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Emerson Spice Hotel

Property class: 3.5

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Photo gallery for Emerson Spice Hotel

A room with a bed, a chair, a table, and a window with curtains. - Emerson Spice Hotel (Zanzibar Town)
A room with a large window, a wooden cabinet, a table with chairs, and a hanging canopy. - Emerson Spice Hotel (Zanzibar Town)
A hallway with a chandelier, curtains, and a canopy. - Emerson Spice Hotel (Zanzibar Town)
A courtyard with a stone wall, a bench, and various potted plants. - Emerson Spice Hotel (Zanzibar Town)
A traditional courtyard with ornate wooden lattice railings and hanging plants. - Emerson Spice Hotel (Zanzibar Town)
At Emerson Spice Hotel, you can look forward to free continental breakfast, a terrace, and a garden. Be sure to enjoy lunch and dinner along with seafood and al fresco dining at the two on-site restaurants. Free in-room WiFi is available to all guests, along with laundry facilities and a bar.

Reviews

9.6 out of 10
Exceptional

Popular amenities

  • Free WiFi
  • Restaurant
  • Air conditioning
  • Bar
  • Laundry

Room options

Available filters for rooms
Showing 6 of 6 rooms

View all photos for Design Twin Room (Mimi)

A room with a four-poster bed, wooden furniture, and a canopy.

Design Twin Room (Mimi)

  • Sleeps 2
  • 2 Twin Beds
  • Free WiFi

View all photos for Room (Belle)

A hallway with a chandelier, curtains, and a canopy.

Room (Belle)

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

View all photos for Room (Violetta)

A bedroom with a bed, a wooden headboard, a nightstand, and a dresser.

Room (Violetta)

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

View all photos for Room (Semele)

A room with a traditional design, featuring a bed with a canopy, several chairs, a table, and a large window with red curtains.

Room (Semele)

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

View all photos for Room (Camille)

A room with a bed under a canopy, a wooden chest, a small table, and a chair.

Room (Camille)

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

View all photos for Design Twin Room (Mimi)

A room with a four-poster bed, a wooden table with chairs, a wooden cabinet, and a lantern on the wall.

Design Twin Room (Mimi)

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

About the neighborhood

Located near the beach, Emerson Spice Hotel is in Stone Town, a neighborhood in Zanzibar Town. Slave Market and Hamamni Persian Baths are local landmarks, and travelers looking to shop may want to visit Michenzani Mall and Zanzibar Night Market. Kariakoo Amusement Park and Siso Spice Farm are also worth visiting. With kayaking, scuba diving, and snorkeling nearby, you'll find plenty of adventures in the water. Visit our Zanzibar Town travel guide
Map
Stone Town, Zanzibar Town

What's nearby

  • A historical building with a balcony, columns, and a sign reading "Makumbusho Kuu Beit El Aajab National Museum".
    House of Wonders
    2 min walk - 0.1 miles
  • An amphitheater surrounded by historic buildings and palm trees.
    Old Fort
    5 min walk - 0.3 miles
  • A historical building with a sign reading "East Africa Slave Trade Exhibit".
    Slave Market
    5 min walk - 0.3 miles
  • A coastal town with a marina filled with various boats, a promenade with people, and lush greenery.
    Forodhani Gardens
    7 min walk - 0.4 miles
  • Malindi Mosque
    3 min walk - 0.2 miles

Getting around

  • Zanzibar Intl. Airport (ZNZ)
    21 min drive

Restaurants

  • Lukmaan Restaurant
    4 min walk
  • Livingstone Beach Restaurant
    7 min walk
  • Maru Maru Terrace Restaurant
    4 min walk
  • Beach House Restaurant
    10 min walk
  • Zanzibar Coffeehouse
    1 min walk

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Property amenities

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

Restaurants on site

  • Rooftop restaurant
  • Secret Garden

Things to do

  • Bicycle storage

Family friendly

  • Laundry facilities

Conveniences

  • Guidebooks
  • Laundry facilities
  • Limited-hour front desk
  • Luggage storage
  • Safe at front desk

Guest services

  • Housekeeping (daily)
  • Porter/bellhop
  • Tour and ticket assistance
  • Turndown service

Outdoors

  • Beach towels
  • Garden
  • Outdoor furniture
  • Terrace

Accessibility

  • No elevator

More

  • 1 building
  • 5 floors
  • At least 80% organic food
  • Built in 1870
  • Comprehensive food waste policy
  • Designated smoking areas
  • Eco-friendly cleaning products used
  • Local artist showcase
  • Local culture and ecosystem education
  • Locally sourced food prioritized
  • Locally-owned and organized tours and activities
  • No plastic coffee stirrers
  • No plastic drinking straws
  • No plastic soft drink bottles
  • No plastic water bottles
  • Non-plastic coffee stirrers available
  • Non-plastic drinking straws available
  • Reusable cups
  • Reusable tableware
  • Some LED lighting used
  • Traditional architecture
  • Vegan dining options
  • Vegetarian breakfast available
  • Vegetarian dining options

