This hotel has an excellent location and is absolutely beautiful – thoughtfully decorated with charming antique furniture that gives it an authentic and unique atmosphere. Every corner feels special and full of character. The breakfast was very good, with a nice selection to start the day, and the staff were incredibly kind and welcoming throughout our stay. The pool area is also lovely and perfectly fine for relaxing. One small downside was the Wi-Fi, which wasn’t very stable at times. We also booked several activities through the hotel, which turned out to be great choices – not only were they well organized, but also much better in terms of price and value than what we found online or through local providers. All in all, a truly delightful place to stay!

The Dhow Palace is a historic building in the heart of Stonetown and a 15 minute walk to almost anywhere in the old centre of the city, less if you don’t get lost. I have stayed there twice before and have always been impressed by the friendliness of the welcome and helpfulness of the staff. It is looking smarter than when I last stayed there and they have added a roof terrace, which I never got round to visiting. They have also expanded to create a set of apartments in a building 20 metres or so from the main entrance and I stayed in one because it offered much more space for roughly the same price. It consisted of a kitchen/lounge with a sink and a kettle but no other facilities for self-catering, a very large bedroom, and a decent sized bathroom with a magnificent shower set in an enclosed pedestal. The a/c was good and the only downside was that the windows overlooked what looked like a building site, although there was little evidence of work. I heard but did not see goats. Luckily the kids didn’t keep me up at night. I would recommend the apartments. They do not have quite the historic feel of the main building but that is more than compensated for by the extra space. The apartment building also features a fantastically ornate traditional door, complete with protruding studs which are apparently designed to deter charging elephants. As ever, the staff were outstanding, arranging an early check-in and retrieving a pair of bathing trunks which fell out of my window, where they were drying, onto an inaccessible roof.

The only downsides to the hotel are that the pool is small and in an open courtyard and is not the type of pool where you can spend a day on a sun lounger. Most visitors are too busy getting lost in Stonetown and it is absolutely perfect for cooling off after a bit if sightseeing.

Dhow Palce Hotel is an amazing, unique hotel, full of endless charm and character. It is very central and within easy walking distance of most of the key cultural points of interest in Stone town. All the staff were very welcoming, friendly and helpful, My room was spacious and clean, and the restuarant served delicious food throughout the day. As a solo traveller I felt very realaxed and at home. I hightly rate and recommend Dhow Palace Hotel, and can’t wait to visit again.

Nothing not to like, it was all perfect

Friendly helpful reception, accurate check in process. Room up to standard, clean and comfortable bed, mosquito net in good condition, clean bathroom in good condition. Fan and AC. Swimming pool small but very clean. Restaurant served a tasty and affordable tuna sandwich for a quick lunch. Location in the center, close to many restaurants for dinner.

Elevator out of order, steep stairs but luckily helpful hands to get your luggage to your room. Breakfast rather limited options (maybe I was just too early that morning).

The central location in Stone Town, the pleasant staff, the charm of the old building, yet with neat, clean touch points in my hotel Twin Room (#24), and the sparkling clean swimming pool.

I stayed I an Apartment Room (NNE #4) for the first 4 nights of my week long stay, before moving into the Hotel proper. By contrast, I found the Apartment to be ‘drab’. For example, the wall in front of the desk in the room was scuffed with dirty marks. A fresh coat of paint would make a great improvement there.

Dhow Palace Hotel is exquisite! The interior is beautifully decorated. Every corner is adorned with stunning treasures, creating just the most magical atmosphere. The location is also superb! You can walk to all major sightseeing locations. The food is also impeccable! But what really makes Dhow Palace Hotel special is the staff. They are incredibly courteous and kind and go to great lengths to ensure a pleasant stay for their guests. I really truly felt at home while I was there and can't wait to go back again. Special thanks to Haji Ali, and Shaisu Dau who ensured I was able to see Zanzibar comfortably and safely through reliable guides and drivers.

Depending on where your room is located (e.g. with windows to the street) it can be a little loud at night. But it does eventually quiet down. The internet does act up a lot, or simply stops working. But again in my experience the staff were incredibly helpful and always tried to find a way to resolve the issue.

The historical style of the house and the swimming pool were great, I really enjoyed swimming. The breakfast was good and it was nice to get to taste also local foods. We had a room with sea view, a balcony etc. It was very nice room for a couple. I could stay there again. The top floor is very nice.

There were many stairs to our apartment. For me it was ok, but just to warn others.

A beautiful, classic and unique hotel in a convenient location to walk to shops, the waterfront and central Stone Town. The facilities are gorgeous and the breakfast buffet has an extensive mix of local and European offerings. The room we had was very large -- a 2-room suite and balcony looking onto a side street. Would highly recommend. Note that one should be able to walk up stairs to access this hotel best. The tub/shower combo was a gorgeous tiled masterpiece and the AC was welcomed.

Amazing hotel in local style, right in the center of Stone Town with friendly staff. The beautifully decorated interiors reflect the rich Swahili and Arabic heritage, creating an authentic and charming atmosphere. The rooms are spacious, clean, and well-equipped with traditional wooden furniture and modern amenities, offering both comfort and character.

It’s beautiful decor- it’s really lovely, great pool , excellent location - great food, Safe area, THE STAFF ARE AMAZING.

The internet is VERY poor everywhere you will be able to access email but video call zoom or Webex just none chance - speeds are 2-3 As seen in a picture - I brought my 5g mifi and put in a Tigo sim - VERY fast!