Tembo Palace Hotel

Tanzania , Zanzibar
ZANZIBAR TOWN, Kenyatta Road Shangani
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50 reviews shown

10/10

Exceptional

12 Jun 2025

Karim

Seamless check in with exceptional service. I failed to do my due diligence and got a room that faced alleys with adjacent dwellings that had much desirable walls requiring paint and garbage below. I would still recommend Tembo Hotel but ensure you select one with city view and/or balcony as the property does have multiple sections. Don't hesitate to reach out to them as they do respond back. People in general are very humble and respectful.

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

12 Jun 2025

Karim

The check in and the service by staff was exceptional. I would, however, advice any guests planning to stay at this hotel to ensure they select the section which provides a balcony and/or city view. I missed doing my due diligence and ended up in a room with pretty bad views of the alley where one can see garbage also. The hotel was fully booked hence nothing else was avaliable for us to switch. Otherwise I would recommend this hotel and the plus point being Forodhani was within walking distance. Safe with no issues. People in Zanzibar are humble and respectful.

Leisure Family

2/10

Poor

21 Jan 2025

Verified traveler

Not a good stay!

The hotel is on the beach. Little did I know that we would get a room in another building behind the hotel. Air condition did not cool enough. The safe did not work…they tried to fix it… they could not. Only 3 towels, only 3 water bottles. We were 4 people. Bathroom not clean. Floors not clean. Not nice pillow. Restaurant got everything about our order wrong. Food not nice. The smell of diesel when we had lunch was horrible. Sorry to say, but I Can not recommend this hotel.

Friends_and_family Family

10/10

Exceptional

19 Nov 2024

Monica

Just beautiful and perfect

Business_and_leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

24 Aug 2024

Danielle

Wonderful staff that were helpful and accommodating in many ways. I needed to store my luggage for a few extra days and they graciously agreed and it was kept safe. No elevator, but the porters were so helpful during check-in/out that it wasn’t a problem. The breakfast area, pool and beach were beautiful and overall this was a very convenient location. Room was huge and clean with adjustable air conditioning. I would definitely recommend and stay there again!

Leisure Self

10/10

Exceptional

20 Jul 2024

John Henry J

Beautiful centrally located hotel fun for kids

We picked this hotel for convenience to the ferry terminal and Stone Town. It seems to be the main hotel in Stone Town, centrally located to tourist areas, beach, and restaurants. It is also artistically very beautiful in terms of architecture and layout. We were in apartments adjacent to the main hotel, accessed via an alley. Kids in our group loved the three pools at both buildings, as well as the billiards and foosball table, which together provided many hours of fun. Staff in both buildings were friendly and eager to help. Rooms were beautiful and clean. We used this as a launching point for a sandbar visit, a snorkeling excursion, and a walking tour. The hotel very kindly accommodated us with a changing room to use after checkout after returning from an excursion -- much appreciated.

Note that a small tax has to be paid locally - USD 15 per person per night.

The only downside was that the area outside the hotel is full of vendors who aggressively seek customers almost 24/7.

Friends_and_family Family

10/10

Exceptional

14 Jul 2024

Christa

Wonderful stay!

This hotel is perfectly located for an easy walk all over town. Choice of three pools and fantastic restaurant with breakfast included. Lovely breakfast buffet! The building is immediately across the street from its sister hotel, which is right on the beach and provides beach access. Rooms are spacious and clean. Hotel staff is wonderfully accommodating and attentive. We would definitely return here! Architecture and decorating is classic Zanzibar and charming!

