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Dhow Palace Hotel

4.0 star property
4-star hotel in Stone Town

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Photo gallery for Dhow Palace Hotel

Property entrance
Terrace/patio
Breakfast, lunch, dinner served; pool views
Free daily full breakfast
Presidential Double Room | Terrace/patio

Reviews

8.6 out of 10
Excellent

Popular amenities

  • Pool
  • Parking included
  • Free WiFi
  • Restaurant
  • Air conditioning

Explore the area

View in a map
Kenyatta Road / Baghani Street, Stone Town, Zanzibar Town, 397400
  • 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 Standard Single Room

Standard Single Room

Standard Single Room

8.8 out of 10
Excellent
(3 reviews)
  • 10 sq m
  • Sleeps 1
  • 1 Twin Bed

View all photos for Standard Double Room

Standard Double Room

Standard Double Room

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(3 reviews)
  • 15 sq m
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 Double Bed

View all photos for Standard Twin Room

Standard Twin Room

Standard Twin Room

9.0 out of 10
Wonderful
(2 reviews)
  • 15 sq m
  • Sleeps 3
  • 2 Twin Beds

View all photos for Standard Triple Room, City View

Standard Triple Room, City View

Standard Triple Room, City View

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(1 review)
  • 35 sq m
  • City view
  • Sleeps 3
  • 3 Twin Beds

View all photos for Deluxe Room, Pool View

Deluxe Room, Pool View

Deluxe Room, Pool View

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(3 reviews)
  • 20 sq m
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 King Bed

View all photos for Standard Double Room

Standard Double Room

Standard Double Room

  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

View all photos for Standard Single Room

In-room safe, desk, soundproofing, free cribs/infant beds

Standard Single Room

  • Sleeps 1
  • 1 Twin Bed

View all photos for Annex Apartment

Annex Apartment

Annex Apartment

8.0 out of 10
Very good
(1 review)
  • 1 bedroom
  • City view
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed and 1 Twin Bed

View all photos for Deluxe Triple Room

Deluxe Triple Room

Deluxe Triple Room

8.0 out of 10
Very good
(1 review)
  • City view
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 Twin Bed and 1 Queen Bed

View all photos for Standard Twin Room

Standard Twin Room

Standard Twin Room

  • Sleeps 2
  • 2 Twin Beds

View all photos for Deluxe Double Room

Deluxe Double Room

Deluxe Double Room

  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

View all photos for Presidential Double Room

Presidential Double Room

Presidential Double Room

  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

View all photos for Standard Double Room

In-room safe, desk, soundproofing, free cribs/infant beds

Standard Double Room

  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

About the area

Zanzibar Town

Central Zanzibar Town getaway .With a stay at this Stone Town hotel, you'll be steps from Marahubi Palace and People's Palace Museum. Mbweni Ruins and Nakupenda Beach are also within half a mile (1 km).

What's nearby

  • Nakupenda Beach - 2 min walk - 0.2 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
  • Slave Market - 8 min walk - 0.7 km

Getting around

  • Zanzibar Intl. Airport (ZNZ) - 18 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Forodhani Park - ‬6 min walk
  • ‪House of Karafuu - ‬4 min walk
  • ‪Zenji Garden Café - ‬6 min walk
  • ‪Beach House Restaurant - ‬2 min walk
  • ‪Livingstone Beach Restaurant - ‬4 min walk

About this property

Dhow Palace Hotel

4-star hotel in Stone Town
Dhow Palace Hotel offers its guests an indoor pool and a children's pool. There's a restaurant on site, as well as a coffee shop/cafe and a snack bar/deli. You can enjoy a drink at one of the bars, which include a poolside bar and a bar/lounge. Free breakfast is served daily. WiFi and wired Internet are free in public spaces.

A library, a terrace, and coffee/tea in a common area are also featured at the business-friendly Dhow Palace Hotel. An area shuttle within 60 km and an airport shuttle (available 24 hours) are available for a fee. Self parking is free.

Smoking is allowed in designated areas at this 4-star Zanzibar Town hotel.

  • 30 guestrooms or units
  • Full breakfast (free)
  • Deli
  • Childcare (surcharge)
  • Poolside lounge chairs
  • Coffee in lobby
  • Self-service laundry
  • Front desk (limited hours)
  • Storage area for luggage
  • Front-desk safe
  • Concierge
  • Library
  • Terrace
  • Beauty salon
  • Newspapers in lobby (free)
  • ATM
  • Smoking in designated areas
  • Bar or lounge
  • Bar by the pool
  • Dining venue
Dhow Palace Hotel offers 30 air-conditioned accommodations, which are accessible via exterior corridors and feature safes and coffee/tea makers. LCD televisions come with cable channels. Bathrooms include showers, slippers, and hair dryers.

