Emerson on Hurumzi

Very nice and well-maintained hotel in the center of town. Extremely friendly staff. The aperitif, dinner, and breakfast on the roof terrace were simply wonderful—the food was excellent. We felt completely at home and can highly recommend the hotel. Thank you very much for this lovely stay. It's a shame we could only stay for one night.

A historic building perfectly positioned with many amazing rooms. We were lucky to be put into 'The Gallery' which had been recently renovated and was fantastic. Lots or original furniture, really felt like you were 'stepping back in time'. Bathroom was spacious and clean. All the staff were happy, smiley and couldn't do enough for you. We booked an extra night as it wS such a nice place to be. Highly recommended.

The location of this hotel is very good. From there you can easily reach the entire Stone Town area by walking. The hotel’s atmosphere and rooms exude the beauty and spirit of sultanate times, which I liked very much. Cleanliness was very good. The friendliness, flexibility and service-mindedness of the staff was the best compared to my other accommodations during my trip. Only the dinner on the roof terrace was a slight disappointment in terms of the taste of the food.

Views here, great. Food here, great. They drink with honey, dates, and milk was addictive. The staff here really know about everything they’re serving and the live music elevated the experience. Without a doubt a cannot miss if you are in Stone Town.

A storied property in a storied city, the Emerson on Hurumzi was one of the first hotel conversions of a fraying palazzo in Zanzibar’s labyrinthine Stone Town. The founder’s vision was of strict conservation, and the traveler today marvels at the exquisite woodwork of the rooms and period furniture. Hotel staff would slip in each evening to prepare the bedchamber, lowering a classical mosquito net over the elegant canopy bed. (To be sure, I never encountered a mosquito anywhere in the hotel or, for that matter, the old town.)||Invisible modernizations have been accommodated — I enjoyed excellent WiFi service in my room. But the devotion to historical integrity does present challenges: the handsome wooden stairs are quite steep, demanding of guests a level of physical exertion that is taxing to those with even the mildest mobility issues. A good breakfast is served on the 1st floor above ground level; the guest rooms start on the second floor up. ELEVATOR NEEDED! Zanzibar’s double whammy of heat and humidity at times had me dripping in sweat just climbing the steps to my room. But, on the bright side, air conditioning was waiting for me when I got there.||Also waiting, at every coming and going, is a very attentive hotel team, led by the historically knowledgable Mbwana. Kamís, Fiona, Najim, Seyid, and Abdul were all unfailingly helpful in the reception area, and Anwar at the breakfast service. However, don’t expect your driver from the airport to drop you at the hotel door: the Emerson on Hurumzi is located deep inside the maze of Old Town alleyways. You’ll have to walk those last few hundred meters. And when you go out to explore, expect to lose your way repeatedly, and revel in your spontaneous discoveries.||Beyond the gracious accommodations of the Old World, Emerson on Hurumzi also offers a unique rooftop dining experience, with traditional Zanzibari musical accompaniment to the traditional Zanzibari cuisine. Hear the muezzins’ call to prayer and the tinkling of the nearby Hindu temple’s bells as you watch the sun set into the sea, and enjoy the musicians’ strings and drums and the vocals of the chanteuse. The food and the music do not come cheap, and remember those five flights of stairs are steep — but the experience is not to be missed.

We stayed in the north blue room and it was really a magical space - transports you back to what it must have been like when Zanzibar was ruled by the sultans. You could hear the Muslim call to prayer and the Hindu bells quite well which I felt added to the feeling of being somewhere exotic. Front desk staff was incredibly warm and welcoming and spoke very, very good English. (Which obviously should not be a requirement but makes things a lot easier.) Other staff' English varied but everyone was very kind and helpful. Would recommend if you really want to feel like you're in Zanzibar and not just on a random beach vacation.

I’ve stayed here twice now. This time I had the West room which is enchanting! Emerson embodies Zanzibar living. Highly recommended. Roof top dinner was great! Zanzibar is safe and wonderful!

Rooftop dinner: $40 per head (drinks excluded). Other than the Swahili wedding experience (i.e. seating arrangement, Taarab music), the food lacked flavor. Service: other than two racially discriminating staff members which quite frankly, ruined the experience for me, we ended the night with one considerate waiter. Worth the buck? No.