The Swahili House

2.5 star property
Hotel perfectly located for exploring Zanzibar Town

Choose dates to view prices

Photo gallery for The Swahili House

Outdoor pool, sun loungers
Reception
1 bedroom, in-room safe, individually decorated, individually furnished
Breakfast, lunch, dinner served; international cuisine, pool views
Bar (on property)
Reviews
8.2

Very good

Popular amenities

  • Hot TubHot TubHot Tub
  • Breakfast includedBreakfast includedBreakfast included
  • PoolPoolPool
  • Free WiFiFree WiFiFree WiFi
  • LaundryLaundryLaundry
  • RestaurantRestaurantRestaurant

Explore the area

Map
Stone Town, Zanzibar Town
  • Popular LocationSlave Market3 min walk
  • Popular LocationOld Fort7 min walk
  • Popular LocationShangani Beach8 min walk
  • AirportZanzibar (ZNZ-Zanzibar Intl.)16 min drive

Room options

Deluxe Double Room

10/10 Exceptional
  • 226 sq ft
  • City view
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Double Bed OR 2 Twin Beds

Similar properties

About the neighborhood

Zanzibar Town

Seaside stay .With a stay at this Stone Town hotel, you'll be steps from Christ Church Cathedral and Slave Market. Hamamni Persian Baths and Darajani Market are also within half a mile (1 km).

What's nearby

  • Slave Market - 3 min walk
  • Old Fort - 7 min walk
  • Shangani Beach - 8 min walk
  • Forodhani Gardens - 8 min walk
  • Zanzibar Ferry Terminal - 10 min walk

Getting around

  • Zanzibar Intl. Airport (ZNZ) - 17 min drive

Restaurants

  • Cape Town Fish Market - 8 min walk
  • Lukmaan - 2 min walk
  • House of Karafuu - 5 min walk
  • Abyssinian Maritim - 7 min walk
  • Beach House Restaurant - 10 min walk

About this property

The Swahili House

Hotel perfectly located for exploring Zanzibar Town
The Swahili House offers its guests an outdoor pool and a spa tub. There's a restaurant on site. You can enjoy a drink at one of the bars, which include a poolside bar and a bar/lounge. Free breakfast is served daily. Public spaces have free WiFi.

A terrace, tour/ticket assistance, and concierge services are also featured at The Swahili House.

Smoking is allowed in designated areas at this Zanzibar Town hotel.

  • 1 building
  • 22 guestrooms or units
  • 5 levels
  • English breakfast (free)
  • Poolside lounge chairs
  • Dry cleaning
  • Self-service laundry
  • Front desk (24 hours)
  • Storage area for luggage
  • Front-desk safe
  • Tour and ticket information
  • Concierge
  • Terrace
  • Smoking in designated areas
  • Bar or lounge
  • Bar by the pool
  • Dining venue
The Swahili House offers 22 air-conditioned accommodations with safes and complimentary bottled water. These individually decorated and furnished accommodations include day beds. This Zanzibar Town hotel provides complimentary wireless Internet access. Additionally, rooms include complimentary toiletries and ceiling fans. Housekeeping is provided daily.

Languages

Dutch, English, Swahili

Property amenities

Family friendly

  • Laundry facilities
  • Outdoor pool
  • Separate bedroom

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
  • Available in some public areas: Free WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • No onsite parking available
  • Roundtrip airport shuttle (surcharge)

Food and drink

  • Free English breakfast available daily 7:30 AM to 10:30 AM
  • A bar/lounge
  • A poolside bar
  • A restaurant

Things to do

  • Outdoor pool
  • Spa tub

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Bedsheets provided
  • Day bed

Bathroom

  • Free toiletries
  • Towels

Food and drink

  • Free bottled water
  • Room service

More

  • Air conditioning
  • Ceiling fan
  • Individual decor
  • Individual furnishings
  • Phone
  • Safe

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: noon; Check-in end time: midnight

Check-out

Check-out before 10 AM

Special check-in instructions

Front desk staff will greet guests on arrival
For more details, please contact the property using the information on the booking confirmation

Access methods

Staffed front desk

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Children and extra beds

  • Children are welcome.
  • Rollaway/extra beds are not available.
  • Cribs (infant beds) are not available.

Property payment types

Important information

Fees

Guests will be asked to pay the following charges at the property:

  • A tax is imposed by the city: USD 2.00 per person, per night
  • Administrative fee: USD 2 per person, per night

We've listed all charges provided to us by the property.

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
This property accepts credit cards; cash is not accepted
Cashless transactions are available
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a security system, and a first aid kit
Charges for extra guests may apply and vary according to property policy.
A cash deposit, credit card, or debit card for incidental charges and government-issued photo identification may be required upon check-in.
Special requests are subject to availability at the time of check-in. Special requests can't be guaranteed and may incur additional charges.
    This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business, or profession. No onsite parking is available. This property accepts Visa and Mastercard. Cash is not accepted. For guests' safety, the property includes a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector, a security system, and a first aid kit in each accommodation. Cashless payment methods are available for all transactions.

