Jafferji House

Tanzania , Zanzibar
ZANZIBAR, Gizenga Street, 170
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100 reviews shown

8/10

Excellent

16 Jan 2026

Bruno

O hotel é um hotel boutique, numa construção antiga que lembra as construções marroquinas. Achei muiot legal o quarto, o banheiro e as comodidades. Pessoal atencioso e cuidadoso. Localização excelente e segura. Vale a pena se hospedar nele. Recomendo a experiência do hotel e do entorno.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

24 Dec 2025

Jakub

A nice boutique hotel located in a very downtown of Stone Town. It is kept in a vintige wooden style, but rooms are fully equipped with AC and safe. The breakfast is served on a top floor terrace with a nice view over surrounding rooftops (photos attached).

We spent there two nights, with a warm welcome at reception and we were nicely treated with a typical local appreciation and helpfulness.

Rooms were very quiet even when there was a lot of construction ongoing nearby.

Location is in a walking distance to any old town attraction.

6/10

Pleasant

20 Aug 2025

Paige

Disappointing Stay Despite a Great Location

We recently stayed at a 4-star hotel in Stone Town and, unfortunately, it did not live up to expectations.

The staff were friendly, but not particularly proactive or helpful when issues arose. While we appreciated the warm demeanor, the service didn’t quite meet the standard you’d expect from a hotel rated at this level.

Breakfast was served on the rooftop, which did offer a lovely view of the city and ocean—a definite highlight. However, the breakfast options were quite limited, and the overall quality was underwhelming.

Our biggest disappointment was with the room itself. We stayed in the “Living Stone” room, which looked charming and character-filled in the online photos. In reality, the room was fairly basic and lacked any of the charm or ambiance we had anticipated. It felt rather plain and unremarkable.

Cleanliness was a significant issue. Upon arrival, we discovered the bed linens were dirty and had to request that the bed be remade—a surprising oversight. Even after that, the overall cleanliness left much to be desired. To make matters worse, the bathroom had a persistent sewage odor that was impossible to ignore.

While the hotel has potential—particularly with its rooftop and central location—it fell short in areas that really matter: cleanliness, comfort, and value for money. Sadly, we left feeling disappointed and wouldn’t return or recommend it to others without significant improvements.

Friends_and_family Family

10/10

Exceptional

29 Jul 2025

LeKeitha

Absolutely beautiful and historic hotel near shopping, dining and city sights.

Leisure Self

6/10

Pleasant

11 Jul 2025

Asad

The property needs an upgrade. The breakfast quality needs improvement. The dining staff service needs improvement.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

12 Jun 2025

chantelle

The

Friends_and_family Friends

10/10

Exceptional

07 Apr 2025

Mark

This hotel is a beautiful old original Arab style house in stone town full of original features and decor. Staff were friendly, welcoming and helpful. I rea example of a comfortable hotel with the genuine Swahili coast experience

Business_and_leisure Self

8/10

Excellent

17 Dec 2024

Marion

Jafferji is unique in style and the room were very spacious

Leisure Friends

10/10

Exceptional

10 Nov 2024

Clement

Beautiful heritage hotel in the center of Stone Town, close to many attractions. Room was super large and carefully decorated with local artifacts and furniture.
I loved the breakfast on the rooftop with a 365 degree view of the city! Special call to the staff who was very friendly, attentive and who helped us organize a car transfer to our next destination.

Leisure Friends

10/10

Exceptional

26 Sep 2024

Dirk

Unique property. Kind staff. Good breakfast. Great aircon!

10/10

Exceptional

05 Sep 2024

Stephen

Jafferji House exceeded expectations as a historic location owned and decorated by a noted artistic figure, originally a family home, right in the centre of a World Heritage site. Individual rooms are in themselves notably special. The professionalism and dedication of the desk staff was the icing on a very rich experience.

Leisure Partner

8/10

Excellent

16 Jul 2024

Louisa

Beautiful hotel right in the middle of all of the shops. Very convenient, quiet and comfortable.

Beautiful rooftop terrace!!

Leisure Family

6/10

Pleasant

02 Jul 2024

Dionna

This place was average. Very quaint and charming. Breakfast was lacking and the room linens didn't seem very clean. There were stains on the pillow cases and sitting areas. There's also a fee that that require in cash in addition to the regular payment and they hound you if you don't have cash to pay it right away. Overall, cute place but not really my kind of comfort.

Leisure Friends

10/10

Exceptional

27 Jun 2024

Kristin

Jafferji House is located in the heart of Stone Town, conveniently located in the labyrinth of streets full of cool doors and shops catering to tourists. Jafferji House has a colonial era Africa vibe, filled with interesting antiques and curiosities. The rooftop breakfast dining room is a lovely peaceful spot to start the day, with 360 degree views of the town and the ocean. Rooms ate large and each one has unique charm. is unreliable. Staff was helpful and knowledgeable. Accessibility note: this is an old mansion, so lots of stairs/uneven walkways.

