Zanzibar Serena Inn Hotel

About Zanzibar Serena Inn

This is without a doubt the most luxurious and only 4 star Hotel in Stone Town. Zanzibar Serena is set in two historic seafront buildings that have been restored to their previous grandeur. The interior has a rich Arabic influence with indigenous roots mingled in. The rooms are exceptionally comfortable and luxurious, all with a sea view.

 

The hotel also offers a water sport and recreational center at Mangapwani, which is a 30 minute drive away. The hotel provides transport out to this facility. We found the food to be of excellent quality, although the service was a bit lacking at times. In terms of location, service, rooms and food this is the best place to stay in if you are staying in Stone Town. The hotel does belong to one of the largest hotel chains in Tanzania, so if you prefer something more personal, then this is not for you.

Rooms at Serena

This hotel basically has it all. With 51 rooms in total which include a state suite, 2 executive suites, 6 prime suites and 1 honeymoon suite. The prime suites and the honeymoon suite have their own hammocks on the balcony. The rooms are extremely spacious, well kept and have all the facilities you would normally find in any western hotel. Each room has a sea view, mini bar, television, air conditioner, telephones, hair dryer and safe deposit box. All bathrooms are en suite. In terms of luxury, no hotel in Stone Town compares with this

Dining

The restaurant has huge windows which open out to the Indian ocean and mainland Tanzania. Try to book one of the tables close to the window. By day you can gaze at the dhows plying the blue water and in the evenings you can watch the lanterns of the distant fishing boats dancing on the water. The restaurant service is friendly, efficient and professional.

You can dine on traditional Swahili cuisine as well as a range of international dishes in the Baharia restaurant. Lobster, crab and fish are usually on the menu, as are fresh fruit and vegetables. Zanzibar’s herbs and spices are used creatively to tantalise the taste buds.

The Masahari Bar offers an atmospheric place to mingle before dinner and play a game of cards. If you’re after tea and cake during the day, the Mdele coffee shop has a good selection.

You can also take a trip out to the hotel’s beach, 30 minutes away, at Mangapwani where you can enjoy a barbeque under shady palms as well as watersports.

Facilities

The hotel has all facilities by international standards e.g. international phone lines. Other facilities include:

• Pool area for guests
• A pleasant curio shop.
• Conference facilities
• 2 Restaurants
• Good bar area
• Coffee shop
  
  

Additional facilities at Mangapwani are:

• Water sports: They offer Catamaran hire, fishing trips, snorkeling from the beach, glass bottom boat and dhow sailing. If you stay at the hotel, it is recommended that you take a trip out to Mangapwani, it's beautiful.

• Restaurant
• Bar area
• Trips out to slave chambers and the coral caves.