Property Registration Number Z0000021157

Property is also known as

Swahili House
Swahili House Hotel
Swahili House Hotel Zanzibar Town
Swahili House Zanzibar Town
The Swahili House Hotel
The Swahili House Zanzibar Town
The Swahili House Hotel Zanzibar Town

Frequently asked questions

How close is The Swahili House to the airport?

The Swahili House is 4.8 mi (17-min drive) away from the Zanzibar Intl. Airport (ZNZ) airport, the closest popular airport to the property.

How much does it cost to stay at The Swahili House?

As of May 26, 2024, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at The Swahili House on May 30, 2024 start from $113.04, excluding taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.

Does The Swahili House have an airport shuttle?

The Swahili House offers an airport shuttle.

How close is The Swahili House to the beach?

This hotel is a short 8-minute walk from Shangani Beach and 10-minute walk from Nakupenda Beach. Don't forget your sunscreen!

Does The Swahili House offer free breakfast?

The Swahili House offers free English breakfast every day from 7:30 AM to 10:30 AM.

Is there a casino at The Swahili House?

No, there is no casino at this hotel.

What time is check-in at The Swahili House?

Check-in start time: noon; Check-in end time: midnight.

Is there free parking at The Swahili House?

Free parking is not available at this hotel.

Does The Swahili House have a pool?

The Swahili House features an outdoor pool.

Does The Swahili House have a restaurant?

The Swahili House is home to Rooftop Terrace, which features international cuisine, a poolside location, and al fresco dining.

Does The Swahili House have a spa?

There are no spa services available at this hotel.

How close is The Swahili House to downtown Zanzibar Town?

The Swahili House is 0.5 mi away from Zanzibar Town.

The Swahili House Reviews

Reviews

8.2

Very Good

Rating 10 - Excellent. 20 out of 56 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 22 out of 56 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 12 out of 56 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 56 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 2 out of 56 reviews" "

8.6/10

Cleanliness

8.6/10

Staff & service

8.0/10

Amenities

8.0/10

Property conditions & facilities

7.4/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

8/10 Good

Olivia

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Very central location for Stone Town. Easy to walk to local attractions. Less easy to get back to but that is due to the many narrow streets rather and geography of the area and nothing to do with the hotel! The hotel is known by everyone so if you get lost someone will help you get back. It is noisy with building work going on nearby, calls to prayer, and the church bells ringing but we expected that to be the case and soon got used to it. The air conditioning, fan and turn down service including bug spray were greatly appreciated. Great shower and toiletries provided. Front desk and cleaning staff were very friendly and helpful. Most restaurant staff were also very good - 1 or 2 seemed to stand back and not help out much. The food was ok - some was excellent (the chickpea curry was delicious), but other things (tuna and burgers) we had better outside of the hotel. Happy hour includes all cocktails, beer and wine so well worth sitting on the roof top at sunset to enjoy some drinks with a great view. As we stayed on the 3rd floor we were very grateful for the elevator. You cannot park outside the hotel so be aware you will need to walk from your transport to the hotel (short walk through market) - our driver helpfully took our cases for us.
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2024

10/10 Excellent

Lisa

We highly recommend this stunning hotel in the heart of StoneTown. The people are wonderful and the rooftop restaurant has delicious food and spectacular views. Don’t hesitate! Book your room now.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

caroline

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Lovely large rooms with wonderful roof top terrace and friendly, helpful staff.
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2023

8/10 Good

Lucia

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Cute place
I liked the Swahili House, of course it’s right in stone town so an easy walk to any destination. The bed was big and comfortable. Only thing I didn’t like was that there is a door to the bathroom, but the wall doesn’t go all the way up so not much privacy there. Loved the rooftop, the wraps were good — wish we weren’t the only people there + more music would have been nice for it not to Ge so quiet. They also didn’t see our reservation or expect that we were coming!
Stayed 1 night in May 2021

10/10 Excellent

Olga

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Awesome place
Amazing place, the staff is so friendly and helpful, love this place and I will be back for sure...
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2021

10/10 Excellent

Marilyn

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The Swahili House is a beautiful hotel nestled in the centre of Stone Town so it’s very easy to get around on foot. The staff were very nice and friendly, and the rooftop restaurant has a wonderful view over the town and the port. The wifi wasn’t so great; so be sure to let your loved ones know that your connection will be limited so they don’t worry about you. Otherwise no complaints! I look forward to staying there for my next visit to Zanzibar
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2019

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Great service and good value
The staff were really friendly and helpful. Very beautiful traditional rooms and very comfortable. Everything is walkable from the hotel.
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2019

10/10 Excellent

Jo, Johannesburg

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Very Friendly staff and reception. Nice central location makws sightseeing easy within Stonetown. The hitel has an authentic feel and loved the rooftop bar where I could watch the sun set and the day unwind.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2018

10/10 Excellent

James

Nice Hotel
Swahili House is a great hotel in the Stone Town. It is within easy walking distance of anything in the Stone Town. The staff are friendly and the rooftop bar is a nice place to chill and have a drink.
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2018

8/10 Good

David, Leeds, England

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Characterful hotel
Stayed 1 night in February 2018. Hotel is full of character, having been built for visiting family of the sultan
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2018