Shoki Shoki House Stone Town Hotel

The large deluxe room with a balcony was comfortable, spacious, and very clean. The place also felt more authentic, and gift shops are just around the corner to the left. We moved here after leaving Tembo Hotel over a lack of professionalism, and that turned out to be a great decision. The front desk staff were welcoming and professional from the moment we arrived, and very helpful. It’s only a three-minute walk away and good value for a bed-and-breakfast stay.

The location was great, and the breakfast was the best of the three hotels I stayed at on my trip. The staff were nice enough. That’s where the good parts ended. After a day at the beach and in Stone Town’s heat, I came back to almost no water pressure in my room. This happened more than once, and the water was barely a trickle. It completely ruined my stay. There was no water in the photos because there was none. Maintenance did nothing, and I couldn’t wait to leave. I carried all my luggage from the top floor to the exit and didn’t look back. In reply to hotel management: That’s not what happened. We had one blackout on the trip, literally about 10 minutes after my minimalist shower, while I was getting dressed. Shops and other buildings across the road already had power, or still had it, while Shoki Shoki did not. We still had breakfast and left for the day soon after. The blackout had nothing to do with the lack of water pressure in my room. My travel partner, who was also staying there, didn’t experience those conditions. Please be honest in your reply, as I am in this review. This is what I experienced.

Breakfast was quite nice, and the hotel is right in the city center, so everything is easy to reach on foot. The room was okay, but cleanliness wasn’t great: the sheets and dishes were dirty, I found hair on the coffee cups, and the blanket had a yellow stain. Noise carries from both inside and outside the hotel, so the nights were short and unpleasant.

The rooms were clean and the breakfast was tasty. Staff were very friendly, too. Shoki Shoki is right in central Stone Town, and we had a great stay at this B&B. I’d definitely recommend it if you’re staying in Stone Town.