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House of Spice

3.0 star property
3-star guest house in Stone Town

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Photo gallery for House of Spice

Deluxe Suite
Terrace/patio
Breakfast area
Front of property
Terrace/patio

Reviews

8.6 out of 10
Excellent

Popular amenities

  • Parking included
  • Free WiFi
  • Air conditioning
  • Housekeeping

Explore the area

View in a map
Uwanja Wa Shaba, Zanzibar Town
  • Place, House of Wonders
    ‪3 min walk‬
  • Place, Old Fort
    ‪3 min walk‬
  • Place, Forodhani Gardens
    ‪5 min walk‬
  • Airport, Zanzibar (ZNZ-Zanzibar Intl.)
    ‪11 min drive‬

Room options

View all photos for Deluxe Double Room

Premium bedding, individually furnished, blackout drapes, free WiFi

Deluxe Double Room

  • City view
  • 22 sq m
  • 4 bedrooms
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Double Bed
  • Free WiFi

View all photos for Deluxe Suite

Deluxe Suite

Deluxe Suite

  • City view
  • 30 sq m
  • 2 bedrooms
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Double Beds
  • Free WiFi

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About the area

Zanzibar Town

Stone Town stay.With a stay at this Stone Town guesthouse, you'll be steps from Mbweni Ruins and Marahubi Palace. People's Palace Museum and Freddie Mercury Museum are also within half a mile (1 km).
View more Guest houses in Zanzibar TownOpens in a new window

What's nearby

  • Mbweni Ruins - 1 min walk - 0.1 km
  • House of Wonders - 3 min walk - 0.3 km
  • Old Fort - 3 min walk - 0.3 km
  • Forodhani Gardens - 5 min walk - 0.5 km
  • Christ Church Cathedral - 7 min walk - 0.6 km

Getting around

  • Zanzibar Intl. Airport (ZNZ) - 21 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Forodhani Park - ‬6 min walk
  • ‪House of Karafuu - ‬4 min walk
  • ‪Livingstone Beach Restaurant - ‬3 min walk
  • ‪Maru Maru Terrace Restaurant - ‬5 min walk
  • ‪Mama Mia Gelato - Stone Town - ‬4 min walk

About this property

House of Spice

3-star guest house in Stone Town
As a guest of House of Spice, you'll find a rooftop terrace, a garden, and a front-desk safe. WiFi is free in public spaces. An airport shuttle (available 24 hours) and an area shuttle are available for a fee. Free self parking is available.

This 3-star Zanzibar Town guesthouse is smoke free.

  • 6 guestrooms or units
  • 3 levels
  • Terrace on the roof
  • Front desk (limited hours)
  • Storage area for luggage
  • Front-desk safe
  • Garden
  • No smoking on site
House of Spice offers 6 accommodations with complimentary bottled water and complimentary toiletries. Each accommodation is individually furnished. Beds feature premium bedding. Guests can surf the web using the complimentary wireless Internet access. Bathrooms include showers. Additionally, rooms include ceiling fans and blackout drapes/curtains. Housekeeping is offered daily and hair dryers can be requested.

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Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
  • Available in some public areas: Free WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • 24-hour roundtrip airport shuttle on request for a surcharge
  • Area shuttle (surcharge)
  • Free self parking on site

Accessibility

  • No elevator

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Blackout drapes
  • Premium bedding

Bathroom

  • Free toiletries
  • Hair dryer (on request)
  • Private bathroom
  • Shower
  • Towels provided

Food and drink

  • Free bottled water

More

  • Air conditioning (climate-controlled)
  • Ceiling fan
  • Individual furnishings
  • Safe

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: 2:00 PM; Check-in end time: 11:30 PM
Contactless check-in available
Minimum check-in age: 18

Check-out

Check-out before 10:00 AM
Contactless check-out available

Special check-in instructions

This property offers transfers from the airport (surcharges may apply); guests must contact the property with arrival details before travel, using the contact information on the booking confirmation
The front desk is open daily from 9:30 AM - 10:00 AM
Guests must contact the property in advance for check-in instructions; front desk staffed during limited hours
To make arrangements for check-in please contact the property at least 24 hours before arrival using the information on the booking confirmation
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools

Access methods

Front desk (limited hours)

Pets

  • Pets and service animals are not allowed at House of Spice

Children and extra beds

  • Children are welcome.
  • Rollaway/extra beds are not available.
  • Cribs (infant beds) are not available.

Property payment types

Important information

Optional extras

The fees and deposits listed below will be charged at the time of service, check-in, or check-out.

  • Airport shuttle fee: USD 25 per vehicle (one-way)
  • In-room safe fee: USD 5 per stay

This may not be a comprehensive list. Fees and deposits are subject to change and might not include tax.

