House of Spice

3.0 star property
City-center guesthouse in Zanzibar Town

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January 2025

Photo gallery for House of Spice

Terrace/patio
View from room
Front of property
Interior
View from property

Reviews

8.6 out of 10

Excellent

Popular amenities

  • Airport transfer
  • Non-smoking
  • Free parking
  • Air conditioning
  • Free WiFi
Main amenities
  • Daily housekeeping
  • Near the beach
  • Rooftop terrace
  • Airport shuttle
  • Area shuttle
  • Terrace
  • Garden
  • Front-desk safe
  • Luggage storage
  • Limited hour front desk
Feel at home
  • Private bathroom
  • Garden
  • Terrace
  • Daily housekeeping
  • Blackout drapes/curtains
  • In-room climate control (air conditioning)

Room options

Available filters for rooms
Showing 2 of 2 rooms

Deluxe Double Room

Highlights

Individually furnished
Air conditioning
4 bedrooms
Blackout drapes/curtains
Ceiling fan
Premium bedding
Private bathroom
Free bottled water
  • 22 sq m
  • City view
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Double Bed

Deluxe Suite

Highlights

Individually furnished
Air conditioning
2 bedrooms
Blackout drapes/curtains
Ceiling fan
Premium bedding
Private bathroom
Free bottled water
  • 30 sq m
  • City view
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Double Beds

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About the neighborhood

Map
Uwanja Wa Shaba, Zanzibar Town

What's nearby

  • Shangani Beach - 4 min walk - 0.4 km
  • Old Fort - 5 min walk - 0.4 km
  • Forodhani Gardens - 5 min walk - 0.5 km
  • Slave Market - 9 min walk - 0.8 km
  • Zanzibar Ferry Terminal - 15 min walk - 1.3 km

Getting around

  • Zanzibar Intl. Airport (ZNZ) - 14 min drive
  • Airport shuttle (surcharge)
  • Area shuttle (surcharge)

Restaurants

  • ‪Cape Town Fish Market - ‬5 min walk
  • ‪Passing Show Hotel - ‬11 min walk
  • ‪Meeting Point Cafe - ‬7 min walk
  • ‪Lukmaan - ‬7 min walk
  • ‪Livingstone Beach Restaurant - ‬3 min walk

About this property

House of Spice

House of Spice is just 4.7 mi (7.6 km) from the airport and offers a shuttle (available 24 hours). Free perks include WiFi and self parking. A rooftop terrace, a terrace, and a garden are other highlights.

Languages

English

At a glance

DONE

Hotel size

    • 6 rooms
    • Arranged over 3 floors
DONE

Arriving/Leaving

    • 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 time is 10:00 AM
    • Contactless check-out available
DONE

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
DONE

Required at check-in

    • Credit card, debit card, or cash deposit required for incidental charges
    • Government-issued photo ID may be required
    • Minimum check-in age is 18
DONE

Children

    • No cribs (infant beds)
DONE

Pets

    • No pets or service animals allowed
WIFI

Internet

    • Free WiFi in public areas
    • Free WiFi in rooms
LOCAL_PARKING

Parking

    • Free onsite self parking
DONE

Transfers

    • Airport shuttle on request (available 24 hours)*
DONE

Offsite

    • Area shuttle*
DONE

Other information

    • Smoke-free property

Property amenities

What to do

  • Beach nearby

Services

  • Front desk (limited hours)
  • Luggage storage

Facilities

  • Safe-deposit box at front desk
  • Rooftop terrace
  • Garden

Room amenities

Home comfort

  • Air conditioning (climate-controlled)
  • Ceiling fan

Sleep well

  • Blackout drapes/curtains
  • Premium bedding

What to enjoy

  • Individually furnished

Freshen up

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

Stay connected

  • Free WiFi

Food and drink

  • Free bottled water

More

  • Daily housekeeping
  • In-room safe (surcharge)

Fees & policies

Optional extras

  • Airport shuttle service is offered for an extra charge of USD 25 per vehicle (one-way)
  • Area shuttle service is offered for an extra charge
  • Safes in guestrooms can be used for USD 5 per stay

Children & extra beds

  • Guests must contact this property in advance to reserve cribs/infant beds

Policies

Only registered guests are allowed in the guestrooms.
This property does not have elevators.
This property accepts credit cards. Cash is not accepted.

