Zanzibar Serena Inn

Zanzibar Serena Hotel is a great hotel with amazing views.

The staff are friendly and helpful.

The breakfast buffet is something to remember. Private beach and pool overlooking the ocean

We felt it was important to see something of the history and culture of the island and the Serena Inn was a natural choice owing to its sea front location (slightly safer potentially than the smaller boutique hotels right in the labyrinthine streets) in the heart of old Stone Town.

It is also a member of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World and we had stayed at several of these before so we were comfortable we knew what we were getting.

We were picked up at the airport by a hotel transport (very nice people mover) and it took no more than 15 minutes to reach the hotel.

Other Holiday Hotels, Beach Rentals and Holiday Villas

Check in was easy - they even anticipated who we were before we had to say our names and our room was very comfortable (not massive, but with everything you need), completed by a very large terrace with a sea view and hammock.

We ate in the main restaurant (not the Terrace Restaurant at the top) for dinner, breakfast and lunch all of which were very high quality and we thought good value for money too, drinks in particular.

We also enjoyed the lovely swimming pool and found they served complimentary crepes and tea/coffee from 4.30 onwards.

The concierge service is actually run by Fisherman tours and we booked a Stone Town walking tour with them ($58 for two for around 2-3 hours).

We could choose the time we wanted to go and the guide we had was brilliant. We could have spent all day with him!

He was extremely knowledgeable and thorough and we got the sense that we were doing better than other tourists whose guides were whisking them up to the photo spot and back again.

We spent over 15 minutes alone going through the Sultanate history looking at photos and pictures in Africa House.

Serena Inn is decorated in Zanzibari style and also benefits from the use of a private beach (not right outside the hotel - it is a 45 minute drive away).

The service was excellent throughout and we were sorry to leave so quickly. We did, however, find that 2 nights in Stone Town was enough for us to get the most out of the town and so we felt this was sufficient to move on to our final stop.

The hotel is interesting, built into two historic buildings, the telecommunications building and a doctor's dispensary;

Our room had a great sunset view over the Indian Ocean.

But the service was what made this place.

People were very accommodating, arranging tours, boat charters and catering to my special interests.

The hotel has a private beach north of Stonetown.

The day we went we were the only people there. It has rained but we came to the beach to get wet, right.

Well, it didn't rain and we had a wonderful day.

The hotel is located in Stonetown, walking distance from the interesting sights and markets.

We only stayed three days but I wish it were longer.

Zanzibar Serena Inn stands in the legendary Stone Town of Zanzibar, an Island whose very name evokes East Africa’s exotic past.

The Serena Inn Zanzibar is idyllically situated on the sea front of ancient Stone Town, washed by the aquamarine waters of the Zanzibar channel, redolent of the scent of cloves and flanked by an exotic melange of sultan’s palaces, Portuguese forts, ancient dhow harbours, dark slave markets, and bright bazaars. Its a haven of tranquility and opulence amongst the bustle of Zanzibar.

Faithfully restored and lavishly embellished with a collection of antique clocks,crystal chandeliers, fretwork screens, carved staircases, Persian rugs and brass-studded doors, Serena Zanzibar Inn's interior design concept is a fusion of authenticity and opulence that reflects the very essence of Zanzibar.

Each room at this Serena hotel is cool, white and constructed to the traditional design of a Swahili house, which is dependant upon the length of the mangrove poles that make up its ceilings.

Adorned with arched niches, antique plates and brass lamps and featuring traditionally carved furniture, cool-ceramics, intricate fretwork, draped beds and louver doors giving onto wrought-iron balconies overlooking the Persian-bath pool and azure bay beyond, each room in Zanzibar Serena Inn reflects a blend of essential Zanzibar and world-class elegance.

Interiors echo Zanzibar's rich Arabian heritage. For a thousand years, Zanzibar was one of the world's cross roads of trade, with Persians, Arabs and Europeans attracted to its exotic exports. Stone Town's architecture is testimony to that cultural heritage

Location:

Serena Inn Zanzibar Located on the sea front of historic Stone Town on the western side of Zanzibar Island. 8kms from Zanzibar Airport.

Accommodation:

Serena Inn Zanzibar has 51 en-suite rooms; 42 standard rooms, 6 prime rooms, 4 suites.

Room facilities:

• 24-Hour Room Service

• Air-Conditioning

• Balcony

• Hair/Beauty Salon

• Massage

• Mini Bar

• Satellite TV

General facilities:

Restaurant

Dispensary

Swimming pool

House doctor on request