Best hotels in Stone Town

Tucked among Stone Town's winding alleys, where stalls offer heaped bowls of cloves, nutmeg and cinnamon, and the walls are ablaze with curios, sunshine-bright fabrics and local artworks, is an alley that is unexpectedly quiet. And it's here, behind a traditionally ornate wooden door, that you'll find 170-year-old Kisiwa House. Built by a wealthy Omani merchant as a family home, the house is now a modern boutique hotel. Kisiwa (Swahili for 'island') was one of Stone Town's first buildings, so there's a profound sense of history embedded in its walls, antique furniture and original photographs of past residents.

A stunning oceanfront setting. Interiors adorned with Arabic and Swahili opulence. Warm, gracious hospitality and alluring culinary journeys. Zanzibar Serena Hotel in Stone Town offers all of this and more. The Serena Hotel occupies two of the oldest buildings in Stone Town on the west coast of Zanzibar. With 51 rooms, it provides a haven of tranquility and opulence amidst the bustle of one of Africa's most ancient and enchanting towns. The large pool terrace overlooks the Indian Ocean, and excellent cuisine can be enjoyed in the hotel restaurant.

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.