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Zanzibar Palace Hotel: Traveler Reviews

4.0 of 5
Kiponda Street | 831, Stone Town 3392, Tanzania
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Hotel amenities
Special Rate
$175 PER ROOM
Zanzibar Palace Hotel
Ranked #3 of 30 hotels in Stone Town
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311 reviews from our community

Traveler rating
    217
    63
    18
    9
    4
See reviews for
Families
39
 
Couples
201
 
Solo
23
 
Business
6
 
Rating summary
  • Sleep Quality
    4.5 of 5 stars
  • Location
    4.5 of 5 stars
  • Rooms
    4.5 of 5 stars
  • Service
    4.5 of 5 stars
  • Value
    4.5 of 5 stars
  • Cleanliness
    4.5 of 5 stars
Date Rating
Santa Barbara, California
1 review
“Comfort and Elegance”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed January 19, 2013

We had the pleasure of staying at the Zanzibar Palace Hotel for the last two nights of our month long stay in Tanzania. What a wonderful way to end our dream holiday! We were welcomed with the customary cool drinks and hand towels, and throughout our stay, the gracious staff and owner, Frans, took care of us so graciously and beautifully, it was hard to leave. They answered questions, discussed life in Stone Town, gave us local tips for sightseeing, shopping, places to eat, how to not loose our bearings, arranged last minute taxi service and really made us feel at home. Our breakfast was delicious. The hotel is an amazing architectural and historical building which has been lovingly restored with beautiful features and furnishings in keeping with the original Indian Family design, a tribute to Frans and his vision. We had the honor of staying in the Dunia Suite....yes, it's on the top floor, there are stairs, but it is gorgeous. A lovely bedroom area, comfy bed embellished with flowers on arrival, and then another flight of stairs to the roof top bathroom, which overlooks the city. It is spectacular and showering there during daylight/evening hours was marvelous. Having been born inTanganyika and returning after 50 years of absence, I felt so lucky that my Hawaiian/American Husband and I chose to stay and share such a lovely, locally owned and operated hotel. Fond Memories which we will treasure Forever.

Room Tip: While we stayed in the Dunia Suite, a gorgeous and unique space, the gracious Owner and Staff allowe...
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  • Stayed December 2012, traveled as a couple
    • 5 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Location
    • 5 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 5 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
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Ask J-Gander-G about Zanzibar Palace Hotel
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Swansea, United Kingdom
Reviewer
3 reviews 3 reviews
3 hotel reviews
Reviews in 2 cities Reviews in 2 cities
4 helpful votes 4 helpful votes
“The best choice!!”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed January 13, 2013

We had the pleasure of staying at this hotel after our Safari before we moved on to the beach bit . What a great choice. The staff were fab,so friendly and helpful.After wandering around Stone Town (as I'm not very adventurous ) we ate at the hotel. The food was beautiful, the best we had in 2 weeks. As most people stay in Stone Town on their last night we recommended the food to everyone who was leaving our beach resort. We stayed in the Rosewood room it isn't the biggest but it was lovely. Although the bed is very high but very comfy. The stairs are steep but the staff carry your bags for you,they must be very strong! The little bar is lovely and intimate where you can chat to other guests. Breakfast was nice and sets you up for the day. We wandered Stone Town which was great but didn't see anywhere we would rathered have stayed. Don't forget Mercurys Bar I know it's commercial but they do fantastic cocktails(blow your socks off)

  • Stayed December 2012, traveled as a couple
    • 5 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Location
    • 5 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 4 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
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Ask Banker1j about Zanzibar Palace Hotel
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
1 review
“The place to go”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed January 10, 2013

My mother and I have spend 3 nights in this wonderfull hotel:
The location is perfect, the people caring and friendly, the rooms a dream (I do not believe you can find any better place to relax after a day in stonetown), the cook simply amazing, (even if the prices are a bit high I fully recommend to try one of his dishes), the decoration make you feel like you are in a fairy tale... what else???? I guess you should really go there to see for yourself!

Room Tip: If you are not very fit maybe ask a room in the lower levels. The stairs are not always easy to clim...
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  • Stayed December 2012, traveled with family
    • 5 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Location
    • 5 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 5 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
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Ask M-E-Weber about Zanzibar Palace Hotel
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Wellington, New Zealand
1 review
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
“Old Style Charm”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed January 10, 2013

Our stay at the lovely "olde world" Zanzibar Palace Hotel was great. The owner, Frans was friendly and very helpful as were all the staff. The evening meal prepared by the chef was fantastic!
The location of the hotel was perfect for taking in a tour of Stone Town.

  • Stayed December 2012, traveled with family
    • 5 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Location
    • 5 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 4 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
Was this review helpful? Yes 1
Ask Paul M about Zanzibar Palace Hotel
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Princes Risborough, United Kingdom
Top Contributor
53 reviews 53 reviews
22 hotel reviews
Reviews in 25 cities Reviews in 25 cities
31 helpful votes 31 helpful votes
“Charm and character”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed January 5, 2013

We booked a two week trip through Imagine Africa who arranged all our safaris and accommodation extremely well and efficiently.

The Zanzibar Palace Hotel is brilliantly located in old Stone Town. The hotel has huge amounts of character and the rooms are spacious. We stayed 2 nights and arranged trips to Jozani Forest and saw the Blue Sykes and Colobus monkey; a walking tour of town, a boat trip to see the giant tortoises on Prison Island and the best spice garden tour we have ever done.

All the staff were really helpful and the food great especially the passion fruit and avocado drink. Free wi=fi was a bonus. Hotel is in quiet area away from mosques !

Room Tip: There is a massage parlour run by the hotel but next door - fab ! The stairs are a bit steep and the...
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  • Stayed December 2012, traveled as a couple
    • 5 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Location
    • 5 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 5 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
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Additional Information about Zanzibar Palace Hotel

Also Known As:
Zanzibar Palace Stone Town
Hotel Zanzibar Palace
Zanzibar Palace Hotel Stone Town
Address: Kiponda Street | 831, Stone Town 3392, Tanzania
Phone Number:
Region: Tanzania > Zanzibar Archipelago > Zanzibar > Stone Town
Amenities:
Bar/Lounge Free Breakfast Free High-Speed Internet Restaurant Room Service Suites
Hotel Style:
#2 Romantic Hotels in Stone Town
#2 Luxury Hotels in Stone Town
#3 Family Hotels in Stone Town
Price Range: $$$
Hotel Class:4 star (4*)
Official Description (provided by the hotel):
Zanzibar Palace Hotel is a luxurious nine room boutique hotel located right in the heart of Stone Town (an Unesco World Heritage site). It is independently owned and managed by a Dutch couple and an ideal home to explore and experience all the beauties of this magical town and Island. Zanzibar's rich history is integrated throughout the hotel by Arabian, Indian and English designs, this in combination with all modern comfort (airco, free WiFi, flatscreen TV's, etc). Each room/suite has its own unique decor with many local originating antique pieces of furniture, magical beds, Persian rugs, colourful silks, etc. Room rates for every purse definitely makes this a place to stay. ... more   less 
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Zanzibar Palace Hotel
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