Zanzibar Serena Hotel, Zanzibar ➤ Reviews, Rooms & Prices 2025

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About the Hotel

Stone Town Kelele Square, Zanzibar, Tanzania

Zanzibar Serena Hotel is located on the seafront in Stone Town, recognized for its cultural significance and rich history. The hotel incorporates two restored historic buildings designed in traditional Swahili style, reflecting Zanzibar's ancient architectural elegance. Guests are situated near UNESCO World Heritage Sites, such as the House of Wonders and the National Museum of Zanzibar. Known as the 'Spice Island', Zanzibar offers unique experiences, including spice plantation tours highlighting the island's agricultural heritage.

Location

Zanzibar Serena Hotel is a 15-minute drive from Abeid Amani Karume International Airport and located amidst the historical charm of Stone Town. Guests have easy access to explore landmarks such as the Old Portuguese Fort and Forodhani Gardens. The hotel's central location allows visitors to discover the narrow streets and rich heritage of the area, making it convenient for local excursions.

Rooms

The hotel features 51 rooms and suites showcasing classic Swahili design with high ceilings and traditional furnishings. Each accommodation is equipped with a private balcony providing panoramic views of the Indian Ocean. Signature amenities include four-poster beds draped in mosquito nets, a sitting area, and well-appointed bathrooms. The decor in all rooms reflects the grace and beauty of Stone Town's heritage.

Eat & Drink

Zanzibar Serena Hotel offers a diverse range of dining experiences emphasizing local ingredients and fresh-caught seafood. The rooftop Terrace Seafood Restaurant provides stunning views along with its seafood menu, while Baharia Restaurant offers international dishes with a Swahili twist. Guests can enjoy live Taarab music at Masahani Bar while sipping signature cocktails, creating a vibrant dining atmosphere.

Leisure & Business

Recreational options include a swimming pool overlooking the ocean and children's amenities designed for family-friendly experiences. The hotel features an opulently appointed Conference Suite for gatherings, accommodating up to 40 guests. Various event planning services are offered to assist with intimate or larger corporate gatherings, including access to historic venues like the Sultan Hamoud's Palace.

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Select your room type

The hotel offers a variety of rooms including double rooms, family rooms, and suites with breakfast, free cancelations, and special deals

Executive Suite

Max:

2 persons

58 m²

Bed options:

1 King-size bed

Shower

Bathtub

room details

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Superior Double Room Sea View

Max:

2 persons

28 m²

Bed options:

1 King-size bed

Sea view

Shower

Bathtub

room details

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Standard Double Room

Max:

2 persons

26 m²

Bed options:

1 King-size bed

Pool view

Shower

Bathtub

room details

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Price and Room Availability Calendar

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Getting around

A list of all available modes of transport

City Centre

Zanzibar800 m

Airports

Kisauni (ZNZ) 8.1 km

Facilities

The hotel offers amenities for your comfortable stay and unforgettable experiences

Delicious Meals!

“The food was absolutely delightful, especially the beef biryani and penne pasta, making it the best dining experience we had in Zanzibar.” view full review

Stunning Decor!

“Our room had an exquisite Zanzibar-inspired decor that made our stay even more special with its intricate and beautiful elements.” view full review

Helpful Services!

“I appreciated the quick organization of breakfast boxes for our early flight; it made our travel much smoother.” view full review

Relaxing Atmosphere!

“The entire property exuded a unique cultural vibe, combining traditional Zanzibar influences with modern luxury that elevated our experience.” view full review

General

No smoking on site
Wi-Fi
Parking
Safe deposit box
24-hour reception
VIP check-in/ -out
No pets allowed
24-hour security
Luggage storage
Locker room
Currency exchange
Coffee shop
Fireplace
Smoke detectors
Fire extinguishers
Key access

Sports & Fitness

Wind surfing
Diving
Snorkelling
Canoeing
Horseback riding
Cycling
Yoga class
Sports trainer
Fishing

Guest Parking

Electric kettle

Services

Paid airport shuttle
Room service
Housekeeping
Car hire
Laundry
Dry cleaning
Tours/Ticket assistance
Welcome drink
Happy hour

Dining

In-room breakfast
Restaurant
Snack bar
Bar/ Lounge area
Picnic area/ Tables
Dinner
Packed lunches
Special diet menus

Business

Business centre
Meeting/ Banquet facilities
Fax/Photocopying

Children

Cots
Babysitting/Child services
Children's buffet
Children's pool
Children's play area
Game room

Spa & Leisure

Infinity pool
Beach access
Beach umbrellas
Sun loungers
Live entertainment
Sun terrace
Garden area
BBQ facilities
Leisure/ TV room
Spa & wellness centre
Pedicure
Waxing
Body scrub
Facial
Treatment room
Back massage
Head massage
Full body massage
Foot massage
Make up services

Room features

Air conditioning
Heating
Mini-bar
Sitting area
Terrace
Garden furniture
Tea and coffee facilities
Ironing facilities

