A list by Eva Novak & Adam Jensen. Updated January 2024.
We have created a list with the best small luxury hotels in Zanzibar City, Tanzania. Hope you enjoy it. We think it might be the best of its kind around. Tip: Set your dates to see room prices!
Opened May 2023. Set in Zanzibar City, 90 metres from Stone Town Beach, The Neela Boutique Hotel Stone Town offers accommodation with a restaurant, free private parking and a bar. With free WiFi, this 5-star hotel offers room service and a 24-hour front desk. The accommodation provides a concierge service, a tour desk and currency exchange for guests. At the hotel the rooms come with air conditioning, a seating area, a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, a safety deposit box and a private bathroom with a shower, free toiletries and bathrobes. At The Neela Boutique Hotel Stone Town all rooms come with bed linen and towels. The daily breakfast offers à la carte, continental or vegetarian options. The accommodation offers a sun terrace. Popular points of interest near The Neela Boutique Hotel Stone Town include Peace Memorial Museum, St Joseph's Roman Catholic Cathedral and Old Fort of Zanzibar. The nearest airport is Abeid Amani Karume International Airport, 7 km from the hotel.Show full description
Resort.Unique. Relaxing atmosphere. Popular among couples. Zanzi Resort is situated on the shore of the Indian Ocean, 15 km from the historic town of Stone Town and a 30-minute drive from the Zanzibar International Airport. Each spacious villa and bungalow offers an intimate environment. Ocean-front villas have a private patio with a pool, a lush tropical garden, and a gazebo draped in mosquito nets. The bungalows are located in the garden area with access to the main swimming pool. A guest relations attaché is available to help plan day trips and excursions. Guests can choose to have breakfast, lunch, and dinner in their private villa or bungalow, in the restaurant, or on the beach. We offer local cuisine prepared for an international palate with fresh seafood accompanied by organic vegetables and spices picked from our own eco-plantation. Massages are offered beside the ocean with water sports facilities available on site. Free bicycles are available and excursions can be arranged at the tour desk.Show full description
This might be one of the most UNIQUE AND AUTHENTIC resorts in Zanzibar City.
Highly elegant. Charming. Great views. Popular among women. Located on the sea-front of ancient Stone Town, Zanzibar Serena Inn offers 5-star accommodation with a view of the Indian Ocean. There is an outdoor pool with sun loungers, a café and 2 restaurants. Zanzibar Serena Inn offers free private parking. All rooms are decorated with traditional furnishings and feature a satellite TV, mini bar and a tea and coffee maker. Each has a private bathroom with a bath and shower with free toiletries. There is 24-hour room service and free Wi-Fi. The Terrace Seafood Restaurant features an open-air rooftop terrace and has ocean views. International and Swahili dishes are available at the Baharia Restaurant. The Pool Terrace Bar and coffee shop serve a wide selection of drinks, snacks and traditional pastries. Guests can relax and sunbathe poolside or on the beach. Other local activities include swimming, snorkelling, kayaking and diving. House of Wonders is a 5-minute drive away. Zanzibar International Airport and Zanzibar Ferry Terminal are within a 10-minute drive away.Show full description
I rate this as the most ELEGANT small luxury hotel in Zanzibar City.
