Skip to main content

Emerson Spice Hotel

3.5 star property
Zanzibar Town hotel with 2 restaurants and bar/lounge

Choose dates to view prices

Photo gallery for Emerson Spice Hotel

Room (Violetta) | 1 bedroom, individually decorated, individually furnished - Emerson Spice Hotel (Zanzibar Town)
Room (Belle) | 1 bedroom, individually decorated, individually furnished - Emerson Spice Hotel (Zanzibar Town)
Room (Camille) | 1 bedroom, individually decorated, individually furnished - Emerson Spice Hotel (Zanzibar Town)
Interior - Emerson Spice Hotel (Zanzibar Town)
2 restaurants, lunch, dinner served; seafood - Emerson Spice Hotel (Zanzibar Town)
Located in historic Stone Town, Emerson Spice Hotel offers a tranquil retreat with continental breakfast, seafood dining options at two on-site restaurants and relaxing spaces like the garden and terrace. Enjoy laundry facilities, luggage storage and tour assistance during your stay. Previous guests rave about the helpful staff.

Reviews

9.6 out of 10
Exceptional

Popular amenities

  • Airport transfer
  • Bar
  • Laundry facilities
  • Air conditioning
  • Free WiFi

Main amenities (12)

  • Daily housekeeping
  • Near the beach
  • 2 restaurants and bar/lounge
  • Beach towels
  • Room service
  • Airport shuttle
  • Terrace
  • Air conditioning
  • Garden
  • Front-desk safe
  • Self-serve laundry
  • Luggage storage

Feel at home (6)

  • Garden
  • Terrace
  • Daily housekeeping
  • Laundry facilities
  • Blackout drapes/curtains
  • Deep soaking bathtub

Room options

Available filters for rooms
Showing 5 of 5 rooms

View all photos for Room (Belle)

Room (Belle) | 1 bedroom, individually decorated, individually furnished

Room (Belle)

Highlights

Furnished balcony or patio
Individually furnished
Individually decorated
Air conditioning
Free cribs/infant beds
Separate bedroom
Blackout drapes/curtains
Ceiling fan
  • 1 bedroom
  • City view
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 Queen Bed

View all photos for Room (Violetta)

Room (Violetta) | 1 bedroom, individually decorated, individually furnished

Room (Violetta)

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(2 reviews)

Highlights

Furnished balcony or patio
Individually furnished
Individually decorated
Air conditioning
Free cribs/infant beds
Separate bedroom
Blackout drapes/curtains
Ceiling fan
  • 1 bedroom
  • City view
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 Queen Bed

View all photos for Room (Semele)

Room (Semele) | 1 bedroom, individually decorated, individually furnished

Room (Semele)

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(3 reviews)

Highlights

Furnished balcony
Individually furnished
Individually decorated
Air conditioning
Free cribs/infant beds
Refrigerator
Separate bedroom
Blackout drapes/curtains
  • 1 bedroom
  • City view
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 Double Bed

View all photos for Room (Camille)

Room (Camille) | 1 bedroom, individually decorated, individually furnished

Room (Camille)

Highlights

Furnished balcony or patio
Individually furnished
Individually decorated
Air conditioning
Free cribs/infant beds
Separate bedroom
Blackout drapes/curtains
Ceiling fan
  • 1 bedroom
  • City view
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 Queen Bed

View all photos for Design Twin Room (Mimi)

Design Twin Room (Mimi) | 1 bedroom, individually decorated, individually furnished

Design Twin Room (Mimi)

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional
(10 reviews)

Highlights

Individually furnished
Individually decorated
Air conditioning
Free cribs/infant beds
Separate bedroom
Blackout drapes/curtains
Ceiling fan
Deep soaking bathtub
  • 344 sq ft
  • 1 bedroom
  • City view
  • Sleeps 3
  • 2 Large Twin Beds

Similar properties

Exterior
Zanzibar Coffee House
  • Free breakfast
  • Airport transfer
  • Free WiFi
  • Restaurant
9.6 out of 10, Exceptional, 92 reviews
$100 nightly
The price is $117
Jan 7 - Jan 8, 2026
Total with taxes and fees
Zanzibar Coffee House
Mod logo
Earn OneKeyCash on thousands of hotels when you sign in and book. More rewards for more adventures!
Sign inSign up, it's free

About the neighborhood

Map
Stone Town, Zanzibar Town

What's nearby

  • House of Wonders - 2 min walk - 0.2 km
  • Christ Church Cathedral - 3 min walk - 0.3 km
  • Forodhani Gardens - 3 min walk - 0.3 km
  • Slave Market - 5 min walk - 0.5 km
  • Old Fort - 5 min walk - 0.5 km

Getting around

  • Zanzibar Intl. Airport (ZNZ) - 15 min drive
  • Airport shuttle (surcharge)

Restaurants

  • ‪Forodhani Park - ‬6 min walk
  • ‪House of Karafuu - ‬4 min walk
  • ‪Lukmaan Restaurant - ‬4 min walk
  • ‪Zenji Garden Café - ‬6 min walk
  • ‪Secret Garden - ‬1 min walk

About this property

Emerson Spice Hotel

Located just 4.9 mi (7.9 km) from the airport, Emerson Spice Hotel offers a shuttle (available 24 hours). Guests looking for a bite to eat can check out Rooftop restaurant, one of 2 restaurants, which serves seafood and is open for lunch and dinner. Other features include a bar/lounge, a terrace, and a garden. Fellow travelers love the helpful staff.

