Emerson on Hurumzi

Emerson on Hurumzi is not an ordinary hotel. It's a 19th-century palace of an Arab merchant, transformed into one of the most extraordinary places to stay in all of Zanzibar. When you walk through the main door, you feel like you've stepped back in time — and that's exactly the point.

History and architecture

The building dates back to the 1850s. Carved wooden doors, teak ceilings, mosaics, antique furniture — every room is different and tells a different story. The owner, Emerson Skeens, spent years collecting objects from across Zanzibar and beyond. The result is extraordinary: it's more of a museum you can sleep in than a hotel in the traditional sense.

Rooms

Every room is unique. Some have canopy beds, others have views over Stone Town's rooftops. There are no TVs or minibars. Instead, there's silence, air conditioning, and an atmosphere that can't be faked. Bathrooms are stylish, though not always large. If you're looking for sterile modernity — this isn't your place. If you're looking for something you'll talk about for years — you've found it.

Rooftop dinner — a must-do experience

Even if you don't stay at Emerson on Hurumzi, it's worth coming here for dinner. The rooftop restaurant — Tower Top — is one of those experiences that defines a trip to Zanzibar. You sit at low tables on cushions, by candlelight, with a view over all of Stone Town and the ocean beyond. Live music, Swahili cuisine, sunset. Reservation required.

Who is Emerson on Hurumzi for?

For travelers seeking more than just a place to sleep. For lovers of history and architecture. For couples who want to experience something truly special. For those who understand that real luxury isn't marble and gold, but uniqueness and the soul of a place.