Tembo Palace Hotel

Hotels
8.6 (318 reviews)
Shangani/Forodhani street , Zanzibar City , tz

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Free
Children allowed

Facilities

Offsite parking discounted rates available
Guest education on local ecosystems and culture
Air conditioning
Swimming pool
Restaurant
Room service
Terrace
Family rooms
BBQ facilities
Luggage storage
See all facilities

Review Highlights

Pros:
Friendly Staff
Good Breakfast
Great Location
Cons:
Cleanliness Issues
Room Condition
Safety at Night

Categories

Cleanliness
6.98
Report of poor cleanliness and hygiene, including issues with the swimming pool and cleaning staff.
Service
9.45
Staff were generally described as helpful, friendly, and accommodating.
Location
8.99
Location received positive feedback, though some mention of being in an alley that felt unsafe at night.
Room Quality
7.94
Varied feedback on room quality; some rooms described as spacious while others needed updates.
Amenities
8.97
Amenities mentioned included good breakfast options and location access.
Value for Money
8.93
Perception varied, but generally positive given the experience described, despite some complaints.
Food and Beverage
8.48
Food was generally praised; breakfast options noted as good, but some issues with meal quality.
Overall Experience
9.05
The overall sentiment was favorable with positive remarks about the stay.
* This sentiment is summarized by AI based on user reviews.
Updated at: 2026-01-16 04:04

Property Description

Luxurious Accommodation

Tembo Palace Hotel in Zanzibar City offers a unique experience with its beautifully decorated rooms featuring Swahili four-poster beds and traditional hammam baths. The wood carved furniture adds a touch of elegance, while modern amenities like air conditioning and TV ensure a comfortable stay.

Delicious Dining Options

Indulge in a culinary journey at Bahari Restaurant, where you can savor local and international cuisine. For ultimate convenience, room service is available, and packed lunches can be arranged for your day trips or excursions.

Abundance of Amenities

Enjoy the convenience of 24-hour front desk service, meeting facilities, and concierge and laundry services. With three swimming pools on-site, including a rooftop pool, relaxation is guaranteed. Plus, take advantage of the various activities offered, from diving to city tours.

Experience luxury and comfort at Tembo Palace Hotel - book your stay now for an unforgettable getaway in Zanzibar City!

Important information:

Please inform of your expected arrival time in advance. You can use the Special Requests box when booking, or contact the property directly using the contact details in your confirmation.

Check-in and check-out hours:
Check-out: 10:00 AM

Property Policies

  • Internet

    WiFi is available in all areas and is free of charge.

  • Parking

    Free public parking is possible at a location nearby (reservation is not needed).

  • Pets

    Pets are not allowed.

  • Children and extra bed policy

    Children of any age are allowed.
    Children up to and including 2 years old stay for free when using an available cot.
    Children from 3 years old to 7 years old stay for US$30 per person per night when using an available extra bed.
    Children from 8 years old to 12 years old stay for US$35 per person per night when using an available extra bed.
    Any type of extra bed or child's cot/crib is upon request and needs to be confirmed by management.
    Supplements are not calculated automatically in the total costs and will have to be paid for separately during your stay.

Location

Guest Reviews

8.6
Based on 318 reviews
Cleanliness: 6.98
Service: 9.45
Location: 8.99
Room Quality: 7.94
Amenities: 8.97
Value for Money: 8.93
Food and Beverage: 8.48
Overall Experience: 9.05
S
Sadik • family_with_children • gb
9
2026-04-25 • via Nuitee
L
Lana • extended_group • de
10
Pros:

Very clean, very friendly staff and excellent food! Also good prices for the food and drinks. Wifi was very fast and good. We travelled with 2 babys and everyone made sure they are safe and happy. They even blended the food for the small child to be able to eat the good food! We will definitely come again to stay there.

At checkout we asked for extra time and everyone helped very fast!

Cons:

Nothing

2026-04-24 • via Nuitee
A
Aisha • extended_group • tz
9
amazing
Pros:

the manager, mr Sourav was incredibly helpful during our stay, the staff is really accommodating. it was a pleasure staying at the Tembo Hotel

2026-04-23 • via Nuitee
Z
Zandile • family_with_children • zw
6
2026-04-21 • via Nuitee
J
Jochen • couple • at
9
Lovely stay in the house of Freddie Mercury's birth!
Pros:

We had four different rooms in the four nights we stayed at Tembo Hotel! We had selected the hotel early in our planning process (This was part of a 2 month trip through eastern and southern Africa, and we planned relaxing a few days in Zanzibar after 10 Safari days that were arranged by the wonderful Tanzania Pilgrimage Safaris team), but by the time we made the reservation none of the rooms was available for the four consecutive days.
Wow, that was great! 4 different rooms in three of their 4 different buildings, and one room was greater than the other (bar #10 in the "Tembo Palce" building, which was a bit so-so). Four poster beds with ample Moskito nettings in the Freddie Mercury and Family rooms, big ceiling fans and AC in all the rooms. Other than having to collect a new room key every day there was no hassle at all with the room changes.
The bath rooms are unbelievable - 2 of them bigger than your average hotel room and equipped like your own private oriental hamam (-the steam, unfortunately).
Excellent breakfast buffet with eggs/omelette station like on a cruise ship. Super friendly and attentive staff throughout, and a very efficient excursion office - loved the guided tour of Stone Town with "Chief", a most knowledgeable, funny and lovely guide.
Oh, and the Location - right on the beach and next to the working harbour - lovely!