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

Does House of Spice offer free cancellation for a full refund?
Yes, House of Spice does have fully refundable room rates available to book on our site. If you’ve booked a fully refundable room rate, this can be cancelled up to a few days before check-in depending on the property's cancellation policy. Just make sure to check this property's cancellation policy for the exact terms and conditions.
Are pets allowed at House of Spice?
Sorry, pets and service animals aren't allowed.
Is parking offered on site at House of Spice?
Yes, there's free self parking.
Is airport shuttle service offered by House of Spice?
Yes, an airport shuttle is available. The charge is USD 25 per vehicle one-way.
What are the check-in and check-out times at House of Spice?
Check-in start time: 2:00 PM; Check-in end time: 11:30 PM. Check-out time is 10:00 AM. Contactless check-in and check-out are available.
What is there to do at House of Spice and nearby?
House of Spice has a garden.
What's the area around House of Spice like?
House of Spice is located near Nakupenda Beach in Stone Town, a short 4-minute walk from House of Wonders and 4 minutes' walk from Shangani Beach.

House of Spice Reviews

Reviews

8.6

Excellent

9.2/10

Cleanliness

8.8/10

Staff & service

7.4/10

Amenities

8.4/10

Property conditions & facilities

Reviews

6/10 Good

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.
Lusubilo, 2-night trip
Verified Hotels.com guest review

8/10 Very Good

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.
maria dolores, 2-night trip
Verified Hotels.com guest review

10/10 Exceptional

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
JAI, 1-night family trip
Verified Hotels.com guest review

8/10 Very Good

1-night trip
Verified Hotels.com guest review

10/10 Exceptional

Orbel, 1-night trip
Verified Hotels.com guest review

10/10 Exceptional

Excellent stay
Pav, 2-night trip
Verified Hotels.com guest review

10/10 Exceptional

very nice place
Great location and a very pleasant hotel - recently renovated. I enjoyed my two nights there
Pav, 1-night trip
Verified Hotels.com guest review

4/10 Fair

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.
2-night trip
Verified Expedia guest review

8/10 Very Good

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
Michael, 1-night trip
Verified Hotels.com guest review

6/10 Good

There is no refrigerator in the room. Safety box usage is also charged.
2-night family trip
Verified Expedia guest review

10/10 Exceptional

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.
Isabel, 1-night family trip
Verified Hotels.com guest review

6/10 Good

central
Very central, basic, did the job.
Christopher, 2-night trip
Verified Hotels.com guest review

10/10 Exceptional

Is was in a great location in the heart of stonetone. Just what we needed for the night.
1-night trip with friends
Verified Expedia guest review

8/10 Very Good

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!
1-night romance trip
Verified Expedia guest review

6/10 Good

Location was good. We got the deluxe double room and it was very small.
3-night trip
Verified Orbitz guest review

10/10 Exceptional

Clean boutique hotel right in the middle of Stone Town. Great daily breakfast provided.
Adam, 2-night trip
Verified Hotels.com guest review

6/10 Good

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.
1-night trip
Verified Expedia guest review

8/10 Very Good

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.
paul, 2-night romance trip
Verified Hotels.com guest review

10/10 Exceptional

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!!
Ilze, 1-night romance trip
Verified Hotels.com guest review

10/10 Exceptional

Great breakfast. Good location. Rooms very nice and comfortable.
1-night trip
Verified Expedia guest review

6/10 Good

Perfect location. Friendly staff. But not muh to do in stone town one night is enough.
1-night trip
Verified Expedia guest review

10/10 Exceptional

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!
Daniel, 2-night romance trip
Verified Hotels.com guest review

10/10 Exceptional

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.
Juho, 1-night romance trip
Verified Hotels.com guest review

10/10 Exceptional

Great location to shops, water and sites
We stayed in Stone Town for 3 days at Shaba. They were very welcoming and arranged for hotel transport even when we arrived at 1:30am. The rooms are comfortable and breakfast was good. They were also able to help arrange activities. The staff was wonderful!
gmbound, 3-night trip
Verified Orbitz guest review

6/10 Good

Very bijou!
Room much smaller than expected. Didnt like the hard sell from the taxi driver who then checked us in and seemed to be connected to the hotel. A map of Stonetown would have been helpful. Breakfast was fine and they let us leave our luggage for a few hours.
Evelyn, 1-night romance trip
Verified Hotels.com guest review