Tembo House Hotel And Apartments

Tanzania , Zanzibar
Zanzibar, forodhani street, 3974
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100 reviews shown

10/10

Exceptional

07 Mar 2026

martha

Exceeded expectations on every level-spectacular location directly on the beach, two rooftop and one courtyard pool (all crystal clean and perfect temp) beautiful spacious room, lavish buffet breakfast but best of all was the kind and attentive service from all of the staff. I f I could be dropped off by a drone, I would go back today in a heartbeat ( and maybe never leave) A true respite from the bustle of Sonetown-

10/10

Exceptional

06 Mar 2026

Bethan

Nice room with small balcony overlooking the pool. Good air-con and plenty of hot water for showers. Staff very friendly and happy to help, great breakfast. Overall good value for money especially as paid for with Tesco vouchers..

Partner

8/10

Excellent

27 Feb 2026

Nancy

Great location and accommodating staff. Room was very small but adequate. The shower/change room to use before heading to the airport was an added bonus.

10/10

Exceptional

06 Feb 2026

Kim

Staff was exceptionally friendly. Location was perfect.

Leisure Friends

8/10

Excellent

30 Jan 2026

Michael

Very clean rooms. Helpful staff.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

21 Jan 2026

Damian

Estaba muy bien todo
Destacó el desayuno

Friends_and_family Family

8/10

Excellent

08 Jan 2026

Moez

Rooms were good. Stay was comfortable, we had an issue with hot water which was rectified within 12 hrs
Staff was awesome and so was the food during breakfast. Thank you for making our stay memorable.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

19 Dec 2025

Alyson

The hotel was lovely and the stafd were all very nice and friendly

Leisure Partner

8/10

Excellent

18 Dec 2025

Corinna

Room was spotless and food was great.

Self

2/10

Poor

11 Dec 2025

Goda

First off, they didn't pull up a 2nd reservation I had on my name and made us book another room. Later that night they call me asking where are the guests for the 2nd room! I ended up paying for the reservation they didn't pull up in the first place and on top of it, we had to book another room. And they didn't even REFUND any part for the mistake they did. No one helped us here, neither the Expedia nor this property. Beware of such SCAMS when you are staying in Zanzibar.

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

06 Dec 2025

Nikita

Food was good and affordable and great views. Staff was amazing

Friends_and_family Family

10/10

Exceptional

24 Nov 2025

Per

Clean and good service. Breakfast good, maybee Cheese to the bread we missed. Good occupation in Stone Town.

Partner

6/10

Pleasant

22 Nov 2025

Mavrick

L’hôtel est idéalement situé, bon rapport qualité prix dans l’ensemble. Petit déjeuner vraiment bon. Ils vous proposent même de garder vos valises pendant que visite Stone Town si vous avez votre vol tres tard avec l’accès a une salle de bain pour prendre une douche et se rafraîchir avant d’aller à l’aéroport.
Le seul problème c’est que j’avais réservé une chambre avec vue sur Mer en payant plus cher, et que nous n’avons pas du tout eu une chambre qui correspondait à ça… après réclamation, l’hôtel était sois disant complet, la chambre correspondait à la « description » et ils ne pouvaient rien faire de plus…

Partner

8/10

Excellent

11 Nov 2025

cevon

Great staff

Leisure Family

8/10

Excellent

09 Nov 2025

Patrick

A few bugs in the room at night even with windows closed! Only two bottles of water provided which is not enough given the tap water is unusable for wven teeth brushing

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

03 Nov 2025

Jens

Great staff, top breakfast, excellent location! Our room had a magnificent seaview. The overall feeling in the hotel was amazing. Highly recommended.

Friends_and_family Family

10/10

Exceptional

25 Oct 2025

Prakhar

Good

10/10

Exceptional

16 Oct 2025

Jennifer

Enjoyed our stay within the apartments at Tembo House. We had full access to the pools at the hotel, which was where breakfast was also served & directly on the beach.
Staff were very welcoming. Our rooms were quite spacious. Would recommend a stay here.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

16 Oct 2025

Jennifer Cristin

Great check in great hotel in the best location

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

10 Oct 2025

Ronda

Extremely convenient, safe, and very professional employees. Robes are very clean and elegant.

