Where should I stay in Stone Town?

The historic core (Shangani district to the south and the area around Forodhani Gardens to the north) is the best location for first-time visitors — walkable to all major sites with the most hotel density. The waterfront along Mizingani Road gives sea views. Avoid booking anything described as 'near Stone Town' or 'Stone Town area' — the old city is compact and everything worth seeing is walkable from any properly central hotel.

Is Stone Town safe to stay in?

Yes — Stone Town is Zanzibar's main tourist hub and is generally safe for visitors. Standard precautions apply at night: stay on lit alleys and the main waterfront streets. The neighbourhoods immediately east of Creek Road (beyond Darajani market) are less polished but not dangerous. Most guesthouses in the historic core are in residential streets where locals live, which is part of the appeal.

How far in advance should I book a Stone Town hotel?

For budget guesthouses, 1–2 weeks ahead is usually sufficient outside peak season (June–September, December–January). For mid-range and luxury properties, especially Emerson Spice and Park Hyatt, book 4–8 weeks ahead for peak season travel. The Dhow Palace and Tembo House consistently sell out in July and August.

Best Hotels in Stone Town | The Tanzanian Guide

Stone Town’s hotels are concentrated in converted merchant houses, Arab trading posts, and former colonial administrative buildings — most with carved wooden doors, internal courtyards, and rooftop terraces. This is not a generic beach resort strip. Finding good accommodation here means picking the right building in the right neighbourhood, not just the right price tier.

The accommodation scene divides into three broad categories: budget guesthouses under USD 50, mid-range converted historic properties at USD 50–150, and luxury hotels at USD 150 and above.

Budget Hotels: Under USD 50

Kiponda Hotel

Location: Nyumba ya Mungu Road, central Stone Town
Price: Approximately USD 30–50 per night (double room, as of 2026)
Contact: Book via the hotel directly or major booking platforms

One of the best-value guesthouses in Stone Town and consistently the most recommended among budget travellers who have done the research. The building is a converted 19th-century Arab merchant house with a ground-floor restaurant and a rooftop terrace with partial harbour views.

Rooms vary considerably — the superior rooms on upper floors with external windows are significantly better than the cheaper rooms facing the internal courtyard, which can be dark. Specify when booking. Breakfast is included in most rates and the hotel-run restaurant serves decent Zanzibari cooking.

The location on Nyumba ya Mungu Road puts you 5 minutes from the Old Fort and 10 minutes from Darajani market — everything is walkable.

Maru Maru Hotel

Location: Malawi Road, Stone Town
Price: Approximately USD 35–55 per night (double room)

A slightly more polished budget option than Kiponda, with a well-regarded rooftop bar and restaurant that attracts a mix of guests and non-residents in the evening. Rooms are clean and functional; the better rooms have air conditioning and en-suite bathrooms. The common areas — including a ground-floor lounge and the rooftop — are genuinely attractive.

The hotel sits on Malawi Road, which is one of the wider streets in the historic core and easier to navigate for arriving guests with luggage than some of the narrower alleys. 10 minutes walk to Forodhani Gardens, 5 minutes to Darajani.

Note: Maru Maru frequently runs promotional rates on booking platforms during off-peak periods (March–May, October–November) that bring the price down to USD 25–35 — worth checking if your dates are flexible.

Mid-Range Hotels: USD 50–150

Tembo House Hotel

Location: Seafront/Shangani, Stone Town waterfront
Price: Approximately USD 80–130 per night (double room)

The best-positioned mid-range hotel in Stone Town — directly on the waterfront between the Kelele Square and the ferry terminal, with sea-facing rooms that look out over the dhow harbour toward the mainland. The pool (a relatively rare feature in Stone Town hotels) overlooks the seafront.

The building combines two connected historic houses and retains the carved wooden doors, high ceilings, and courtyard that characterise good Stone Town architecture. Rooms facing the sea are worth the small premium over the courtyard-facing options; ask specifically for a sea-view room when booking.

The ground-floor restaurant (Bahari Restaurant) is reliable for fish and Swahili cooking at mid-range prices (mains TZS 25,000–55,000). Breakfast is included.

Zanzibar Palace Hotel

Location: Mtendeni Street, Stone Town
Price: Approximately USD 70–120 per night

A boutique hotel in a restored 19th-century palace — twelve suites individually decorated with Zanzibar antiques, carved furniture, and Persian-influenced tilework. The building is genuinely historic and the interior is well-maintained in a way that many ‘historic property’ claims are not.

The location is in the quieter residential centre of Stone Town rather than on the waterfront, which suits guests who want the architecture and atmosphere without the waterfront noise. A 10-minute walk to Forodhani Gardens.

