Emerson Spice

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.

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!

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

We ate in the Secret Garden today, our waiter Masoud was amazing! So attentive and helpful, it was a pleasure to be served by him. Setting was amazing and the recommendation of goat Bryani was perfect, absolutely delicious. To end our evening we had the pleasure of Wakili to walk us home through the dark souks which was a godsend and enabled us to enjoy our meal even more!! Top food, top setting, top service, highly recommend

My sister and I stayed here for a few nights when arriving in Zanzibar.|Our flight plans got brought forward and the hotel was great in bringing forward our airport pick up. A staff member met us in the traffic area and carried our bags to the hotel, making sure we were following too. It really was nice to be in the heart of Stone Town.|We stayed in Mimi which is one of the top rooms, so lots of stairs to get there.|Room was huge, light and airy. We had a problem with hot water for the shower but once we notified the staff it was quick to be resolved. Beds were comfortable. Turn down service was a lovely touch.|Breakfast was wonderful and served at the roof top restaurant, which has a nice view over Stone Town. Also a great spot for sundowner drinks. We didn't try the set menu dinner there.|We ate dinner at the onsite restaurant which was nice.|They had a beach bag with towels which came in handy.|We also liked the group tipping rather than needing to constantly tip.||We'll return here if back in Zanzibar and recommend to others.

A honeymoon stay for just one night, although i wish we could have stayed longer!||We booked the L'amour Toujours room, and in my opinion it was the best room in the house! Sometimes the other rooms were left open when vacant, so you can sneak a peek. Atmospheric and beautifully decorated, like something from a film set, 2 massive beds with a small balcony and an outside shower. ||The staff were fantastic, very happy to help, nothing was too much trouble. We were given a complimentary room after check out, where we could freshen up & rest after exploring the town but before we moved on to our next destination. ||We booked the tasting menu for dinner at the hotels Tea House and watched the sunset with cocktails on the roof, highly reccommended, everything was delicious.||Would suggest some ear plugs if you're a light sleeper like me, as the hotel is located right in the middle of the town and understandably the hustle & bustle goes on into the night. Call to prayer / Adhan can also be heard in the morning hours. But we quite enioyed it, it all added to the wonderful ecperience. ||Would love to stay here again in the future.

We came here from a resort up north. Getting from our ride was different up the narrow streets which are what makes Stone Town such a different place.|Welcomed by Russell and the team. No problem getting the Golf Clubs up the stairs. Stayed on Belle on the first floor which was absolutely gorgeous. Nice deck to watch the world go by.|Secret Garden is a great place to eat. Were told by another to go with the Coconut Curry.|All in all a great place to wind down for us at the end of holiday before flight back to New Zealand.

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 !!