Hotel
Park Hyatt Zanzibar
Luxury seafront hotel in Shangani combining the 19th-century Mambo Msiige mansion with a modern wing, with 67 rooms, an infinity pool, spa and beachfront.
Tembo House Hotel
Beachfront hotel in Shangani, open since 1994, with sea-view balcony rooms, two pools, a private beach area, a gym and an oceanfront seafood restaurant.
At a glance
- Type
- Beachfront heritage hotel
- Area
- Shangani, Stone Town, Zanzibar City, Tanzania
- Price
- $$$ · Upscale
- Official site
- tembohotel.com
Good to know
- Beachfront
- Two pools
- Private beach area
- Gym
- Private cinema
- Seafront restaurant
Why we recommend it
Tembo House has been welcoming guests since 1994 and describes itself as the first beachfront hotel within the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Stone Town. It stands on the Shangani seafront, and the building has lived through much of Zanzibar's modern history. For many visitors its appeal is simple: a hotel in the old town where you can also swim, sunbathe and step onto the sand.
Room types range from presidential and deluxe suites to several categories of balcony and sea-view rooms. The hotel does not publish a total room count on its homepage, so check the configuration you want when booking, particularly for families. Facilities are generous for Stone Town: a first-floor infinity plunge pool, a larger pool at the heart of the hotel, a tropical garden courtyard, a terrace with sun loungers, a well-equipped gym and even a private cinema with a snack bar.
Bahari Restaurant is the hotel's oceanfront restaurant and specialises in fresh seafood, with tables looking straight out to sea. Guests also have access to a private beach area in front of the hotel, which is a good place to watch dhows and the sunset. Shangani's independent restaurants and bars are within a few minutes' walk if you want to eat out.
The hotel suits families, couples and travellers who want a mid-range to upper-mid-range stay with a pool and beach access without leaving the old town. The facilities make it especially practical for children, who often struggle with Stone Town's heat and narrow lanes. Because it sits inside the old town rather than on the east or north coast, you can combine beach time with sightseeing without daily transfers. It is less suited to those looking for the intimate feel of the smallest heritage hotels, as its facilities and range of room types give it more of a resort atmosphere.
Reservations can be made by WhatsApp on +255 777 413 348 or by email to the reservations team; the hotel also publishes landline numbers. From Tembo House it is a short walk to the Freddie Mercury Museum, the Zanzibar Serena Hotel and 6 Degrees South, and Forodhani Gardens and the Old Fort are a stroll along the seafront.
Tembo House Hotel FAQs
When did Tembo House open?
The hotel has welcomed guests since 1994.
Is Tembo House on the beach?
Yes. It is a beachfront hotel with a private beach area for guests.
Does it have a pool?
Yes. There is a first-floor infinity plunge pool and a larger central pool.
What other facilities are there?
A gym, a tropical garden courtyard, a sun terrace and a private cinema with a snack bar.
Is there a restaurant?
Yes. Bahari Restaurant is an oceanfront restaurant serving fresh seafood.
How do you book?
By WhatsApp on +255 777 413 348 or by email to [email protected].
Is it good for families?
Yes. The pools and beach access make it a practical choice for children.