Historic. Great location. Rooftop pool. Offering three pool and restaurant, the historic Tembo House Hotel is located in Zanzibar City, a 3-minute walk from the Old Fort and House of Wonders. Free Wi-Fi access is available. Decorated with wood carved furniture, and offering a Swahili four-poster bed, each room features a seating area with TV, air conditioning and a bathroom with shower and traditional hammam bath. Most of the rooms feature a balcony with sea or pool views. The hotel's Bahari Restaurant offers local as well international cuisine. Room service is available and packed lunches can be arranged. Other facilities and services include a 24-hour front desk, meeting facilities, a shared lounge, concierge and laundry services. An array of activities can be enjoyed on site or in the surroundings, including diving and cycling. The property offers free parking. Zanzibar port is a 5-minute drive away and the Zanzibar International Airport is 8 km from Tembo House Hotel. Offering three different swimming pools including a roof top pool.Show full description
Great views. Rooftop bar. Maru Maru Hotel’s cocktail bar has 360-degree views over Stone Town and the Indian Ocean. The property provides an onsite restaurant and complimentary Wi-Fi . Overlooking the town or garden, the air-conditioned rooms have furniture made by local producers. Some have wooden ceiling beams and a step-in shower with seats in the private bathroom. Featuring chandeliers and stained-glass windows, Fountain Restaurant serves a buffet breakfast and dinner. Terrace Restaurant offers Indian cuisine and room service is available. Hotel Maru Maru also has a bar and barbecue facilities. The 24-hour reception can arrange massages, car hire and trips, including Stone Town tours and dolphin watching. Stone Town Beach and Forodhani Gardens are less than 5 minutes’ walk, and Jozani Forest is 40 minutes by car. On-site parking is free and an airport shuttle can be arranged at a charge from Zanzibar International Airport, 8 km away. The ferry terminal to the mainland is 12 minutes’ walk away.Show full description
This hotel has outstanding views, a popular rooftop bar and a unique rooftop pool.
Delightful property. Elegant. Featuring a seafront location in Zanzibar City, Park Hyatt Zanzibar offers an outdoor pool and a restaurant. This air-conditioned hotel comes with free WiFi access and has a spa and wellness centre. All rooms are equipped with a flat-screen cable TV, a minibar and tea and coffee making facilities. Private bathrooms comprise a bathtub, free toiletries, a hairdryer and a bidet. Views are provided from all rooms. Guest staying at Park Hyatt Zanzibar are also offered a fitness centre, a tour desk and a luggage storage. Activites like snorkeling, diving, golf and various other can be enjoyed on site or in the surrounding area. The Hotel is 43 km away from Jozani Chwaka National Park and 11 km from Masingini Forest. Abeid Amani Karume International Airport is 8Km from Park Hyatt Zanzibar. Zanzibar Ferry Terminal is 1 km away.Show full description
I think this is one of the most BEAUTIFUL luxury hotels in Zanzibar City.
Historic. Nice style. Cosy rooms. Popular among women. Offering a restaurant, the historical Kisiwa House is located in the heart of historical Stone Town in Zanzibar. Free Wi-Fi access is available. As one of the oldest buildings in Stown Town, Kisiwa House combines historical elements with fresh and modern design. Decorated in Swahili style, the spacious rooms offer plush interiors and are fitted with a flat-screen TV, air conditioning and a minibar. Featuring a spa bath, private bathrooms also offer hairdryers, bathrobes and free toiletries. Panoramic views of Stone Town and the Indian Ocean can be enjoyed from the roof-top restaurant, which offers local and international cuisine. Guests at Kisiwa House can relax in the garden or unwind in the courtyard lounge by the fountain. The property is within walking distance to museums, antique shops and famous landmarks. Zanzibar International Airport is a 10 minute drive from Kisiwa House. Airport Shuttles can be arranged at an additional surcharge.Show full description
Very stylish. Charming. Superb breakfast. Popular among women. Situated in the heart of Stone Town. It is located just 500 metres from the fruit and fish market of Darajan. The air-conditioned rooms all include Zanzibari-style furnishings and are equipped with a fan. The en suite bathrooms come with a shower. The entire property and all rooms have free wifi. Shaba Boutique Hotel is located only a 2-minute walk from the House of Wonders museum and 5 minutes’ walk from the Fordahani Gardens. Zanzibar International Airport is 15 minutes’ drive away.Show full description
This is one of the most WELL DESIGNED AND STYLISH boutique hotels in Zanzibar City. It also has a highly rated breakfast and super comfortable beds.
