Emerson on Hurumzi

I was completely blown away by this charming, one-of-a-kind hotel in Stone Town that far exceeded its 2-star rating in every possible way. What was meant to be a simple stay turned into one of the most memorable experiences of our trip. The hotel is not just a place to sleep—it’s a piece of history. Converted from a monument once owned by the British, tied to the abolition of slavery, it now stands as a semi-attached three-building hotel filled with character and soul. The architecture is absolutely captivating, full of old-world charm with a touch of Zanzibar magic. Our room was magnificent, spacious, and unlike anything you’d find in today’s trendy, cookie-cutter hotels. The bathroom, too, had its own distinct style—refreshingly unique and reflective of the local design rather than the sterile sameness of modern chains. Every corner of the hotel is decorated with thoughtful, culturally rich details that give it life and authenticity. The staff? Incredible. Truly some of the warmest, most helpful people we’ve encountered. They went above and beyond, not only in their hospitality but in arranging tours for us at very reasonable prices—we even cross-checked them online and found their rates to be more than fair. And then there’s the rooftop restaurant. Hands down one of the best places to eat in Stone Town, and for good reason. The food was excellent, and the view from the rooftop patio was nothing short of spectacular. Whether for breakfast or a sunset dinner, it was always a highlight. Overall, this hotel may only be rated two stars, but it delivered a five-star experience from start to finish. If you’re looking for a place with character, history, amazing service, and incredible views, this is it.

This was my favourite meal out, the ambiance, the vibe the staff. Authenticity Arabic meal and food tasted amazing, 3 course meal and each course was delicious, along with ginger tea which was fresh and tasty. Loved the rooftop experience, great city view. You leave your shoes by the front and they are safe.

The location is fantastic, and the historic building is stunning, offering an authentic Zanzibar aesthetic. I stayed in the Rose room, which was incredibly spacious, with a queen and full-size bed. (This review is for the hotel, not the restaurant.) However, creature comforts are lacking. There’s no proper shower—just a tub and a handheld showerhead with a too-short hose. Windows don’t close properly, leading to lots of street noise. Internet is spotty, and cell phone reception is unreliable. Hot water isn’t consistent, making basic comfort a challenge. On the plus side, the free breakfast in the panoramic terrace restaurant or in-room is a highlight. While the hotel is visually charming, it falls short in delivering modern convenience. Your pictures will look great but you won't be comfortable.

Such a beautiful, lovely hotel with friendly staff. It feels very authentic, and the dinner on the roof terrace is incredible, a must for anyone visiting Stone Town!

We ate at the restaurant on the rooftop amd it is very good food and experience. The reception are very friendly and they allowed us to store our luggage while we explore stone town. Highly recommended

Very good vibes Very good food alongside with a perfect night view. There was a live music and an explicit breeze ideal for a summer night. Such a good experience. I strongly recommend it.

Ok, 2 star hotel but 5 star ambiance/staff/rooftop and so on. Stayed the last night on Zanzibar in this dreamy place. Dinnerexperiance was super, with amazing music! The staff were doing everything to meet up our expectations. Would really stay again!

What we loved: the location is great, the building is very historic, the rooftop bar and restaurant and dinner were REALLY lovely. What we didn’t like: the rooms are really run down, towels in the room smell dirty, it is very noisy at night - street noise and cleaners scrubbing the floors outside the room at 2am. Verdict: would definitely recommend a dinner here but sleep elsewhere!