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House of Spice

3.0 star property
3-star guest house in Stone Town

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Photo gallery for House of Spice

Terrace/patio
Front of property
Deluxe Suite | Premium bedding, individually furnished, blackout drapes, free WiFi
Breakfast area
Premium bedding, individually furnished, blackout drapes, free WiFi
Reviews
8.6

Excellent

Popular amenities

  • Parking includedParking includedParking included
  • Air conditioningAir conditioningAir conditioning
  • HousekeepingHousekeepingHousekeeping
  • Free WiFiFree WiFiFree WiFi

Explore the area

Map
Uwanja Wa Shaba, Zanzibar Town
  • Popular LocationShangani Beach4 min walk
  • Popular LocationOld Fort5 min walk
  • Popular LocationForodhani Gardens5 min walk
  • AirportZanzibar (ZNZ-Zanzibar Intl.)14 min drive

Room options

View all photos for Deluxe Double Room

Premium bedding, individually furnished, blackout drapes, free WiFi

Deluxe Double Room

9.4/10 Exceptional
  • 240 sq ft
  • City view
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Double Bed

View all photos for Deluxe Suite

Deluxe Suite | Premium bedding, individually furnished, blackout drapes, free WiFi

Deluxe Suite

10/10 Exceptional
  • 325 sq ft
  • City view
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Double Beds

About the neighborhood

Zanzibar Town

Stone Town stay.With a stay at this Stone Town guesthouse, you'll be steps from Mbweni Ruins and Freddie Mercury Museum. People's Palace Museum and Marahubi Palace are also within half a mile (1 km).
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What's nearby

  • Shangani Beach - 4 min walk
  • Old Fort - 5 min walk
  • Forodhani Gardens - 5 min walk
  • Slave Market - 9 min walk
  • Zanzibar Ferry Terminal - 15 min walk

Getting around

  • Zanzibar Intl. Airport (ZNZ) - 14 min drive

Restaurants

  • Cape Town Fish Market - 5 min walk
  • Lukmaan - 7 min walk
  • House of Karafuu - 4 min walk
  • Abyssinian Maritim - 6 min walk
  • Beach House Restaurant - 3 min walk

About this property

House of Spice

3-star guest house in Stone Town
As a guest of House of Spice, you'll find a rooftop terrace, a garden, and a front-desk safe. WiFi is free in public spaces. An airport shuttle (available 24 hours) and an area shuttle are available for a fee. Free self parking is available.

This 3-star Zanzibar Town guesthouse is smoke free.

  • 6 guestrooms or units
  • 3 levels
  • Terrace on the roof
  • Front desk (limited hours)
  • Storage area for luggage
  • Front-desk safe
  • Garden
  • No smoking on site
House of Spice offers 6 accommodations with complimentary bottled water and complimentary toiletries. Each accommodation is individually furnished. Beds feature premium bedding. Guests can surf the web using the complimentary wireless Internet access. Bathrooms include showers. Additionally, rooms include ceiling fans and blackout drapes/curtains. Housekeeping is offered daily and hair dryers can be requested.

Languages

English

Property amenities

Internet

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

Parking and transportation

  • 24-hour roundtrip airport shuttle on request for a surcharge
  • Area shuttle (surcharge)
  • Free self parking on site

Accessibility

  • No elevator

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Blackout drapes
  • Premium bedding

Bathroom

  • Free toiletries
  • Hair dryer (on request)
  • Private bathroom
  • Shower
  • Towels

Food and drink

  • Free bottled water

More

  • Air conditioning (climate-controlled)
  • Ceiling fan
  • Individual furnishings
  • Safe

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: 2:00 PM; Check-in end time: 11:30 PM
Contactless check-in available
Minimum check-in age: 18

Check-out

Check-out before 10:00 AM
Contactless check-out available

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 9:30 AM - 10:00 AM
Guests must contact the property in advance for check-in instructions; front desk staff will greet guests on arrival
To make arrangements for check-in please contact the property at least 24 hours before arrival using the information on the booking confirmation

Access methods

Staffed front desk

Pets

  • Pets and service animals are not allowed at House of Spice

Children and extra beds

  • Children are welcome.
  • Rollaway/extra beds are not available.
  • Cribs (infant beds) are not available.

Property payment types

Important information

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)
  • In-room safe fee: USD 5 per stay

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 cribs/infant beds
This property accepts credit cards; cash is not accepted
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. Guests must contact this property in advance to reserve cribs/infant beds. This property accepts Visa, Mastercard, and American Express. Cash is not accepted. Contactless check-in and contactless check-out are available.

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

Shaba Boutique Hotel Zanzibar Town
Shaba Boutique Zanzibar Town
Shaba Boutique
Shaba Boutique Hotel
House of Spice Guesthouse
House of Spice Zanzibar Town
House of Spice Guesthouse Zanzibar Town

Frequently asked questions

How close is House of Spice to the airport?