Leisure Self

10/10

Exceptional

10 Jun 2024

Sonia

Styled well boutique

It was eclectic however the air condition didn’t work so great. Other than that, it was quite lovely… assuming you’d like ethnic stylings… Which I do. It’s history.😀

Self

10/10

Exceptional

12 Feb 2024

Yonina

Excellent Stay

We had a wonderful stay at the Jafferji House. Rooms were large and clean, excellent AC and good wifi (although limited availability in the room, moreso in the lobby). Nice included rooftop breakfast and kind and helpful staff. Would definitely return!

4/10

Poor

28 Dec 2023

Patrick

Overall a great experience but Air conditioner was not working my entire stay. I originally purchased a superior room but was offered a single without compensation or adjustment for what I paid. Was ultimately given the room I paid for yet without functioning air conditioning. This made my stay very comfortable especially considering the high heat and humidity in the area.

Leisure Friends

10/10

Exceptional

17 Dec 2023

Laura

Staff were very nice and helpful. The hotel was very clean. Rooms were good size.

8/10

Excellent

20 Nov 2023

Thomas

We wanted to stay in Stonetown in an authentic hotel. Dating from the 1880s we found our place. It was just down a very narrow street from the Freddy Mercury House. It helped to have their staff pick us up from the airport. The rooftop restaurant had a great view of the ocean and town. We ate the special dinner. It was expensive but with so many authentic courses and flavors it was well worth. This is not a glamorous place, but very real. The AC worked well and the room was comfortable.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

22 Oct 2023

jana

The staff was very helpful with everything we needed. Good location within Stonetown. Walkable distance to a lot of historical sites and shopping.

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

13 Oct 2023

Verified traveler

Property was very nostalgic and romantic perfectly positioned to tour Stone Town. Best part was Manal at the front desk. She was so friendly and helped us with so many things during our stay. The hotel should pay her more money cause she is worth her wait in gold!

Leisure Partner

8/10

Excellent

11 Oct 2023

Verified traveler

Everything was great, except the noise coming from other rooms. I was in the Out of Africa room and could hear loud footsteps and conversations of the people above me at 4am. I think the walls must be very thin. Otherwise, very nice place.

10/10

Exceptional

01 Sep 2023

Patrick

Another great “go to” property in Stone Town”! Rooms were comfortable with it’s own and unique Art/Decor. Perched in heart of Stone Town for those who prefer “proximity” to all that Stone Town has to offer and want be close to the “heartbeat” of Stone Town.

Leisure Self

8/10

Excellent

03 Jan 2023

Michaela

Accommodation with atmosphere

The accommodation is located right in the center of Stone Town in narrow streets. It definitely has an atmosphere. Very helpful worker at the reception and the view at breakfast.

Friends_and_family Family

10/10

Exceptional

28 May 2022

Kristin

This is a charming boutique hotel in the heart of Stone Town. The hotel is full of antiques and quirky details. Easy walk to the waterfront, many shops, the night market. The rooftop breakfast is lovely. Room was comfortable, with good AC and comfortable bed. Spotty wi-fi.

Business_and_leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

24 Oct 2021

Adam

Nice place

Nice hotel friendly stay and perfect location for exploring stone town

Self

6/10

Pleasant

23 May 2021

Anjan

Lovely place with old decor. Looks lovely for those who kovev

Friends_and_family Friends

10/10

Exceptional

23 Jan 2021

Rachel

Amazing stay in the heart of Stonetown

We had an amazing stay at the Jafferji house. The service was attentive and they gave us some advice for restaurants and to buy our ferry tickets. Location just around the fort is excellent (we were really close to everything we wanted to see), and the building is beautiful !
If I go again in Zanzibar one day, I would definitely choose to stay there.
Asante sana !

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

28 Oct 2020

Verified traveler

A very unique hotel! There are lots of antiques and interesting items throughout the hotel. The rooftop view at breakfast was very nice. We stayed in the Mercury Suite which was nice except that there was no phone and reception was a bit of a walk (no elevator). Also the only mirrors were in the upstairs loft (with no outlets nearby). The water in the shower never got very warm no matter how long we let it run, but it was fine in the sinks. Very centrally located hotel and close to a taxi stand.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

03 Jan 2020

Verified traveler

Jafferji House sits on a quiet back street surrounded by small shops on the entry side and backs up to the Old Fort. You are right in the middle of all of the action, yet secluded from the hustle and bustle. I stayed in the Stanely Suite and it was perfect for me as a solo traveler--it could work for a cozy couple as well. The decor is authentic Swahili mix and was the reason I chose the hotel, I was not disappointed! There are several common areas to sit, relax, read and there is no shortage of books to borrow! The rooftop restaurant was my favorite spot in Stone Town as from there you have a birds-eye view of the Old Fort, Forodhani Park, the House of Wonders and the Zanzibar Channel Islands. The food is fresh, made to order and affordable--the best I had on my trip! The staff is welcoming, helpful and I enjoyed chatting with them. I stayed 4 nights and would have stayed longer but they were booked. Keep in mind this is an old family home and has that \"lived-in\" feel. I absolutely loved it!

