 . On the outskirts of Stone Town, on the beach, is a magnficent botanical garden, popular with romantics. Within this spectacular and secluded setting lies the Protea Hotel Mbweni Ruins. It is  7 km south of Stone Town, offering easy access to spice plantations, the Jozani Forest and East Coast beaches. The hotel is run by Protea Hotels.

Mbweni Ruins magically blends the living experience of Zanzibar`s historic past with modern-day luxury and comfort. Here, the weary visitor can relax and pamper themselves whilst enjoying nature`s true beauty.

Accommodation is exclusive - no more than 30 guests - with good views of the Indian Ocean and the gardens, which are home to a vast variety of birds and butterflies, before leading down to the beach where mangroves sprout out from the sea.

Facilities include a swimming pool, a Natural Health Centre, and a bar and restaurant on the clifftop overlooking the ocean