Zanzibar Serena Hotel in Stone Town, Zanzibar

Idyllically situated on the sea-front of ancient Stone Town, and flanked by an exotic mix of sultan’s palaces, Portuguese forts, ancient dhow harbours and bright bazaars, the Zanzibar Serena Hotel is a heaven of tranquillity and opulence amongst the bustle of one of Africa’s most ancient and most enchanting towns.

A member of the prestigious Small Luxury Hotels of the World, it has been styled to represent the epitome of Swahili style, ethnic elegance and Arabic opulence, setting it apart as one of the finest hotels in Zanzibar.

Zanzibar Serena Hotel is in Stone Town, which is in the ‘Old Town’ of Zanzibar City, which lies on the western side of the island of the same name. Zanzibar has an international airport, which is approximately 20 minutes flight from the mainland. The airport is 7 km south of Zanzibar Town and the journey takes 15 minutes by car.

After the heat and dust of Stone Town, the accommodation in the Zanzibar Serena Hotel is a heaven of cool and shade. With high ceilings, shuttered windows and cool white walls, they are constructed in the traditional Swahili manner, whereby the size is dictated by the length of the mangrove poles that make up their ceilings. Adorned with arched niches, antique plates and brass lamps; and featuring traditionally carved furniture with basket weave and ceramic inlay, the rooms are predominantly royal blue and white. Four-poster, net draped beds dominate, offset by delicate side tables, vanity units and louver doors giving access onto balconies, some of which feature massive free-standing hammocks.

We offer a choice of luxury Stone Town accommodation including Standard Rooms, Prime Rooms or Suites. All our luxury Zanzibar accommodation options are equipped with: 24-hour room service, air-conditioning, Wi-Fi, direct-dial phone, in-room satellite TV, mini bar, private safe, 240V/3 pin (square) sockets and shaver sockets, hair driers, mosquito nets, bathrobe and slippers, umbrellas, porter/concierge, airport shuttle and limousine service.

Suites

Cooled by the breezes of the spice island, located in the heart of romantic Stone Town, enjoying sweeping views across the Zanzibar waterfront; and with access to its own private beach facility, the magnificent Zanzibar Serena Hotel offers the ultimate escape from reality.

EXECUTIVE SUITE

PRESIDENTIAL SUITE

IN-ROOM AMENITIES

HONEYMOON SUITE

Prime Rooms

Our exceptionally spacious Prime Rooms are presented in traditional Swahili style featuring traditional niches, fretwork cabinets and brightly coloured coastal cotton soft furnishings in cool blue. The four-poster beds are draped in mosquito nets and are generously king-sized.

PRIME ROOM

Standard Rooms

Our 41 standard rooms are presented in traditional Swahili style featuring traditional niches, fretwork cabinets and a cool blue and white colour scheme. Each room has either a king-sized bed with mosquito netting or twin beds.

STANDARD ROOM

Activities like snorkelling, diving, golf and various other can be enjoyed in the surrounding area.

Also, please check our activities page as most of our excursions depart from Stone Town.

Few venues can be more romantic for an unforgettable wedding than the spice island of Zanzibar. The Zanzibar Serena Hotel stands in prime position on the sea front as one of the most exclusive and beautiful wedding destinations. Offering a sublime selection of wedding venues within the hotel and around its grounds, we can also offer some unique historical venues.

As to formalities; from registrar to certificate, cake to champagne, all will be arranged. We also offer some unique family and friends Zanzibar wedding packages, ‘his and hers’ pre-wedding grooming, flowers for the venue and the bride, wedding planning service, professional banquet catering and limousine service.

Options Include: Flower-bowered, sea-terrace ceremony, Swahili bedecked cocktail reception by the pool. Wedding reception in the former Sultan Hamoud’s residential palace, the ‘House of Wonders’ or in the newly-restored Old Dispensary, one of Zanzibar’s finest historic buildings, Wedding on a traditional dhow, Wedding on a deserted island in the Zanzibar Channel, Traditional henna body decoration for the bride, A beach wedding at our Mangapwani Serena Beach Club, Swahili cultural entertainment, dance and song, Taarab orchestra or local choir, Photography and videoing of your special day. Special accommodation packages for the entire wedding party.

Constructed so that the waves lap to within inches of its open windows and the lateen-sailed dhows pass within metres of its tables, the Baharia Restaurant features fretwork screens, Omani carvings, Persian rugs and bright Swahili artefacts. The Zanzibar cuisine meanwhile, blends freshly caught seafood, fresh spices, luscious fruit and delicately flavoured vegetables.

BAHARIA RESTAURANT

Lapped by the waves of the Indian Ocean, the Baharia Restaurant in Stone Town offers all-day international and Swahili cuisine. Weekly Swahili banquets are also held around the pool.

THE TERRACE RESTAURANT

On the roof of Zanzibar Serena Hotel is our exclusive open-air Terrace Restaurant, which looks out over the bay and features a supreme selection of freshly-caught sea food.

THE MASAHANI BAR

Presented in traditional Swahili style, the Masahani Bar also offers performances by traditional Taarab orchestras.

THE POOL TERRACE

Indoor and outdoor seating overlooks our pool terrace where a wide range of drinks and snacks are served all day long.

THE MDELE COFFEE SHOP

Adjacent to the pool, the Mdele Coffee Shop offers traditional Swahili coffee, fresh-baked pastries and a wide range of international beverages and snacks.

THE MANGAPWANI BEACH BARBEQUE

A short drive from the Zanzibar Serena Hotel, the Serena’s exclusive beach hideaway offers a superb Swahili seafood lunch buffet.

ROOM SERVICE

We offer a 24-hour room service, which features an extensive menu offering everything from the classic club sandwich to a delicately-spiced curry. We are also delighted to serve a private lunch or dinner in your room or suite; or to provide cocktails and canapés on your private terrace.

The sumptuous Zanzibar Inn Conference Suite is located on the ground floor of the Zanzibar Serena Hotel and is the perfect location in Zanzibar for memorable meetings and events. Decorated in traditional Zanzibar style, it can accommodate up to 40 participants in a range of different room layouts and offers a wide range of services which include: PA system, table microphones, cordless microphones, TV/Video/DVD, LCD projector/screen, podium, white boards/flip charts and markers, Wi-Fi connectivity, Delegate pads, pens/pencils and 1-litre mineral water, Modern, modular events furniture, which can be tailored to your specifications. Business support (secretarial services, photo-copying, Wi-Fi and a full range of global communications), Registration staff and conference organisation support, Floral services, 24-hour generator back-up, Concierge services, Limousine and taxi services, ‘Meet and greet’ services, A wide range of CEO suites, Health and spa services, Team-building programmes.

Zanzibar Serena Hotel in Stone Town, can offer you a wide selection of rooms and suites: all with AC, satellite TV, Wi-Fi, all-day Baharia Restaurant, Mdele Coffee Shop, Masahani Bar, Terrace Seafood Restaurant is always available, Swimming pool and pool deck, Live music nightly, Treatment rooms, Business centre, taxi service, wedding planning service, gift shop, news-stand and travel requisites kiosk, baby-sitting, children’s dining/menus.

There is not really a bad or good time to go, but almost anytime it suits you. However there are two main seasons in Zanzibar. A High or Standard season is usually between June and March when you can expect Zanzibar to be very popular among worldwide tourists. Rainy season is usually during April and May when the heavy, but short rains can often occur, but it’s also the season when it’s the least crowded.

In Zanzibar there are many activities you can do.

For all the activities, we recommend you to contact us.