4 star hotels in Zanzibar City

nice and clean hotel cozy and comfortable.

This hotel is right next to the airport, so the location is unbeatable. The room was very clean and a decent size. Compared to other hotels in Zanzibar, it offers good value for money. The only downside is that it's quite far from Stone Town, about a 20-minute drive.

The room was spacious and bright, and the environment was excellent.

Nice environment, delicious breakfast

Meets expectations, highly recommended, close to the airport

It was a great hotel. It was within a 10 minute walk from the airport. The staff were all friendly and the amenities were plentiful. The breakfast buffet was also great.

Good location, friendly staff, and decent pricing - all you could want!

Great location in Stonetown. The hotel room was clean and modern. The breakfast buffet was great. Areas for improvement is the average service at the hotel. Room AC wasn’t cooling the room well and front desk said they didn’t have any alternative rooms that night. Plumbing issue was not addressed promptly when brought up with the front desk. All day dining room service ends early 10pm and there are...

The hotel has a great location right in Stone City, and it's considered one of the cleaner and more modern hotels in the city. There's a rooftop restaurant, but it's quite expensive.

In the core location of Stone City, there is a highly rated restaurant on the rooftop. It takes only five minutes to walk to the night market. The free shortbread for check-in is very fragrant and delicious. The room is clean and comfortable. I will stay here again next time I go to Stone City

The hotel facilities are very old, especially the ventilation system in the bathroom. When I was in the bathroom, there was a sudden explosion, which caught me off guard. The room basically has no view because the distance to the next building is very close, so all you can see is the wall. Secondly, the price of the hotel's breakfast is very unreasonable, 15 US dollars per person, the buffet has very...

The room is clean and tidy, the service is fast, the attitude is friendly, the cleaning is in place, the facilities are advanced, and the environment is beautiful

our experience was 10/10, staff are so lovely and accommodating and very polite. thank you dhow palace hotel!

I definitely recommend it, everything was very good

The room is generally good, clean, breakfast variety

Excellent location and very easy to walk to from any area of Stone Town, would recommend

Excellent location and very easy to walk to from any area of Stone Town, would recommend

Very nice, impressive hotel style

Was a good and comfortable stay at Maru maru. Convenient location!

This was my third visit to Maru Maru, Zanzibar, and I’m absolutely in love with the place. The vibe, the aesthetic ambience, my most favourite rooftop view, delicious Indian food, cozy rooms, and above all, the warmth of the entire Maru Maru team make every stay truly special. A special thanks to Mr. Anand for always making me feel at home. The hospitality is exceptional and leaves you wanting to...

The rooms were spacious, equipped with good ventilation, storage and overall well maintained. The breakfast was amazing with the European continental and Indian Cuisines along with great variety of locally sourced fresh fruits and juices. The hotel staff are very cooperative and friendly. They attended to all our needs at the earliest. The only problem was the lift being not operational for access...

Great location in old Stone Town, but... The hotel website touts 2 reliable elevators. One of their elevators has never been put in service. The only operational elevator goes to the rooftop terrace and restaurant. There are NO elevators going to 3 floors of guest rooms. Not suitable for anyone with mobility issues. If you have a 4th floor room you would need to walk down 3 flight of stairs and walk...

Very centrally located... beautiful venue and facilities. Staff are very polite and try their best..... possibly increase the amount of waitrons during the Happy Hour on the Pool Deck? The pool deck is very welcoming and relaxing especially after a day out. The air conditioned rooms and mosquito nets around the beds adds to a very peaceful night. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay there.

Maru Maru Hotel is a good choice in Stone Town - central location and easy to explore everything on foot. The staff were warm and the rooms were clean and comfortable. The only downside was the noise, which made the nights a bit loud and restless.

Good breakfast, excellent emplacement and good food

Location is by the sea. Facilities and services are average.

Even the room with no sea view from the balcony (see video) was sold as a sea view room; the check-out time was set before 10 am, which was unheard of; there were a lot of complaints...

Very ok, I will carry your luggage for you throughout the trip

The price/performance ratio is good for an all-inclusive hotel in Zanzibar. The beach outside the hotel is very beautiful. The sunset is super beautiful. I spent three nights happily.

If you like the local style, this hotel is the best among the hotels and is highly recommended. Because it is right by the sea, there will be crows as your companions during the open breakfast. If you are afraid, just sit under the eaves!