At a glance

DONE

Hotel size

    • 10 rooms
    • Arranged over 5 floors
DONE

Arriving/Leaving

    • Check-in start time: 1:00 PM; Check-in end time: 10:00 PM
    • Minimum check-in age: 18
    • Check-out time is 10:00 AM
DONE

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
DONE

Required at check-in

    • Credit card, debit card, or cash deposit required for incidental charges
    • Government-issued photo ID may be required
    • Minimum check-in age is 18
DONE

Pets

    • No pets or service animals allowed
WIFI

Internet

    • Free WiFi in public areas
    • Free WiFi in rooms
LOCAL_PARKING

Parking

    • No onsite parking
DONE

Transfers

    • Airport shuttle on request (available 24 hours)*
DONE

Other information

    • Designated smoking areas

Property amenities

Food and drink

  • Free continental breakfast each morning 7:00 AM–10:00 AM
  • 2 restaurants
  • Bar/lounge
  • Room service (limited hours)

What to do

  • Beach nearby
  • Kayaking nearby
  • Scuba diving nearby

Services

  • Front desk (limited hours)
  • Tour/ticket assistance
  • Laundry facilities
  • Luggage storage
  • Porter/bellhop
  • Beach towels
  • Bike storage

Facilities

  • 1 building/tower
  • Built in 1870
  • Safe-deposit box at front desk
  • Garden
  • Terrace
  • Bicycle parking
  • At least 80% of food locally-sourced
  • At least 80% organic food
  • Vegan dining options
  • Vegetarian dining options
  • Locally-owned & organized tours & activities
  • Local artist showcase
  • At least 10% of profits reinvested in community & sustainability
  • Local culture & ecosystem education
  • At least 80% lighting from LEDs
  • Comprehensive food waste policy
  • Comprehensive recycling policy
  • No plastic soda bottles
  • No plastic coffee stirrers
  • No plastic drinking straws
  • No plastic water bottles
  • Reusable cups only
  • Reusable tableware only
  • Outdoor furniture
  • Traditional architecture

Room amenities

Home comfort

  • Air conditioning
  • Ceiling fan

Sleep well

  • Blackout drapes/curtains
  • Turndown service
  • Bed sheets provided

What to enjoy

  • Individually furnished and decorated

Freshen up

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

Stay connected

  • Laptop-friendly workspace
  • Free WiFi
  • Electrical adapters/chargers

Food and drink

  • Free bottled water

More

  • Daily housekeeping
  • Water-efficient toilets only
  • Guidebooks/recommendations
  • Local maps

Special features

Dining

Rooftop restaurant - This seafood restaurant specializes in seafood and serves lunch and dinner. Guests can order drinks at the bar and enjoy alfresco dining (weather permitting). Reservations are required.
Secret Garden - Overlooking the garden, this restaurant specializes in local and international cuisine and serves lunch and dinner. Guests can order drinks at the bar and enjoy alfresco dining (weather permitting). Open daily.

Fees & policies

Refundable deposits

  • Deposit is payable by bank transfer and is due within 24 hours of booking the reservation

Mandatory fees

You'll be asked to pay the following charges by the property at check-in or check-out. Fees may include applicable taxes:
  • A tax is imposed by the city: USD 4.00 per person, per night

Optional extras

  • Airport shuttle service is offered for an extra charge of USD 25 per vehicle (one-way)

Renovations and closures

The property is closed between April 21 and May 20.

Children & extra beds

  • Guests must contact this property in advance to reserve cribs/infant beds and high chairs

Policies

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.
Noise-free guestrooms cannot be guaranteed.
Only registered guests are allowed in the guestrooms.
This property does not have elevators.
This property uses eco-friendly cleaning products.
Guests can rest easy knowing there's a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector, and a first aid kit on site.
This property accepts credit cards, debit cards and cash.
Credit cards accepted: Visa, Mastercard

Also known as

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

Frequently asked questions

Is Emerson Spice Hotel currently open?

The property is closed between April 21 and May 20.

Are pets allowed at Emerson Spice Hotel?

Sorry, pets and service animals aren't allowed.

Is parking offered on site at Emerson Spice Hotel?

