We stayed here for one night in July. The property is well located in the centre of town. The rooftop for breakfast has lovely panoramic views of the city. Decor inside is nice and a little quirky. It’s a one minute walk to a lovely restaurant that is very popular at the Emerson spice hotel. We appreciated this when we arrived after dark and didn’t want to venture too far whilst we got our bearings. The hotel arranged an airport pick up for us and it was reasonably priced, the driver (Sele) drove safely and walked with us the final five minutes through the alley ways to the accommodation

The property is located in a pedestrianised area with no roads - only lanes/alleyways. This was fine for me as I was travelling as a couple. However, I have often travelled alone as a single female and I think that I would have found this a little intimidating if I were travelling alone when it was dark. This wasn’t an issue for me on this trip but I wanted to write this in the review incase any solo travellers are reading this.

Beautifully preserved and maintained house. Stylishly Decorated with all kinds of coffee related items. Rooftop breakfasts incredibly friendly and caring staff.

That I had to leave

Excellent location for everything in Stone Town; lovely room, spacious, cool, comfortable, quiet (you will hear the call to prayer); filtered water, room safe, bathrobe, good wifi; decent breakfast on the breezy upper floor terrace which after 3.30pm is residents' only with tea available. The staff were helpful, friendly and welcoming (particularly Romana). The cafe also does good coffee, juices, food and cakes.

Very little but the pillows weren't the most comfortable and I didn't find a hairdryer in my room. I also ordered 3 meals where the menu made no mention of avocado but there was avocado in the dish (on 2 occasions, alot of avocado). I don't eat avocado.

Zanzibar Coffee House was such a wonderful place to stay! To begin, when I arrived there was a mix-up with my booking, where I had accidentally booked two separate reservations online and paid for one of them, but that room was different to the one I had thought I was reserving. The staff were incredibly kind and helpful and made it possible to switch over to the beautiful Arabica Suite (what I initially thought I had booked). They also made booking other things, like a spice tour and taxi to the airport, very easy. The food was absolutely delicious and the setting for breakfast and lunch on the rooftop is unbeatable. I am also not a coffee drinker normally but their coffee is amazing and I willingly drank it, which is kind of a first! Highly recommend.

It was a delightful experience that perfectly captured the charm of this historic city. Housed in one of Zanzibar’s old buildings, the hotel exudes a sense of history and romance with its authentic Arabic architecture, antique furniture, and rich fabrics. Located in the heart of Stone Town’s maze-like alleys, the hotel is ideally situated for exploring the vibrant markets, the Darajani Market, and Forodhani Gardens; which is perfect for immersing yourself in the culture, with restaurants and shops right at your doorstep. However, the narrow lanes mean you’ll need to walk about five minutes from the nearest drop-off point, so light pack or arrange a a bajaji (tukutuk) from the last drop off. There are eight rooms, named after coffee varieties like Arabica and Espresso. Our room was clean, and tastefully decorated with a traditional Zanzibari four-poster bed, mosquito net, and antique lamps. The air conditioning was a blessing in the humid climate. The hotel’s coffee-themed atmosphere is warm and inviting, with the ground-floor café serving exceptional coffee. The rooftop terrace is a gem, offering 360-degree views of Stone Town’s rooftops and a serene spot for breakfast. The breakfast itself was a standout—fresh, generous, and paired with delicious Karak (masala chai). The café’s homemade cakes and light meals are also worth trying. The lack of a full restaurant or extensive facilities (it’s more of a B&B) keeps things simple. The staff were the heart of the experience—gracious, professional, and genuinely warm. From the welcoming Juice on arrival to the attentive service at breakfast, they made us feel like family. The early morning beautiful call to prayer from nearby mosques added to the cultural immersion. The hotel isn’t ideal for those with mobility issues due to multiple stairs and uneven floor levels. The absence of an elevator and the historic layout might be challenging.

Breakfast was phenomenal. The staff were delightful and kind. The coffee is so good- I have been a barista in the UK and this place was top notch. My room was very sweet- quaint and clean. Had AC which was a blessing. Cleaned every day and the bed made for me. No security issues whatsoever.

Sometimes felt like the guy who stays up at night to let you in/ out wasn't very pleased with me, but could have just been communication issues. Also, it is impossible for a taxi to take you to the coffee house so you have to be careful if you have a lot of stuff/ book a tour

What did I like? The exceptional helpfulness of the staff: Ali, Richard and everyone else who helped make my stay memorable and feel like I was at home. The coffee, food and breakfast choices were all excellent. Even if you don't stay here go in for a coffee, pastry or lunch. ZCH is often busy with tourists and even locals because the coffee is amongst the best and the pastries and wraps are delicious. The house dates back to the 19th century and was owned by Sir Tharia Thopan, a well known person on the island during that time. The architecture and ambiance of the house and how well it was restored only add to the over experience.

Lack of a mini-fridge, but that's about it.

Clean and spacious rooms above a coffee shop. Antiques in the rooms added character to the historic building. The rooftop is the star of the show, a wonderful place for breakfast and for an afternoon rest away from busy Stone Town. Breakfast was delicious and Leah, the server, is lovely. Bed was comfortable for 1 person, not sure about 2.

To manage expectations: this is a coffee bar in a historic building with rooms above, no more no less. Rooms are nice and very clean but basic, particularly the bathroom is sufficient but not more. The baristas are the receptionists, pleasantly providing your key and a welcome drink. Good value for money at less than 100 usd per night. I only say these things because the other reviews make it seem as though this is a gem of a luxury boutique hotel, which it is not. It led to a moment of re-setting for me because I was a bit surprised at first by the lack of atmosphere and finishes. If you are looking for a safe, value for money and comfortable room, then excellent choice. If you are looking for something more then you will be surprised.

Everything! The staff were amazing! Very friendly and accommodating. We were greeted with a delicious drink on arrival and the breakfast was 11/10. The lady who served us couldn’t be more helpful, she was a legend! Coffee here is exceptional. We stayed in the arabica room, the architecture is exceptional - former house of a Wazir to a sultan! Very comfortable bed and pillows and a turn down service. The manager organised tours and transport quickly and easily at a reasonable cost. Very happy with our stay and would stay again if ever back in Zanzibar.

Nothing. Just one small note about the adapter - could only manage to borrow it once shortly for our stay as other guests requested to use it.

I loved my stay at Zanzibar Coffee House. It was my second time staying here and it did NOT disappoint. From the welcome drink, to our room décor and the amazing service, we thoroughly enjoyed our stay. Zanzibar Coffee House is also located in a great area and close to many attractions. If you are staying in Stone Town, this is the best place to stay. From the value, to the rooms and service and rooftop breakfast, it was all so memorable.

Nothing really. There was a bit of confusion during check-in but they were able to find my reservation and make up for it with the welcome drinks and impeccable service.