Emerson Spice Hotel

3.5 star property
3.5-star hotel in Stone Town

Choose dates to view prices

Photo gallery for Emerson Spice Hotel

Room (Violetta) | 1 bedroom, individually decorated, individually furnished
2 restaurants; lunch and dinner served
Design Twin Room (Mimi) | Bathroom | Combined shower/tub, deep soaking tub, free toiletries, hair dryer
2 restaurants; lunch and dinner served
Room (Belle) | 1 bedroom, individually decorated, individually furnished

Reviews

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional

Popular amenities

  • Free WiFi
  • Air conditioning
  • Bar
  • Laundry

Explore the area

View in a map
Stone Town, Zanzibar Town
  • Place, Forodhani Gardens
    ‪3 min walk‬
  • Place, Slave Market
    ‪5 min walk‬
  • Place, Old Fort
    ‪5 min walk‬
  • Airport, Zanzibar (ZNZ-Zanzibar Intl.)
    ‪10 min drive‬

Room options

Design Twin Room (Mimi)

  • Sleeps 2
  • Free WiFi

Room (Belle)

  • City view
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 Queen Bed
  • Free WiFi

Room (Violetta)

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(2 reviews)
  • City view
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 Queen Bed
  • Free WiFi

Room (Semele)

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(3 reviews)
  • City view
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 Double Bed
  • Free WiFi

Room (Camille)

  • City view
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 Queen Bed
  • Free WiFi

Design Twin Room (Mimi)

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(11 reviews)
  • City view
  • 344 sq ft
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 2 Large Twin Beds
  • Free WiFi

You may also like

About the neighborhood

Zanzibar Town

Stone Town stay.With a stay at this Stone Town hotel, you'll be steps from Shakti Temple and Christ Church Cathedral. Malindi Mosque and House of Wonders are also within half a mile (1 km).

What's nearby

  • House of Wonders - 2 min walk - 0.1 miles
  • Christ Church Cathedral - 3 min walk - 0.2 miles
  • Forodhani Gardens - 3 min walk - 0.2 miles
  • Slave Market - 5 min walk - 0.3 miles
  • Old Fort - 5 min walk - 0.3 miles

Getting around

  • Zanzibar Intl. Airport (ZNZ) - 21 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Forodhani Park - ‬6 min walk
  • ‪Lukmaan Restaurant - ‬4 min walk
  • ‪House of Karafuu - ‬4 min walk
  • ‪Livingstone Beach Restaurant - ‬7 min walk
  • ‪Secret Garden - ‬1 min walk

About this property

Emerson Spice Hotel

3.5-star hotel in Stone Town
There are 2 restaurants on site. You can enjoy a drink at the bar/lounge. Free breakfast is available daily. Public spaces have free WiFi.

A terrace, tour/ticket assistance, and a garden are also featured at Emerson Spice Hotel. An airport shuttle (available 24 hours) is available for a fee.

Smoking is allowed in designated areas at this 3.5-star Zanzibar Town hotel.

  • 1 building
  • 10 guestrooms or units
  • 5 levels
  • 2 dining venues
  • Built in 1870
  • Continental breakfast (free)
  • Towels for the beach
  • Self-service laundry
  • Front desk (limited hours)
  • Storage area for luggage
  • Front-desk safe
  • Tour and ticket information
  • Terrace
  • Garden
  • Bellhop
  • Smoking in designated areas
  • Bar or lounge
Emerson Spice Hotel offers 10 air-conditioned accommodations with complimentary bottled water and complimentary toiletries. Each accommodation is individually furnished and decorated. This Zanzibar Town hotel provides complimentary wireless Internet access. Rooms have partially open bathrooms. Bathrooms include shower/tub combinations with deep soaking bathtubs. Additionally, rooms include ceiling fans and blackout drapes/curtains. A nightly turndown service is provided and housekeeping is offered daily. Amenities available on request include hair dryers.