Breakfast is included. There is a small internal garden and rooftop terrace.

Dhow Palace Hotel

Location: Baghani House, Stone Town
Price: Approximately USD 90–150 per night

One of the most atmospheric mid-range properties in Stone Town. The building was originally built for the Omani Sultan’s family in the 18th century and the architecture is exceptional — a large internal courtyard with carved pillars, a ground-floor coffee house, and staircases wide enough to carry furniture. Rooms are built around the courtyard on four floors.

The Dhow Palace regularly sells out during peak season (June–September) and should be booked well in advance for July and August travel. The on-site restaurant is a genuine reason to stay — the menu focuses on Omani-influenced Swahili cooking at prices around TZS 30,000–60,000 for mains.

The location near the Old Fort puts you within walking distance of most Stone Town attractions.

Luxury Hotels: USD 150 and Above

Park Hyatt Zanzibar

Location: Mizingani Road, Stone Town waterfront
Price: Approximately USD 350–600 per night (2026 peak season)

The most internationally recognised luxury property in Stone Town. The Park Hyatt occupies two adjacent buildings on the waterfront — the Jubilee Palace (built in 1887) and the neighbouring Mambo Msiige house — and the restoration is comprehensive. Public areas have Persian carpets, copper chandeliers, and arched corridors; rooms are spacious by Stone Town standards with proper sea-view terraces.

The infinity pool on the lower terrace overlooking the harbour is the best hotel pool in Stone Town. The Mistral Restaurant focuses on contemporary Indian Ocean cuisine at USD 25–60 for mains.

Peak-season rates (June–September, December–January) are at the higher end of the range. The shoulder season (February, October–November) sometimes brings rates down to USD 250–350. Book 6–8 weeks ahead for July and August.

Breakfast is included in most rates. The hotel concierge team is reliable for arranging boat trips, spice farm tours, and airport transfers.

Emerson Spice Hotel

Location: Tharia Street, Stone Town
Price: Approximately USD 150–250 per night

The most distinctive hotel in Stone Town. Emerson Spice occupies a converted 19th-century house above the old town, and the property feels more like staying in an eccentric private home than a hotel. Rooms are individually decorated with antiques, carved furniture, and four-poster beds; there are no two alike. The hotel has no pool and limited amenities by international luxury standards, but it compensates with atmosphere, breakfast on the private terrace, and the best rooftop restaurant in Stone Town.

The rooftop restaurant (dinner only, from 19:00, reservations essential) is a reason to stay regardless of budget — a five-course Swahili set menu with taarab music and views across the Stone Town roofscape. USD 40–50 per person, bookable by non-residents.

Note: Emerson Spice is a boutique property with around ten rooms. It sells out during peak season weeks in advance — book early or book directly with the hotel to secure your preferred dates.

Which Neighbourhood to Choose

Shangani (southwestern Stone Town): The most tourist-friendly part of the historic core — highest density of guesthouses, closest to Kelele Square and the Freddie Mercury Museum. Tembo House and Kiponda are in this area. Good for first-time visitors who want walkability and a familiar tourist environment.

Near the Old Arab Fort / Forodhani: Central Stone Town, close to the waterfront market and the main museum cluster (House of Wonders, Palace Museum, Old Fort). Most mid-range properties are concentrated here. Noise from the evening market at Forodhani (18:00–22:30) is audible in this area during the evening.

Hurumzi / Central alleys: The quieter residential heart of Stone Town, away from the waterfront tourist circuit. Zanzibar Palace Hotel and Emerson Spice are in this zone. Better for guests who want to feel embedded in the living city rather than the tourist surface.

Waterfront (Mizingani Road): Park Hyatt and Tembo House. Best sea views and sea breeze; slight distance from the alley network that makes Stone Town interesting.

Booking Tips

Peak season: June–September and December–January see near-full occupancy at better properties. Book 4–8 weeks ahead.
Off-peak: March–May (long rains) and October–November (short rains) bring 20–40% price reductions at most properties with no significant impact on the Stone Town experience — the rain is intermittent, not constant.
Direct booking: Emerson Spice, Kiponda, and Dhow Palace all accept direct bookings that are sometimes cheaper than platform rates.
Room selection: In converted historic buildings, rooms vary enormously by floor, aspect, and renovation quality. Always ask for a specific room type (sea view, courtyard-facing, upper floor) when booking, and confirm this in email.

Browse Stone Town tours and activities to plan the rest of your stay alongside your accommodation.

Best Hotels in Stone Town, Zanzibar 2026: Budget to Luxury