Boutique heritage hotel in Stone Town featuring restored Arab mansion with traditional carved doors, antique furniture, rooftop restaurant with sea views, and authentic Swahili atmosphere.
Zanzibar Palace Hotel occupies a restored 19th-century Arab merchant mansion on Kenyatta Road in the heart of Stone Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site on Unguja Island. The property is within a five-minute walk of the Old Fort, the House of Wonders, and the Forodhani Gardens night food market, placing guests at the centre of Stone Town's historic grid of narrow coral-stone lanes. Julius Nyerere International Airport is approximately 35 kilometres away.
The building's original carved wooden doors, ornate plasterwork ceilings, and brass-fitted antique furniture have been preserved throughout a sensitive restoration that blends Omani, Indian, and Swahili architectural influences. Public areas retain the courtyard-and-veranda layout typical of Zanzibari mansions, with cooling cross-breezes replacing the need for heavy air conditioning in common spaces.
The hotel offers around 10 individually furnished rooms across three categories — standard, superior, and suite — each decorated with hand-crafted four-poster beds, locally sourced textiles, and period antiques. Room configurations include twin and double arrangements; suites add separate seating alcoves and more elaborate carved woodwork.
The rooftop restaurant is the social centrepiece of the property, serving Swahili-influenced dishes alongside international staples with panoramic views over Stone Town's roofscape and the Indian Ocean beyond. Breakfast is included in most room rates and features fresh tropical fruit, Zanzibar spiced tea, and local breads. A ground-floor bar provides a cooler evening alternative.
A dedicated tour desk assists guests in booking spice farm excursions, dhow cruises, snorkelling trips to Nakupenda sandbar, and Prison Island visits. The location within Stone Town makes the hotel particularly suitable for travellers exploring the city on foot rather than those primarily seeking beach access, though beach day trips are easily arranged through staff.
Amenities
- rooftop restaurant
- bar
- wifi
- breakfast
- tour desk
- central location
Location
Kenyatta Road, Stone Town, Zanzibar
-6.1639, 39.1917 View on map
Highlights
- Authentic 19th-century Arab mansion with original carved doors and antique furniture preserved through careful restoration
- Rooftop restaurant with panoramic views over Stone Town's coral-stone skyline and the Indian Ocean
- Five-minute walk from Stone Town's main historic sites including the Old Fort and Forodhani Gardens night market
- Individually decorated rooms with four-poster beds and locally sourced Zanzibari textiles
- On-site tour desk organising spice farms, dhow cruises, and snorkelling excursions
Tips for visiting
- Book a rooftop table for dinner at sunset — the views across Stone Town toward the harbour are best in the early evening light.
- The hotel's location inside Stone Town means the surrounding lanes are too narrow for vehicles; confirm porter arrangements when arriving with heavy luggage.
- Request a room on the upper floors for better natural ventilation and reduced street noise from the busy lanes below.
- The Forodhani Gardens night food market is a five-minute walk away and is worth visiting for cheap, freshly grilled Zanzibar seafood.
- Ask the tour desk about combination spice farm and prison island day trips — booking both together usually costs less than separately.
When to visit
June to October (dry season) and December to February for the best weather in Stone Town.
Accessibility
Stone Town's historic lanes are cobblestone and uneven; the mansion has internal staircases and no lift. Not suitable for guests with significant mobility limitations.