Is Emerson Spice Hotel currently open?

The property is closed between April 21 and May 20.

Are pets allowed at Emerson Spice Hotel?

Sorry, pets and service animals aren't allowed.

Is parking offered on site at Emerson Spice Hotel?

Sorry, there's no onsite parking at Emerson Spice Hotel.

Is airport shuttle service offered by Emerson Spice Hotel?

Yes, an airport shuttle is available. The charge is USD 25 per vehicle one-way.

What are the check-in and check-out times at Emerson Spice Hotel?

Check-in start time: 1:00 PM; Check-in end time: 10:00 PM. Check-out time is 10:00 AM.

What is there to do at Emerson Spice Hotel and nearby?

Have fun with nearby activities like boat tours, kayaking, and scuba diving. Emerson Spice Hotel also has a garden.

Are there restaurants at or near Emerson Spice Hotel?

Yes, there are 2 onsite restaurants, featuring alfresco dining, seafood, and garden views.

Does Emerson Spice Hotel have rooms with private hot tubs?

Yes, each room has a deep soaking bathtub.

What's the area around Emerson Spice Hotel like?

Emerson Spice Hotel is in Stone Town, a short 3-minute walk from Slave Market and 6 minutes' walk from Old Fort.

Emerson Spice Hotel, Zanzibar Town: Hotel Reviews, Rooms & Prices

10/10 Exceptional

Oct 24, 2025

Special place. The staff outstanding. A few remarkable days at this wonderful historic 'hotel'.

Christopher, 2-night trip

10/10 Exceptional

Jan 22, 2025

Everything amazing!

Amazing, great people, great food, great hotel. Rooms are beautiful, comfy, clean!

2-night trip

8/10 Very good

Feb 24, 2025

Very delicate staff. Well situated in stone town Glorious breakfast.

cécile, 2-night trip

10/10 Exceptional

Aug 24, 2024

Great ambience

Great ambience, a special experience. Set menu dinner at the rooftop restaurant was good, breakfast as well.

Heidi, 2-night trip

10/10 Exceptional

Jun 14, 2024

Amazing historic hotel

Beautiful histric hotel in the heart of Stonetown. Lots od stairs and no elevator but the views are amazing! Great breakfast too!

Suzanne, 2-night trip

10/10 Exceptional

Dec 11, 2022

Loved the character of the building. The details were tasteful and well designed. Such a unique place to stay!

10/10 Exceptional

Apr 3, 2023

Great service, elegant & clean rooms, friendly & professional staff. They made our stay extremely comfortable and pleasant. The roof top breakfast/dinner experience was magical which we had meals in both hotels. There is no elevator in both hotels - so, it's a big hike. Will definitely come again!!!

Selvamuthu, 2-night trip

8/10 Very good

Nov 24, 2022

It is a very nice old hotel which maintains the feel of past times. The only problem for me, as an old man with bad knees is having to climb more than 70 stairs to my room, the last part on very creaky stairs. The view is magnificent from the roof and the breakfast was excellent with a great variety of frutis

Richard, 2-night trip

10/10 Exceptional

Aug 4, 2025

We had a fantastic experience staying here! The staff went above and beyond to accomodate our needs. They let us keep our luggage there before check in time with no extra charge, and they gave us a room upgrade to one of the best rooms (the Katherine Hepburn room), which was a really nice surprise. The staff were all super friendly and helpful. When we decided to have dinner in the Secret Garden Restaurant on a night when there was music, we complained that we had to pay extra for the music, and the manager was so kind. He didn't make us pay, and arranged for us to eat upstairs where it was quieter. We later realized that the music cost was explained in our welcome letter, so we appologized and paid for it the next day and the manager was so nice.The whole place was spotlessly clean, the bed was very comfortable and the room and the hotel were beautifully decorated. I loved the extra touches like the handmade scented soaps and the flowers in the room. We loved the balcony that was off of our room and asked if we could eat breakfast there instead of going downstairs. The servers forgot about us and we had to wait extra long for our food, but it was worth it! We can't say enough about how much we enjoyed staying at this hotel. We would definately stay here again and even though it's a little bit pricier than other hotels, it's totally worth it. We would highly recommend to others.

Karen, 1-night trip

10/10 Exceptional

Nov 10, 2023

Fabulous and unforgettable stay in Stone Town

Staying two nights at Emerson Spice Hotel was such a memorable experience that I would happily recommend to anyone visiting Stone Town. The property itself is gorgeous; all of the walking tours stop in front of the hotel to point it out. Each of the guest rooms is unique and truly spectacular, and it was such a pleasure being encouraged to explore the unoccupied ones during our time there. The front desk staff was so helpful with everything from airport transfers, ferry ticket purchases, restaurant reservations, taxis, and laundry services. We loved the generous breakfasts on the rooftop each morning and thought that our dinners at the Tea House and the Secret Garden were both excellent. We weren't so lucky with the weather during our visit, so we were extra grateful to pass the time in such a beautiful and friendly hotel. Thank you to the entire team for making our stay so lovely.

2-night trip

10/10 Exceptional

Oct 8, 2025

Beautiful Hotel

Amazing stay. From the warm welcome and services. Truly enjoyed the food in the Secret Garden and rooftop.

Patricia, 1-night trip

10/10 Exceptional

Sep 6, 2025

Really nice historic hotel

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.

Melinda, 2-night trip

10/10 Exceptional

Aug 5, 2025

One of the most charming places we've ever stayed at. Antique, yet very clean and safe. Food was delicious, best we had on Zanzibar. Staff wonderful. Highest recommendation.

