Hotels in Stone Town - Emerson Zanzibar

Two of the Best Hotels IN STONE TOWN

Emerson Zanzibar

One Foundation
Emerson Zanzibar is made up of one foundation, two heritage hotels, three unique restaurants and four exclusive dining experiences all founded by the flamboyant Emerson Skeens. Inspired by his big-hearted passion for the local community, Skeens formed the Emerson’s Foundation for Zanzibar. And though Skeens passed away in 2014, the Foundation continues to make a difference in the community today.

Two Hotels
Boutique hotels Emerson Spice Hotel and Emerson on Hurumzi Hotel, are consistently rated two of the best hotels in Stone Town. They are within walking distance of each other in the historical heart of Stone Town.

Where to Eat in Stone Town? Try one of our three Restaurants…
Both hotels have an amazing rooftop restaurant overlooking the heart of Stone Town: the Tea House at Emerson Spice Hotel and the Tea House at Emerson on Hurumzi Hotel. In Emerson Spice there is also the magical Secret Garden Restaurant. Visiting these restaurants will offer you a uniquely Zanzibari atmosphere, reflecting the intriguing mix of cultures.

Four Dining Experiences
If you are looking for where to eat in Stone Town, these three top Stone Town restaurants provide four uniquely different dining experiences but all with top class cuisine.

Dining in the magical Secret Garden Restaurant is possible from 17h00 from an à la carte menu or drop in for lunch from 12:00 noon.

The dining experience in the rooftop Tea House restaurants with spectacular views over Stone Town starts at sunset with dinner served promptly at 19h00. There are also live music events on Wednesday and Friday nights. Check the schedule for all our Live Music Events in Stone Town.

Book your restaurant reservation online here.

Emerson Zanzibar Packages
Stone Town is a destination in its own right and a great base from which to explore Zanzibar. See our different packages which offer a chance to experience as much of Stone Town as possible within the time frame of your holiday.

“Sunset to Sunrise” – includes dinner for two, overnight in one of our beautiful rooms, plus breakfast on your own veranda overlooking Stone Town.

“Senses of Zanzibar” – 4 nights, offering an immersive experience of life in Stone Town, its rich tapestry of cultures, religions and modern-day Swahili hustle and bustle.

“Loyalty Package” – Returning guests, their friends or relatives can receive a 20% discount for the duration of their stay.

F ind out more about all our latest packages and offers

Two Stone Town Hotels

Three Top Stone Town Restaurants

Two of the Best Hotels in STONE TOWN

Experience the Real Zanzibar

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Emerson On Hurumzi Hotel

Stay at Hurumzi

Looking for more than just accommodation in Stone Town to experience the real Zanzibar?

In the heart of Stone Town is a beautifully restored residence of one of the richest men in the Swahili Empire – Tharia Topan who served as principal financial advisor to Sultan Bargash.

This noble ‘Grande Dame’ of restored Zanzibar palaces has spectacular views. Dating back to the 1870s, it is one of the oldest and most majestic in the Hurumzi area of Stone Town. It is a fascinating labyrinth of small bridges, swings, private tea houses and spacious individually designed rooms. Each room has its colours, design and style, flowing from its specific theme and ambience.

The hotel combines the style of the late 1800’s when it was built, with the colour and comfort of the 21st century. Hurumzi is a striking, magnificent building with historical significance and uniqueness.
More about Emerson on Hurumzi

Emerson Spice Hotel

Stay at Spice Hotel

Looking for a place to stay in Stone Town to experience the real Zanzibar?

An inspired and lovingly restored merchant’s house, this boutique hotel has 11 individually designed rooms, which are structured around an airy central courtyard, adding light and spacious sparkle to the building.

The main style of the hotel is a combination of Art Deco and traditional Zanzibar.

A stay at Emerson Spice offers an authentic stylish ambience, amid the vibrant, mystical and magical sounds of the city, with the background calls to prayer from Stone Town’s many mosques.

More about Emerson Spice

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TASTE THE REAL ZANZIBAR

Flavours of Zanzibar

Our Three Top Stone Town Restaurants

Two of the best hotels in Stone Town, Emerson Spice and Emerson on Hurumzi between them have the three top restaurants in Stone Town. Each hotel has a restaurant in their rooftop Tea House. The first course of dinner is served promptly at 19h00 and diners are welcomed from 18h00 for the sunset hour in the both rooftop restaurants. There is only one sitting every evening and advance reservations are required. Due to the nature of the set seafood based menu at Emerson Spice Tea House restaurant, dietary requirements are better catered for in our other restaurants. In addition there Stone Town’s most magical Secret Garden Restaurant located in Emerson Spice Hotel.

