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The Swahili House Hotel Zanzibar, Zanzibar

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From90US$ /night
Check-in
04Dec2024Select date
Check-out
05Dec2024Select date
Rooms and Guests2 Guest, 1 Room
Key details

About the Hotel

Stone Town, Zanzibar, Tanzania

The Swahili House is a handcrafted villa located on the beach of Vasco De Gama in Malindi, Zanzibar. This hotel merges authentic Swahili design with modern amenities, offering guests a unique cultural experience in the heart of Old Town. The property boasts five floors surrounding a traditional Zanzibar courtyard, highlighting the craftsmanship of local artisans. Guests can combine their stay with nearby Fumba Beach Lodge or Selous Wilderness Camp for a broader exploration of the region.

Location

Situated in the bustling heart of Stone Town, The Swahili House is conveniently located near market areas, shops, and cultural sites like the Christ Church Cathedral and Forodhani Park. Kisauni Airport is 6 miles away, providing easy accessibility for travelers. The hotel acts as a gateway for guests beginning or ending their safaris in Kenya, enhancing its appeal as a versatile accommodation option.

Rooms

Each guestroom features an en-suite bathroom equipped with hot and cold water, hair dryer, and complimentary toiletries. The rooms are designed to ensure comfort, with options for air conditioning and mosquito nets over the beds. Some rooms can accommodate an extra single bed upon request, allowing for flexible occupancy. Most of the hotel has been restored to maintain its original charm, reflecting the historic atmosphere of Stone Town.

Eat & Drink

The hotel’s rooftop restaurant serves fresh seafood and Mediterranean tapas, providing a scenic dining experience with views of the Indian Ocean. Guests can also enjoy a diverse menu of international dishes, enhancing their culinary experience. The airy bar offers a wide selection of wines and cocktails, making it a perfect spot to unwind. Breakfast is included, featuring delicious local flavors to start the day.

Leisure & Business

The Swahili House provides opportunities for leisure activities such as spice tours, visits to the Jozani Forest, and explorations of Stone Town upon request. The rooftop terrace features a plunge pool and sundeck area for relaxation. Business facilities are available, ensuring a comfortable environment for both leisure and work needs. With its family-friendly ambiance, the hotel caters to various guest preferences.

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Select your room type

The hotel offers a variety of rooms including double rooms, family rooms, and suites with breakfast, free cancelations, and special deals
Deluxe Room
Max:
2 persons
21 m² 
Bed options:
2 Single beds
Shower
Bathtub
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Getting around

A list of all available modes of transport

City Center
Zanzibar1000 ft
Airports
Kisauni (ZNZ) 5.0 mi

Facilities

The hotel offers amenities for your comfortable stay and unforgettable experiences

General

  • Non-smoking rooms
  • Free Wi-Fi in public areas
  • No parking
  • Safe deposit box
  • VIP check-in/ -out
  • Concierge desk
  • No pets allowed
  • Rooms/ Facilities for disabled
  • Wheelchair access
  • 24-hour security
  • Baggage storage
  • Elevator
  • Currency exchange
  • Fire extinguishers

Sports & Fitness

  • Diving
  • Snorkeling

Services

  • Paid airport shuttle
  • Room service
  • Housekeeping
  • Car rental
  • Laundry
  • Dry cleaning
  • Tours/Ticket assistance
  • Welcome drink
  • Happy hour

Dining

  • In-room breakfast
  • Restaurant
  • Bar/ Lounge area
  • Special diet menus

Business

  • Fax/Photocopying

Children

  • Babysitting/Child services
  • Board games
  • Children's menu

Spa & Leisure

  • Rooftop pool
  • Plunge pool
  • Beach umbrellas
  • Sun loungers
  • Sun terrace

Room features

  • Air conditioning
  • Terrace
  • Garden furniture
  • Ironing facilities

Bathroom

  • Free toiletries
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Location

Stone Town, Zanzibar, Tanzania
Map view
Stone Town, Zanzibar, Tanzania
Nearby
Mizingani Rd
Old Dispensary
1700 ft
Museums
House of Wonders
1700 ft
Museums
Old Fort of Zanzibar
1700 ft
Historic Site
Stone Town
1700 ft
Museums
Sultan's Palace
1700 ft
Hamamni St
Hamamni Persian Baths
1700 ft
Market
Darajani Market
1700 ft
Kenyatta Road
Mercury House
1700 ft
Church
Christ Church Cathedral
1100 ft
Parks
Forodhani Park
1700 ft
Church
Old Slave Market
1700 ft
Marahubi Palace
200 ft
Gallery
Hurumzi Henna Art Gallery
500 ft
Princess Salme Museum at Emerson on Hurumzi
700 ft
Gallery
The Beautiful Eyes
700 ft
Hamamni Street
Cultural Arts Centre Zanzibar
700 ft
Kelele Square
1700 ft
Cathedral St
St Joseph's Roman Catholic Cathedral
1700 ft
Kiponda
1700 ft
Hurumzi St
Shree Shiv Shakti Temple
500 ft
Jamatini Rd
Malindi Mosque
900 ft
Church
Christ Church
600 ft
P.O.Box 1844,Zanzibar Tanzania Stonetown Zanzibar
Imani Zuberi
200 ft
Vikokotoni
1100 ft
Zanzibar
Friday Mosque
900 ft
Hurumzi Street
1700 ft
Tharia St
Slave Chambers
1700 ft
Restaurants
Cafe Turquoise
200 ft
Shangani 91
Lukmaan Restaurant
1200 ft
New Mkunazini Rd The Mkunazini Baobab Tree
Ma Shaa Allah Cafe
1200 ft
Mkunazini Street Stone Town
Forodhani Gardens
1800 ft
Restaurant
Meeting Point Cafe
2000 ft
Forodani Gardens
Funky Monkey
2000 ft
Gizenga Street 159
Mama Mia
2000 ft
Mizingani Road Forodhani