We recently celebrated our anniversary at Zanzi Resort, and the experience exceeded our expectations in every way. From the moment we arrived, the team made us feel genuinely welcome and well taken care of. We stayed in an ocean front villa with a private pool, which offered excellent privacy and seclusion—something we particularly appreciated as a Muslim couple. The setting allowed us to fully relax...

I stayed for three nights as a solo traveler in one of the garden suites. Overall, I think this is an excellent resort that is affordable, clean, with a gorgeous beach very friendly staff I did not do full board but was able to order off the lunch menu for dinner and overall the food was good. I saw snakes, huge centipedes, lots of different species of fish, hermit crabs bush babies, and other types...

I have been in many resorts around the world, but the best one, so far is Zanzi Resort in Zanzibar. Excellent is the word for everything in this amazing resort: exceptional staff, cleanliness, great location, delicious food, comfortable rooms. We were greeted by the Assistant General Manager, Mr.Elias Soka, a very professional and competent manager. His hospitality management skills and his whole...

The food was incredible and the service was amazing. Everyone took the time to learn our names and even helped us expand our Swahili vocabulary. The chef changed the dinner menu every night, which made every meal feel special. They offer many add ons to enhance your trip as well and many in-house activities organised for you.

Secluded confortable with private pool villas in tropical gardens on the sea . Perfect for a relaxed chill holidays inn Zanzibar !

Everything about this hotel is 5*!! The property is extremely well maintained! The food was absolutely delicious, every single member of staff was so lovely, attentive and welcoming! We sat out on the jetty every day to view sunset - breathtaking views and we also managed to see some dolphins! Thank you for looking after us so well and giving our family some wonderful memories :)

Traditional hotel right in centre of town. Great location and charming roof top dining area. Comfortable cool and highly recommended.

The shower could use updating and amenities in the bedrooms (bar soap, face tissues)

It was in line with expectations. The hotel is in a good location, but it is not convenient to drive in. You need to walk a stone road to get in. The room space is a bit cramped. Because of the spacing between old buildings, the windows are basically directly next to the building opposite. I booked late and there were no other room types to choose from. I was mentally prepared in advance. There is...

The hotel is in Stone Town, close to the road outside. The breakfast is good. The restaurant is on the rooftop with a nice view of the sea. The room is clean and sanitary. It is very close to the beach and very convenient. There is also a night market nearby, but it is not recommended as it will cheat tourists. Overall, it is recommended.

Realy LOVE this hotel. Super location, beautiful old building with great views from the rooftop restaurant. comfy big rooms, nice pool, and superfriendly en helpful staff. Would defenitely come back if I have the chance.

It's good, but there is no parking space. It cost 20 dollars to park on the street.

Our trip was a fantastic journey into wilderness and pure nature. We had spend a wonderful week with great outdoor activities and exploring the whole island. The staff was very welcoming and warmhearted. We enjoyed snorkeling, tidal walks, forest trails, crab walks and a lot more while learning more about ecological subjects. The cabins were very comfortable and the food was also absolutely delicous

We took the tour around Chumbe Island and had a truly lovely time — the scenery and overall experience were well worth it. The island is beautiful, the wildlife is fascinating, and it’s clear the guides care about sharing their enthusiasm with visitors. One small issue: during the guided walk, the guide mentioned that some baobab trees can live 15,000–20,000 years. From what I understand, that’s not...

Tropical paradise with awesome snorkeling, monstrous crabs, and beautiful birds. Staff were warm and lovely. A day trip is possible, but definitely stay overnight, if only for the Coconut Crab walking tour. They’re nocturnal.

Chombe is a little bit of heaven! I don't know where to begin in my praise for the charming staff, delicious food, interesting activities (Thankyou so much J2) and idyllic setting. A really magical experience.

Best authentic experience! Great snorkling. Eco tourism at its finest. 1 night is not enough. So glad we spent 3 nights there.

Amazing place. You are one with nature. Such ecological lodges, minimal guests, it's as if you are alone on the island. We spotted sting rays, sharks, star fishes and many many more. The variety of corals is great. Perfect for snorkeling or just a swim. Recommended staying 2 nights. The forest accompanying the island is great as well.

Its so authentic hotel You fell like in old times Its clean hotel Breakfast is enough Workers was polite Pretty safe area.. 