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
Guests must contact this property in advance to reserve cribs/infant beds
This property accepts credit cards; cash is not accepted
Charges for extra guests may apply and vary according to property policy.
A cash deposit, credit card, or debit card for incidental charges and government-issued photo identification may be required upon check-in.
Special requests are subject to availability at the time of check-in. Special requests can't be guaranteed and may incur additional charges.
    This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business, or profession. Guests must contact this property in advance to reserve cribs/infant beds. This property accepts Visa, Mastercard, and American Express. Cash is not accepted. 

We should mention

  • Registered guests are the only ones allowed to be in guestrooms.
  • Pets and service animals are not allowed on site.

Property is also known as

Shaba Boutique Hotel Zanzibar Town
Shaba Boutique Zanzibar Town
Shaba Boutique
Shaba Boutique Hotel
House of Spice Guesthouse
House of Spice Zanzibar Town
House of Spice Guesthouse Zanzibar Town

Frequently asked questions

How close is House of Spice to the airport?

House of Spice is 5 mi (21-min drive) away from the Zanzibar Intl. Airport (ZNZ) airport, the closest popular airport to the property.

Does House of Spice have an airport shuttle?

House of Spice offers an airport shuttle 24 hours a day, on request, for a charge of USD 25 per vehicle, one-way.

How close is House of Spice to the beach?

This guesthouse is a short 2-minute walk from Nakupenda Beach and 4-minute walk from Shangani Beach. Don't forget your sunscreen!

Does House of Spice offer free breakfast?

House of Spice does not offer free breakfast.

Is there a casino at House of Spice?

No, there is no casino at this guesthouse.

What time is check-in at House of Spice?

Check-in start time: 2:00 PM; Check-in end time: 11:30 PM.

Is there free parking at House of Spice?

This guesthouse offers free self parking.

Does House of Spice have a pool?

House of Spice does not have a pool.

Does House of Spice have a spa?

There are no spa services available at this guesthouse.

How close is House of Spice to downtown Zanzibar Town?

House of Spice is 0.8 mi away from Zanzibar Town.

House of Spice Reviews

Reviews

8.6

Excellent

Rating 10 - Excellent. 34 out of 69 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 22 out of 69 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 11 out of 69 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 2 out of 69 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 69 reviews

9.2/10

Cleanliness

8.8/10

Staff & service

7.4/10

Amenities

8.4/10

Property conditions & facilities

Reviews

Verified

8/10 Good

maria dolores

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities

SHABA very good area..

THE HOTEL IS HANDLED BUT ONE GIRL..PRICILLA who IS VERY NICE AND ACCOMMODATING THE OTHER GIRL IS NOT... but when I tried to book 3 more nights, tha tnight that might be booked but she could give me the other 2 fllowings nights ....she made me wait for the owner's response but never came back to me...the next day I went personally very early to the hotel...She was on leave and was the other girl..who said it was fully booked even the next 2 following nights that I was tld I could be confirmed... not very responsible --make sure to make booking through hotels.com there was a confusion doing the booking through hotels.com....I wanted to confirm using the 2 nights rewards not used at Kiponda... was rejected the booking...but nevertheless I was charged for 2nights... that Priscilla wasnt aware.... she charged me 2 USD for the 2nights instead if accepting a cash deal whcih had been cheaper.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2020
Verified

6/10 Okay

Lusubilo

Liked: Cleanliness
Disliked: Room comfort

Avoid room number 1 at any cost!!

Generally, my stay was great with EXCEPTIONAL of the bed. What I saw in the picture when booking is not what I got. I was given room number 1 which is the decker bed where you need to climb a steep stair and I found it very risky. At least they should ask a guest in advance if someone is capable of climbing those stairs regularly. I commend the two receptionists, they are very kind and helpful.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2021
Verified

10/10 Excellent

JAI

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Shaba dabba do

Good hotel lovely decor and some interesting rooms and in a central location . Hard to access with a taxi but not far from main street. Priscilla was the star , thoughtful attentive and hard working this lady made the place worthwhile and special . Overall decent budget one night stay location
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2020
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Pav

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Excellent stay
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2020
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Pav

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

very nice place

Great location and a very pleasant hotel - recently renovated. I enjoyed my two nights there
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2020
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Alexander

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

super

Supertrevlig personal med god frukost
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2020
Verified

4/10 Poor

Verified traveller

Liked: Amenities
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
The building was interesting, but the hotel had two problems. The first issue was the tourist tax. Although Expedia explicitly says on their webpage that the tourist tax is included in the final price charged to us, they insisted that I pay the tourist tax. They told me that “many people complained” about the tax and they couldn’t communicate with Expedia” through emails or phone calls. So they have been making everyone pay the taxes despite Expedia had already collected the taxes. I told the guy at the reception when I checked in that I paid all the taxes, then the next day another woman came to ask me for the taxes, and yet again. I had to talk with her for 30 minutes until I found the Expedia chat function and the Expedia staff clarified that I didn’t have to pay. It seemed like the boss was making them insist on paying the taxes. Another issue is that they have the dining space in their garden, which is a good idea in theory, but in reality, there were five or six mosquitoes buzzing around me while I was having breakfast. I got five mosquito bites in fifteen minutes. They might need to move their breakfast location elsewhere indoors or upstairs to avoid this problem. The second day, I went with a piece of cloth to cover up my legs and a jacket to cover my arms, despite the humidity. The swarm of mosquitoes still bit my hand.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2020
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Sejour en solo