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

No pets or service animals allowed

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome
Rollaway/extra beds are not available

Property payment types

Important information

Fees

You'll be asked to pay the following charges at the property. Fees may include applicable taxes:

  • A tax is imposed by the city: USD 4.00 per person, per night
  • Deposit is payable by bank transfer and is due within 24 hours of booking the reservation.

We have included all charges provided to us by the property.

Optional extras

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

The above list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits may not include tax and are subject to change.

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

We should mention

This property does not have elevators
Only registered guests are allowed in the guestrooms
No pets and no service animals are allowed at this property

Frequently asked questions

Is Emerson Spice Hotel pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much is parking?

This property doesn't offer parking.

What time is check-in at Emerson Spice Hotel?

Check-in start time: 1:00 PM; Check-in end time: 10:00 PM. After-hours check-in is not available.

What time is check-out at Emerson Spice Hotel?

Check-out is at 10:00 AM.

Does Emerson Spice Hotel provide a shuttle to the airport?

Yes, there's an airport shuttle that runs on request. A fee of USD 25 per vehicle applies.

Where is Emerson Spice Hotel located?

Located in Stone Town, this hotel is steps from Shakti Temple, Christ Church Cathedral, and Hamamni Persian Baths. Malindi Mosque and House of Wonders are also within 5 minutes.

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Reviews

Emerson Spice Hotel Reviews

9.6

Exceptional

9.6

Cleanliness

9.2

Amenities

10

Staff & service

9.4

Property conditions & facilities
Rating 10 - Excellent. 102 out of 121 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 15 out of 121 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 3 out of 121 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 121 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 1 out of 121 reviews

Reviews

Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Julie

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Beautiful decor in the heart of Stone Town. Staff was outstanding!
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

lesley jane

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

10/10 Excellent

Jorn Ivar

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Stunning Hotel in the heart of Stone Town. So much character and charm! Sitting on the balcony watching the streets below was an absolute treat - as was the rooftop restaurant. We tried the seafood tasting menu which included some real gems along with some unfamiliar taste combinations. The call for prayer at the nearby mosque was quite loud - at 5.10 in the morning - but we quickly fell asleep again in the nice 4-poster bed.
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2026
Verified review

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 review

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 review

10/10 Excellent

Lena

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

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 review

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 review

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 review

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 review

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 review

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 review

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 review

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 review

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 review

8/10 Good

cécile

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

10/10 Excellent

Robert

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The staff was welcoming and friendly. The hotel was clean and elegant. The atmosphere was perfect but the call to prayer at 5:15 was a bit disturbing.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2023
Verified review

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 review

10/10 Excellent

karen

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The staff was fantastic! Special thanks to Rashid and Wakili for going above and beyond to insure that I had everything I needed and then some! The rooms were spacious, clean, and, beautifully decorated.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

heike

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

Exceptional

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.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2025
Verified review

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 review

10/10 Excellent

Jan

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

An extraordinary hotel

Originally the building served as a residence for the last Swahili king and you can feel the atmosphere in this extraordinary hotel, perfectly located in the middle of Stone Town. Rooms are like suites and uniquely designed. Staff are very service minded and the restaurant on the roof top serves a unique and very well tasting fixed menu every night in an open air space. Both rates and price for 5 course dinner (40 USD) is very competitive in relation to what you get.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Alexa

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

Amazing

Amazing. The best hotel experience I have ever had. I’ve traveled to 52 countries and stayed at many places. This is the best so far. I will be back. Amazing staff so kind .
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2023
Verified review

8/10 Good

Kulendran

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
The Emerson Spice Hotel used to be the Swahili Sultan's place. The rooms are beautifully appointed. Rustic furniture adds to the ambiance. My room was on the top floor which means 3 flights of stairs. The hotel is located on a narrow street. This means that taxis cannot come up to the hotel.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2023
Verified review

8/10 Good

Alan

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

Secret Gem

Really authentic building. The building is old and the owners have tried to keep the originality of the building by keeping original features . Its in the winding streets of the old town , so no vehicles except scooters allowed. The staff are great , everyone smiles and are so helpful. The room we stayed in Lamore had a outside shower on a balcony , seems strange, but it was very private and great to have a shower outside
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2024