Luxury Lodge
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Overview
Zanzibar Serena Hotel is a five-star heritage hotel located on the seafront of Stone Town, Zanzibar, overlooking the Indian Ocean. The hotel is housed within two restored historic buildings — an 18th-century Chinese doctor’s residence and the former Extelcoms House — preserving Zanzibar’s rich Swahili, Arabic, and colonial architectural heritage.
Located near the old dhow harbour, Sultan’s Palace, and Stone Town’s famous bazaars, the hotel offers an elegant cultural experience combined with modern luxury. It features 51 rooms and suites, each designed with traditional Swahili décor and private balconies with views of Stone Town or the ocean.
- Room Amenities
- 51 rooms and suites
- Standard King Rooms
- Standard Twin Rooms
- Standard Triple Rooms
- Executive Suites
- King-size or twin beds with mosquito nets
- Private balcony with ocean or Stone Town views
- Air conditioning
- Traditional Swahili-style furnishings
- En-suite bathroom
- Bath and shower facilities (depending on room category)
- Complimentary Wi-Fi
- Tea and coffee facilities
- Mini bar
- In-room safe
- Hairdryer
- 24-hour room service
- Laundry and valet services
- Baby cots and adjoining rooms available on request
- Property & Wellness Facilities
- Seafront location overlooking the Indian Ocean
- Outdoor swimming pool
- Maisha Spa offering wellness treatments
- Rooftop and ocean-view relaxation areas
- Conference room and meeting facilities
- Complimentary Wi-Fi
- 24-hour reception
- Backup generator
- Doctor on call
- Laundry services
- Concierge services
- Cultural heritage surroundings in Stone Town
- Dining & Bars
- Baharia Restaurant – offers international cuisine with Swahili influences, seafood, and locally inspired dishes.
- Terrace Seafood Restaurant – rooftop dining experience featuring fresh seafood and Indian Ocean views.
- Masahani Bar – serves cocktails, wines, beers, and refreshments in a relaxed Swahili-inspired setting.
- Swahili Nights by the pool featuring local cuisine and cultural entertainment.
- Breakfast, lunch, and dinner options available.
- Special dietary requirements catered for upon request.
Activities & Services
- Stone Town heritage tours
- Visit to Freddie Mercury Museum
- Spice farm tours
- Prison Island excursions
- Safari Blue marine experiences
- Dolphin safari excursions
- Jozani Forest visits
- Dhow sailing experiences
- Swimming and relaxation by the pool
- Spa treatments at Maisha Spa
- Rooftop seafood dining experiences
Reviews 1026+ From Tripadvisor
Luxurious historical charm on the beach at a reasonable price. The Serena Hotel is on a quiet beach directly next to the Hyatt. The hotel retains its historic charm but has all the amenities of an upscale experience. It was exceptionally clean, good air conditioning & wifi, comfortable bed, delicious breakfast, beautiful pool. It's next to excellent beach restaurants if you desire options outside the hotel and shopping is close by. The street is off by itself & very clean & quiet. It takes just a few minutes to walk to the daily evening street food vendors & tented tourist shops on the pier. I highly recommend this hotel, which is reasonably priced, expecially given the amenities.
The view and the staff! Amazing! Wow! We were welcomed by Sultanei with a huge smile and delicious welcome drink. Then Fatma checked us in and answered all of our questions. Then we arrived to the most beautiful room. We didn’t want to leave. The room was spectacular and they thought of everything a guest might need. We continued and enjoyed a fabulous late lunch and Celine made sure we had everything we needed. Susanna gave us the best massage in the beautiful spa. She stayed late and accommodated our schedule. She went above and beyond. We only spent one night. We enjoyed a wonderful breakfast with so much we didn’t need another meal for the rest of the day. The staff at Serena provided the best service.
A Room with a View The Zanzibar Serena Hotel was a quiet oasis within a busy city. Our room was quiet and well appointed, with an amazing view of the pool and the ocean. We were there on Valentine’s Day, and they had restaurant seating by the pool and a buffet meal. The food was on par with other buffets we’ve experienced, but the staff and the service were incredible. There was a live band for us and it was a lot of fun.
Book or Enquire
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Location
Shangani Street, Stone Town, Zanzibar
Region
Zanzibar