Friends_and_family Family

10/10

Exceptional

02 Jul 2024

Sydni

We were super happy with our stay at Tembo Palace, we could use the facilities at both hotels, close to everything 5 minutes walk away from the night market. The hotel is on the beach front which is perfect, restaurant and drinks was great and staff were really efficient and friendly. Breakfast was great, buffet and omelettes/waffles made on request. Rooms were cleaned every day. Would recommend this hotel

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

06 Jun 2024

Abiy

Excellent breakfast buffet and great location

10/10

Exceptional

01 Jun 2024

Mumtaz

Hotel is in a good location staff very courteous very clean rooms
Just one thing no elevators lots of stairs to climb elevators should be added otherwise excellent

4/10

Poor

07 Apr 2024

WAYNE

The breakfast was bad, and the hotel was under construction. The beds were vey hard.

Friends_and_family Family

2/10

Poor

13 Mar 2024

jamila

If you have the choice DO NOT waste your money on this property. Rooms are claustrophobic, no proper ventilation, washroom is a senior nightmare with all the steps, stray cats peeing on the restaurant floor. They have the ocean front and another hotel behind and if you don’t know the difference and you book for the other it is at the back, in a hot room with no elevators (they made my senior parents climb 2 flights of stairs) until their changed out room…then made us wait until 9pm after travelling to get a room with the staff attitude. The wifi hardly works. To add to it the restaurant when you order a meal gives you the option to pay in US or local currency. They change more for the conversion than the live exchange!! It is an antique looking building but that isn’t an excuse for the dirt. Their mosquito nets have the same dead bugs on the top for days. Additionally there is zero sound proofing. Waste of money! We couldn’t not get out of there fast enough!!!

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

01 Mar 2024

Margaret

Great property and staff.

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

22 Feb 2024

Susan

Lovely after a dodgy start

We loved our stay. We had a triple room in Tembo Palace, which is about a minutes walk from the main Tembo Hotel. It has its own pool (which is smaller but quieter than the main one) but breakfast and the restaurant is in the main hotel. Our room was huge with three king-sized beds and a large bathroom. A/c and fans were effective.
Both hotels are beautifully restored buildings. The alley leading to ours didn’t look great initially but we always felt safe walking back and forth. It’s about 30 seconds from the Freddie Mercury museum.
The staff were brilliant throughout with a special mention for Pieter, our waiter on a couple of occasions. Breakfast is awesome with lots of choice and eggs made to order.
Our only disappointment was on arrival when the bathroom was covered with what looked like large flakes of paint - bath, floor, basin, loo - everything. It was 3am so we really couldn’t be bothered to report it then. When we did next day, it was quickly cleared but it was a disturbing reflection on how rooms are prepared. Having said that, the actual bedroom seemed clean. Oh, and it had a fridge - lovely for keeping water and juice cool.

Partner

8/10

Excellent

20 Dec 2023

Verified traveler

It was nice very busy hotel

Leisure Self

8/10

Excellent

21 Nov 2023

Karim

Good location in the center of Stowntown.
but no lift, incase u have walking issues, and no liquor license of bar!

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

30 Jun 2023

Beth

This is a very fun place to stay. It has lots of Zanzibar character. The three pools are amazing and the view is incredible

Leisure Family

8/10

Excellent

09 Feb 2023

Julia

Lovely converted palace with a great spot on the beach.
One friend had issues with water and a/c but they got fixed.

Leisure Friends

10/10

Exceptional

11 Dec 2022

Demetria

Zanzibar

Staying at Tembo palace was amazing. Staff were friendly and very helpful. Breakfast was nice every morning.

Partner

6/10

Pleasant

01 Sep 2022

Mike Doreen

Decent value hotel, nothing special - ran out of water for short periods of time both days we stayed - but quickly corrected when we contacted the desk.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

24 May 2022

Joanne

Great hotel

Leisure Self

8/10

Excellent

20 Sep 2021

Chidumebi

It was nice. The staff was friendly, great location, a little noisy. Nothing too fancy, just an okay place.

