Where to stay · Boutique/mid-range
Emerson Spice
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View on mapGenteel quarters rooms & suites in a quaint hotel offering 2 restaurants & Zanzibar Channel views.via Google
An exquisitely restored merchant house where every room is individually designed with antique Swahili furniture.
Reviews from Google
The architecture of this hotel and its rooms is so stunning it transports you to a different era. But what singles out Emerson Spice is the ‘go above and beyond’ service offered by Russell and the wider staff. Considerate, attentive and with so much care. Also, great value, rooftop dinner was great and the bed + AC gave me the best sleep in Zanzibar
We had an incredible stay at Emerson Spice Hotel in Zanzibar. We were generously upgraded to a beautiful room called Kate, which made our stay feel extra special. Our flight was delayed by three hours, yet our driver, Omar, kindly waited the entire time for us. He was incredibly knowledgeable and shared so much insight about the country, the culture, and the area—it was truly a pleasure being driven by him. The hotel itself is absolutely stunning. The room featured both an indoor shower and a breathtaking outdoor shower on the balcony, along with two balconies offering beautiful views. Sleeping in this historic, ancient-feeling room made me feel like royalty. The hotel’s restaurant, The Secret Garden, is absolutely phenomenal. It truly feels like a hidden oasis—lush with plants, beautifully tucked away, and incredibly romantic. The food was outstanding; I especially loved the cinnamon fish, which was unforgettable. We were also lucky to experience live cultural performances on Wednesday night, which were eye-opening, moving, and beautifully showcased the local culture. An unforgettable experience from start to finish. We couldn’t recommend Emerson Spice Hotel more highly.
I hope we come back to Stone Town, Zanzibar so that we can stay at the Emerson Spice Hotel again. I loved our stay. Begin by appreciating the classic original architecture and furnishings. Realize that this is an antique building with some modern amenities. Don't expect a Four Seasons, but Russell, the manager, will make your experience as close to a 4 star hotel as you can get. You'll think you were the Sultan of Zanzibar! And the roof top dining room with its fixed 5+ course dinner looking out over the city was a great experience. The food was wonderful. Breakfast is also at this rooftop dining room. You can't pull a car to the front door, but it was an easy walk with a roller bag through the old city.
We stayed at Emerson Spice for our last couple days in Zanzibar October 2025 and it was a fantastic way to round out our trip. The entire staff was kind and generous, helpful with all of our questions and helped us find some great tours. We stayed in a couple different rooms to get the experiences, and both were phenomenal. It was tidy, well decorated and the fans kept us cool enough without needing the air conditioning (although it is available and easy to work in every room). This building is a historical building, and carries the history well. The upgrades are there for guest comfort, and we knew what to expect, and it far exceeded our expectations! Thank you for a great stay!
We ate in the Secret Garden today, our waiter Masoud was amazing! So attentive and helpful, it was a pleasure to be served by him. Setting was amazing and the recommendation of goat Bryani was perfect, absolutely delicious. To end our evening we had the pleasure of Wakili to walk us home through the dark souks which was a godsend and enabled us to enjoy our meal even more!! Top food, top setting, top service, highly recommend