Retro

Hotels
6.9 (307 reviews)
Victoria Street, Vuga Road , Zanzibar City , tz

Free
Children allowed

Facilities

Offsite parking discounted rates available
Non-smoking rooms
Air conditioning
Restaurant
Family rooms
Luggage storage
Express check-in/check-out
Tour desk
Car hire
Currency exchange
See all facilities

Review Highlights

Pros:
Friendly staff
Good location
Value for money
Good breakfast
Cons:
Cleanliness issues
Room quality concerns
Staff could be more welcoming

Categories

Cleanliness
4.65
Several reviews indicate issues with cleanliness, such as unpleasant smells, dirty pillows, and general neglect.
Service
7.65
Positive sentiments regarding the friendliness and helpfulness of the staff, making the service experience favorable.
Location
7.65
While the location was generally praised, there were some concerns about safety when walking at night.
Room Quality
5.65
Mixed sentiments about room quality with mentions of humidity and issues with the bathroom.
Amenities
6.65
Amenities were considered basic but acceptable for the pricing, with certain positive notes on the air conditioning.
Value for Money
8.65
Multiple reviews highlight good value for the price received, particularly for budget travelers.
Food and Beverage
7.65
The breakfast received positive remarks for quality and variety, contributing to a good dining experience.
Overall Experience
6.65
The overall experience balances positives and negatives but leans positively due to value, location, and food.
* This sentiment is summarized by AI based on user reviews.
Updated at: 2026-01-07 04:43

Property Description

City Views and Convenient Location
Enjoy stunning views of Zanzibar City at Retro, located just 500 meters from Stone Town Beach.

Comfortable Rooms and Dining Options
Relax in air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi and unwind in a garden setting. Indulge in African and international cuisine at the on-site restaurant offering vegetarian and halal options.

Nearby Attractions and Services
Explore Peace Memorial Museum, Hamamni Persian Baths, and St Joseph's Roman Catholic Cathedral, all located close to the hotel. Benefit from airport transfers and a bicycle rental service for convenient travel.

Book your stay at Retro now for a memorable experience in Zanzibar City!

Check-in and check-out hours:
Check-out: 12:30 PM

Property Policies

  • Children and extra bed policy

    Children of any age are allowed.
    You haven't added any cots.
    You haven't added any extra beds.

  • Parking

    Free public parking is possible on site (reservation is needed).

  • Internet

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

  • Pets

    Pets are not allowed.

Location

Guest Reviews

6.9
Based on 307 reviews
Cleanliness: 4.65
Service: 7.65
Location: 7.65
Room Quality: 5.65
Amenities: 6.65
Value for Money: 8.65
Food and Beverage: 7.65
Overall Experience: 6.65
F
Fiona solo_traveller ug
1
Pros:

Basic breakfast. Not really much to write about. Not enough juice given.

Cons:

There was no WiFi at all. The a/c didn't work. The fan was functioning but didn't cool down the room.
There were crawling insects and bedbugs on my bed. I had to sit on the chair and try to catch some sleep. I still have insect bites on my arms.
The room was very filthy.
I guess Hiliki house which is next door is better than Retro house. No good view either from the room's windows which couldn't close at night.
I don't recommend Retro place .

A bit of monthly cleaning of the room and bathroom required. Fumigation is really necessary for that place. Generally, there's need for an overhaul clean for the room to preserve the good furniture and history in that house.

2026-05-12 via Nuitee
M
Maria Belen solo_traveller pf
8
2026-05-09 via Nuitee
S
Stella couple ke
3
Cheap Stonetown Stay
Pros:

The art on the wall is nice and the chill area on the rooftop.

Cons:

We had to change rooms because the first room smelled strongly of mold and water musk. It was hard to fall asleep, the second room was not any better, smelled terribly we had to sleep with the window open due to the musty smell.