Leisure Self

6/10

Pleasant

22 Aug 2019

Verified traveler

Unique decor. Manager Mwana was extremely nice and attentive. Lady at check was not very friendly. Man at door and man at check in counter were very welcoming.

Unfortunately, our room smelled of sewer the entire visit. We woke up to a dead rat that my husband almost stepped on while he was taking photos.

Room only had 25% left toilet paper roll left, no extras toilet paper provided in room.

Would not ever stay there again.

Leisure Partner

8/10

Excellent

16 Jul 2019

anne

Beautifully appointed rooms Staff friendly and HelpfulLots of interesting nooks and crannies for relaxing.
On the minus side hotel arranged tours are expensive and a5% surcharge is added for credit card purchases

8/10

Excellent

16 Jul 2019

Verified traveler

Traditional and antique and preserved the original structure

Leisure Family_with_children

8/10

Excellent

03 Jan 2019

Verified traveler

We had one night at here staying in the Kama Sutra we were able to eventbrite open the safe before the manager arrived. Despite these small things we would stay here again. room. It’s quite the unique room to say the least. The staff was excellent and the food at the rooftop restaurant was delicious. The bed was a bit firm and the pillows a little too big and firm for our liking but overall we thought our room was great. We had one hiccup when our safe wouldn’t open early in the morning. The staff was quick to contact the manager who was off site. Fortunately

4/10

Poor

20 Oct 2018

Rob

I thought I did my research on this one. My family was underwhelmed with this hotel. The website looks lovely, but the service was poor and there does not appear to be any management. We had issues with water for the shower throughout the three day stay in the Mercury Room Suite. Requests for support were often met with indifference. Never any apology. I could go on, but you can read my longer review on Tripadvisor.

10/10

Exceptional

14 Oct 2018

Tim.

Unique, lots of character, great ambiance. Central and comfortable.

8/10

Excellent

11 Sep 2018

Jesse

Hotel was ok

Good location. Hotel was ok
If you like cocktails not the place as they have no ice only beer and wine.

Friends

6/10

Pleasant

10 Sep 2018

Verified traveler

The rooms are spacious but dark and could use some freshening up.
The staff was hit or miss, some were friendly and helpful but a number of them were inattentive and (literally) asleep on the job.

Friends

8/10

Excellent

09 Sep 2018

Jesse

Women were friendly

Very strange they had no ice for cocktails. The women were very nice but the night staff not so nice. Not sure I would stay again

Friends

6/10

Pleasant

10 Jul 2018

Max

Excellent decor and ambience

Lovely themed rooms, Owner very friendly, right in the centre of everything you may need.

10/10

Exceptional

30 Jun 2018

Verified traveler

Comfortable hotel, terrific location

Very friendly and comfortable hotel in a perfect location in the heart of Stone Town.

8/10

Excellent

24 Jun 2018

Always

Each room is a different size/configuration. The quality of your stay definitely depends on which room you get.
Good location.

10/10

Exceptional

09 May 2018

nickjstamp

A calm oasis in the middle of crazy Stone Town

We arrived after having toured Stone Town's markets and streets in the pouring rain, and Jafferji House provided a very welcome place to retreat and relax in comfort.

Our room - Adnan - was lovely, and the other rooms we looked at were all furnished to a similar high standard.

The rooftop restaurant is less restaurant, more rooftop, but that just gave it a certain charm and it is certainly a unique selling point for the hotel.

Sadly, some of the staff were a little shy, lacking in confidence in English speaking, and consequently unable to provide the highest standards. One particular example was at breakfast where a choice of breakfast items was presented. We ordered, but it was only when my omelette arrived 30 minutes later that they announced that there were no pastries and no yoghurt available for my wife, leaving her with little choice but to request some toast (or order an omelette and suffer an additional 30 minute wait).

I would still recommend it, and would still visit again, despite this.

6/10

Pleasant

16 Mar 2018

Sally

Good value

Good value for the money, centrally located, good breakfast. The rooms are a bit fussy and overly decorated, but pleasant.

10/10

Exceptional

24 Feb 2018

Teri

Jafferji House - awesome!

We had an amazing stay at Jafferji House. The staff was very helpful. We had the Jafferji room which was off the charts with charm. Highly recommend it. Loved the outdoor area, so comfortable.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

14 Jan 2018

pali

A gem In the middle of stonetown.