10/10

Exceptional

03 Oct 2025

Luiz Eduardo

A arrived 9h30 and didn’t have to wait till 15 o’clock to go to my room. They not only gave the room earlier but gave an upgrade. Very friendly staff

Self

10/10

Exceptional

30 Sep 2025

Sarah

We stayed in the Freddy Mercury suites which are ideally located....everything you need is within walking distance. The room was clean and bright and had everything we needed. What made our stay enjoyable was the staff... friendly, helpful and always with a smile on their face. The breakfast buffet was wonderful, had something for everyone - you certainly didn't leave hungry. Would definitely recommend this property for your visit to Stone Town.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

30 Sep 2025

Robert

Highly recommend the Tembo House Hotel. A perfect location on the beach in central Stone Town and close to every thing. The manager personally spends time with guests checking they are enjoying their stay. The hotel has 3 pools overlooking the beach. Around 5pm each day youngsters train doing arcobatics on the beach and around sunset a team of athletes called the Zanzibar Flippers practice their amazing routines using an old truck tyre buried in the sand as a trampoline. The Tembo does not serve alcohol, but wonderful juices, and if you fancy something stronger next door is the Livingston bar to watch the Flippers work their magic.athletes

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

29 Sep 2025

Lisa

We showed up at noon and asked if they would be able to hold our bags since check-in wasn't for a few hours, and to our surprise, they let us check-in early. The staff was very friendly (especially the cleaning staff and Faridah in particular), and the pools were beautiful. The location is great - close to all areas of Stone Town and on the beach. The complimentary breakfast was great (lots of options).
Overall, would recommend this hotel.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

29 Sep 2025

Rommel

Well maintained hotel with easy access to the main road. The hotel is in front of the boat launch for the Prison Island and Nakupenda sandbar tours. It is about 3minute walk to Freddie Mercury museum
and Forodhani Garden. The room is spacious with unique old world Arabic feel. The breakfast is with good variety. Definitely a good place to stay. Highly recommended.

Leisure Self

10/10

Exceptional

28 Sep 2025

Natalie

Friendly staff. Awesome pool. Great breakfast selections. Perfect location

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

28 Sep 2025

Patricia

This is one of the best hotels I have ever stayed in. The service was beyond impeccable. I would highly recommend this hotel. And I’ve stayed in a lot of hotels in my lifetime. It is extremely close to anything that you want to do in Stone Town. The staff were so accommodating and so friendly. I wish I could think of more positive things to say about this place. The view is stunning. And there are loads of places to sit and relax. The swimming pool is amazing. I could just go on and on.

Friends_and_family Friends

8/10

Excellent

12 Sep 2025

Jani

Bra läge, mycket trappor, inget för en person som har svårt att gå. Hotellet serverar ingen alkohol.
Vårt rum litet och övermöblerat men ändå charmigt.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

10 Sep 2025

Zuzana

cute hotel

10/10

Exceptional

07 Sep 2025

Sandra

Beautiful view,good breakfast, and attentive staff

8/10

Excellent

01 Sep 2025

Shirley

We were quite happy with this property except one member of the wait staff. She was either disinterested in her job or wasn't very good at it. It took us multiple trys to get our order in the bar area.

10/10

Exceptional

01 Sep 2025

Akthar

Staff members were very polite and helpful nature for any suggestions and guidance for the tours. Hotel is heart of stone town and accessible to every where to go visit Zanzibar. Hotel is very clean and friendly and breakfast was awesome with many choices.

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

29 Aug 2025

David

I loved every bit of it and I would definitely come back.

Self

10/10

Exceptional

27 Aug 2025

Barbara

I love the Tembo House

We were originally booked into the Embe room and it is right over them main road and the courtyard. Very noisy. The next night we requested to be moved and had an older, but much quieter room.
Overall, I love the Tembo House!

Friends_and_family Friends

8/10

Excellent

21 Aug 2025

Katherine

Best sunset swim!

