Africa House Hotel

A lovely surprise, set on a hill with great views. The rooms are very large and well equipped, the staff are very nice, and the food is good.

We had a meal here with a large group. The sea view is nice, though the terrace is very dark. It's pricey for Stone Town, probably because it caters to tourists. The food is okay, and there's something for everyone, so it does the job if that's what you're after.

The Sunset Bar still draws people for those amazing sunset views, weather permitting, and it has kept its timeless feel. I first visited in 2008 and returned in 2023. The location is still superb, and the main bar terrace continues to serve the crowds. Our west-facing room leaked quite badly during the heavy rain on our three-day, two-night stay. The rooms are dated and need upkeep. The upper terrace where we sat in 2008 has been closed for years, probably because it needs maintenance, and is now used to store chairs and tables. Prices are mid-range, though some of what you pay is for the location rather than the amenities. It's still a great spot for a few days, especially for the sunset views.

The sea is right by the hotel, and the view should be very nice once the construction opposite is finished. That’s where the positives end, though. A nearby bar or club played very loud music until about 2 am and disrupted our sleep. The room floor was filthy and covered in flakes of dust from the crumbling plaster on the walls and ceiling. Even the cups for tea were dusty, and there was no kettle. The bathroom was in disrepair, leaking, mouldy, and stank of drains. The shower was a mess, and the tap and shower water tasted salty. The toilet leaked all over the floor, and the water stains showed this had been going on for some time. The sheets were stained, the duvet had no cover or sheet over it, and the very old, threadbare towels were stained too. Breakfast was okay, but it wasn't a buffet. We were offered omelette, pancakes, or French toast, plus fruit. The coffee came in filthy cups and saucers, with things floating in it.