Beautiful interior clean and very quaint
Friendly staff
Comfy bed
Not on the beach but within 5 min of walking
All major attractions within walkable distance

8/10

Excellent

30 Dec 2017

Claire

Comfortable stay in the heart of Stone Town

Jafferji House and Spa is tucked into the heart of the winding streets of Stone Town. As such we got to experience the sights...all the beautiful doors, sounds....the calls to prayer, the sound of shop keepers opening for the day, mopeds in the streets and the smells of street foods being prepared. Stepping out of our hotel, our senses were bombarded as we experienced and were part of the life of the town. Stepping back into the hotel and our suite was a little oasis of luxury. The hotel is full of character as it is decorated with artefacts and beautiful photographs throughout.

10/10

Exceptional

27 Dec 2017

Deborah

Excellent heart-of-the-city boutique hotel

Jafferji House was a wonderful experience from start to finish. When they say they’ll get whatever you need to make your stay comfortable, they truly mean it. For example at breakfast I asked for sweetener (explaining I’m diabetic) by the evening someone went to the market and bought some. The rooms are huge and beautiful — each one unique. Beds are firm and comfortable. The restaurant is lovely with a fantastic view. This is a five star experience. Things to note: there are no fridges in the rooms, however they will keep anything in the reception. My room didn’t have a telephone but WiFi is readily available everywhere and very good. There’s no lift. I stayed on the 2nd floor and found it no problem— they will help with bags. There are tea-making facilities. Enjoy! I wish I’d stayed longer!

4/10

Poor

26 Dec 2017

Hotel is old

Hotel is beautiful but the facilities are very old. Not quite sure how this place got a 4.4 rating.

10/10

Exceptional

03 Dec 2017

Asma

Quite easily the best hotel I've ever stayed in!

This is a delightful house-style Hotel with an excellent location in the middle of Stone Town. It used to be a real family house, now converted into a number of suites with the most evocative names. It gives one the feeling of being a very privileged guest in a grand family home, yet with all the comforts of a 4/5-star hotel. I've travelled a fair amount and stayed in many hotels around the world, but nothing beats this one for its \"old-world\" character and charm. It may feel Old World but it provides thoroughly modern conveniences like a very good free WI FI. The only thing lacking for me was a fridge in my suite as I badly need one for my injections and other meds. There was enough space in our very large, two-level suite and I don't know why they don't include a fridge, or some kind of cold-box for water and other things. Also, It might be an idea to have some sort of sliding door or something for privacy in the bathroom. It was completely open-plan! Even so, I soon forgot this little inconvenience when I saw the rooftop dining area with a breathtaking view of the sea, the extremely helpful and friendly staff, the comfy beds and the efficient air-conditioning in the room. Also, had a non-smoking room but there were a number of open-air courtyards and a rooftop, where one could easily smoke. Felt extremely at home after 7 nights and was very sorry to be leave. This hotel would be my number-one recommendation for anyone visiting Zanzibar and I will most definitely stay again

10/10

Exceptional

21 Nov 2017

Loren

Great hotel; safe but chaotic neighbourhood

This is an exceptionally beautiful place with unique architecture and furnishings and every room done in a unique theme. The staff are very helpful and the rooftop restaurant is great. The only drawback is that the minute you walk out of the hotel, you've got five merchants trying to drag you into their souvenir shops, and if you stop for half a second to look at your map, then 10 people rush up trying to \"help you\". There's nothing dangerous going on here, it's not a big problem at all, just a little stressful when you have just arrived in Zanzibar. Within a day you'll know the winding alleys of Stone Town well, and once you walk like you know where you're going, they leave you alone. I still recommend this hotel highly, just be ready for a little hassle as you come and go, none of which is the hotel's fault. There are hotels nearby that are on quieter streets.

Partner

6/10

Pleasant

11 Oct 2017

Verified traveler

Old building - dark room

Room without window. A bit rundown on the maintenance. The dinner was not very well cooked. Terrible breakfast.
My impression is that the most places in Zanzibar do not have good chefs and that shows on the dinner.
However the staff was friendly.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

07 Oct 2017

Verified traveler

Charming authentic town house

Beautifully decorated great style, antique furniture, wonderful photographs and books throughout. Staff couldn't have been more helpful.

10/10

Exceptional

21 Sep 2017

Jackie

Unique. Gorgeous. Spacious. Convenient.

My stay at Jafferji was incredible from the very beginning to the very end. The front desk staff were so friendly and helpful. My room was incredibly beautiful and extremely spacious, with A/C, many channels on the TV, gorgeous decorative details, and a bathtub and shower that were heavenly. The cleaning staff were excellent, checking in on my room twice a day. One day I wasn't feeling well and I slept late and missed breakfast by about 20 minutes, but the staff cooked for me anyway. The hotel is right in the center of town, making it easily accessible by foot to most anywhere in StoneTown. When it rains, you can hear the rain on the tin roof. I felt it was a great value for the rate I paid. I just cannot say enough positive things about this hotel. You will not be disappointed.

10/10

Exceptional

16 Sep 2017

Dave

Charming hotel in great Stone Town location

The Jefferji was a great choice for us for two nights. Unique and character-filled while being clean and comfortable, plus a great location.
The only downsides: 1-2 of the front desk staff members weren't as forthcoming with offering good service as we usually experience, and the room has virtually no natural light. These didn't detract from an outstanding stay, however.