Fantastic location - amazing view and easy access to explore Stone Town. The pools were lovely! Food was good. The only small downside was that one of the sellers from outside twice approach us in the hotel trying to sell us a painting - once just outside our room.

Friends_and_family Family

10/10

Exceptional

07 Aug 2025

Nilesh

Notice some mosquitoes and so it is good to have bug repellent especially in the evenings.

Leisure Family

8/10

Excellent

07 Aug 2025

Gary

A conveniently located waterfront property with lots of open air community space. Breakfast offered a good variety with a made to order omelet station. Didn’t eat lunch or dinner there simply because they don’t serve alcohol. We were located at their property across the street in a 4-story (62 steps) walk up room overlooking the street and with water views. Entertaining to see guests set their breakfast plates down in the open air areas, go off to get something else and then have the ravens swoop down and make off with a slice of toast or waffle. Also interesting to see all the pilots taking care of their boats while awaiting passengers to take out to Prison Isy.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

23 Jul 2025

Diane

Great location close to many Stone town attractions, restaurants, and shoping

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

18 Jul 2025

john

Great breakfast and location

10/10

Exceptional

17 Jul 2025

James

Absolutely fab

Absolutely fabulous hotel. Room was spacious. Staff all spoke English well and were very helpful. Full breakfast buffet (free) with lots of variety. Open air dining on the beach if you like, or eat inside. They have bag storage if you want to do one last day at the beach after checkout. And they even have a changing room with shower and clean towels if you do that last beach day.

Friends_and_family Family

10/10

Exceptional

12 Jul 2025

Timothy

Really enjoyed the stay. Great staff great hotel great location

10/10

Exceptional

10 Jul 2025

Greg L

Great place to stay in downtown area. It is right on the beach!

Friends_and_family Family

10/10

Exceptional

07 Jul 2025

Abdalla

Tembo hotel

Manager was very good plus reception young and hard working

Friends_and_family Family

10/10

Exceptional

03 Jul 2025

Jennifer

Lovely property and the staff were amazing. We had a very early ferry that left before breakfast started and they insisted on sending us with food to go so we wouldn't be hungry on the boat. It was ready along with the taxi they scheduled for us at 5:30am. So thoughtful.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

01 Jul 2025

Robert

Great place in Zanzibar

Fantastic service. Wonderful staff. Nice breakfast. Perfect location.

Self

10/10

Exceptional

14 Jun 2025

Carol

Excellent location, great breakfast. All staff really friendly and always there to help. Definitely recommend the tembo if you are in stone town.

Leisure Friends

8/10

Excellent

09 Jun 2025

Alison

We stayed here for one night in the annexe section of the hotel, which is seperate from the main hotel (short 1 min walk). Our standard room was clean and basic for a nights stay, nothing fancy. Location is great for food and drink options. No lifts, so bad to carry bags up stairs, so something to consider if you need a lift.

Leisure Partner

8/10

Excellent

31 May 2025

Stephanie

Great hotel, very unique. In a historical refurbished building. We arrived 3:30am and the hotel had arranged a pick up for us for a fee. We hired our taxi driver, Kalfhan for the next week on Zanzibar. Very large room with 3 beds and large patio facing the water. Great a/c. Mini fridge & kettle. Really nice pool area. Some constructed while we were there, but we knew it was low season. Reception very nice. Perfect location, walkable to the main areas of Stone Town. Shopping right outside, wLk along the harbour.

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

30 May 2025

Nizar

All ok....no problem....very safe.

Leisure Self

10/10

Exceptional

28 May 2025

Cheryl

Such a beautiful historic place. The staff were so friendly and helpful-everyone has a beautiful kind smile and really appear to enjoy working there. When in Stonetown do yourself a treat and book a stay at Tembo House👌

Leisure Friends

8/10

Excellent

08 Apr 2025

Jonathan

Great character property with beautiful bedrooms that are mostly individual. Great upstairs pool and elegant lounge salon in main building. Only minor issue is the road facing rooms above the entrance has several elderly men who talk incessantly 18 hours a day in a loud booming voice, but there in nothing the hotel can do about that. Beach Breakfast area with its world class view lacks elegant chairs that lessens its leisurely appeal. I had to remind myself all the time I was in a 4 star hotel with a top expensive 5 star next door, The Tembo Hotel is good value for money that could offer more for minimal cost.