GREAT FOR STEPPING BACK IN TIME AND FEELING THE ELEGANCE OF IT ALL.

Recommended hotel, with friendly staff. Really friendly helpful staff. Great rooms. I’d recommend.

Authenticity We state in this hotel for a few nights and I was very impressed with the stuff who was friendly and extremely positive in all aspects. This is Africa and I learned very quickly that I have to adjust my expectations to fully enjoy what this place has to offer. Everyone was trying their best to make this stay for me and my mother enjoyable. Every stay has glitches and any of my concerns...

The location is at the quiet side if the Stone Town. Due to it is situated inside a small alley, the directions could be quite complicated and we were lost several times to head back to the hotel. Despite being assured that it's safe, we were tapped by few mischievous children when we passed by a school near the hotel. That said, the room and hotel itself was great. We particularly enjoyed the breeze...

Beautiful hotel with excellent service from the staff. The hotel is nestled away inside Stone Town but we enjoyed being able to walk to the water and not being far from the sites. The hotel room was beautifully decorated. I would definitely revisit.

Location not the best rough road to get there through a local village but once you arrive beautiful property great rooms it was my birthday and they had set up the room which was very much appreciated friendly staff No alchohol served on premises but you can walk outside to a local resturant if you want a drink. Nice clean pool and clean beach for morning walks. 10 minute drive to five star properties...

The best experience ever I recommend if you are planning Zanzibar then please pay your visit to Royal cliff only Everything including rooms, food, service, location, view, price is up to mark

Instant Car Rental Zanzibar delivered the car to a guest at Royal Cliff Zanzibar. When I asked the guest about their stay, they praised Royal Cliff Zanzibar warmly. We at Instant Car Rental were also welcomed very well. Congratulations on your excellent service! We look forward to continued collaboration. Your hospitality and professionalism bring joy. Thank you very much, Royal Cliff Zanzibar!"

Royal Cliff Zanzibar is a peaceful seaside resort in Chuini, offering breathtaking ocean views, spacious rooms, and warm hospitality. The staff are exceptionally friendly, the pool area is relaxing, and the overall vibe is quiet and romantic — perfect for couples or anyone seeking a tranquil escape. While the access road is a bit rough and the beach changes with the tides, these small details are...

It’s a nice place for people who loves quiet places away from the city and a lot of people. The rooms are nice and the food is great if you love spices but they take orders and booking for family outings.

Who has never been there,i I recommend to go and and enjoy . Good assistance

The staff were truly amazing and very helpful! The rooms were extremely clean and paid attention to detail too. I highly recommend. Everything is in a walkable distance and great value for money. There also wasn’t any noise at all and the amenities were all easily accessible.

The hotel is beautiful, clean rooms and hotel stuffs are helpful and friendly Great experience, if you are looking for a nice hotel in stonetown I highly recommend beyt as salaam

I had a wonderful stay at Beyt al Salaam. The service was excellent from the moment I arrived. The staff were warm, professional, and always ready to help with a smile. The rooms were very clean, comfortable, and well prepared. I especially loved the peaceful atmosphere and the beautiful design of the hotel. The location is perfect — close to important attractions and very convenient for visitors...

Charming Stay in the Heart of Stone Town! We stayed one night at Beyt Al Salaam and loved its central location in Stone Town. Markets, restaurants, and major attractions are all within walking distance. The hotel has an antique charm with traditional interiors and a warm, welcoming staff. A lovely blend of heritage and hospitality.

We stayed one night at Beyt Al Salaam and loved its central location in Stone Town. Markets, restaurants, and major attractions are all within walking distance. The hotel has an antique charm with traditional interiors and a warm, welcoming staff. A lovely blend of heritage and hospitality.

This review is at least 10 years late, but Google pics me took down memory lane when we visited the hotel's restaurant back in 2015, we preferred to eat here as opposed to the Double Tree Hotel we were staying that was about a few meters away (pity it's now closed) but the food was absolutely phenomenal, I vividly remember the lady chef (hopefully she's still there) served us like absolute royalty...

I had a very pleasant time, the service was perfect, I have absolutely no complaints. No further comment needed 🤗

It's a bit far from the city center, but it's okay unless you're on a business trip.

Nice staff Low season, terrible breakfast. Neighbour hotel chuini saved this stay with amazing lunch and dinner. Comfty beds. Friendly staff.