Niels Søndergaard, 3-night trip

10/10 Exceptional

Jun 20, 2025

Incredibly historic building with unique individually decorated rooms! Perfect location for walking around Stonetown. Delicious breakfast served on rooftop! Request Belle room if you don't want a lot of stairs. It has a huge balcony along the front of the building so it's fun to see tourists stop and take photos!

Sandra, 2-night trip

10/10 Exceptional

Jun 9, 2025

I really enjoyed my stay here at The Emerson Spice Hotel. The rooms are clean and decorated nicely keeping the old feel of this historic building. I liked the old fashioned door style of the Camile Room. Which doesn’t use keycards like most hotels. You use a huge big padlock 🔐 to secure the door. All the staff were very nice and friendly. The only thing you need to be aware of is there is no elevator. All stairs only, so be prepared to get some stair exercises during your stay. LOL! 😃

Trina, 4-night trip

10/10 Exceptional

Mar 25, 2025

From the moment we walked in, this place was fantastic! We were promptly greeted and we were being shown to our rooms within a few minutes. Our room (Camille) was great! We thoroughly enjoyed the windows and balconies and people watching the street below. The room was spacious and the bed was comfy. Dinner upstairs was wonderful...although the stairs were steep (but the views were lovely). The food was inventive and delicious and the service was top notch. Highly recommend. We also had food and drinks at the Secret Garden and that was also quite nice. I expected the included breakfast to be buffet style but was pleasantly surprised that it was a beautiful made to order breakfast with delicious coffee. Shuttle to the airport was quick and easy. Would definitely stay here again when in Stone Town.

Jamie, 2-night trip

10/10 Exceptional

Jan 16, 2025

Exceptional

This small hotel is in the middle of Stone Town, and it is beautiful. The staff are attentive, without being intrusive, the manager is so professional and knowledgeable, and the standard of comfort is of the highest order. Breakfast was served on the roof terrace and consisted of a wonderful selection of fruit followed by eggs and a pastry. We had the taster menu one evening, and it was exceptional. This is a very special hotel, and we had an unforgettable stay.

heike, 2-night trip

10/10 Exceptional

Jan 9, 2025

Fantastisk hotell!

Oppholdet var magisk! Fantastisk hotell med autentisk historie sentralt i Stonetown. Flott restaurert og møblert, med alle moderne bekvemmeligheter. Hotellet har en virkelig førsteklasses restaurant ute på taket, og en svært god og hyggelig restaurant ute på gateplan. Det aller beste med dette hotellet er personalet. Alle vi møtte var profesjonelle, hjelpsomme, vennlige og blide. Dette var en av mine absolutt beste opplevelser. Jeg gir dette hotellet min varmeste anbefaling!

Odd Henning, 2-night trip

10/10 Exceptional

Oct 18, 2024

Fantastic place in heart of old Stonetown. Beautiful unique rooms, fantastic food in a rooftop restaurant with an an amazing view, and and a very helpful staff.

Janet, 3-night trip

10/10 Exceptional

Aug 23, 2024

Great ambience

Great ambience, great hotel, a special experience.

Heidi, 2-night trip

10/10 Exceptional

Aug 13, 2024

An extraordinary hotel

Originally the building served as a residence for the last Swahili king and you can feel the atmosphere in this extraordinary hotel, perfectly located in the middle of Stone Town. Rooms are like suites and uniquely designed. Staff are very service minded and the restaurant on the roof top serves a unique and very well tasting fixed menu every night in an open air space. Both rates and price for 5 course dinner (40 USD) is very competitive in relation to what you get.

Jan, 2-night trip

10/10 Exceptional

Aug 12, 2024

Hoppas komma tillbaka!

Det här hotellet är helt unikt och vi hade en fantastisk vistelse. Det känns nästan som att vara med i en film från en svunnen tid. Rummen är individuellt inredda. Vi bodde i ”Violetta” och hade dessutom en lång inredd balkong som jag önskar att vi satt mer på. Frukosten serverades på deras ”roof top” med utsikt över alla tak, och var magisk. Missa inte att beställa bord där till kvällen också och ät deras fasta femrättersmeny för 40$. Det var en upplevelse att bo och äta här. Hoppas vi kan komma tillbaka snart igen!

Charlotte, 2-night trip

8/10 Very good

Jul 7, 2024

Secret Gem

Really authentic building. The building is old and the owners have tried to keep the originality of the building by keeping original features . Its in the winding streets of the old town , so no vehicles except scooters allowed. The staff are great , everyone smiles and are so helpful. The room we stayed in Lamore had a outside shower on a balcony , seems strange, but it was very private and great to have a shower outside

Alan, 2-night trip

10/10 Exceptional

Jul 7, 2024

Super charmantes Hotel

Super charmantes Hotel mitten in der Altstadt. Das Hotel ist ein alter Palast oder so (glaube ich). Jedes Zimmer ist sehr groß, die meisten mit Wohn- und Schlafbereich, individuell und mit sehr viel liebe zum Detail gestalltet.. Das Zimmer Mimi ist das "einfachste" auch viel liebe zum Detail , aber nicht so "verträumt " und farbenfroh wie die anderen Zimmer. Außerdem hat es kein Balkon/Veranda. Dafür hat es 2 einzelne Betten (perfekt für Mutter und Sohn). Das Frühstück wird für jeden frisch zubereitet und auf der Dachterrasse serviert. Unbedingt das 7-gänge Fischmenü auf der Dachterrasse buchen. Wer kein modernes chicki Hotel möchte, sonder bereits bei der Hotelwahl etwas ganz besonderes erleben möchte, sollte unbedingt hier wohnen. Ein unvergessliches Vergnügen und Erlebnis. Es ist nicht alles perfekt aber dafür wundervoll.

Monika, 2-night trip

10/10 Exceptional

Jun 27, 2024

The staff are beyond friendly

Marcela A., 2-night trip

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