2026-05-06 via Nuitee
B
Beerrttaa family_with_children es
1
La casa del terror
Pros:

Absolutamente nada

Cons:

Llegamos y el hotel estaba destrozado. Sucio, moho en todas partes, la habitación daba miedo literalmente. Parecía que estábamos en una película de terror. Pagamos online y cuando intentamos cancelar y que nos devolvieran el dinero no ha habido manera (obviamente no dormimos allí , salimos corriendo) . No cogen el teléfono ni contestan mensajes. Una vergüenza muy grande. NO VAYAIS A ESTE HOTEL O SI QUEREIS IR POR LO MENOS NO PAGUEIS POR ADELANTADO HASTA VER LA HABITACIÓN.

2026-05-04 via Nuitee
I
Ida solo_traveller se
1
Cons:

DO NOT STAY HERE!! 3 stars? I would say -20 stars! The place is filthy - sheets, pillows and towels dirty, the bathroom and shower stinks and there’s no AC or wardrobe as promised. But the worst thing is the scary man working here. He didn’t give me the upgrade I payed for. He’s getting high (smoking weed right outside the property) and drunk all day and night and got crazy angry and aggressive when I asked if my friend could come over to visit for a short time while I was getting ready (never ever been a problem in any other place I’ve stayed in any country - including Tanzania). I’ve been staying in many hotels all over the world and this is by far the worst experience of my life and honestly the first bad review I’ve ever have to give. Just want to protect people in the future - I REPEAT: DO NOT STAY IN THIS SO CALLED HOTEL!! It’s a nightmare

2026-04-29 via Nuitee
D
Djiar couple dz
10
Good zanzibarian experience
Pros:

Mr David was very helpful and kind with us , the location is very good and the breakfast was perfect , the room was clean

2026-04-26 via Nuitee
N
Noa couple il
4
Pros:

מיקום מרכזי

Cons:

מלון ישן לא נקי לא מתוחזק , עובש בכל מקום

2026-04-18 via Nuitee
S
Shahnaz couple in
8
Good accommodation close to the old town.
Pros:

The location is very good, close to the old town yet very peaceful, opposite to a beautiful green park.its a very old heritage building, there's a scope for upgrading the guest rooms, bathrooms, their kitchen. The manager Mr David was not very friendly. The breakfast was good with fruits. Over all value for money. There are beautiful paintings on the wall and heritage furniture.

Cons:

The property needs upgrading, the management has to be improved. There should be UPS or electricity back up . They should mention on which floor the room is located.

2026-04-16 via Nuitee
M
Maider solo_traveller es
1
Inaceptable: la peor experiencia de todo mi viaje por África
Pros:

El desayuno, bastante completo (fruta, huevos, tostadas y café), y el personal del hotel vecino (Kiliki), que fue amable, aunque no hablaba inglés.

Cons:

Llevo tiempo viajando por África y este ha sido, con diferencia, el peor alojamiento en el que me he quedado.

Llegué sobre las 21:00 y me asignaron una habitación que no correspondía con mi reserva. Tenía humedades visibles en el techo y un estado general muy deteriorado. Al reclamar, me enseñaron la habitación correcta (la de las fotos de Booking), pero pretendían cobrarme 20.000 chelines más por ella. Absolutamente inaceptable.

La limpieza es algo deficiente en general, pero además estaban las mosquiteras sucias y rotas, enchufes en mal estado y una sensación general de abandono total.

Durante la noche llovió fuerte (época de lluvias). La habitación, ubicada en el último piso y con claras humedades en el techo, no aguantó: entró agua. Literalmente, llovía dentro de la habitación.
La seguridad es inexistente. El acceso al hotel permanece abierto y, aunque aseguran que hay personal vigilando, al volver de cenar a medianoche encontré al encargado dormido. Por la mañana (entre las 8:30 y las 9:00) no había absolutamente nadie del personal en todo el hotel.

