Emerson on Hurumzi

We liked it so much that we booked an extra night. The room we were lucky to get, 'The Gallery', had been recently renovated and was fantastic, with original furniture and a real feeling of stepping back in time. Its bathroom was clean and spacious. The historic building has lots of lovely rooms, and the staff were all cheerful and eager to help. Highly recommended.

The views and food were great, and the drink with honey, dates, and milk was addictive. The staff really knew what they were serving, and the live music made the experience even better. Definitely a must if you’re in Stone Town.

We stayed in the north blue room, a magical space that made me imagine Zanzibar under the sultans. Hearing the Muslim call to prayer and Hindu bells added to that feeling of being somewhere exotic. The front desk team were incredibly warm and welcoming, and spoke very, very good English, which made things easier. The other staff varied in how much English they spoke, but everyone was kind and helpful. I’d recommend it if you want to feel like you’re in Zanzibar, rather than on just any beach holiday.

At $40 per person, excluding drinks, the rooftop dinner wasn’t worth the money. The seating arrangement and Taarab music gave it a Swahili wedding feel, but the food lacked flavor. One considerate waiter helped us end the evening on a better note. Two other staff members treated me in a racially discriminatory way, and that ruined the experience for me.