Emerson Spice

I hope we come back to Stone Town, Zanzibar so that we can stay at the Emerson Spice Hotel again. I loved our stay. Begin by appreciating the classic original architecture and furnishings. Realize that this is an antique building with some modern amenities. Don't expect a Four Seasons, but Russell, the manager, will make your experience as close to a 4 star hotel as you can get. You'll think you were the Sultan of Zanzibar! And the roof top dining room with its fixed 5+ course dinner looking out over the city was a great experience. The food was wonderful. Breakfast is also at this rooftop dining room. You can't pull a car to the front door, but it was an easy walk with a roller bag through the old city.

We had an incredible stay at Emerson Spice Hotel in Zanzibar. We were generously upgraded to a beautiful room called Kate, which made our stay feel extra special. Our flight was delayed by three hours, yet our driver, Omar, kindly waited the entire time for us. He was incredibly knowledgeable and shared so much insight about the country, the culture, and the area—it was truly a pleasure being driven by him. The hotel itself is absolutely stunning. The room featured both an indoor shower and a breathtaking outdoor shower on the balcony, along with two balconies offering beautiful views. Sleeping in this historic, ancient-feeling room made me feel like royalty. The hotel’s restaurant, The Secret Garden, is absolutely phenomenal. It truly feels like a hidden oasis—lush with plants, beautifully tucked away, and incredibly romantic. The food was outstanding; I especially loved the cinnamon fish, which was unforgettable. We were also lucky to experience live cultural performances on Wednesday night, which were eye-opening, moving, and beautifully showcased the local culture. An unforgettable experience from start to finish. We couldn’t recommend Emerson Spice Hotel more highly.

The rooms are very colorful with so many little details from the mosaic to the furniture. ||I’d say there is hints of Arabic and Indian decorations as well as a French influence from many different regions. ||The hotel has no elevator, but the detailed rooms are exceptional. ||This is a very beautiful hotel to stay in if you are looking for a place in stone town. ||The reception is very well run and the staff were friendly and attentive. ||We had the pleasure of having dinner at the restaurant on the roof and they allowed us to have a look at the rooms. ||Please see the detailed pictures attached of a traditional room in the Emerson spice Hotel in Zanzibar stone town.

One of the best hotels in Stone Town, they assisted me in many things including getting a sim card which saved me a lot of money had I bought it at the airport.

This is a beautiful boutique hotel right in the heart of Stone Town casbah. The hotel is in a majestic historic building tastefully maintained and run. The staff is friendly and helpful. The rooms are huge and airy (ours had a big balcony). The value is very good. Meals on the rooftop with city and ocean views are a great bonus.|Highly recommended !

The architecture of this hotel and its rooms is so stunning it transports you to a different era. But what singles out Emerson Spice is the ‘go above and beyond’ service offered by Russell and the wider staff. Considerate, attentive and with so much care. Also, great value, rooftop dinner was great and the bed + AC gave me the best sleep in Zanzibar

We decided to the Emerson spice tea house rooftop dinner. The aperitif cocktails were good. Afterwards the dinner itself started. But before you have to watch the sundowner at this beautiful rooftop. The dinner was good - there where different courses with all kind of fish. The texture and the taste were good. We also got some combinations we would never made it our own - like lobster with Vanilla. Definitely worth a visit!

This is THE hotel to stay at in Stone Town. Every room is absolutely stunning, though a special mention must be given to the Kate suite, which has incredibly views from its two balconies, decorated, both decorated with lush tropical plants. The location is perfect - you are just a short walking distance from all the main sites. Sunset drinks on the rooftop terrace are a must - though you will also get to enjoy a wonderful breakfast up there if you stay - and the Secret Garden is a really special place of tranquility when you want to have a drink and relax. If you are lucky enough to be there on a Friday, you can also enjoy local live music. Even if you do noy stay at this hotel, both the rooftop and the Secret Garden are worth a visit. The staff are, without exception, all incredibly friendly and helpful. Thank you to all for making our stay truly memorable!