Zanzibar Serena Hotel

Hotels
8.6 (568 reviews)
Shangani Street, Stone Town , Zanzibar City , TZ

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Free
Children allowed

Facilities

WiFi available
Free WiFi
Parking
Free Parking
Non-smoking rooms
Air conditioning
Swimming pool
24-hour front desk
Restaurant
Room service
See all facilities

Review Highlights

Pros:
Excellent waterfront/location with sea and pool views
Friendly, accommodating and helpful staff
Beautiful historic building and well-designed rooms/balconies
Nice pool area, live music and pleasant atmosphere
Clean, peaceful setting with sea breeze
Cons:
Food and beverage quality inconsistent; several complaints about breakfast and dinner
Perceived poor value for money — high prices and unexpected charges
Visible trash on small beach area by the breakfast room detracts from experience
Occasional maintenance issues (broken hairdryer, small bathroom/no extractor fan)
Half-board/booking confusion on arrival

Categories

Cleanliness
8.7
Generally reported as clean and well maintained, but a notable complaint about visible trash on the small beach area seen from the breakfast room lowered perception slightly.
Service
9.3
Consistently praised: friendly, helpful and accommodating staff (multiple mentions, including specific praise for staff members and late reception help). Overall service considered a strong point.
Location
9.6
Repeatedly described as excellent: waterfront/sea-front position, unbeatable location in Stone Town with great views and walking distance to attractions.
Room Quality
9
Rooms described as gorgeous, spacious with large balconies and good sea/pool views; a few minor issues noted (small bathroom, occasional broken hairdryer or extractor fan).
Amenities
9.2
Good amenities cited such as a lovely pool, balcony hammocks, live music and restaurant/breakfast facilities; some operational issues (hairdryer, extractor fan) but overall positive amenities.
Value for Money
6.5
Several guests explicitly mentioned the hotel being expensive; complaints about high prices for wine/rooms and unexpected charges (e.g., drinks at dinner, half-board confusion) reduce perceived value.
Food and Beverage
7.3
Mixed feedback: some reviewers called breakfasts and food delicious, others reported poor or limited breakfast and disappointing dinners — inconsistent F&B experience across stays.
Overall Experience
9.2
Overall very positive sentiment: many guests 'loved' their stay, highly recommend the hotel, citing charm, views and friendly staff despite some issues with value and food.
* This sentiment is summarized by AI based on user reviews.
Updated at: 2026-08-11 20:15

Property Description

Luxurious 5-Star Accommodation:
Zanzibar Serena Inn, located in the heart of Stone Town, offers exquisite 5-star accommodation overlooking the stunning Indian Ocean. Each room is elegantly decorated with traditional furnishings and modern amenities, ensuring a comfortable stay.

Dining with a View:
Indulge in a culinary journey at Zanzibar Serena Inn's restaurants, offering a variety of international, Swahili, and seafood dishes. Enjoy breathtaking ocean views from the Terrace Seafood Restaurant's rooftop terrace while savoring delicious meals prepared by talented chefs.

Relaxation and Activities:
Unwind by the outdoor pool or on the beach, soaking up the sun and enjoying refreshing drinks from the Pool Terrace Bar. For the adventurous guests, snorkeling, kayaking, and diving activities are available nearby, promising an unforgettable experience.

Book your stay at Zanzibar Serena Inn for a luxurious and memorable retreat by the sea.

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.
Guests are required to show a photo ID and credit card upon check-in. Please note that all Special Requests are subject to availability and additional charges may apply.
Payment before arrival by bank transfer is required. The property will contact you after you book to provide instructions.
A deposit may be required at the property.

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

Location

Guest Reviews

8.6
Based on 568 reviews
Cleanliness: 8.7
Service: 9.3
Location: 9.6
Room Quality: 9
Amenities: 9.2
Value for Money: 6.5
Food and Beverage: 7.3
Overall Experience: 9.2
D
David • couple • za
10
2026-10-14 • via Nuitee
H
Harvey • couple • au
10
Wonderful relaxing stay
Pros:

Great property and staff service. wonderful relaxing break.