1er séjour parfait , le confort et la propreté sont là, le personnel très disponible et agréable. Je recommande cet hôtel, il est nickel
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2020
Verified

8/10 Good

Michael

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Overall good...upon arrival I was asked to pay a dollar tax when though I booked through hotels.com... The wifi was very poor on the 1st level of the building..ie my room
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2020
Verified

6/10 Okay

Verified traveller

Disliked: Amenities, property conditions & facilities
There is no refrigerator in the room. Safety box usage is also charged.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2019
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Isabel

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Great cozy place in stone town

The room that we stayed was beautiful and very clean. The top terrace is falling apart, they should change the wood. It was a great place to stay in the middle of stone town. Easy to walk around. Only one street gets pretty dark at night when you are returning to the hotel. The service was good, they were really friendly and polite. They even made us breakfast at 5am because we needed to leave at 6am. It was a great place to stay in an affordable hotel.
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2019
Verified

6/10 Okay

Christopher

central

Very central, basic, did the job.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2019
Verified

8/10 Good

Sonia

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Jolie hôtel, avec sa terrasse pour le petit petit-déjeuner, c'est agréable de ne pas se retrouver directement dehors. Gros coup de coeur pour les meubles authentiquesen bois massif de cet hotel. Bon petit-déjeuner, personnel agréable et souriant. Je n'ai pas aimé stone town dans son intégralité. Mais l'hôtel était plutôt bien placé dans le centre ville et un peu en retrait du tumulte des commerces. Cependant il y avait des travaux autour donc ce n'était pas très agréable à contempler (la ville de manière générale est en assez mauvaise état de toute façon)
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2019
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Is was in a great location in the heart of stonetone. Just what we needed for the night.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2019
Verified

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Nice location. Interesting rooms with great woodwork. I think there are only 6 rooms which is nice. Staff could have been a bit more friendly. Good rooftop spot!
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2019
Verified

6/10 Okay

Verified traveller

Location was good. We got the deluxe double room and it was very small.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2019
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Adam

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Clean boutique hotel right in the middle of Stone Town. Great daily breakfast provided.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2019
Verified

6/10 Okay

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities
Nice decor in the room and a very decent size as well. I appreciated the complimentary bottle of water. Breakfast was very good. WiFi a bit patchy. My room was on the ground floor behind a lovely carved door, but the lock on the door left a big gap at the sides and I didn’t feel as safe as I’d have liked for myself or my belongings. The lock on the outside was also very stiff for opening and closing and on the inside was only a latch.
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2019
Verified

8/10 Good

paul

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities

Beautifully decorated

Shaba is a nice, clean hotel. The rooms are clean and nicely decorated, but very small. No place to put your suitcase except on the floor and then you step over it to get anywhere else in the room. We had two carry on suitcases and were struggling. There is nice outdoor space for relaxing as you enter the hotel and also a sunset watching outdoor space at the very top of the hotel. Everyone was kind and helpful. They booked our taxi to the airport and also will book tours for you. air con was good and wifi was also good.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2019
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Ilze

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Stone Town Gem

Great boutique hotel in the best part of Stone Town. Clean, spacious room with great service and delicious breakfast included in the price. Value for Money!!
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2019
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great breakfast. Good location. Rooms very nice and comfortable.
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2019
Verified

6/10 Okay

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Perfect location. Friendly staff. But not muh to do in stone town one night is enough.
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2019
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Fréderic

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Bel hotel intime

Bel emplacement (accès à pied) en dehors des ordures qui s'entassent sur le terrain entourant la tombe devant l'hôtel. Chambre propre, confortable et peu bruyante. Décoration sobre mais typique. Dommage que le coffre de la chambre soit payant (5$) Service soigné, souriant et familial. Bon petit déjeuner. Une terrasse sur le toit de l’immeuble (découvert par hasard le matin du départ) Prix des excursions un peu chères. Une belle expérience pour sortir des chaines standards.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2018
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Daniel

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Beautiful Hotel in Stone Town

This hotel is located in a beautiful area of Stone Town and close to all the nearby attractions. The building is full of character and the small nature of the hotel really helps it feel like home. The rooms are very clean and comfortable and the staff are very friendly and welcoming!
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2018
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Juho

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Nice hotel in central location in Stonetown

We staid 1 night with my wife and were extremely happy with this small, clean and pretty hotel with a nice rooftop view. Very friendly and helpful staff, and good breakfast. Central location in Stonetown, although as everything in Stonetown, a bit tricky to find.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2018