Similar properties

Property amenities

Family friendly

  • Laundry facilities

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
  • Available in some public areas: Free WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • No onsite parking available
  • 24-hour roundtrip airport shuttle on request for a surcharge

Food and drink

  • Free continental breakfast available daily 7:00 AM to 10:00 AM
  • 2 restaurants
  • A bar/lounge

Things to do

  • Bicycle storage

Accessibility

  • No elevator

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Bedsheets provided
  • Blackout drapes

Bathroom

  • Deep soaking bathtub
  • Free toiletries
  • Hair dryer (on request)
  • Partially-open bathroom
  • Shampoo
  • Shower/bathtub combination
  • Soap
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided

Food and drink

  • Free bottled water
  • Limited room service

More

  • Air conditioning
  • Ceiling fan
  • Electrical adapters
  • Individual decor
  • Individual furnishings
  • Laptop workspace
  • Water-efficient toilets

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: 1:00 PM; Check-in end time: 10:00 PM
Minimum check-in age: 18

Check-out

Check-out before 10:00 AM

Special check-in instructions

This property offers transfers from the airport (surcharges may apply); guests must contact the property with arrival details before travel, using the contact information on the booking confirmation
The front desk is open daily from 7:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Front desk staffed during limited hours
This property doesn't offer after-hours check-in
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools

Renovations and closures

The property is closed between April 21 and May 20.

Access methods

Front desk (limited hours)

Pets

  • Pets and service animals are not allowed at Emerson Spice Hotel

Children and extra beds

  • Children are welcome.
  • Rollaway/extra beds are not available.

Property payment types

Important information

Fees

Guests will be asked to pay the following charges at the property:

  • A tax is imposed by the city: USD 4.00 per person, per night
  • An effective city/local tax rate of 12.00 percent will be charged
  • Deposit is payable by bank transfer and is due within 24 hours of booking the reservation.

We've listed all charges provided to us by the property.

Optional extras

The fees and deposits listed below will be charged at the time of service, check-in, or check-out.

  • Airport shuttle fee: USD 25 per vehicle (one-way)

This may not be a comprehensive list. Fees and deposits are subject to change and might not include tax.

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
Guests must contact this property in advance to reserve high chair
This property accepts credit cards, debit cards, and cash
Noise-free guestrooms cannot be guaranteed
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector, and a first aid kit
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios, terraces which may not be suitable for children; if you have concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm they can accommodate you in a suitable room
Charges for extra guests may apply and vary according to property policy.
A cash deposit, credit card, or debit card for incidental charges and government-issued photo identification may be required upon check-in.
Special requests are subject to availability at the time of check-in. Special requests can't be guaranteed and may incur additional charges.
    This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business, or profession. This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios, terraces which may not be suitable for children. If you have concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm they can accommodate you in a suitable room. No onsite parking is available. Guests must contact this property in advance to reserve high chair. This property accepts Visa, Mastercard, debit cards, and cash. Noise-free guestrooms cannot be guaranteed. For guests' safety, the property includes a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector, and a first aid kit in each accommodation.

We should mention

  • Registered guests are the only ones allowed to be in guestrooms.
  • Pets and service animals are not allowed on site.

Property is also known as

Emerson Spice Hotel Hotel
Emerson Spice Hotel Zanzibar Town
Emerson Spice Hotel Hotel Zanzibar Town

Frequently asked questions

How close is Emerson Spice Hotel to the airport?

Emerson Spice Hotel is 4.8 mi (21-min drive) away from the Zanzibar Intl. Airport (ZNZ) airport, the closest popular airport to the property.

How much does it cost to stay at Emerson Spice Hotel?

As of Jun 8, 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Emerson Spice Hotel on Jun 11, 2026 start from $134, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.

Does Emerson Spice Hotel have an airport shuttle?

Emerson Spice Hotel offers an airport shuttle 24 hours a day, on request, for a charge of USD 25 per vehicle, one-way.

How close is Emerson Spice Hotel to the beach?

This hotel is a short 6-minute walk from Shangani Beach and 10-minute walk from Nakupenda Beach. Don't forget your sunscreen!

Does Emerson Spice Hotel offer free breakfast?

Emerson Spice Hotel offers free continental breakfast every day from 7:00 AM to 10:00 AM.

Is there a casino at Emerson Spice Hotel?

No, there is no casino at this hotel.

What time is check-in at Emerson Spice Hotel?

Check-in start time: 1:00 PM; Check-in end time: 10:00 PM.

Is there free parking at Emerson Spice Hotel?

Free parking is not available at this hotel.

Does Emerson Spice Hotel have a pool?

Emerson Spice Hotel does not have a pool.

Does Emerson Spice Hotel have a restaurant?

There are 2 onsite restaurants, offering options like seafood, al fresco dining, and garden views.

Does Emerson Spice Hotel have a spa?

There are no spa services available at this hotel.

How close is Emerson Spice Hotel to downtown Zanzibar Town?

Emerson Spice Hotel is 0.5 mi away from Zanzibar Town.