4/10

Poor

06 Sep 2017

PETER

A bit uncomfortable

Don't expect much in terms of luxury or let the design deceive.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

03 Sep 2017

Carol

Great hotel in Stonetown

The Jaffergi house is a luxurious one of a kind experience. The antiques and decor allow you to imagine some of the history of Zanzibar.

6/10

Pleasant

28 Aug 2017

Verified traveler

Nice but a tad disappointing

The hotel was well-located in central Stone Town and has a very interesting history plus beautiful decor. We enjoyed dinner one evening on the rooftop and the food was quite good. The reception and breakfast service though wasn't the most warm and welcoming, but it may just have been the day, and the hotel seemed a bit dark and drab in spots. Our room was large and overall spacious with good amenities but the bathroom was a little smelly and some of the sheets and bed drapery could use a refresh. It was a good price and totally fine for a few night stay but would hesitate to strongly recommend.

8/10

Excellent

22 Aug 2017

Taste of Authentic Old World Zanzibar

The Jafferji House was a lovely and unique experience in the heart of Stone Town. It really gives you a sense of old World Zanzibar in the decor and vibe (and I do mean old!) but with modern conveniences and luxuries. The unique suites are situated on two upper levels with lots of open, decorative seating areas with beautiful art and decorations. The suites themselves are spacious and rich in decor and old world features but again with amenities and comforts. You definitely feel like you might be the guest of a wealthy sultan! Do note: the rooms also tend to be a bit dark and there is no room service but the restaurants on the ground floor and roof top serve simple but tasty fare and are open most hours (the latter with lovely views of the ocean and town). In the evening you can sit on the roof and listen to the sonorous sound of the muezzin calling people to prayer. This is not a Hilton, or Marriott or Sofitel, so if you want that vibe look elsewhere. This is a nod to authentic Zanzibar with a beguiling decor and friendly, helpful and attentive staff. It's in a very central location for exploring the UN Historic Site of Stone Town and in spite of the proliferation of tourist oriented dukas (shops) in the area, vendors are friendly and polite. You will hear a lot of Karibus (Welcome! in Swahili)

8/10

Excellent

11 Aug 2017

Verified traveler

A night in Stone Town

We really enjoyed the facilities at the Jafferji hotel - beautiful rooms, fantastic courtyard, panoramic rooftop views and good breakfast included. The hotel staff, however, were largely unfriendly and unhelpful. I would recommend this hotel with that caveat.

4/10

Poor

26 Jul 2017

Renata

Disappointing

I chose the hotel due to its location, appearance of bedrooms by the photos and some reviews. However, maybe I didn't look so deeply into the reviews or maybe it was just my imagination that it could be a good enough hotel considering the price. Because, actually, even thought the room had a very good and beautiful bed/bed linen and furnitures/decorations, be advised that the bathroom facilities give you no privacy at all if you go with your partner or with a friend (toilet has no door separating it from bedroom!). Another down point is the staff: receptionist is not always at front desk, the staff speak poor English, they are not happy to offer you vegan options for breakfast (and they take forever to serve you, anyway), someone was too curious about the things inside my necessaire (I came back one day and my things were upside down inside it!), something disappeared from my handbag (but as couldn't prove anything, I didn't place a big complain there and did my best to be polite when reporting the missing item $$ -- for this specific situation the receptionist called the manager who ended up offering me a spa treatment in compensation for my lack of trust (which ended up being one of the higher points of my stay: I got a very well done relaxing massage!). But I wouldn't stay there again next time in Zanzibar! Ah! Before finishing: don't book any tours through the hotel: they charge much higher prices than anywhere else in travel agencies around the Stone Town!!!

8/10

Excellent

19 Jul 2017

IAIN

Beautifully renovated building in great location

Beautifully renovated building in great location in Stone Town. We even had a guided tour come through when having breakfast. Service slow but friendly (so typical Tanzania in that respect). Lovely room with four poster bed, but bathroom is totally open so you and your room mate need to be on good terms. Definitely recommended.

Family

10/10

Exceptional

26 Jun 2017

John

Gemstone within the city

Although the Hotel is in the quite central, it does not have closings by parking. This means you will have to walk through some side streets to reach the hotel. This gives you already an impression of the locals. But all were friendly and you find good exchange rates or souvenirs on the way. The Hotel itself was very nice and is very beautiful on the inside. We had 3 rooms and all of them looked different and had a different layout. All rooms have character and tasteful interior.

Family

10/10

Exceptional

07 Jun 2017

Ivan

It\"s just amazing!!! Thank you so much.

I think this is the place you stay in Stone Town - atmosphere, food, service, clean and perfectly located.

Partner

6/10

Pleasant

04 Jun 2017

Verified traveler

Reservation issue

miscommunucation between hotel and expedia. I had to pay extra fee.