This Zanzibar Town hotel provides complimentary wireless Internet access. Business-friendly amenities include desks and phones.

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Property amenities

Family friendly

  • Babysitting (surcharge)
  • Children's pool
  • Free rollaway/extra bed
  • In-room crib
  • In-room full-sized refrigerator/freezer
  • Indoor pool
  • Laundry facilities
  • Snack bar/deli
  • Soundproofed rooms

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
  • Available in some public areas: Free WiFi and wired internet

Parking and transportation

  • Free offsite parking
  • 24-hour roundtrip airport shuttle (surcharge)
  • Area shuttle (surcharge) up to 60 km
  • Beach shuttle (surcharge)
  • Ferry terminal shuttle (surcharge)
  • Shopping center shuttle (surcharge)
  • Free self parking on site
  • Limited onsite self parking

Food and drink

  • Free full breakfast available daily 7:00 AM to 10:30 AM
  • A bar/lounge
  • A coffee shop/cafe
  • A poolside bar
  • A restaurant
  • Coffee and tea in common areas
  • Snack bar/deli

Things to do

  • Children's pool
  • Indoor pool
  • Library

Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • No elevator
  • Wheelchair accessibility

Room amenities

Entertainment

  • LCD TV with cable channels

Bedroom

  • Bedsheets provided
  • Free crib
  • Free rollaway/extra bed

Bathroom

  • Hair dryer
  • Private bathroom
  • Shower
  • Slippers
  • Towels provided

Food and drink

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Electric kettle
  • Full-sized refrigerator/freezer
  • Limited room service

More

  • Access via exterior corridors
  • Air conditioning
  • Desk
  • Phone
  • Safe
  • Soundproofed rooms

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: noon; Check-in end time: 10 PM
Minimum check-in age: 18

Check-out

Check-out before 10 AM

Special check-in instructions

This property offers transfers from the ferry terminal and airport (surcharges may apply); to arrange pick-up, guests must contact the property 24 hours prior to arrival, using the contact information on the booking confirmation
The front desk is open daily from 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Front desk staffed during limited hours
For any questions, please contact the property 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 Dhow Palace Hotel

Children and extra beds

  • Children are welcome.
  • Free rollaway/extra beds!
  • Free cribs (infant beds)!

Property payment types

Important information

Fees

Guests will be asked to pay the following charges at the property:

  • A tax is imposed by the city: USD 5.00 per person, per night

We've listed all charges provided to us by the property.

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 20 (one-way)

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
The name on the credit card used at check-in to pay for incidentals must be the primary name on the guestroom reservation
This property accepts credit cards; cash is not accepted
Please note that cultural norms and guest policies may differ by country and by property; the policies listed are provided by the property
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. The name on the credit card used at check-in to pay for incidentals must be the primary name on the guestroom reservation. This property accepts Visa and Mastercard. Cash is not accepted.

We should mention

  • In accordance with local laws, unmarried guests may be restricted from sharing rooms. Guests are obligated to provide proof of marriage, if requested by the property.
  • Registered guests are the only ones allowed to be in guestrooms.
  • Pets and service animals are not allowed on site.
  • Alcohol isn't served or allowed at Dhow Palace Hotel.

Property is also known as

Dhow Hotel
Dhow Palace
Dhow Palace Hotel
Dhow Palace Hotel Zanzibar Town
Dhow Palace Zanzibar Town
Hotel Dhow
Hotel Dhow Palace
Dhow Palace Hotel Zanzibar Island/Stone Town
Dhow Palace Hotel Hotel
Dhow Palace Hotel Zanzibar Town
Dhow Palace Hotel Hotel Zanzibar Town
Dhow Palace Hotel Zanzibar Island/stone Town

Dhow Palace Hotel Reviews

Reviews

8.6

Excellent

Rating 10 - Excellent. 169 out of 348 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 123 out of 348 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 41 out of 348 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 10 out of 348 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 5 out of 348 reviews

8.6/10

Cleanliness

8.8/10

Staff & service

8.8/10

Amenities

8.4/10

Property conditions & facilities

8.0/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Julie

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Gillian

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Lovely large rooms. Very quiet but easy access to everything. Friendly staff and very helpful in arranging activities for us.
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Laura

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Beautiful hotel with traditional features. Stayed in the apartment which was huge. Wish we had spent more time there. Central location.
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025