Sorry, there's no onsite parking at Emerson Spice Hotel.

Is airport shuttle service offered by Emerson Spice Hotel?

Yes, an airport shuttle is available. The charge is USD 25 per vehicle one-way.

What are the check-in and check-out times at Emerson Spice Hotel?

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

What is there to do at Emerson Spice Hotel and nearby?

Have fun with nearby activities like boat tours, kayaking, and scuba diving. Emerson Spice Hotel also has a garden.

Are there restaurants at or near Emerson Spice Hotel?

Yes, there are 2 onsite restaurants, featuring alfresco dining, seafood, and garden views.

Does Emerson Spice Hotel have rooms with private hot tubs?

Yes, each room has a deep soaking bathtub.

What's the area around Emerson Spice Hotel like?

Emerson Spice Hotel is in Stone Town, a short 3-minute walk from Christ Church Cathedral and 3 minutes' walk from Slave Market.

Have a question?

AI iconBeta

Get instant answers with AI powered search of property information and reviews.

Emerson Spice Hotel Reviews

Reviews

9.6

Exceptional

9.6/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Staff & service

9.2/10

Amenities

9.2/10

Property conditions & facilities

9.4/10

Eco-friendliness

Popular mentions

Room
Service staff
Ambience
Breakfast
Rooftops
Elevator

What guests liked

  • Breakfast was excellent with a great variety of fruits and a wonderful selection of dishes. (9 reviews)
AI Sparkle IconFrom real guest reviews summarized by AI.

Reviews

10/10 Exceptional

Special place. The staff outstanding. A few remarkable days at this wonderful historic 'hotel'.
Christopher, 2-night trip

10/10 Exceptional

Excellent stay in a place immersed in history.

10/10 Exceptional

Everything amazing!

Amazing, great people, great food, great hotel. Rooms are beautiful, comfy, clean!
2-night trip

10/10 Exceptional

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!
Sandra, 2-night trip

8/10 Very good

Very delicate staff. Well situated in stone town Glorious breakfast.
cécile, 2-night trip

10/10 Exceptional

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.
Janet, 3-night trip

10/10 Exceptional

The staff are beyond friendly
Marcela A., 2-night trip

10/10 Exceptional

Great ambience

Great ambience, a special experience. Set menu dinner at the rooftop restaurant was good, breakfast as well.
Heidi, 2-night trip

10/10 Exceptional

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!
Suzanne, 2-night trip

10/10 Exceptional

An older building, filled with antiques. Incredible service. Thoroughly loved our stay.
Michael, 3-night trip

10/10 Exceptional

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.
heike, 2-night trip

10/10 Exceptional

I really enjoyed my stay here at The Emerson Spice Hotel. The rooms are clean and decorated nicely keeping the old feel of this historic building. I liked the old fashioned door style of the Camile Room. Which doesn’t use keycards like most hotels. You use a huge big padlock 🔐 to secure the door. All the staff were very nice and friendly. The only thing you need to be aware of is there is no elevator. All stairs only, so be prepared to get some stair exercises during your stay. LOL! 😃
Trina, 4-night trip

10/10 Exceptional

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.
Robert, 3-night trip

10/10 Exceptional

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.
karen, 3-night trip

10/10 Exceptional

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.
Jan, 2-night trip

10/10 Exceptional

From the moment we walked in, this place was fantastic! We were promptly greeted and we were being shown to our rooms within a few minutes. Our room (Camille) was great! We thoroughly enjoyed the windows and balconies and people watching the street below. The room was spacious and the bed was comfy. Dinner upstairs was wonderful...although the stairs were steep (but the views were lovely). The food was inventive and delicious and the service was top notch. Highly recommend. We also had food and drinks at the Secret Garden and that was also quite nice. I expected the included breakfast to be buffet style but was pleasantly surprised that it was a beautiful made to order breakfast with delicious coffee. Shuttle to the airport was quick and easy. Would definitely stay here again when in Stone Town.
Jamie, 2-night trip

10/10 Exceptional

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 .
Alexa, 2-night trip

8/10 Very good

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
Alan, 2-night trip

8/10 Very good

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.
Kulendran, 3-night trip

10/10 Exceptional

Beautiful Hotel

Amazing stay. From the warm welcome and services. Truly enjoyed the food in the Secret Garden and rooftop.
Patricia, 1-night trip

10/10 Exceptional

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.
Niels Søndergaard, 3-night trip

10/10 Exceptional

.
Piero, 1-night trip

10/10 Exceptional

Great ambience

Great ambience, great hotel, a special experience.
Heidi, 2-night trip

10/10 Exceptional

A wonderful hotel

Lovely hotel Really good and friendly service Fabulous ambience Beautiful breakfast
Greg, 4-night trip

10/10 Exceptional

Loved the character of the building. The details were tasteful and well designed. Such a unique place to stay!