8/10

Excellent

23 May 2017

Ekizabeth

Beautiful and exotic hotel!

Spent two nights here last week. The rooms were all different and each one lovely. Beautiful antique furniture, great Arabic influenced details, nice bathrooms. The hotel staff was helpful in making tour recommendations, restaurant reservations and travel arrangements.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

03 May 2017

It's really beyond my expectation. The hotel was small but extremely beautiful. The devices are of good quality. The rooftop restaurant is a big surprise for me, with very good sea and town view, as well as delicate food and reasonable price. It's definitely worth coming again.

Family

10/10

Exceptional

19 Apr 2017

John

Charming Spot in the Middle of Stone Town

Very nice room in the middle of stone town. Great set up with three restaurants and the rooms were lovely.

Family

8/10

Excellent

29 Mar 2017

Yogesh

Nice hotel in middle of old Stonetown.\nGood food,

Homely atmosphere, very friendly staff.
Old building, air conditioned rooms.

10/10

Exceptional

22 Mar 2017

Gemma

Great hotel stay!

It was a wonderful that felt very authentic. It was close to the city, and you can wander around from this central location. I recommend it to all.

Partner

8/10

Excellent

17 Mar 2017

Verified traveler

Cool hotel right in Stonetown

Boutique hotel near many sights and shops, nice roof top restaurant. All the rooms are different and beautifully decorated. This place is great- except for the Internet, which barely worked while there.

8/10

Excellent

21 Feb 2017

Sylvain

Historical hotel in Town Stone

Jafferji Hotel is located within a traditional zanzibari house, with interior courtyard, and crafted wood decoration. It is located within the old city but only 5min walk away from the beach front. Close to all touristic spots within the city.

8/10

Excellent

30 Jan 2017

Jose

Amazing spacious room in the middle of stone town.

Amazing spacious room. We stayed in the spice room. Great location. The AC kept the room nice and cold, super nice, specially when coming back from a Stone Town walk about. Wifi though was extremely slow, and that's when it was working. Also just one channel was working properly on the TV.
Overall loved our stay here! Would definitely come back if Wifi was faster.

Partner

8/10

Excellent

28 Dec 2016

Verified traveler

swahili style

Good value for money

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

05 Dec 2016

Trude

Great place!

Amazing, great ambiance

10/10

Exceptional

11 Jan 2016

Shanda

Great location

Great stay. Loved the decor, the staff was friendly and helpful. Great location. Breakfast was good.
It boggles my mind when people complain about slow service. Culturally things are more relaxed and at a slower pace. POLE POLE is heard around the island for a reason. You're on vacation why the rush anyways. Food is slow most places you go because it is cooked to order. I appreciate having fresh food instead of the microwave mess we eat at many western restaurants.

6/10

Pleasant

25 Aug 2015

Verified traveler

Nice but....

Beautiful hotel, central location and attentive staff. Albeit very tastefully decorated I am not sure the price is fully justified. The two things that didn't help my stay were: 1) they've gone for the 'no door on the bathroom' look in the bedroom- while some artsy types may relish in this architectural feature, I for one was glad I was travelling on my own. Can't see the romantic feeling lasting long with no privacy for morning ablutions. 2) I booked the sandpit picnic (original dhow safari) through the hotel with the understanding that by booking through the hotel and paying a hefty premium (US$100 at hotel vs 30k shillings outside) the tour would be well organised and safe. Well, the guide didn't speak English (which was fine because he did try to be helpful with detail where he could but wasn't good when safety details couldn't be communicated), the motor in the boat kept breaking in the choppy sea and they fed me a flimsy chicken sandwich while every other tour group had delicious bbq-d seafood. My sandwich looked so pathetic that the family in the tent next to mine offered me their food. Overall one kind of gets the feeling at this hotel that they think if you're a tourist you have plenty of $$ to spare/burn.

8/10

Excellent

21 Jan 2015

Sara

Princess treatment

From the moment I arrived I was given excellent treatment by the staff, greeted by name and met with a cold towel and fresh fruit juice at check in. I was given a complimentary upgrade to one of the superior suites which had many nice little touches of hospitality. The complimentary breakfast was very generous and had many more options than most places I have stayed before. They also arranged for me to have a very late check out from my room to accommodate my early evening departure time. Was glad I decided to \"treat myself\" to more than a budget hotel because I was certainly treated well by this hotel.

8/10

Excellent

14 Sep 2014

Chris

Very nice hotel, small and charming

Well located, beautiful rooms, it was a shame that the spa facilities were under renovation

10/10

Exceptional

08 Sep 2014

gavin

Fantastic enticing hotel

This hotel is well appointed and finish in fabulous Swahili style. An eclectic blend of furnishing and decor. The rooms were very inviting. The location was perfectly situated in the middle of Stone Town's intriguing streets. The staff were friendly and attentive. The food was good, tasty and good serving sizes. Loved the whole stay.

