Tembo House Hotel Zanzibar

Tembo House Hotel holds a unique place in Zanzibar’s hospitality history as the first beachfront hotel to open within the UNESCO World Heritage-listed boundaries of Stone Town. Operating since 1994, the property has welcomed guests of extraordinary historical stature and remains one of the most atmospheric and authentic places to stay on the island. The building itself dates from the era of the Zanzibar Sultanate and features the curved arches, carved wooden screens, stained glass, and sweeping wooden staircases characteristic of the finest Zanzibari architecture. Today, 38 rooms individually furnished with a blend of traditional Zanzibari and European antiques look out across the Indian Ocean or the central swimming pool, with air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, satellite TV, private bathrooms, and kettles as standard. The beachfront setting means that waves can literally be heard from many rooms, and the pool sits directly on the waterfront. The rooftop restaurant and open-air terrace serve fresh seafood and Swahili cuisine with extraordinary views across the bay. Stone Town’s winding lanes, the House of Wonders, the Old Fort, Forodhani Gardens, and the Freddie Mercury Museum are all within a 5-minute walk. The hotel provides airport transfers, tour bookings, spice tour arrangements, and connections to offshore snorkelling trips.