Leisure Friends

10/10

Exceptional

17 Sep 2021

Vivolyn Waugh

Staff genuinely friendly and courteous, always willing to assist. Property was very clean. Food was ok. If I were to visit Zanzibar again I will surely stay at this hotel

Leisure Friends

10/10

Exceptional

28 Mar 2021

Verified traveler

Location could not be better -- right on the ocean with great beach, super people-watching, awesome sunsets

Leisure Self

2/10

Poor

31 Jan 2021

STEPHEN

Very unsatisfactory

The accommodation was not as described.

I stead of the advertised property we were obliged to stay in a nearby building with NO POOL and NO RESTAURANT

Furthermore my complaint to the hotel has not been responded to

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

25 Dec 2020

Verified traveler

One of the better hotels that is Convenient and reasonably priced.

Business_and_leisure Self

10/10

Exceptional

19 Mar 2020

Verified traveler

We brought our kids, and they enjoyed the wonderful pool and beach access. We highly recommend Tembo!

Leisure Family

8/10

Excellent

02 Jan 2020

Mary

A very pleasing stay.

Xmas in Zanzibar was fabulous, the Hotel provided a great service throughout our time there, although Xmas cake for breakfast was rather unusual! The staff in particular were extremely polite, kind and very helpful. Our room was sprayed every evening for mosquitos which was great, the hotel was lovely and clean, we did have a problem with no hot water for a couple of days but it was solved fairly quickly.
The breakfast was similar every morning but there was plenty of it to be had. We ate in the restaurant only once and the menu covered most tastes.
On the whole a very pleasant stay.

Partner

8/10

Excellent

08 Dec 2019

Niko

Comfortable place for a family stay.

The apartment block that we used is tucked away from the main street and a 100m walk from the main hotel, but that doesn't really make a difference... the only thing is that you don't get a view out of the hotel.

We traveled with two young kids and the most important stuff was comfort... they had two large queen size beds that were comfortable, the AC worked nicely and the room was clean. We had access to the main hotel that has a good breakfast and a nice pool to relax by...

Compared to many other places in Stone Town, this hotel is a good value for the price. We would stay there again.

Friends_and_family Family

6/10

Pleasant

07 Dec 2019

David

Hotel is serviceable, nothing great, but nothing terrible except for the condition and cleanliness. The towels smelled of mildew and horrible smell coming from the bathroom drains. I realize this is due to pluming design, but visitors should be aware.

Friends_and_family Family

10/10

Exceptional

05 Dec 2019

john

great hotel right on beach.

Self

10/10

Exceptional

26 Nov 2019

Verified traveler

Nice property on the ocean. It had a fridge that worked well so you can keep drinks cold. They are non alcoholic building but there are places close by if you want to have a drink.

Leisure Self

10/10

Exceptional

02 Oct 2019

Thiago

Beautiful building, spacious room, nice swimming pool.

Self

10/10

Exceptional

07 Sep 2019

Verified traveler

We spent one night in Stone Town and we chose this hotel. The hotel is well placed on the beach. The food was amazing. Staff were well trained and always ready to help.

I loved the hot sauce the hotel used at the restaurant. The manager got someone to go out and buy me a couple of bottles. Real service!

Leisure Family

8/10

Excellent

21 Aug 2019

Verified traveler

No alcohol property bits tons of places close by to eat and drink.

They own the building Freddy Mercury grew up on and you might even stay in his suite.

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

14 Jul 2019

Verified traveler

They have several properties but only one on tje actualbbeach in Stonetown so make sure to get a specific confirmation. Otherwise some of the best hotel management interactions heva ive had (Osman and Rahim simply outstanding) and would not stay anywhere else in Stonetown.

Leisure Family

8/10

Excellent

05 Jul 2019

Lisa

Delightful. We stayed in the Annex and still had complete access to the pool and beach. I had some business to attend to while at the hotel and the staff was extremely accommodating. Food was delicious and the staff was very caring and helpful. We were right in the midst of Stonetown and felt safe and sound! Thanks Temdo House.!