Cons:

Initially, we were asking if they could somehow make fewer room changes possible and were a little disappointed they could not, but in the end: See above!

2026-04-20 • via Nuitee
J
Jochen • couple • at
9
Lovely stay in the house of Freddie Mercury's birth!
Pros:

We had four different rooms in the four nights we stayed at Tembo Hotel! We had selected the hotel early in our planning process (This was part of a 2 month trip through eastern and southern Africa, and we planned relaxing a few days in Zanzibar after 10 Safari days that were arranged by the wonderful Tanzania Pilgrimage Safaris team), but by the time we made the reservation none of the rooms was available for the four consecutive days.
Wow, that was great! 4 different rooms in three of their 4 different buildings, and one room was greater than the other (bar #10 in the "Tembo Palce" building, which was a bit so-so). Four poster beds with ample Moskito nettings in the Freddie Mercury and Family rooms, big ceiling fans and AC in all the rooms. Other than having to collect a new room key every day there was no hassle at all with the room changes.
The bath rooms are unbelievable - 2 of them bigger than your average hotel room and equipped like your own private oriental hamam (-the steam, unfortunately).
Excellent breakfast buffet with eggs/omelette station like on a cruise ship. Super friendly and attentive staff throughout, and a very efficient excursion office - loved the guided tour of Stone Town with "Chief", a most knowledgeable, funny and lovely guide.

Cons:

Initially, we were asking if they could somehow make fewer room changes possible and were a little disappointed they could not, but in the end: See above!

2026-04-20 • via Nuitee
M
Mrisha • couple • tz
10
One of the best hotels in stone town
Pros:

Very Welcoming staff and Cool Location

2026-04-18 • via Nuitee
B
Bulent Esat • couple • tr
6
2026-04-16 • via Nuitee
F
Florian • solo_traveller • ch
1
Alles andere ausser das!!
Pros:

Nähe zum Zentrum

Cons:

Es ist ein uraltes Gebäude. Definitiv nicht aus diesem und dem letzten Jahrhundert. Service? Ich wäre schneller wenn ich auf den Markt gehe und mir alles dort kaufe und dann selbst zubereite. Für einen Softdrink 15 Minuten bei insgesamt 4 Mitarbeitern im Restaurant und ca. 8 Kunden. Als Antwort bekommt man einfach immer wieder " Hakuna Matata" zu hören. Es gibt keinen Alkohol und auch keinen Speck!
Achtung!! Es werden mehr höherpreisige Zimmer verkauft als überhaupt zur Verfügung stehen. Man bekommt dann den niedrigsten Standard, hat aber für mehr bezahlt. Man hat dann halt Pech gehabt und mit viel Beschwerde bekommt man vielleicht etwas gratis zum Essen im Restaurant.
Wir waren bis jetzt in 39 Ländern, darunter Philippinen, Malaysia, Kolumbien, Cambodia und so unsicher wie hier habe ich mich noch nie gefühlt. Man wird von jeder Seite belästigt. Einen ruhigen Spaziergang gibs hier niemals.

2026-04-16 • via Nuitee
M
Małgorzata • couple • pl
10
W TYM HOTELU CZUJE SIĘ AFRYKĘ
Pros:

ŚNIADANIE W OBIEKCIE JEST WYŚMIENITE, BARDZO UROZMAICONE Z WIDOKIEM NA OCEAN INDYJSKI. LOKALIZACJA IDEALNA. SAM HOTEL BARDZO KLIMATYCZNY , PIĘKNIE ZACHOWANA I POKAZANA HISTORIA ZANZIBARU. WRACAMY WIELOKROTNIE DO TEGO HOTELU I ZAWSZE JESTEŚMY ZADOWOLENI.

Cons:

NIC, WSZYSTKO MI SIĘ PODOBAŁO

2026-04-15 • via Nuitee
N
Naeela • solo_traveller • ke
10
Tembo the place to be in Zanzibar.
Pros:

A very hospitable place. Friendly staff and very accommodating manager. Amazing and tasty breakfast. The place to stay in Zanzibar.

Cons:

There is nothing I didn't like.

2026-04-12 • via Nuitee
M
Mohamed • family_with_children • tz
8
2026-04-07 • via Nuitee
• family_with_children • tz
8
2026-04-07 • via Nuitee
K
Kati • solo_traveller • fi
9
2026-04-06 • via Nuitee
L
Lisa • family_with_children • tz
8
2026-04-06 • via Nuitee
Z
zubair • family_with_children • gb
5
Disappointing
Pros:

Location
Authenticity
Historical

Cons:

I was placed into an opposite building which is not what I booked.
The room was very hot and humid at night.
Shower was moody
Room not what I booked as per pictures on booking.com

2026-04-06 • via Nuitee
G
Gladstone • family_with_children • tz
9
Our stay was great.
Pros:

Loved how spacious the room was. Also enjoyed the pool table and other games in the lobby area.

Cons:

General cleanliness was good but there could be additional efforts to improve on this area.

2026-04-06 • via Nuitee
D
Diogo • family_with_children • pt
7
2026-04-05 • via Nuitee
B
Brorson • extended_group • se
8
Centralt, trevlig personal
Pros:

God frukost å fantastiskt kaffe.

2026-04-04 • via Nuitee
M
Mareike • family_with_children • de
8
Pros:

Wir waren nur eine Nacht hier, da unser Flug sehr früh am Morgen ging. Aber es war alles sehr gut. Freundliches Personal, großes Zimmer, bequeme Betten. Wir haben sogar ein kostenfreies Upgrade erhalten.

2026-04-02 • via Nuitee