Staff seem to do the best they can despite limitations, very picturesque in itself however was told to get cash to pay for food and expenses as their card machine was not working.

The best Gym I found in an hotel (even a/c didn't work) . The room was enormous, clean and quiet. The Road for getting there Is in bad conditions, as the standard of the Island, excerpt main roads. Breakfast Is simple but good enaugh. Staff very helpful, a nearby beach Is very "authentic" with few europeans. Good experience.

A safe refuge in a chaotic island The stay was very lovely compared to the surrounding parts of Zanzibar. You sometimes forgot there was a world outside the resort. The staff was very respectful and helpful. Grisham in particular was very professional, reliable, well-spoken with English, and was able to meet all our requests (including having breakfast made earlier than normal for our flight) with...

Everything was great! It's so convenient to be by the beach, the breakfast was very varied and delicious, and the pool was great too

A gorgeous hotel right in the center of events. We had a huge room with a view of the ocean and the port, with a large balcony. The only thing is that it was named after the famous slave trader, Tippu Tip. I didn't understand why, it was awkward. But the rest of the hotel is wonderful. Very interesting. You can look at the artifacts that the hotel is full of for a long time. There is a swimming pool...

Wide view, large room, clean and sanitary, rich breakfast variety

Very good! Good room, good facilities, good service. Right by the sea, beautiful scenery, convenient.

The hotel is built on an old house. To be fair, it is very unique. Some corners of the hotel are very photogenic during the day, but the shortcomings are also obvious. First of all, the lighting in the house is insufficient, especially at night, the overall feeling is very old under the dim light, and it does not look clean and hygienic enough. However, considering the price, it is still relatively...

Very close to the ferry to Dar es Salaam. The hotel building is very historic. The room is large and the sea view is right outside the window. The breakfast is rich. The restaurant is on the balcony facing the sea.

Amazing hotel right on the beach. The pools are great and the food and service at restaurant are spectacular. Highly recommend!!

All clean and very polite staff. Breakfast was amazing.

I absolutely loved this hotel. The location was perfect, it was in the heart of stone town. Felt very safe, also felt like you were living like a local. The room was very spacious. The food was great. Breakfast had many options & the food from the restaurant was a 10/10. There’s also many things to do in the area such as shop, museums or even restaurants.

The hotel is great, we were treated very well and the rooms are comfortable and well equipped.

Best bed and breakfast we've ever been to.. We had spent our honeymoon there and couldn't have been more happier that we picked Tembo b&b..

Good location - in the center of everything in Stone town. They don’t have water coolers for clients - you have to go to the restaurant to refill. Also: it seems they bought another building. So they accommodated us in like 200 meters from main facility. Surely it’s kind of inconvenient but still ok.

Unforgettable nice service with smiling staff This place is unique Beautiful, smart and clean We will never forget the service that we received from biginning to end from our whole trip and stay Housekeepers are doing nice job and dedicated all the days

Budget friendly hostel if you want to stay in stone town for a few day. Rooms and surrouding are little bit unkept. Only for young people backpackers.

Nice place with very nice view. It's historic at the same time modern. It's green everywhere.The pool is kinda small but ok. The view though earns 5 stars, very nice and clean beach. The staff is friendly had a great conversation with the bar tender. I also liked their food, was delicious and cocktails were not bad. I had chicken and fries and a mojito. I also had a glass of strawberry milkshake which...

Everything was clean and the grounds were nicely maintained. We ate at the restaurant a couple of times and the food was good but the portions were huge. The management and staff were very nice and kind. I hope someone is looking out for the kitties on the property. 🐈 The reason I gave 4* was due to the cash price being very high, I don't think it justifies that rate. You could get much better value...

It's was a unique experience! The reception and the front of the hotel are the Mbweni Ruins and the rooms are at the back facing the ocean. Rooms are comfortable although there were power outages here and there for short periods of time. Staff are awesome. Friendly and very helpful. Food from breakfast to dinner was delicious. Will definitely visit this hotel again. Thank you for a wonderful stay in...

The beach was awesome with great sunsets. Had a two twin bed room that was converted to a queen by combining the beds. Room was clean enough but the tiles were an off brown that made them look not so clean. The staff is very helpful, but like most islands things just tend to be slower. The food service takes a while but I appreciated it as it seemed everything was cooked when ordered. Overall a great...