Lovely property. Stylish. Great location. Mizingani Seafront Hotel is situated just a 2-minute walk from the Zanzibar Ferry Terminal. The hotel offers a restaurant, outdoor pool and 24-hour front desk. Free private parking is available on site. The bright, air-conditioned rooms feature Zanzibari décor and feature a private entrance. They come fitted with a seating area, mosquito net draped over the bed, a flat-screen satellite TV and a safe. The private bathroom come with a uniquely designed bathtub or shower. At Mizingani Seafront Hotel the restaurant has an à la carte and buffet menu offering a variety of dishes. Guests can relax on the terrace or unwind in the hamman. Nearby attractions include the House of Wonders and Forodhani Gardens which are 350 metres away. Free WiFi is available in public areas and an airport shuttle can be arranged at a surcharge. The Zanzibar International Airport is 8.5 km away.Show full description
Located in Zanzibar City, 5.2 km from Peace Memorial Museum, Hotel Verde Zanzibar - Azam Luxury Resort and Spa provides accommodation with an outdoor swimming pool, free private parking, a fitness centre and a garden. This 5-star hotel offers a kids' club, room service and free WiFi. At Hotel Verde Zanzibar - Azam Luxury Resort and Spa every room has bed linen and towels. Hotel Verde Zanzibar - Azam Luxury Resort and Spa offers a children's playground. Certain units at the property include a terrace with a sea view. The hotel will provide guests with air-conditioned rooms offering a desk, a kettle, a fridge, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV, a balcony and a private bathroom with a shower. A buffet, continental or Full English/Irish breakfast is available daily at the property. At the accommodation you will find a restaurant serving African, American and Mediterranean cuisine. Vegetarian, halal and vegan options can also be requested. Guests at the hotel will be able to enjoy activities in and around Zanzibar City, like canoeing. Guests will find a 24-hour front desk, a shared lounge, a business centre and ironing service at the property. Cinema Afrique is 4.1 km from Hotel Verde Zanzibar - Azam Luxury Resort and Spa, while Old Dispensary is 4.4 km away. The nearest airport is Abeid Amani Karume International, 10 km from the accommodation, and the property offers a paid airport shuttle service.Show full description
Charming. Romantic. Great breakfast. Popular among couples. Zanzibar Palace Hotel is located in Stone Town on Zanzibar Island. It offers individually decorated suites with free Wi-Fi. The beach is within 1 km from the hotel where guests can enjoy water activities. All suites feature Zanzibari, Arabic and English décor and are fitted with tiled floors. Each one includes a seating area with a flat-screen TV and telephone. Some suites offer a balcony and a sun deck with a hot tub. Palace Restaurant offers a breakfast buffet daily, while à-la-carte specialties prepared from fresh ingredients, are served in the evening. A wide variety of wines are available at the bar and restaurant. Zanzibar Palace spa offers relaxing massage treatments upon request. The hotel’s tour desk can arrange local excursions and activities, all at an added fee. Memorable souvenirs are available at the gift shop. Forodhani Gardens and Old Fort is a 4-minute walk from Zanzibar Palace. Zanzibar Airport is 10 minutes’ drive away. An airport shuttle is available upon request.Show full description
The most charming and romantic small luxury hotel in Zanzibar City.