8/10

Excellent

18 Jun 2014

Verified traveler

Good Service, Great Location, Average Rooms

Pros: The staff were fantastic and very flexible. The breakfast was large and tasty, with many options. Located right in the heart of Stone Town, the hotel is a short walk from most of the places of interest. Cons: No door or proper wall between the bathroom and the sleeping room. While the room was large, it seemed awkwardly setup for lounging, but was fine for sleeping. Beds were a bit less comfortable than anticipated for the price point.

10/10

Exceptional

16 Jun 2014

alissa

Amazing- Best room I have ever stayed in.

I spent nearly a week in the Mercury Suite of the Jafferji House in May, 2014. It was literally one of my favorite hotel rooms that I've ever stayed in. It was amazing. I had a huge, comfortable bed, a big shower, tv, sitting area, and all amenities. It smelled good, was climate controlled, and just had a lot of character, just like the rest of the hotel. The staff was amazing, especially some of the guys that were always in the main area, cleaning, or helping me with my bags, or just to say hi and teach me a few new Swahili words. Also, the housekeeping was always amazing and I was so happy to come home to a comfortable room, the turndown service was a treat, and I loved the personal touches on the bed like the Swahili proverbs, the candy and the tea at the end of my stay. The restaurant was also delicious, and I definitely recommend that you try pilau rice and the lentil curry. The kitchen staff was nice, but just be aware that everything is made to order so leave time for your meal. It is obvious the Jafferji takes customer service very seriously and wants you to be totally satisfied. The only disappointment I had was that the spa was under renovation, so I had to go to Cinnamon spa down the street- probably not as good as Jafferji would have been! And, my only warning would be that if you are two people, there is no actual door on the bathroom, so be warned in this particular suite. Overall, I LOVED the Jafferji and would definitely stay here again.

10/10

Exceptional

26 May 2014

Verified traveler

One of the best in stone town...

The staff is friendly, rooms are spacious and well decorated. If you're a 'hotel' kind of person then look elsewhere...if you have exceptional taste and are looking for a well run local accommodation then this is the place to try. My only concern is that if it becomes too popular I won't get a room next time I'm in stone town!

10/10

Exceptional

28 Mar 2014

Tranquility in the heat of Stonetown...

Wonderfully helpful and friendly staff, spice scented, beautiful rooms. Centrally located and easy to find. Javed Jafferji's stunning photography is everywhere so something interesting to find in every nook and cranny.

10/10

Exceptional

28 Mar 2014

Tranquility in the heat of Stonetown...

10/10

Exceptional

13 Mar 2014

Elizabeth

Excellent Stone Town Luxury

I had a superb stay at the Jafferji House. From the pickup at the airport (pre-arranged directly with the hotel) to the tours, the spa experiences, the food and the service, the experience was outstanding. Responsive, friendly and knowledgeable staff. A truly memorable stay, for all the best reasons.

8/10

Excellent

13 Feb 2014

Jafferji House and Spa

Beautiful hotel, very unique, richly decorated. Two negatives: 1. Location: hotel is located on tight alley with many vendors, but not much else i.e., restaurants. It's easy enough to walk towards waterfront for restaurants but not a walk you want to do at night, it is not safe; nor did I care to walk it even during the day solo - they vendors keep after you, which I normally don't mind but there was no way to just browse without being bothered by the next vendor. I ended up shopping for souvenirs at a large touristy store just to have some peace. 2. Restaurant: service is extremely slow - every meal is sit-down service off menu (doesn't change) - which is fine for lunch or dinner (but they do not serve alcohol) but breakfast took almost 50 minutes. Gallery Tours operates out of Jafferji - shop around, Lonely Planet and other guidebooks have recommendations for accredited tour operators. I used Gallery out of sheer convenience as I didn't have much time in Stone Town, but think they are over-priced.

4/10

Poor

12 Jan 2014

Verified traveler

Overpriced and Unreliable

I booked a standard room for two nights at this hotel after reading several reviews praising it for its romantic atmosphere and high quality rooms. Unfortunately, due to a problem with the arranged transportation to Zanzibar, we were only able to make it to the hotel one night late. We attempted to contact the hotel and notify them of our tardiness but the listed phone number on both Expedia and Jafferji's website was incorrect. Consequently, upon our arrival, the manager notified us that he had sold our room to someone else early in the morning. This happened despite the fact that we had booked, and paid for, a room at the hotel. The manager was very sorry for having resold our room and tried to find us a comparable room at a different hotel. He sent us to Emerson Spice hotel which ended up being the best hotel we stayed at in stone town.

We did want to give Jafferji a second chance as it is supposed to be one of the best in stone town so we booked two more nights there for few days later. I can't help saying that this was a mistake. The green chipped concrete tub in the bathroom had tons of sand in it. I expected someone to wash it out when cleaning the room. Another quite annoying experience was that we received a knock at the door at 9pm asking if we wanted turn down service then. A little late for turn down for me...