Reviews and Ratings

Feedback from previous guests about their experience.
78%
liked the hotel and would stay again
Friendly staff
Great location
No windows
Mold issues
7.8/10
Very good
Rooms
7.8
Location
8.2
Service
8.8
Dining
7.0
Guest reviews
7.8/10
based on 5 review
8.1
8.1/10based on 286 review
David
United States of America, May  2024
7.4/10

I stayed at the hotel in Stone Town, and it was a unique experience. The rooms had traditional Swahili features and a very interesting bathroom decoration, offering a decent size for a comfortable stay. The service exceeded my expectations with friendly and helpful staff. The location was great, authentic to its historical roots, though it took me a bit to navigate around. The dining had its ups and downs but ended on a positive note. The facilities were good overall, adding to a pleasant stay.

Rooms
8.0
The rooms were decently-sized and had traditional Swahili features with a very interesting bathroom decoration.
Service
9.0
The service was friendly and helpful, exceeding my expectations.
Location
7.0
The location in Stone Town was good, though I needed some time to get accustomed to it but found an authentic feel.
Dining
6.0
The dining experience had its challenges, but the efforts showed improvement.
Facilities
7.0
The facilities were satisfactory and contributed to a comfortable stay.
Edward
United States of America, March  2024
8.0/10

I absolutely loved my stay at this hotel! The location is superb, with easy access to explore the city on foot. The rooms were spacious, clean, and situated in an interesting building that added to the experience. While the amenities were basic, the convenience and cleanliness made up for it.

Rooms
8.0
The rooms were spacious and clean, located in an interesting hotel building.
Service
9.0
The service was exceptional, with staff being accommodating, friendly, and genuinely welcoming.
Location
9.0
The hotel's location made it easy to walk everywhere, enhancing the overall experience.
Dining
7.0
The dining experience was simple but satisfying, with good quality food and a wonderfully endless cup of coffee.
Facilities
7.0
The facilities met my needs, though they were limited. The view of the city was fantastic and the drinks were great.
Irving
United States of America, February  2024
8.2/10

My stay at the hotel was truly enjoyable. The rooms were spacious and comfortable, adorned with traditional Swahili features, albeit with an odd-smelling anti-insect spray. The service was exceptional, with staff members being very accommodating and friendly. The location was perfect for exploring Stone Town, just a short walk from the ferry terminal. The dining experience was basic but satisfactory. Overall, a great value for money.

Rooms
8.0
I found the rooms to be spacious and comfortable, showcasing traditional Swahili decor. The only downside was the strong smell of the anti-insect spray.
Service
9.0
The service was top-notch, with incredibly friendly and helpful staff members.
Location
9.0
The hotel's location was ideal for exploring Stone Town, close to the ferry terminal and within easy reach of markets and souks.
Dining
7.0
The dining options were basic but adequate for my needs.
Facilities
8.0
The facilities were good and met my needs during my stay.
Arthur
United States of America, November  2023
7.6/10

The hotel room was spacious and clean with the nice fragrance, providing comfortable accommodation. However, it lacked windows, and there was some mold present. The service was exceptionally friendly, helpful, and accommodating, ensuring a top-notch experience. The location was convenient with a great view from the restaurant, but it was noisy at night. The dining experience was simple but satisfactory, except for the weak WiFi connection. Overall, the facilities were adequate, offering a decent value for money.

Rooms
8.0
The rooms were spacious, clean, and had a nice fragrance. However, they unfortunately lacked windows and had some mold present.
Service
9.0
The service was exceptional, with friendly and accommodating staff.
Location
7.0
The location was convenient with a beautiful view from the restaurant, but it was noisy at night.
Dining
7.0
The dining experience was fine, with simple but good options. The only downside was the bad WiFi connection.
Facilities
7.0
The hotel offered adequate facilities, meeting basic needs.
John
United States of America, October  2023
7.8/10

I had a mixed experience at the hotel. The rooms, unfortunately without windows, were clean but had a lingering scent of a nice fragrance. It was good to find a double and a single bed in the room. Mosquito repellent spray was a thoughtful touch but needed regularly to combat the mold.

Rooms
7.0
The rooms were clean and included both a double and a single bed, but without windows and required regular mosquito spraying. The pleasant fragrance was a nice touch.
Service
8.0
The service, overall friendly, was best exemplified by the general manager who was always polite and welcoming. However, some staff members were a bit odd and not as friendly.
Location
9.0
The hotel's location was great, right in Stone Town where you could easily lose yourself in its charm. It's close to the highly recommended coffee house for coffee enthusiasts, and Google Maps is handy to navigate the winding streets.
Dining
8.0
The dining experience was pleasant with lots of delicious fruit daily. Although the offerings were good, creative salads added a nice touch.
Facilities
7.0
The facilities were adequate, but not exceptional.
Friendly staff
No windows
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Check-in
04Dec2024Select date
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Rooms and Guests2 Guest, 1 Room