Resort. Overlooking the Indian Ocean, this resort is 25 kilometres from Zanzibar Airport. All rooms feature a flat-screen TV with satellite channels also 4 bars and 3 restaurants are offered on site. Offering a private balcony with a view. Each room at Sea Cliff Resort & Spa Zanzibar contains an en-suite bathroom fitted with a shower. Mangapwani Restaurant serves local and international cuisine, Terrace Restaurant offers casual dining and Kobe Restaurant provides guests with a light lunch at the swimming pool at Zanzibar Sea Cliff Resort & Spa. A bar on a private beach, the Kobe Poolside Bar and the Jetty Bar are also offered. The Zanzi Bar features views of the Indian Ocean. Guests can relax at the Shwari Spa or enjoy kayaking, windsurfing, sailing and water skiing at Zanzibar Sea Cliff Resort & Spa . A recreation centre with billiards, table tennis and 2 tennis courts are also available. Stone Town is 18 kilometres from Sea Cliff Resort & Spa Zanzibar.Show full description
Relaxing atmosphere. Romantic. Great value. Royal Cliff Zanzibar features a garden, a shared lounge and a sun terrace with swimming pool and buffet breakfast in Zanzibar City. The property has a snack bar, as well as a restaurant serving African cuisine. The accommodation provides a 24-hour front desk, airport transfers, a shared kitchen and free WiFi. The hotel will provide guests with air-conditioned rooms with a desk, a kettle, a fridge, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with a shower. Selected rooms come with a kitchen with a dishwasher, an oven and a microwave. At Royal Cliff Zanzibar each room has bed linen and towels. The accommodation offers a children's playground. You can play table tennis at this 4-star hotel, and the area is popular for cycling. Peace Memorial Museum is 16 km from Royal Cliff Zanzibar, while Kichwele Forest Reserve is 14 km away. The nearest airport is Abeid Amani Karume International Airport, 20 km from the hotel.Show full description
I rate this as one of the most RELAXING small hotels in Zanzibar City.
Relaxing atmosphere. Great value. Popular among couples.Opened July 2021. Golden Tulip Zanzibar Airport Hotel & Spa is situated in Zanzibar City, 6.4 km from Peace Memorial Museum and 7.3 km from Hamamni Persian Baths. With free WiFi, this 4-star hotel has a fitness centre and a shared lounge. The accommodation features room service, a 24-hour front desk and currency exchange for guests. At the hotel you will find a restaurant serving African, American and British cuisine. Vegetarian, dairy-free and halal options can also be requested. Golden Tulip Zanzibar Airport Hotel & Spa offers a children's playground. The area is popular for cycling, and bike hire and car hire are available at the accommodation. St Joseph's Roman Catholic Cathedral is 7.5 km from Golden Tulip Zanzibar Airport Hotel & Spa, while Cinema Afrique is 7.6 km from the property. The nearest airport is Abeid Amani Karume International Airport, a few steps from the hotel.Show full description
Historic property. Beautiful. Great value. Popular among women. Centrally located in Zanzibar’s Stone Town, Dhow Palace Hotel is set in a historical building from 1559. It features a swimming pool, restaurant and roof-top terrace with panoramic views. Each spacious room comes with air conditioning and Zanzibari-style furniture and décor. The rooms also include satellite TV and an electric kettle. The en suite bathrooms are equipped with a hairdryer. Guests can relax by the swimming pool or on the roof-top terrace. The restaurant serves a variety of local Zanzibari and international cuisine. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel. Dhow Palace Hotel is located just 300 metres from Stone Town Beach and 500 metres from the House of Wonders. The Ferry Port is 1 km away and Zanzibar Airport is 5 km from the hotel.Show full description
I think this is the most HISTORIC small luxury hotel in Zanzibar City. It also has great affordability.
Rooftop pool. Offering three pool and outdoor restaurant, Tembo Palace Hotel is located in Zanzibar City, a 3-minute walk from the Old Fort and House of Wonders. Free Wi-Fi access is available. Decorated with wood carved furniture, and offering a Swahili four-poster bed, each room features a seating area with TV, air conditioning and a bathroom with shower and traditional hammam bath. The hotel's Bahari Restaurant offers local as well international cuisine. Room service is available and packed lunches can be arranged. Other facilities and services include a 24-hour front desk, meeting facilities, a shared lounge, concierge and laundry services. An array of activities can be enjoyed on site or in the surroundings, including diving, city tour cycling. The property offers free parking. Zanzibar port is a 5-minute drive away and the Zanzibar International Airport is 8 km from Tembo Palace Hotel. Offering three different swimming pools including a roof top pool and main building Tembo House Hotel.Show full description
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