Emerson Spice Hotel Reviews

Reviews

9.8

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 98 out of 116 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 15 out of 116 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 3 out of 116 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 116 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 116 reviews

9.6/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Staff & service

9.2/10

Amenities

9.4/10

Property conditions & facilities

Reviews

Verified

10/10 Excellent

Rune

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Lived in Kate it was an nice place.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

lesley jane

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Beautiful building, great staff. Fantastic room (Violetta)
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Judith

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
The hotel’s decor and ambience were absolutely lovely. I had a beautifully spacious room with a balcony. The rooftop provides a wonderful venue for breakfast and dinner. The hotel arranged a transfer from the airport- very helpful as the hotel is located in the midst of Stone Town’s maze of lanes.
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

sandra

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The rooms were decorated well and was very clean. Staff was so friendly and helpful. Loved the rooftop for breakfast and the location was perfect.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2025
Verified

8/10 Good

Nicklas

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Beautiful, History
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Patricia

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Beautiful Hotel

Amazing stay. From the warm welcome and services. Truly enjoyed the food in the Secret Garden and rooftop.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Iren

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
My room was a work of art with unique furnishings and exquisite detail
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Christopher

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Special place. The staff outstanding. A few remarkable days at this wonderful historic 'hotel'.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Judith

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
This is a beautiful hotel. Each room is beautifully decorated and spacious. Air conditioning plus a ceiling fan makes the room comfortable for sleeping. My room had a lovely balcony overlooking a garden. The internal courtyard makes the hotel very quiet. The rooftop is lovely for breakfast and dinner or the Secret Garden within the hotel compound is also lovely for a meal. The hotel is within easy walking distance of the seafront.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Lena

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Excellent stay in a place immersed in history.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

emile

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
We had a wonderful stay and couldn’t have asked for a better welcome. The staff were very friendly and accommodating, we arrived very early in the morning and were pleasantly surprised when they offered us breakfast and allowed us to check in early. The property itself is stunning: a beautiful historical building that has been thoughtfully and tastefully decorated. Our room was spacious, elegant, and very comfortable. The location is also great, in a pretty and vibrant street and just a few minutes away from the night market and the sights. Highly recommended!
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Greg

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

A wonderful hotel

Lovely hotel Really good and friendly service Fabulous ambience Beautiful breakfast
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Niels Søndergaard

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
One of the most charming places we've ever stayed at. Antique, yet very clean and safe. Food was delicious, best we had on Zanzibar. Staff wonderful. Highest recommendation.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Heidi

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Great ambience

Great ambience, great hotel, a special experience.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Everything amazing!

Amazing, great people, great food, great hotel. Rooms are beautiful, comfy, clean!
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Janet

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Fantastic place in heart of old Stonetown. Beautiful unique rooms, fantastic food in a rooftop restaurant with an an amazing view, and and a very helpful staff.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Marcela A.

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The staff are beyond friendly
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Heidi

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Great ambience

Great ambience, a special experience. Set menu dinner at the rooftop restaurant was good, breakfast as well.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Suzanne

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Amazing historic hotel

Beautiful histric hotel in the heart of Stonetown. Lots od stairs and no elevator but the views are amazing! Great breakfast too!
Stayed 2 nights in May 2024
Verified

8/10 Good

cécile

Liked: Amenities
Very delicate staff. Well situated in stone town Glorious breakfast.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Erica

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Loved the character of the building. The details were tasteful and well designed. Such a unique place to stay!
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Michael

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
An older building, filled with antiques. Incredible service. Thoroughly loved our stay.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Sandra

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Incredibly historic building with unique individually decorated rooms! Perfect location for walking around Stonetown. Delicious breakfast served on rooftop! Request Belle room if you don't want a lot of stairs. It has a huge balcony along the front of the building so it's fun to see tourists stop and take photos!
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Bo-Yu

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
It is one of the best hotel I've ever stayed. Excellent room, staff, services. The hotel and the rooms are in traditional Zanzibar architecture style, which gave me great experience. Staff is considerate and detail oriented. The dinner at the rooftop is wonderful. One minor downside is the shower had low water pressure due to my room was in the top floor. Sometimes I had to wait for 1-2 minutes until the water came, which was not good when taking shower. The staff said there will be a major work to add a pump. Hope it will be better after it's done.
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Angela

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Our experience was amazing. The architecture is superb, the staff extraordinarily helpful and we had such an amazing time. The rooftop is breathtaking and all the staff is kind and polite. We want to return soon.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2022