Leisure Self

10/10

Exceptional

26 Mar 2025

Marquisette

Great view in the roof top pool.

Leisure Friends

10/10

Exceptional

25 Mar 2025

Alice

We had an issue with a missing wallet and Issac, a waiter, was most helpful in phoning our driver of the day, searching the premises and accompanying me to my room for a detailed search at which point the wallet was recovered. He was very resourceful and very helpful.

Leisure Friends

10/10

Exceptional

22 Mar 2025

Rosa

Lovely rooms three story but no elevators. Great location on beach and adjacent to stone town

10/10

Exceptional

22 Mar 2025

Rosa

Lovely old hotel with many room options but no elevators. We had 3 flights of stairs to room but they do have lovely ground floor rooms as well. There was some noisy renovation going on at the hotel. Staff wonderful friendly and helpful. They arranged our excursions for good prices. Love the location on the beach and in stone town

Leisure

8/10

Excellent

19 Mar 2025

Sigrid

Tembo House Hotel is in a great walkable location. The staff is kind, friendly, and accommodating. The ocean-front view is incredible.

Leisure Self

8/10

Excellent

16 Mar 2025

Per Walter

Nice but somewhat outdated hotel

Great location in Stown Town next to the sea. Somewhat outdated rooms and standard. Excellent service minded staff.
Sadly this hotel does not serve alcholic drinks an we like to enjoy a glass of wine with our dinner, but there arr a lot of restaurants nearby, so there wherr a lot of options

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

08 Mar 2025

Steven V

Right on the beach in StoneTown .This hotel is unmatched for location as well as service. Friendly and caring staff who are happy to assist with all your needs.
Rooms were clean and comfortable with air-conditioned, a mini fridge, and kettle with coffee and tea provided.
Great pool areas which were well maintained.
A charming place with lots of history.
I would definitely stay again!

Leisure Friends

10/10

Exceptional

06 Mar 2025

Sanuealdo

Great

10/10

Exceptional

06 Mar 2025

Corey

Hotel was older. There was no elevator to go from floor to floor. But some may see this as having character. Hotel was clean. Was in a good location.

Leisure

10/10

Exceptional

06 Mar 2025

Moez

Tembo House Hotel

Great value for the quality and location…. Will definitely return

Friends_and_family Family

10/10

Exceptional

28 Feb 2025

Robina

The hotel staff made every effort to make sure we had a comfortable stay.

Leisure Friends

10/10

Exceptional

27 Feb 2025

Robert

Great location, nice rooms, friendly staff

Leisure Self

10/10

Exceptional

25 Feb 2025

Verified traveler

Friendly staff, good pool, nice view of the sea!

Self

10/10

Exceptional

25 Feb 2025

Paul

Beautiful property on the beach. Two lovely pools. Great food but unfortunately does not sell alcohol.

Leisure Partner

8/10

Excellent

20 Feb 2025

Gary

Very good hotel for short stay of 2 or 3 days.
Good location close to restaurants, shops and on the water.

Leisure

10/10

Exceptional

20 Feb 2025

Azaan

Thr property is very conveniently located in Stone Town.
The staff was excellent and very helpful.

Leisure Self

10/10

Exceptional

10 Feb 2025

Rubina

I loved everything about this property. The hospitality of the staff in all areas, the open lay out of the property and proximity of dining to the ocean, the clean and beautiful rooms, and the quality and variety of food options at the breakfast buffet. The property is perfectly located at walking distance to shops, restaurants and main markets. I would definitely stay here again without a doubt. A big thank you to Tembo House!!!

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

10 Feb 2025

Jamie

10/10, for the price you get a lot! Would highly recommend.
Room was spacious and v clean.
Extremely friendly and helpful staff who went out of their way to help.
Great location and they also offered to store our luggage when we went on safari.