4/10 Poor

Paige

Travelled with family
Disliked: Staff & service, room comfort

Disappointing Experience – Not Worth the 4 Stars

I booked this hotel through Hotels.com and had to make a simple change to my reservation—just shifting the stay by one day. Despite repeated attempts, the hotel never responded to the booking agency and ended up charging me for both nights, without any flexibility or communication. No reimbursement, no rescheduling—just a flat-out refusal to help. Very frustrating and not what I expect from a hotel supposedly rated 4 stars. The room itself was underwhelming. The bed was uncomfortable, making for poor sleep. While the breakfast buffet was good, both lunch and dinner options were bland and forgettable—not the standard you’d expect at this price point. To make matters worse, the rooftop restaurant that’s advertised simply doesn’t exist, which feels like false advertising. The building looks nice from the outside, but it’s nothing worth writing home about. The staff were notably unhelpful, especially compared to the warm, accommodating service I experienced at nearby hotels on the same trip. Bottom line: this hotel is overrated and inflexible, and I won’t be recommending it. There are far better places to stay in the area that actually care about their guests. Save yourself the hassle.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Ketan

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
It’s very nice place to stay with family or solo the breakfast is great so many variety that you think what to take and not
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Brian

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

Historic property in the middle of Stone Town

We had a great stay in this historical building. The room (especially the sheets) were clean, the building was amazing (make sure to check out the view from the roof), we enjoyed the breakfast, and the staff were great (and available 24/7). A great place to stay in Stone Town.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Ryan

Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Karl

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Warm and friendly and very helpful staff
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Berenice

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Had a lovely stay.
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Deevah

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Beautiful historical building and well maintained. Pool is amazing, staff incredibly helpful and lovely. Location perfect close to everything h, walking distance but quiet and private. Willl be the p lo ace I would always stay next time I’m in Zanzibar!
Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Rosalind

Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Tricia

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

Excellent spot for a solo female traveler

Hotel is magical!! The staff were excellent and arranged a terrific last minute tour of stonetown. The food was great and the atmosphere and history of the building a+.
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Lauren

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2025

6/10 Okay

Wesley

Business traveller
Disliked: Staff & service, room comfort
Stayed 6 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

lucy

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
From the minute you arrive the staff is so friendly and helpful for everything. Breakfast buffet is amazing with everything from fresh omelets to samosas to fruits etc. Anything you can think of they have
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

John

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
We had a wonderful room. Property was lovely. Would like to have stayed longer.
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Feroz

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

Nice convenient location

The staff was super friendly and very accommodating. Breakfast was great too.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2024

6/10 Okay

Robert

Travelled with partner
Liked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Disliked: Cleanliness
Location and history of the building was unique Room unfortunately had a mildew smell / odor
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2024

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Liked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2024

8/10 Good

Michiel

Liked: Staff & service
Great location. Quirky hotel in an old building with an open air central courtyard. Staff were very helpful and friendly.
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2024

8/10 Good

Jennifer

Travelled with partner
Liked: Staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Interesting architecture and very spacious room with sitting area. Staff very friendly and helpful. Hot water kettle in room for tea or coffee. Drinking water provided daily, but still in plastic bottles.
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2024

8/10 Good

Krishna, Blackpool

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Good location in the centre of stone town. Classic building. Helpful staff. Breakfast can have more options. Lift did work only occasionally.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Desiree

Liked: Property conditions & facilities
Clean
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2024

4/10 Poor

Yakup

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness
Disliked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Not Recommended

The hotel is located on the historical and central part of Zanzibar called Stone Town, so the location is great, nothing to complain. The hotel arranged a taxi pick-up for the airport but the driver was not there, the driver was there but holding another name: Mary Lee. The taxi was very dirty and the driver not very hygenic. We arrived to the hotel with smiling reception but full of unprofessionalism. Me and my brother had booked 2 x Presidential Suites, but even though they had our details they were sloppy and asked unrelevant questions. We got to the rooms, on the 3rd floor next to each other and they were huge and maintained pretty well. As we were very tired we slept directly for 2h and after that wanted to have a shower to refresh up. But the water was not running. Tried to call the reception but either it was busy or no one picked up the phone. Went down in a rush, they said it will come back in 15-20min. It didn't, just imagine you are in a hotel for 12h paying decent amount of money but the water is not running! It was fixed after 2-3h. Another huge issue was internet. It worked well in the lobby but no reception in the rooms! Totally unacceptable in year 2024. We left the hotel around 02:00 AM with another taxi driver the hotel had arranged but this time when he started the car, on the android screen of the taxi an adult movie started to play. He quickly changed it to a muslim prayer. To sum up; historical nice building, But I had expected much more...
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2024

6/10 Okay

Nadia

Stayed 1 night in Jul 2024