House of Spice is 4.7 mi (14-min drive) away from the Zanzibar Intl. Airport (ZNZ) airport, the closest popular airport to the property.

Does House of Spice have an airport shuttle?

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

How close is House of Spice to the beach?

This guesthouse is a short 3-minute walk from Nakupenda Beach and 4-minute walk from Shangani Beach. Don't forget your sunscreen!

Does House of Spice offer free breakfast?

House of Spice does not offer free breakfast.

Is there a casino at House of Spice?

No, there is no casino at this guesthouse.

What time is check-in at House of Spice?

Check-in start time: 2:00 PM; Check-in end time: 11:30 PM.

Is there free parking at House of Spice?

This guesthouse offers free self parking.

Does House of Spice have a pool?

House of Spice does not have a pool.

Does House of Spice have a spa?

There are no spa services available at this guesthouse.

How close is House of Spice to downtown Zanzibar Town?

House of Spice is 0.8 mi away from Zanzibar Town.

House of Spice Reviews

Reviews

8.6

Excellent

Rating 10 - Excellent. 34 out of 69 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 22 out of 69 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 11 out of 69 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 2 out of 69 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 69 reviews" "

9.2/10

Cleanliness

8.6/10

Staff & service

7.4/10

Amenities

8.4/10

Property conditions & facilities

Reviews

6/10 Okay

Lusubilo

Liked: Cleanliness
Disliked: Room comfort
Avoid room number 1 at any cost!!
Generally, my stay was great with EXCEPTIONAL of the bed. What I saw in the picture when booking is not what I got. I was given room number 1 which is the decker bed where you need to climb a steep stair and I found it very risky. At least they should ask a guest in advance if someone is capable of climbing those stairs regularly. I commend the two receptionists, they are very kind and helpful.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2021

8/10 Good

maria dolores

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
SHABA very good area..
THE HOTEL IS HANDLED BUT ONE GIRL..PRICILLA who IS VERY NICE AND ACCOMMODATING THE OTHER GIRL IS NOT... but when I tried to book 3 more nights, tha tnight that might be booked but she could give me the other 2 fllowings nights ....she made me wait for the owner's response but never came back to me...the next day I went personally very early to the hotel...She was on leave and was the other girl..who said it was fully booked even the next 2 following nights that I was tld I could be confirmed... not very responsible --make sure to make booking through hotels.com there was a confusion doing the booking through hotels.com....I wanted to confirm using the 2 nights rewards not used at Kiponda... was rejected the booking...but nevertheless I was charged for 2nights... that Priscilla wasnt aware.... she charged me 2 USD for the 2nights instead if accepting a cash deal whcih had been cheaper.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2020

10/10 Excellent

JAI

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Shaba dabba do
Good hotel lovely decor and some interesting rooms and in a central location . Hard to access with a taxi but not far from main street. Priscilla was the star , thoughtful attentive and hard working this lady made the place worthwhile and special . Overall decent budget one night stay location
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2020

8/10 Good

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2020

10/10 Excellent

Orbel

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2020

10/10 Excellent

Pav

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Excellent stay
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2020

10/10 Excellent

Pav

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
very nice place
Great location and a very pleasant hotel - recently renovated. I enjoyed my two nights there
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2020

4/10 Poor

Verified traveler

Liked: Amenities
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
The building was interesting, but the hotel had two problems. The first issue was the tourist tax. Although Expedia explicitly says on their webpage that the tourist tax is included in the final price charged to us, they insisted that I pay the tourist tax. They told me that “many people complained” about the tax and they couldn’t communicate with Expedia” through emails or phone calls. So they have been making everyone pay the taxes despite Expedia had already collected the taxes. I told the guy at the reception when I checked in that I paid all the taxes, then the next day another woman came to ask me for the taxes, and yet again. I had to talk with her for 30 minutes until I found the Expedia chat function and the Expedia staff clarified that I didn’t have to pay. It seemed like the boss was making them insist on paying the taxes. Another issue is that they have the dining space in their garden, which is a good idea in theory, but in reality, there were five or six mosquitoes buzzing around me while I was having breakfast. I got five mosquito bites in fifteen minutes. They might need to move their breakfast location elsewhere indoors or upstairs to avoid this problem. The second day, I went with a piece of cloth to cover up my legs and a jacket to cover my arms, despite the humidity. The swarm of mosquitoes still bit my hand.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2020

8/10 Good

Michael

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Overall good...upon arrival I was asked to pay a dollar tax when though I booked through hotels.com... The wifi was very poor on the 1st level of the building..ie my room
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2020

6/10 Okay

Verified traveler

Traveled with family and small children
Disliked: Amenities, property conditions & facilities
There is no refrigerator in the room. Safety box usage is also charged.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2019