Emerson Spice — Restaurant in Kiponda

While I wouldn't recommend anyone necessarily visit Stone Town, I think I would make a separate trip just to come and stay at Emerson Spice again!

This place is one of the most beautiful, unique, and cool places I've ever stayed in my life (and I've done a lot of traveling). The architecture and design is just unbelievable, and you can tell that Emerson truly cared about giving guests a wonderful experience.

Each room is designed differently, and ours (Lamour) was beautiful. They also encourage you to look into the other rooms by leaving doors open when they're vacant, and so we got to check out almost all the rooms. They're all so unique and beautiful that you can't go wrong.

Our room had a cool outdoor shower, and the stone tubs looking fantastic. The bathrooms themselves are quite nice with great sinks and toilets.

Each morning we went upstairs for breakfast and took in the view from the rooftop. The food was pretty good, though the service had a hard time with English sometimes. They give you a fruit plate every morning with a lot of exotic fruit, but I was a bit tired of it after three straight days.

The employees are all super friendly and everyone remembers who you are and what room you're staying in. We even ran into porters from the hotel around Stone Town and they would greet us.

We ate at the rooftop for their special 5 course dinner, which I would say is worth it for the experience. I wasn't blown away by the food, but my mom loved the food and for 40 dollars a person it's not crazy expensive.

We also ate in the Secret Garden downstairs and that was really delicious. Try the goat, it's amazing!

This place is also very centrally located, we had no problem walking around and getting back. Stone Town is actually quite small once you start walking around, but Emerson was perfectly located for anywhere we wanted to go.

My favorite part about this place might actually be the fact that they do FREE laundry. That's right, free. After having traveled 3 weeks in Africa, I was so happy to be able to get almost all my stuff cleaned before heading back to the states.

Lastly they did a great job with turn down service, setting up the mosquito net, turning the AC on, and getting our beds set up.

All around 5 star place including food, service, and the property itself. I wouldn't stay anywhere else...

A Hidden Gem in Stone Town, Zanzibar: A Boutique Hotel Experience. During my recent stay in Stone Town, Zanzibar, I had the pleasure of staying at a charming boutique hotel that truly stands out as a hidden gem. Nestled within a 250-year-old building, this hotel, with its mere 11 rooms, exemplifies the adage that great things come in small packages. Each room is a testament to unique design and artistry, offering a personalized experience that larger establishments often lack.

My room, the Aiden, was a spacious delight, comfortably accommodating two adults and providing additional small beds upstairs, perfect for two to three children. The room's decor was mesmerizing, an exquisite blend of comfort and elegance, with artwork that captivated our senses. The distinct style of each room, as I learned during the informative tour, adds a unique character to the hotel, making each stay a new discovery.

What truly sets this boutique hotel apart is the exceptional customer service. The staff's warmth and welcoming smiles created an atmosphere where we felt not just guests, but a part of a larger, welcoming community.

Exploring Stone Town from this central location was an adventure in itself. A stroll through the vibrant streets led us to discover fantastic coffee spots and an amazing Swahili restaurant - gems that we might have missed otherwise. The friendly locals were always ready to guide and share their slice of paradise with us.

In conclusion, if you find yourself in Stone Town and seek an authentic, charming, and heartwarming place to stay, this boutique hotel is your go-to spot. It's not just a hotel; it's a doorway to experiencing the soul of Zanzibar. Asante Sana for a memorable stay in this beautifully preserved historic building. Whether you're a family or a solo traveler, this hotel promises an experience that is both intimate and...

This hotel unfortunately fell short of our expectations. I am honestly very confused by all of the good reviews. ||I’ll start with the positives:|1. The staff were very kind and extremely responsive on email. There was always someone at the front reception to help us|2. The restaurant in the tea garden is really good. The food was absolutely delicious (especially the prawns and the goat biriyani) and the mojitos were maybe the best I’ve had - sweet yet strong, and cheap! ||Now, for the negatives:|1. Bathrooms/shower layout: I understand this is a historic building, but there was no door to the bathroom area, only a short curtain and there was no curtain for the shower! And the shower was in the middle of the room! |2. Security: The rooms have no external lock. The hotel gives you a padlock and key to lock your door when you go out. This concerned us because 1) anyone could potentially pick the lock and steal our valuables 2) the hotel could lock us in the room if they wanted to|3. The hotel is a 5-7 min walk down alleyways from the main road, so if you’re mobility challenged, something to be aware of. Taxis cannot fit in the alleyways, so you’ll be dropped off and a hotel staff member will help carry your bags to the entrance. |4. There is no AC in the hallways or restaurants - it’s all outside so depending on your heat tolerance it may be uncomfortable. ||Overall this may be a good choice for someone on a budget, but it was the least favorite place we stayed during our entire trip. We stayed at a beach resort on another part of the island and had a completely different experience. Unfortunately I would not recommend staying here, but I would recommend the restaurant if you’re...