Zanzibar Serena Hotel

Hotels
•
Serena Hotels East Africa
9 (110 reviews)
Kelele Square, Stone Town, Zanzibar Town , Zanzibar Town , TZ
255-24-2233587

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Facilities

Full-service spa
Proposal/romance packages available
Arcade/game room
Free WiFi
24-hour front desk
Terrace
Garden
Luggage storage
Designated smoking area
Concierge service
See all facilities

Review Highlights

Pros:
Great staff
Beautiful property
Delicious food
Cons:
Issues with wine and credit
Mixed feelings on value for money

Categories

Cleanliness
8.21
Standard quality for this hotel tier.
Service
9.68
Great staff, specifically mentioned by name and praised.
Location
9.22
Great location with fabulous views of the ocean.
Room Quality
9.17
Rooms had a nice view of the pool and ocean.
Amenities
9.2
Beautiful property with great amenities.
Value for Money
8.16
Mixed feelings regarding additional costs and services.
Food and Beverage
9.21
Delicious food and positive breakfast experience.
Overall Experience
9.18
Wonderful stay with a mix of positive and some negative aspects.
* This sentiment is summarized by AI based on user reviews.
Updated at: 2026-01-07 04:17

Property Description

Full-Service Spa and Recreational Amenities
Enjoy massages, body treatments, and facials at the spa. Outdoor pool and bicycles available for your leisure.

Dining Options and Social Spaces
Experience delicious meals at Baharia Restaurant or have snacks at the coffee shop. Join the daily complimentary reception and unwind at the bar/lounge.

Convenience and Comfort
Benefit from free Wi-Fi, concierge services, and a 24-hour business center. Relax in individually furnished guestrooms with balconies.

To book your stay at our centrally located Zanzibar Serena Hotel, steps away from Nakupenda Beach, visit our website!

Important information:

  • Only registered guests are allowed in the guestrooms.
  • No pets and no service animals are allowed at this property.
  • Contactless check-in and contactless check-out are available.

Check-in and check-out hours:
Check-out: 10:00 AM
Airport code: ZNZ

Property Policies

  • Pets

    Pets not allowed

  • Pets

    Service animals not allowed

  • Check-in & Check-out

    Contactless check-out is available

  • Guest type

    Essential workers only - NO

  • Accessibility

    No elevators

See all policies

Location

Guest Reviews

9
Based on 110 reviews
Cleanliness: 8.21
Service: 9.68
Location: 9.22
Room Quality: 9.17
Amenities: 9.2
Value for Money: 8.16
Food and Beverage: 9.21
Overall Experience: 9.18
L
Leitch • couple • au
10
Absolutely delightful.
Pros:

The Zanzibar Serena Hotel is absolutely charming with delightful heritage features. The rooms are gorgeous and we had a huge balcony overlooking the sea and the pool. The staff are friendly and helpful, breakfast and restaurant facilities were great and the location is unbeatable. We absolutely loved our stay.

Cons:

The hotel is not cheap so maybe a good deal but otherwise we liked everything.

2026-05-20 • via Nuitee
C
Conor • solo_traveller • nl
9
Beatiful historic hotel with lovely bedrooms.
Pros:

The hotel’s location is second to none on a beach in Stone Town. Lovely pool area and nicely designed bedroom with a balcony with a hammock overlooking the sea. Special shout out to the wonderful staff including Celine who was so friendly, helpful and good natured during my stay.

Cons:

I liked everything!

2026-05-15 • via Nuitee
T
Timothy • couple • au
6
Old world charm in Stone town.
Pros:

The hotel had old world charm and it was clean and well maintained

Cons:

The food offering was a little narrow and although breakfast was advertised to be from 0600, we had to wait for almost 30 minutes when going to breakfast early on our last day as we had an early flight to catch.

