Opinions EMERSON SPICE Stone Town

Das 5 Gänge Menü war sehr schmackhaft, der Fisch war frisch. Die Aussicht war atemberaubend. Empfehlenswert, kommt auf jeden Fall schon um 18.00 Uhr - dann könnt ihr den gesamten Sonnenuntergang genießen. Cocktails kosten 8$ on top - 40$ pro Person.

Очень качественная еда! Красивый внутренний дворик, приятный персонал

Un petit restaurant à côté d'un hôtel, caché dans le centre de Stone Town, avec une cour intérieure délicieuse. Et en parlant de délicieux, les plats que nous avons pris l'étaient tout autant.
Réservation conseillée car cela peut vite se remplir.

I rarely write reviews, but Emerson Spice is honestly exquisite. I highly recommend. The rooms are gorgeous, the service is impeccable, and the price is reasonable.

Great location. Good pool. Great breakfast. Poor vegan and vegetarian options

Repas le soir avec menu unique à 40 usd.
Menu à base de poisson et de fruits de mer.
Repas gastronomique excellent!

Great food 5 course diner was awesome. Views incredible as well with the roof top.

Had a five-course tasting menu on the rooftop. You usually have to book in advance, but on week days there are usually spaces. Starts at 6pm for drinks, food served at 7pm. I would absolutely recommend this place as a great first-evening meal, dining with a rooftop skyline, and good, interesting, playful plates. They have a sister restaurant nearby, and with a rooftop, so go to both!

Its great place for enjoying Zanzibar music while getting dinner

This place is so beautiful.

Upsides:
1) Location - right inside Stone Town, easy to access anywhere by foot
2) Service - lovely staff. The receptionist on the second day told me had overcharged my card and I didn’t even realize it.. appreciate the honesty
3) Beautiful rooms - reminds me of the riads of Marrakech. So beautiful!
4) Restaurants (spice garden and roof top dinner) were lovely! Although was still a bit hungry after the roof top course dinner.

Things to be aware of because it is important to manage expectations:
1) There is no access by car. Your taxi has to stop nearby and then it’s a 5 minute walk, but our driver rang the hotel beforehand so there was a porter that met us at the car stop to help with bags.
2) it’s a heritage hotel so some things are unavailable. There is no lift and the stairs are rather steep, not at all suitable for those with mobility issues.
3) there are 5 mosques in the vicinity and you will wake up 5am with more than one imam screeching in your ear even with ear plugs. On some days it even started at 4am (not a prayer but some mumbling). If you need your beauty sleep, this place may not be for you. We did not sleep well during all our nights there because of this but I guess it’s not the hotel’s fault. There is no sound proofing because it is a heritage building and you will also hear noises from normal life throughout the day.
4) the shower pressure was at times atrocious, marginally acceptable at best. sometimes there was no water at all temporarily (even with no power blackout). To me, this is a real disadvantage.
5) there was no safe in our room, so we had to keep valuables with the reception.

Viihdyimme, ystävällinen ja avulias henkilökunta

When we arrived, the room we had reserved was not available, and we were 'upgraded' to a larger room. However, the room we got didn't have some of the features of the room we reserved - such as the outside shower and additional privacy. And the 'upgraded' room was right above the street while we had reserved a room on the third floor, so the 'upgraded' room had more street noise which is what we were trying to avoid when we reserved our room.
We soon found out that the air conditioning in our room was also not functional, and wondered maybe that was the reason for the 'upgrade' - it felt like they put us, who are paying for the cheaper room, into the disfunctional room.
It was too late for us to do anything about it, but definitely we were not happy.
For a hotel that prides in each room having a different character and different features, this 'upgrade' without any notice just seems so dishonest.

Lovely atmospheric hotel, colonial style, in the middle of Stone Town, with very friendly staff
Very good food in the Secret Garden
Lovely rooms, badly let down by lack of investment - poor bathrooms, very poor water pressure, lack of cleanliness, grubby mattress and curtains, crumbling plaster
Needs investment to capitalise on potential
A real shame

Ate at the restaurant, delicious and unique.

A Hidden Gem in Stone Town, Zanzibar: A Boutique Hotel Experience.
During my recent stay in Stone Town, Zanzibar, I had the pleasure of staying at a charming boutique hotel that truly stands out as a hidden gem. Nestled within a 250-year-old building, this hotel, with its mere 11 rooms, exemplifies the adage that great things come in small packages. Each room is a testament to unique design and artistry, offering a personalized experience that larger establishments often lack.

My room, the Aiden, was a spacious delight, comfortably accommodating two adults and providing additional small beds upstairs, perfect for two to three children. The room's decor was mesmerizing, an exquisite blend of comfort and elegance, with artwork that captivated our senses. The distinct style of each room, as I learned during the informative tour, adds a unique character to the hotel, making each stay a new discovery.

What truly sets this boutique hotel apart is the exceptional customer service. The staff's warmth and welcoming smiles created an atmosphere where we felt not just guests, but a part of a larger, welcoming community.

Exploring Stone Town from this central location was an adventure in itself. A stroll through the vibrant streets led us to discover fantastic coffee spots and an amazing Swahili restaurant - gems that we might have missed otherwise. The friendly locals were always ready to guide and share their slice of paradise with us.

In conclusion, if you find yourself in Stone Town and seek an authentic, charming, and heartwarming place to stay, this boutique hotel is your go-to spot. It's not just a hotel; it's a doorway to experiencing the soul of Zanzibar. Asante Sana for a memorable stay in this beautifully preserved historic building. Whether you're a family or a solo traveler, this hotel promises an experience that is both intimate and unforgettable.

Cheers,

BN

As charming as ever

Impeccable service. Great location in the middle of Stone Town. Rooms are great... they look old, because they are, but they are clean!

Best dining experience in Zanzibar! We didn't stay at the hotel but the sunset dinner and six course menu was delicious and memorable.

Having a sunset dinner, hearing the call to prayer, and each of the meals being delicious is an experience I can only recommend.

Emerson Spice is together with Emerson Hurumzi a very historical and special hotel to stay at. For Tourists with are interested in getting to know the city and its culture as well as history it's the absolute best place to stay. They offer a very good service and have beautiful, big and antique rooms. Every roof is different and special in its own way, ours was Aida which was beautiful and big like a palace. It was indeed magical to stay here, we especially enjoyed the dinner at Hurumzi on the Roof top!