A historical house lovingly renovated into a traditional, boutique hotel
Location: Tucked away in the winding streets of central Stone Town, Zanzibar Palace Hotel is ideally placed for exploring the island’s most atmospheric neighbourhood. Most of the town’s highlights, including the Old Fort, the House of Wonders and local markets, are within walking distance. The hotel also makes a great base for further island excursions such as spice tours, beach trips and visits to Jozani Forest.
Rooms: This intimate, owner-run hotel has just nine rooms, spread across three floors. Each has its own distinct style, blending antique Zanzibari furniture with modern comforts like air-conditioning and Wi-Fi. The upper floor suites are particularly special, offering expansive views over Stone Town’s rooftops. Four-poster beds and traditional wooden features give every room a strong sense of place.
Amenities: The hotel has a cosy, private restaurant serving French-inspired dinners with a focus on fresh local seafood and seasonal ingredients. Meat and vegetarian dishes are also available. There’s also a small spa offering indulgent treatments, ideal after a day of sightseeing.
Activities: Stone Town is packed with cultural experiences, from visiting museums and architectural landmarks to browsing vibrant local markets. Guests can also enjoy day trips to nearby beaches, go on a spice tour, take a boat to Prison Island or join a diving excursion. The team at Zanzibar Palace are happy to help with suggestions and arrangements.
Sustainability: The hotel is committed to supporting the local community through employment, training and the use of local materials and suppliers wherever possible. It also minimises environmental impact with responsible waste management and water-saving practices.
Let me help you create your perfect bespoke holiday
Best places to stay in Stone Town
Zanzibar Trip Inspiration
When to go to Zanzibar
Find out the best time to visit Zanzibar with our month by month guide.
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
January
January is dry season in Zanzibar, it is the best time to swim with whale sharks and exploring the isles corals reefs and exotic fish, with water clarity of 25 meters.
February
February is dry season in Zanzibar, it is the best time to swim with whale sharks and exploring the isles corals reefs and exotic fish, with water clarity of 25 meters.
March
In March Zanzibar experiences a period of long rains - showers become more frequent and it can be very wet from the middle of March.
April
The long rains make April a mixed month to travel, as beaches along the Indian Coastline become very hot and wet. Activities like scuba diving take a turn, with water clarity decreasing due to the weather. We would recommend not travelling during this time.
May
Temperatures during May are high, with strong winds and continual rainfall. If you travel during this time you won't witness the best of Zanzibar.
June
June, the wet season is finally over, temperatures are cooler making it a beautiful time to lounge on the beach or explore the culturally rich Stone Town. Sporadic rainfall may occur across the month.
July
Dry season is in full swing, with consistent weather over this period with little wind and low rainfall. Diving is good during July with clarity levels increasing.
August
Dry season is in full swing, with consistent weather over this period with little wind and low rainfall. Diving is good during August with clarity levels increasing as long as the weather remains temperate.
September
Dry season is in full swing, with consistent weather, the added bonus of September is the possibility of whale watching.
October
October is the ideal month for exploring coral reefs and exotic marine life, with water clarity of 25 meters or more it is perfect for any water lovers. The weather remains temperate, with little wind and rainfall.
November
November brings the arrival of the summer rains and winds, but if you're a keen fisherman, billfish season kicks off. Otherwise, it is the best time to swim with the mighty whale shark and to go coral reef diving.
December
The wet season continues in Zanzibar during December. However, it is the best time to swim with whale sharks. Diving is not at its best but visibility is good for exploring the isles corals reefs and exotic fish.
Speak to a Zanzibar expert today
and start planning your tailor-made vacation
Alistair