2026-05-11 • via Nuitee
A
anna • couple • fr
10
2026-04-18 • via Nuitee
L
Larisa • family_with_children • il
8
Beautiful place
Pros:

The Location was great.
Very beautiful room and very clean, spacious balcony. Great swimming pool
Very nice stuff. Beautiful flowers close to the swimming pool.
Beach was very close and clean.
Nice welcome drinks
Live music on Friday evening
Enjoyed a lot

Cons:

1. I booked a half board and the employee on check in said that I have only breakfast. So I asked her to recheck it and proved via Booking
2. A hairdryer didn't work in the bathroom. Received additional one which also didn't work well (had a problem with a cable).
3. Not a good breakfast. Could be much better for 5 stars hotel. No vegetables. Very poor breakfast
4. Very poor dinner, especially if u are staying for several days. Water and soda was not included to our dinner and we had to pay extra for that after dinner. Was in shock

2026-04-04 • via Nuitee
I
Iuliia • couple • ru
10
Pros:

Отличный отель, очень вежливый персонал, чисто, вкусные завтраки.

2026-03-26 • via Nuitee
P
Patricia • extended_group • de
9
Jederzeit wieder
Pros:

Tolle Lage,super nettes Personal,leckeres Essen,großer Pool

2026-03-21 • via Nuitee
H
HARRY • family_with_children • ch
8
Pros:

Das schöne alte, im kolonialstil erhaltene Gebäude, die tolle Lage und das reichhaltige Frühstück. Das tolle Reinigungspersonal.

Cons:

Die völlig überissenen Preise für Wein und der Zimmer. Die Rezeption ist noch in einer Art Planwirtschaft, was nicht diesem Preisniveau entspricht. Als nicht Muslime fühlten wir uns nicht richtig willkommen, vielleicht spielte hier der Ramadan auch noch eine Rolle, was aber auf der restlichen Insel kein Problem darstellte solange man sich respektvoll verhält.

2026-03-21 • via Nuitee
F
Fiona • couple • gb
9
2026-03-15 • via Nuitee
L
Laurent • family_with_children • fr
9
2026-03-14 • via Nuitee
Ömer • family_with_children • tr
10
Pros:

By the ocean! Great people!

Cons:

Nothing :)

2026-03-13 • via Nuitee
T
Tom • extended_group • dk
10
Pros:

We were there at low season so it was quiet - in the best possible way. We loved the ambiance of old Swahili history and preferred this much over a modern hotel. The location right at the beach is unbeatable. Staff very, very attentive and professional. Thanks!

2026-03-10 • via Nuitee
Y
Yeşim Fatma • extended_group • tr
9
2026-03-07 • via Nuitee
E
Elaine • couple • gb
10
Highly recommended!
Pros:

Every last detail was perfect. Every member of staff was professional, friendly and highly efficient. We had a wonderful stay.

2026-03-07 • via Nuitee
C
CHARLOTTE • family_with_children • dk
9
Pros:

Dejligt værelse med stor altan med udsigt over poolen og havet. Lækker morgensmads buffet.
A la carte menu om aftenen var også helt i top.

Cons:

De ældre tjenere kunne godt virke lidt slidte og trætte

2026-03-04 • via Nuitee
A
Andrea • couple • ca
10
Great stay will stay again if we are ever back in Zanzibar
Pros:

The hotel is beautiful, keeping old world charm and the look of Old Town. History of the property was cool to read about. Ocean view from the room terrace was amazing. The staff were so friendly and accommodating. food was really great too.

2026-03-04 • via Nuitee
B
Benedetta • couple • it
10
2026-03-01 • via Nuitee
R
Rosmarie • solo_traveller • ch
9
2026-02-26 • via Nuitee
I
Iftekhar • extended_group • ca
10
Great experience, wonderful environment.
Pros:

The friendliness of the staff.

Cons:

The slowness when you order food at the restaurant.

2026-02-23 • via Nuitee
Y
Yuzo • extended_group • jp
9
Ny favorite hotel in Zanzibar
Pros:

It is our second time to stay after Nov2024. The historical atmosphere and warm hospitality of the friendly staff makes the hotel extremely unique. It was amazing to see dolphins swimming in front of the hotel when taking breakfast.

Cons:

Nothing

2026-02-23 • via Nuitee