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
Livingstone Beach Restaurant - 7 min walk
House of Karafuu - 4 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.
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
This property uses eco-friendly cleaning products
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. This property uses eco-friendly cleaning products. 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 May 15, 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Emerson Spice Hotel on May 26, 2026 start from $133, 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
All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travelers who have booked a stay with us can submit a review. We verify reviews according to our guidelines and publish all reviews, positive or negative.
Rating 10 - Excellent. 98 out of 116 reviews
10 - Excellent
98
Rating 8 - Good. 15 out of 116 reviews
8 - Good
15
Rating 6 - Okay. 3 out of 116 reviews
6 - Okay
3
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 116 reviews
4 - Poor
0
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 116 reviews
2 - Terrible
0
9.6/10
Cleanliness
10/10
Staff & service
9.2/10
Amenities
9.4/10
Property conditions & facilities
Reviews
10/10 Excellent
Judith
Jan 30, 2026
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.
Judith
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2026
10/10 Excellent
Judith
Jan 21, 2026
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.
Judith
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2026
10/10 Excellent
Iren
Traveled with group
Jan 16, 2026
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
My room was a work of art with unique furnishings and exquisite detail
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!
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.
My sister and I stayed here for a few nights when arriving in Zanzibar.
Our flight plans got brought forward and the hotel was great in bringing forward our airport pick up. A staff member met us in the traffic area and carried our bags to the hotel, making sure we were following too. It really was nice to be in the heart of Stone Town.
We stayed in Mimi which is one of the top rooms, so lots of stairs to get there.
Room was huge, light and airy. We had a problem with hot water for the shower but once we notified the staff it was quick to be resolved. Beds were comfortable. Turn down service was a lovely touch.
Breakfast was wonderful and served at the roof top restaurant, which has a nice view over Stone Town. Also a great spot for sundowner drinks. We didn't try the set menu dinner there.
We ate dinner at the onsite restaurant which was nice.
They had a beach bag with towels which came in handy.
We also liked the group tipping rather than needing to constantly tip.
We'll return here if back in Zanzibar and recommend to others.
We had a fantastic experience staying here! The staff went above and beyond to accomodate our needs. They let us keep our luggage there before check in time with no extra charge, and they gave us a room upgrade to one of the best rooms (the Katherine Hepburn room), which was a really nice surprise. The staff were all super friendly and helpful. When we decided to have dinner in the Secret Garden Restaurant on a night when there was music, we complained that we had to pay extra for the music, and the manager was so kind. He didn't make us pay, and arranged for us to eat upstairs where it was quieter. We later realized that the music cost was explained in our welcome letter, so we appologized and paid for it the next day and the manager was so nice.The whole place was spotlessly clean, the bed was very comfortable and the room and the hotel were beautifully decorated. I loved the extra touches like the handmade scented soaps and the flowers in the room. We loved the balcony that was off of our room and asked if we could eat breakfast there instead of going downstairs. The servers forgot about us and we had to wait extra long for our food, but it was worth it! We can't say enough about how much we enjoyed staying at this hotel. We would definately stay here again and even though it's a little bit pricier than other hotels, it's totally worth it. We would highly recommend to others.
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!
This small hotel is in the middle of Stone Town, and it is beautiful. The staff are attentive, without being intrusive, the manager is so professional and knowledgeable, and the standard of comfort is of the highest order. Breakfast was served on the roof terrace and consisted of a wonderful selection of fruit followed by eggs and a pastry. We had the taster menu one evening, and it was exceptional. This is a very special hotel, and we had an unforgettable stay.
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.