This is probably the best hotel I've ever stayed in! It's beautifully situated INSIDE the ruins. The rooms are lovely and spacious - immaculately clean. The grounds are gorgeous. And above all, the staff is incredibly friendly and helpful - particularly manager Issa. He personally went above and beyond helping me with a special matter. Can't say enough good things. If I'm ever back in Zanzibar...

I'm recently had the pleasure of staying at the Zanzibar Hotel, and it was an exceptional experience from start to finish. The staff was incredibly welcoming and attentive, making us feel right at home. The rooms were beautifully decorated, offering a perfect blend of comfort and style, and the view from our balcony was breathtaking.

I have done many bookings by checking a hotel online largely with positive outcomes but this one, I missed properly. It was a disappointment considering its price and name. First, the access road is rough and unpaved with entrance looking a bit shady. Far from what I expected after seeing stunning images online. Secondly, for 90 USD, I expected at least a hotel with some basic facilities like a...

Megan is the absolute best manager we have ever dealt with in hotel experiences. We love Zanzibar and this is definitely a place we would stay in again. Super clean, although not directly on the water, the view on the rooftop was amazing for the sunset. 5 min walk from nighttime food market and 2 mins from the port. We had 14 pieces of luggage and we were tended to perfectly. We got engaged here...

A satisfying travel experience.

Sanitation in general, poor facilities, plastic feeling

I recently stayed at a hotel located in downtown that unfortunately had a few drawbacks. Firstly, the internet speed was very slow, which was quite frustrating as I needed to do some work during my stay. Additionally, the location of the hotel was right in the midst of busy traffic, making it quite noisy and chaotic outside. However, there were some positives to the hotel. The rooms were clean, and...

Nice place overall with nice terrace! Could be a bit noisy because of its proximity to the port and you can hear cargos loading. Staff is friendly

Good hotel. Service was a bit confusing

The Receptionists welcomed us with smiles, everyone was welcoming. The food was great, a wide variety for breakfast including local dishes, Indian and other dishes which we tasted and they were great. The hotel is located in Stone Town, a neighborhood is full of history, markets with spices that are walk-able distances away. It has taxis in the front door to take you anywhere at affordable fee. The...

Great location but can be a bit noisy in the mornings with the ferry terminal so close.

I stayed at this hotel upon arrival and departure from Zanzibar. The first time it was a short and enjoyable stay. Unfortunately, during my second stay I was upgraded to room 301, which is large and overlooks the swimming pool, but it needs maintenance, especially the bathroom, which needs immediate maintenance. It is a very noisy room, as you can hear the sounds of the elevator and the water pump...

Very friendly and helpful staff who took care of us during our stay. They accommodated our needs to the best of their abilities and provided consistent excellent customer service. This hotel is in a great, convenient location if you wish to be located next to the beach where you can go on the small boats for cruises and Stone Town shops, cafes and markets. It’s also a short walk away from the Forodhani...

Really evocative hotel in a great central location near the market. Great customer service and a lovely breakfast. The hotel is in an old merchants house in Stone Town. Gets you right in the heart of old Zanzibar.

Delightful hotel right in the heart of Stone Town. Pleasant, funny staff.

From 16 till 18-12-2025 we stayed at this Warm Welcoming style in Old Stone Town Designed Boutique Hotel. From the start on, we got this complimentary breakfast, while waiting for our room to get ready. We loved the fresh local yummy fruits & the delicious home-made local dishes. We got at the breakfast. Many thxs for the comfortable, clean room. And the always ready to help us team of loving people...

This hotel is convenient to everything in Stone Town which is great. Staff are really kind and helpful and rooms are clean. We stayed during a busier time of year and booked the small double (we are two) and we probably should have booked the one that wasn't "small" as this was really small for two people. Hard to move around and nothing to sit on except the bed --- would be fine for a single person...

We stayed one night at this lovely hotel located in the narrow streets of Stone Town. There is traditional wood decor throughout the hotel giving it a characterful feel. Our room reflected this with a four-poster bed. A mosquito net and safe was provided but the latter wasn't working. The en-suite bathroom included a shower in wet-room style. WiFi was good. Drinking water is available in the communal...

THe location is good. But the ptoblem is accessibility. It is not accessible wiyh a car.