Además, hubo un corte de luz (algo habitual en Zanzíbar), pero aquí no hubo ninguna gestión: ni agua, ni cubos, ni velas, ni una sola explicación. Tampoco informan de lo básico: tuve que enterarme por otro huésped de que el desayuno se sirve en el hotel vecino (Kiliki).

Para rematar, intentaron cobrarme tasas adicionales de la ciudad y 5.000 chelines extra por guardar las maletas el día del check-out. Una falta de respeto total teniendo en cuenta las condiciones.
Sinceramente, no deberían ofrecer habitaciones en este estado. Vergonzoso.

2026-04-14 via Nuitee
Y
Younga extended_group ch
2
Overall, it was a bad experience.
Pros:

The paintings on the wall were nice, also the furniture. But the whole property needs a renovation! Also, I enjoyed breakfast.

Cons:

It was raining inside our room, there wasn’t always running water available in the bathroom, the fan wasn’t working, the electricity run off and the humidity in the room didn’t allow me to have a good sleep.

2026-04-14 via Nuitee
K
Kamil extended_group cz
4
2026-04-13 via Nuitee
M
Marika Strano solo_traveller it
9
Qualità rapporto-prezzo Hakuna Matata
Pros:

All'arrivo sono stata accolta da Ibrahim che ha subito provveduto a mostrarmi la camera.
La struttura è in una buona zona, come solo traveller mi sono sentita al sicuro, tutti i luoghi principali sono vicini o al massimo è facile spostarsi in boda boda.
La camera era molto carina così come la struttura in se.
Ho gradito molto la colazione e la sala in comune dove viene servita.
L'aria condizionata funzionava bene e anche l'acqua calda.
Il wifi funziona bene!
Per un paio di notti va benissimo, ottimo rapporto qualità-prezzo.

Cons:

La strada è parecchio trafficata per cui non facilita il riposo.
Cambierei l'illuminazione, troppo bassa.
C'è stato un ammanco di luce un paio d'ore ma,è normalissimo a Znz!

2026-04-12 via Nuitee
L
Laurent solo_traveller fr
8
On en a pour notre argent
Pros:

L’accueil de David qui peut apparaître froid au début mais est très sympa, les petits déjeuners, l’emplacement, la grande terrasse couverte.

Cons:

Même si certaines chambres ne sont pas conformes aux photos et méritent un gros rafraîchissement, le confort est la clim et ventilo

2026-04-09 via Nuitee
M
Miglena couple bg
10
Хареса ми и пак ще отседна там.
Pros:

Всичко

Cons:

Че няма бар за напитки.

2026-04-07 via Nuitee
A
Anna Juhl couple dk
3
Det kunne bruges til at sove i, men ikke et sted man tager hen for at være i længere perioder.
Pros:

Værten var virkelig venlig og meget behjælpelig

Cons:

Sengen var virkelig hård. Der var næsten ikke noget lys/udluftning på badeværelset. Der var en stor vandskade i loftet. Strømmen gik hele den ene nat, hvilket førte til 27 grader hele natten. Vinduerne kunne ikke lukke ordentligt, så man kunne høre alt fra gaden, inklusiv moskéer og krager. Der var huller i myggenettet. Personalet ved nabohotellet (som er hvor man spiser morgenmad) var ikke særlig venlige.

2026-04-06 via Nuitee
C
Chris family_with_children gb
9
Pros:

Very good value for money
Property is very retro and unusual which i really liked but it wont be to everyone's taste.

Cons:

Nothing

2026-04-04 via Nuitee
C
Cosmus Kithunga couple ke
8
Pros:

Its next to the beach

2026-04-03 via Nuitee
C
Concetta Maria family_with_children it
10
2026-04-03 via Nuitee
M
michal solo_traveller pl
7
Nothing special but OK. Slow wifi
Pros:

Low price

Cons:

Slow wifi, old, not very clean

2026-03-25 via Nuitee
S
Susan solo_traveller us
8
2026-03-25 via Nuitee