Right on the sea-front, where once the American Consulate stood, Tembo House is something of a landmark in the historic Stone Town streets. Its great location, close to both the House of Wonders and the Old Fort, is slightly removed from the spindly, maze-like streets of the town, and it's easy to find after a long day of wandering. Inside, there are new and old sections to the hotel, but a common theme in both is colourful glass windows and an interesting array of antique furniture from all over the world. If you're looking for central options without an astronomical price tag, this is the place to be.
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Follow the quirky, checkered flooring to a pretty, Arabian-style courtyard in the centre of the hotel. Hidden away from the busy streets of downtown Stone Town, it's a lovely, calming place with traditional Swahili furnishings and plenty of hanging chairs for relaxing. There's also a swimming pool for cooling off in. Bahari Restaurant overlooks the sea, and serves a variety of local delicacies and international favourites (but there's no alcohol). For something more romantic, head up to the roof terrace for a private dinner a deux under the twinkling stars.
Positioned around the central courtyard, the 37 rooms look out either over the ocean or the courtyard, and all have small, wooden terraces, traditional of Arabic architecture. Furnished with traditional dark wooden bed stands, antique desks, wardrobes and ornaments, as well as low-slung sofas, you'll be transported back to the yesteryear of Zanzibar. The small hamman showers in the ensuite bathrooms are marvellously tiled with a myriad of patterns.
Stone Town, aside from being a UNESCO World Heritage site, is filled with plenty of quirky shops, boutiques, cafes and markets. Get lost in the streets (don't worry - everyone does!), and wind your way around the town, stopping off to look at the wares as you go. For the active, the hotel can organise cycling and diving excursions, or head further afield and take a tour of the spice plantations, further inland on the island.
Tembo House has one of the best locations in Stone Town - and the cool swimming pool is a delightfully welcome escape from the dust and heat of the busy streets.
Make sure you book into the main hotel and not the annexe - it doesn't quite have the same charm as the original building.
Rooms higher up have beautiful views of the ocean - and perhaps a slightly better night's sleep as they're a little further away from the bustle of the sea front.
A time capsule in Zanzibar's capital with a head-turning maze of unique architecture and history.