2026-10-13 • via Nuitee
N
Niclas • solo_traveller • at
8
2026-10-11 • via Nuitee
K
Karen • family_with_children • us
10
Overall service at the hotel was great. Staff very friendly, food good and the location
Pros:

Breakfast was good and the location great.

Cons:

Only putting plastic mats in the bathtub.

2026-10-11 • via Nuitee
W
Wendy • solo_traveller • us
10
Very enjoyable experience staying at Serena.
Pros:

Beautiful, great location, and friendly helpful staff.

2026-10-09 • via Nuitee
Álvaro • couple • es
6
Decepcionante para el nivel esperado por su calificacion y precio
Pros:

La ubicacion

Cons:

La habitacion estaba muy antigua. No funcionaban las persianas, la puerta no aislaba nada el ruido del pasillo. No funcionaban interruptores y enchufes. El baño pequeño y antiguo

2026-10-07 • via Nuitee
R
Richard • couple • gb
9
2026-09-16 • via Nuitee
B
Birgit • couple • ch
9
Pros:

Was directly next to the sea. Close to Stonetown.

Cons:

Nothing not to like

2026-09-14 • via Nuitee
V
Vinod • couple • gb
10
2026-09-13 • via Nuitee
S
Shehnaz • solo_traveller • ca
10
A beautiful hotel in Stone Town location overlooking the Indian Ocean, stunning architecture
Pros:

Zanzibar Serena Hotel has a fabulous location, right in the heart of historic Stone Town, yet directly facing the Indian Ocean. It really gives you the best of both worlds: easy access to Stone Town combined with beautiful ocean views and a wonderfully relaxing atmosphere.

The ambience and architecture are beautiful, with so much character and a real sense of Zanzibar’s history and heritage. The staff are excellent, warm, attentive and consistently professional, and the quality of service really stands out.

The food is also very good and complements the overall experience. A beautiful hotel in a truly special setting, with excellent service and plenty of character.

2026-09-13 • via Nuitee
A
Alexander • solo_traveller • il
8
2026-09-12 • via Nuitee
J
JOSE VICENTE • solo_traveller • fr
9
Pros:

Personnels très gentils
La formule petit déjeuner et dîner est impeccable

Cons:

Chambre mal insonorisée
Si le voisin est au téléphone vous avez l'impression qu'il est dans votre chambre

2026-09-11 • via Nuitee
G
Gary • solo_traveller • sg
9
A wonderful experience in Zanzibar.
Pros:

Excellent location and facilities. Very well maintained grounds. Dining area next to the beach. Unblocked sunset views. Generally attentive staff.

2026-09-10 • via Nuitee
S
Simia • family_with_children • ch
9
Super, je reviendrai
Pros:

Agréable décor et positionnement sur la mer. Super sympa staff. Nourriture surtout bon au petit déjeuner très variés avec spécialités Zanzibari

2026-09-10 • via Nuitee
R
Robert • solo_traveller • gb
10
2026-09-09 • via Nuitee
T
Tonneau • couple • be
9
Pros:

La chambre et la terrasse avaient une vue exceptionnelle !! Localisation parfaite

2026-09-05 • via Nuitee
A
Axel • solo_traveller • de
6
2026-09-04 • via Nuitee
J
JOSIAS • couple • br
9
Pros:

Uma viagem no tempo

2026-09-03 • via Nuitee
M
Marvin • couple • ae
8
2026-08-30 • via Nuitee
A
arthurlm • couple • fr
8
Pros:

Très beau bâtiment et personnel attentif.
Nous avons beaucoup apprécié la piscine et la vue sur l'océan.

Le hamac sur le patio de la chambre était très agréable en début et fin de journée.

Il y a beaucoup de personnel de surveillance, ce qui améliore le sentiment de sécurité.

Le personnel nous a laissé rester dans l'hôtel après le checkout (quand nous attendions notre avion), et laissé profiter de la piscine et des équipements.

Cons:

Le restaurant n'était pas à la hauteur du lieu.

2026-08-28 • via Nuitee