Emerson Spice Rooftop Tea House Restaurant

The rooftop restaurant at Emerson Spice is our Signature Seafood restaurant offering an informal fine dining tasting menu in five servings with the freshest local seafood, a creative use of spices and indigenous plants.

Enjoy your meal while taking in the sights and sounds of the city.

Come early, from around 18h00 for sundowners and the first course of this five-course culinary journey is served promptly at 19h00. Please reserve in advance for this unique dining experience.

Emerson on Hurumzi Rooftop Tea House Restaurant

This restaurant boasts a 360 degrees view over Stone Town and the Indian Ocean. Seating is Swahili style, on thick Persian rugs with low tables. Most evenings, a traditional Taarab singer & band perform during a delicious dinner with authentic Swahili cuisine, fused with Omani and Persian influences. The Hurumzi Tea House is better suited to those who don’t eat seafood or who prefer a vegetarian meal.

The Secret Garden Restaurant Emerson Spice

Secluded and tucked away in a walled garden, the Secret Garden restaurant at Emerson Spice is a romantic, magical haven away from the noisy hustle and bustle of Stone Town. The perfect place to enjoy a quiet rest over lunch and savour the ambience of old Zanzibar. Dinner from an a la carte menu is served from 17h00 – 21h30 every night. On Wednesday & Friday nights, there is live music performed by Zanzibari artists, starting at 20h00.

Three Stone Town Restaurants - One amazing experience

Three Stone Town Restaurants

TWO Rooftop Tea House Restaurants Stone Town

The Magical Secret Garden

All you need to know

STONE TOWN’S TWO ROOFTOP RESTAURANTS

Stone Town’s two top Rooftop Tea Houses

Indulge all your senses as you dine out for lunch or absorb the stunning sunset dinner at either of Stone Town’s renowned top rooftop restaurants. More than a meal, this experience offers a simply breathtaking 360-degree view, accompanied by the sounds of a city quietening for sun-down. This whole evocative evening is described by many guests and travellers as a “truly ‘movie-like’ memory”.

Make your choice:

Emerson Spice offers a tasting menu in five servings with the freshest local seafood, a creative use of spices and indigenous plants.
Emerson on Hurumzi offers a three course menu based on local Zanzibar cuisine fused with oriental Persian and Omani influences.

Step into the Soul of Zanzibar

Authentic Local Music, Art & Live Events

Experience Stone Town

What’s on in Stone Town, Zanzibar?

Join us at one of our regular evenings of live music events in Stone Town, art exhibitions or other hosted cultural events. From food to film festivals, we are at the heart of this vibrant pulsating Zanzibar capital Stone Town.

Follow our social media channels and stay up-to-date with the very latest in what is happening in Stone Town, Zanzibar.

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What’s on in Stone Town

MORE ABOUT STONE TOWN & Zanzibar

Articles & Travel Information

Where Heritage Meets Passion

Read some of our latest articles and travel blogs. Discover more about the culture, history, art, music and gastronomy of Zanzibar. The magical, timeless story of Zanzibar can be experienced in either of Stone Town’s two famous ‘heritage’ boutique hotels. Emerson Zanzibar is a home-grown brand located in the World Heritage Site of Stone Town. Two unique hotels where culture, history, design and art have richly fused together to create exclusive award-winning experiences. With its partner Emerson’s Foundation, here is the beating heart of community and environmental engagement.

Emerson Zanzibar Art Awards Exhibition December 2024

The Emerson Zanzibar Foundation 4th year Art Awards and exhibition take place in December 2024 at the Art Gallery between the top Stone Town Hotels of Emerson Spice and Emerson on Hurumzi.

Emerson Zanzibar Music Awards 2024

Emerson Zanzibar Foundation’s 8th Music Award 2024 at the Sauti za Busara Music Festival sposored by the top hotels in Stone Town

Emerson Zanzibar Art Awards Exhibition December 2023

Emerson Zanzibar is not just hotels and restaurants; since our doors opened, Emerson Zanzibar Foundation has been very closely connected to the culture and art community. This is the 3rd year art award and exhibition.

Recommended Bush, Beach & Culture Holidays

Explore mainland Tanzania’s classic African Bush safari adventure. Add Zanzibar’s breath-taking coast with clear azure sea shimmering on the Spice Island’s stunning white sands. Immerse yourself in the timeless sounds, tastes and sunsets of Emerson Zanzibar, with truly magical rooftop views. Wander the old alleys steeped in history and local culture in the enchanting UNESCO World Heritage site of Stone Town. Why not do all three?

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SEE THE PACKAGE

Or why not try this amazing 10 Day Culture, Bush Safari and Beach Package Deal today! A trip of a lifetime to Zanzibar!

Emerson
Zanzibar

Emerson
on
Hurumzi
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Emerson
Spice
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