Family

8/10

Excellent

25 Jun 2019

Verified traveler

Absolutely amazing location beautiful amenities only thing was that we were at the apartments very nice and spacious lacked a lift that is the only fault I can give them. I’d still go there again

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

06 Apr 2019

Verified traveler

Loved that this hotel has a beautiful beach view. Wonderful staff, good food, and located where shopping and restaurants are a short walk away.

Leisure Friends

8/10

Excellent

23 Mar 2019

Verified traveler

Beautiful old building in a great location. Only downside is that the street can be loud, especially when your room is street side.

10/10

Exceptional

05 Mar 2019

Susie

Huge airy room massive comfy bed and separate lounging area very cool tiled bathroom Great breakfast right on the beach nice big pool with endless swimming towels Very typical Zanzibar deco made our visit to Stonetown very memorable Staff were very helpful

Friends_and_family Family

8/10

Excellent

31 Jan 2019

Ellen

Tembo Annex

We stayed in the Tembo Annex. That meant we had to cross the street from the Tembo Hotel, go a short distance down an alley, take a left then you could see the hotel entrance on the right. The spacious room contained 2 large beds, fridge, coffee maker and 2 bottles of water which you need to brush your teeth. The room and bathroom were clean and the bath tile was fascinating. The view from our room looked down into more alleys, (see attached pics). My friend and I were nervous walking the alley and made sure we got back right after dinner and stayed in for the evening. I will say the alley was very well light but people, mostly men, sit on the building stoops and it made us uncomfortable having to walk by them in the evening. This is a practice throughout the town and not a problem, just a little unnerving in the evening. I attached pics of the Annex lobby and our room.
The main hotel had a nice pool and was on the beach. A roped area separated the guests from the locals. I would not swim in the water because there were so may large boats and ships moored out in the harbor. However the locals and other guests did swim.
The breakfast buffet was plentiful, it included different breads, hot meals and fruit plus omelet station. All staff members were incredibly friendly and helpful. I enjoyed the decor of the hotel.

Friends

10/10

Exceptional

06 Jan 2019

Naima

Amazing stay

It’s been lovely staying here the staff are amazing and the service is great. Would recommend this hotel highly.

Partner

8/10

Excellent

20 Dec 2018

Verified traveler

Very good hotel,location, staff were very kind and helpful

8/10

Excellent

16 Oct 2018

Verified traveler

I loved that this property was directly on the beach, especially for the wonderful breakfast. The central location is helpful for planning day trips, or walk out the door directly on to s boat to the islands.

8/10

Excellent

01 Sep 2018

Tbird

Great location

Description states there is a lounge/bar but they do not serve alcohol at this hotel. Misleading. Overall hotel was in a good location, and had nice rooms.

8/10

Excellent

23 Aug 2018

Craig

Tembo house hotel and annex.

Tembo house hotel is really 3 buildings. You have tembo house hotel, tembo apartments across the small street and annex of tembo behind the apartments. The rooms are massive, quite Tunisian in their decor. We stayed in the annex and the rooms were really nice. Your own water heater, fridge, large bathroom and amazingly comfortable beds. Best nights sleep I’ve had for ages whilst staying at Tembo. The staff are very nice, the food is excellent and the views are stunning.
Would definitely recommend staying here

Partner

8/10

Excellent

06 Aug 2018

Great location. Nice architecture. Excellent breakfast and lounge/dining area (overlooking the pool/sea). Helpful, friendly staff. Reasonable rooms.

Only thing that slightly diminished the experience was the impression that the hotel and staff took every opportunity to pocket a large cut for trips/taxis that were arranged - I didn't feel the hotel was acting in either the tour providers or our best interest here.

8/10

Excellent

07 Jun 2025

Richard

Helt kurrant! God beliggenhet, kurrant hotell.

Partner

6/10

Pleasant

19 Jan 2025

Linda

Stora rum och helt ok sängar.
Tyvärr var jag sjuk under min vistelse men övriga sällskapet tyckte frukosten var rätt tråkig. Frukt och sötsaker

Friends_and_family Family