I'd say the main competitor to Jafarji in the same price range would be Emerson Spice, which quite frankly blows Jafarji out of water in every way.

Partner

8/10

Excellent

05 Jan 2014

James

Charming and unusual small in tradirtional buildin

Chose hotel because of its location in the old part of Zanzibar (Stone Town). It is entered off a narrow alley (no cars) and is built around a series of courtyards. Rooms (which have individual names rather than numbers) have studded wooden doors and stylish interior decor. Beds have mosquito nets, not really required since rooms have fans and air conditioning. Ambience is quiet and artistic.

6/10

Pleasant

05 Jan 2014

Verified traveler

Charming, but service could do with improvement

Given the positive reviews we were somewhat disappointed with our stay. We loved the décor but the thing that let it down was the service. Very Average.

8/10

Excellent

01 Jan 2014

Tracy

Beautiful hotel, beautiful rooms

I stayed at this hotel for 2 nights in December 2013 and really loved it. The hotel is beautifully decorated in a Zanzibar style-just gorgeous. The staff was very solicitious as well throughout my stay. The pictures on the site do not do this hotel justice-it is so much prettier in person. My room was enormous (Salame suite) and comfortable. The only negatives were that there was no aircon in the lobby and common areas and the aircon in my room and in the restaurant did not work all that well. Other than the aircon, I have no complaints. Very centrally located, near all the shops and restaurant but no pool (and it is hot in December).

10/10

Exceptional

29 Nov 2013

Eric D.

Beautiful hotel in the heart of Stone

Beautifully appointed rooms and common areas. Great photographs from Javed Jafferji cover the walls along with cool antiques and beautiful lamps/colored glass/mirrors everywhere. All the rooms have fans and A/C which was a must in the heat of November in Zanzibar. Fantastic customer service. Extremely accomodating when we arrived at 3am the day of our checkin - they let us check in early and even take a nap before our reservation officially started. Reception desk was extremely attentive to all of our requests and arranged excellent excursions for us at reasonable prices (highly recommend the Spice Tour and the sunset Dhow cruise was pretty good as well). The hotel is right in the middle of old Stone Town, you can easily walk to all of Stone Town (from the beach to Creek Rd) from the hotel within 10-15 minutes, though it can be easy to get lost a bit in all the old alleyways. The only possible \"negative\" I can think of is that the location prevents them from having a nearby parking lot, so you do have to walk a couple hundred yards through the alleys of Stone Town to get from your taxi/transfer to the hotel. Not a problem for us, as we didn't have much luggage, but if you did have a lot of bags that might be a little long to carry the bags. Breakfast was good, definitely recommend the Pure Veg platter (and we aren't vegetarian, it was just really delicious Indian style food).

Partner

8/10

Excellent

18 Nov 2013

Verified traveler

Character

This place has lots of character and very kind attentive staff. it was a pleasant stay.

10/10

Exceptional

14 Nov 2013

Asensio

Great Experince in Zanzibar

Extraordinary service, friendly, knowlegable and extremely helpful staff. Beautiful hotel! Very conveniently located, near to everything there is to see and do in Zanzibar
I highly recomend it!

6/10

Pleasant

07 Sep 2013

Cosy hotel with local charm

This boutique hotel has local charm but is not really a western standard hotel, if that is what you are looking for or used to. It is literally in the very heart of Stone Town, which is a must see, and the rooms are very unique each with its own theme. However, the mattresses were not very comfortable and the plumbing in the room was average. The staff were extremely friendly.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

19 Aug 2013

Verified traveler

Nice spot in Stone Town

A nice new hotel with friendly, helpful staff. It was a very convenient place to stay.

8/10

Excellent

23 Jul 2013

Ann

An experience

Tastefully decorated. Beautiful authentic lamps and furniture around the hotel. It was great as a different experience but one night was enough probably. The staff were excellent especially those at the front desk. An oasis from the alleyways of Stone Town.

8/10

Excellent

22 Jul 2013

Breakfast Butty

Great Hotel

A really beautiful hotel, in a brilliant location - close to restaurants and the beach. Everything was very comfortable and very stylish and the room was large and clean. The staff were all very friendly and welcoming, but requests for items were not quite as quick as we had hoped, and this let things down a little - every request needed checking with other staff and that took some time - if they could improve that, it would have been perfect! Also there was no minibar, so no chance to put water for cooling somewhere. We had an evening meal cooked by the hotel and it was delicious. We made use of excursions offered by the hotel and they were very good.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

21 Jul 2013

Verified traveler

Wonderful Spot

Very unique cool lodging experience. Small hotel with individually designed rooms. Stayed here for part of our honeymoon and our experience exceeded our expectations. Customer service was outstanding and above and beyond. Perfect spot to explore Stonetown from.

8/10

Excellent

06 Apr 2013

Verified traveler

Very good!

Partner