Self-catering

Electric kettle

Media

Flat-screen TV
AM/FM alarm clock

Location

Stone Town Kelele Square, Zanzibar, Tanzania

Map view

Stone Town Kelele Square, Zanzibar, Tanzania

City landmarks

Mizingani Rd

Old Dispensary

980 m

Museum

House of Wonders

700 m

Museum

Sultan's Palace

670 m

Hamamni St

Hamamni Persian Baths

660 m

Market

Darajani Market

1.1 km

Benjamin Mkapa Rd

The Peace Memorial Museum

880 m

Church

Old Slave Market

910 m

Gallery

Hurumzi Henna Art Gallery

650 m

Marahubi Palace

690 m

Hurumzi St

Shree Shiv Shakti Temple

650 m

Kiponda

1.0 km

Jamatini Rd

Malindi Mosque

790 m

Church

Christ Church

750 m

Hurumzi Street

690 m

Tharia St

Slave Chambers

870 m

Nearby

Museum

Old Fort of Zanzibar

450 m

Historic Site

Stone Town

550 m

Kenyatta Road

Mercury House

290 m

Church

Christ Church Cathedral

450 m

Park

Forodhani Park

580 m

Kelele Square

120 m

Gallery

Hellen Art Gallery

150 m

Cathedral St

St Joseph's Roman Catholic Cathedral

400 m

Hamamni Street

Cultural Arts Centre Zanzibar

530 m

Princess Salme Museum at Emerson on Hurumzi

580 m

Gallery

The Beautiful Eyes

570 m

Zanzibar

Tippu Tip's House

100 m

Shangani

220 m

Shangani St

Mambo Msiige

140 m

Vuga

310 m

Restaurants

Travellers Cafe

70 m

Kelele Square

Buni

10 m

Shangani Street

Sunset Bar at the Africa House

180 m

Shangani Street

swaad restaurant

40 m

Shangani St Shangani

Taarab Restaurant

150 m

90 / 90A Shanghani St DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Zanzibar

Stone Town Cafe

260 m

Kenyatta Road Shangani River

Reviews and Ratings

Feedback from previous guests about their experience.

80%

liked the hotel and would stay again

8.0/10

Great

Rooms

7.0

Location

9.0

Service

9.0

Dining

7.0

4.5/5 based on 882 reviews

#10 of 40 hotels in Stone Town based on Tripadvisor

Dean

United States, January 2024

8.0/10

My stay at the hotel was a mix of ups and downs. It's conveniently located near all the main visitor attractions of the old town, making it a great spot for a short stay. The rooms, although sea-facing, were a bit old and grubby, with dirty bathroom fixtures that need renovating. However, they were a good size with nice balconies, albeit showing some signs of aging.

Rooms

7.0

The rooms, although a little aged, are fine, good size, and have nice balconies, but need some renovation.

Service

9.0

The service was top-notch. The staff members I encountered were extremely friendly and professional, making my stay more pleasurable.

Location

8.0

The location is brilliant for exploring Stone Town on foot and experiencing Zanzibar beach life. It's perfect for a city visit right on the Indian Ocean.

Dining

8.0

The morning breakfast offered everything I could imagine and more, including classic touches that made it authentic.

Facilities

The hotel offers a range of facilities for guests to enjoy their stay to the fullest.

James

United States, December 2023

8.0/10

I had a mixed experience at the hotel. While the room was stiflingly hot and poorly located, it was spacious and had a giant sea-facing balcony, making it enjoyable for two people. The service was excellent, especially from friendly and welcoming staff like Jackson and the gracious egg and waffle chef. The location was perfect, right on the beach with a quiet atmosphere yet close to the lively parts of Stone Town. The dining did not meet expectations, but the facilities were satisfactory.

Rooms

7.0

The room I stayed in was unfortunately not well-located and didn't catch any breeze, making it stiflingly hot, despite the glacial air conditioning. However, it was fine for two people and had a huge size with a giant sea-facing balcony.

Service

9.0

The service at the hotel was top-notch. The staff, including Jackson and the waffle chef, were extremely friendly and welcoming. They even found me another room to sleep in, which was very nice and attentive.

Location

9.0

The hotel's location couldn't be better, right on the beach with a view of the popular parts of Stone Town. The efficient and friendly staff made the stay convenient, even assisting in switching to a better room.

Dining

7.0

The dining experience, unfortunately, didn't meet my expectations. The breakfast buffet was not as fulfilling as hoped, which was a bit disappointing. However, the grilled dishes were fantastic, offering a lot of choices.

Facilities

8.0

The facilities at the hotel were satisfactory, considering the setbacks. Despite the room not meeting expectations, the amenities provided were adequate.

Elizabeth

United Kingdom, December 2023

8.0/10

The Serena Dar Se Salaam is a nice hotel with rooms starting from the 1st-floor that offer a good setup with a bedroom and living room separated by an outside balcony. While our stay was pleasant and met expectations, there were no standout surprises. The hotel provides reasonable room size with a nice balcony.

Rooms

7.0

The rooms offered a reasonable size with a nice balcony.

Service

9.0

The service was excellent, with late snacks available, and the staff was friendly and very helpful, making our stay pleasurable. They were particularly accommodating to my special requests as a breastfeeding mother.

Location

10.0

The hotel is centrally located in Stone Town, Zanzibar, providing a brilliant base for exploring both the town and beach life. The proximity to the beach and popular tourism spots while maintaining a quiet atmosphere was amazing.

Dining

6.0

The dining experience, especially the breakfast buffet, was mediocre but still decent enough for a meal. The cold meat options were good.

Facilities

8.0

The hotel offers a variety of facilities to enhance your stay, including room service, car hire, and laundry services.