Emerson Spice

Emerson Spice hotel is a wonderful surprise in the center of historic Stone Town, Zanzibar. Very atmospheric, within a historic set of houses, Emerson Spice rooms have been creatively remodeled in a manner that preserves the old ambiance but allows plenty of convenience and living space. The ceilings are high, the rooms include antique furniture that goes with a number of individual themes, and the air conditioning and other amenities are just fine. If you want that atmosphere of going back in time, hearing the muezzins of the nearby mosques, great service, excellent food for breakfast and dinner, this place is for you. If you want TV and modern style rooms, forget this place. We loved it. On my first night I had some allergies to some dust, but the excellent and responsive manager offered to deep clean the room or move us to another room with better air flow. We moved but both rooms were big, beautiful and unique. The short walk from the taxi stand is absolutely worth it. Highly recommended!

If the idea of staying in a castle appeals to you then you will love this place. Like stepping back in time. We stayed in the Violeta room and then they gave us a day room (their newest room) on our flight day. Both were gorgeous.This was a very cool experience. Grandiose, 20 foot high rooms, grand colours, painting, balconies…simply amazing. Russell the manager is your consummate host. He could not be better at his job… outstanding! Do not miss out on the tasting menu, 7 course meal on the rooftop. Best meal we had in Africa. Gracious, helpful staff. Highly recommend !!

The staff at Emerson Spice were incredible. It felt like a 5 star hotel experience and I felt very taken care of during my stay. There’s someone waiting for you at the ferry to help with your bag and escort you to the hotel. The breakfast staff was top notch, and the breakfast was 3-course including fruits, eggs & toast, and a Tanzanian bread type. Everyone was kind and welcoming. I can’t speak highly enough of the various staff members that are there. Second - this was by far of the most unique hotels I’ve seen. It’s a historic building that’s been converted. I feel very fortunate, as a tourist, to be able to stay in such an architecturally beautiful, culturally significant, and historic place. Simply wow. Lastly, there’s deep spiritual presence here. I would recommend more exploration and honoring rituals of this.

Beautiful Hotel in the middle of Stone Town with very unique rooms and a flair for details. Stunning restaurant locations and very nice food. Breakfast was amazing! Very friendly and helpful staff. Nice experience in on a busy island. Highly recommended to stay at Emerson Spice if you are in Zanzibar.

Our family group of 14 spent 4 lovely nights at this hotel. It is a beautiful boutique hotel with comfortable, clean and unique rooms, many with lovely balcony/seating areas within. The staff are amazing, from meeting us at the ferry terminal to cart our luggage, to helping organize a dhow trip, they were always available and friendly. The attached shop has beautiful local items, and the shopkeeper helped find us a tailor to alter one of the garments with short notice. The breakfasts are incredible with an evolving daily offering of fresh fruit, fresh juices, and amazing fresh baked local delicacies. We had the larger family room which allowed our two young kids to have a separate sleeping space- there is one right next to the main bed, or another up a small staircase which would be really fun for older kids. The location is excellent - literally right in stone town, and easy to walk to Forodhani, the markets, many excellent restaurants, the ferry, etc. Overall we loved the stay and would definitely return

What a magical place to stay in the heart of Stone Town. It is like walking back into history and experiencing Zanzibar at the height of the spice trade. The staff is incredibly helpful and attentive. Breakfast is exceptional and don't miss the seafood dinner on the rooftop restaurant. fantastic. ||The only drawback are the stairs. We were on the top floor - which was fine for me, but a bit of a hike for my husband. But the room was fabulous with views looking out over the rooftops

During my stay at the Emerson Spice Hotel, I was captivated by its unique themed rooms. We stayed in the Desdemona Room and were given an information booklet that offered a truly insightful look into Emerson, who has sadly passed away. The booklet beautifully captures his vision and influence on the Zanzibar community, spanning music, culture, and hospitality. The staff were friendly, and the food served during the rooftop dining experience was pleasant, though I found the portions to be rather small. Since we were on our honeymoon, Russell, the General Manager, deserves a special shout out for his fantastic hospitality. He provided excellent recommendations for dining and sightseeing and even booked us a memorable city tour with Fahrid who was exceptional. Russell also surprised us by providing a bottle of sparkling wine that was waiting in our room and allowing us to enjoy it on the balcony at sunset which was a truly thoughtful touch.||I loved the hotel’s stylish decor which beautifully combines historic charm with local Arabic influences. Its central location in Stone Town made exploring nearby attractions easy and convenient all while offering great value for the experience. We would recommend Emerson Spice Hotel to anyone visiting Stone Town.

It is truly one of the most beautiful experiences in my life. The place is very beautiful, with an old-fashioned style. The rooms are very spacious and the hospitality is truly wonderful, starting from the welcoming drink to the delicious seasonal fruit plate. If there was a rating higher than 10, I would have given them Thank you Emerson spice hotel for this amazing experience 🙌