So glad we chose this property. Cannot fault it. Thank you for a great stay from room 3000 ;)

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

09 Feb 2025

Patrick

excellent service

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

22 Jan 2025

rebecca

Historic building. Close to local attractions. Good food. Walkable. Recommend.

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

20 Jan 2025

Garth

I always enjoy Tembo Hotel

10/10

Exceptional

20 Jan 2025

Anita

The room was gorgeous

Leisure Self

2/10

Poor

13 Jan 2025

filip

Nice property, friendly staff, sloppy operation

First they put this into the wrong room, smaller than what we paid for. Then the next day they moved us into a correct from, which was new and very pleasant.

We wanted to come back for one more day, and they took our money. However, they then misplaced the records, so it took several hours to check back in.

In retrospect, we should have booked the final night through hotels.com not with the hotel directly! It would've saved us a lot of waiting and frustration.

Friends_and_family Family

8/10

Excellent

13 Jan 2025

Henry

Great location in the heart of Stone Town.

Leisure Partner

8/10

Excellent

11 Jan 2025

Abe

Very well kept with antique feeling and very friendly staff

Leisure Partner

8/10

Excellent

10 Jan 2025

Edward

Great facility but disappointing service.

My wife and I stayed for part of our honeymoon. The hotel was great, the room was lovely, brilliant location with amazing pool and views over the beach. Very disappointed with the service, getting frustrated emails when my flight was delayed by 5 hours and I was trying to rearrange my taxi, then being accused of not paying for it.

Minor heads up, they don’t serve alcohol in the hotel so no chance for sunset cocktails. This wasn’t clear until check in.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

03 Jan 2025

Dalila

Very good

2/10

Poor

02 Jan 2025

Shawn

The building as a piece of Zanzibar history is an asset, are as the friendliness of morning staff. It stops there. Upon checkin we were provided a room adjacent to the eating area, where there is no privacy as the room opens onto people eating. The window looks put at a wall, the bathroom window is at street level and the a/c was not working. Despite efforts to fix the a/c, this was not successful and we requested another room. Upon being informed there was no other rooms available we left the sauna that was our room to walk along the beach. The pictures on the website of the beach area and the reality that the private beach is simply the length of the lounge chairs partitioned by a small room from the very public and very busy beach. Since it's a commercial area for tour boats and other vessels, you can't move without being harassed to buy something or tour to Prison Island. Plus it's not an ideal area for swimming. Upon return to the hotel we were informed a room was found, which turned out to be worse than the original room. It was next to the pool, so no privacy and the beach area is quite busy at night, so no sleep. The next day we found other accomodations and checked out of Tempo House Hotel. For anyone wanting to drink, there is no alcohol sold at this property. Further, people are coming and going without vérification they are guests, which is a safety concern. This property is a high price hostel. Period.

Leisure Partner

4/10

Poor

29 Dec 2024

Melanie

Overpriced
Very old hotel, rooms and hotel not well cleaned,
chaotic check-in

Leisure

6/10

Pleasant

27 Dec 2024

Per

Allt var ok. 3 stjärnigt hotell

Friends_and_family Family

10/10

Exceptional

23 Dec 2024

Andre

Fabulous

Really beautiful location with great pools. Right on the ocean. We loved it! The breakfast was incredible!

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

18 Dec 2024

Elaine

Great place

4/10

Poor

18 Dec 2024

Rizwan

It was noisy, dirty. The only good thing about this hotel was the pool on first floor. The AC in the room did not work properly. Due to noise and heat during night, I couldn't sleep properly. The registration ladies do not know much and booked me for three more days and then cancelled without informing me. thank God, they cancelled it and I moved to good hotel.

Business Self

10/10

Exceptional

05 Dec 2024

Thomas

Great place to stay.

Family

10/10

Exceptional

02 Dec 2024

Hamid

It is centrally located with amenities and wonderful service. We have a stayed here before and came back because of location and comfort.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

01 Dec 2024

Benjamin

Best place in stone town

As usual it was an excellent stay at Tembo house. The breakfast is amazing and the rooftop pool is agreat please to see fishing boats going out or coming in during sunset. Chef Haji is amazing when it comes to the spices and the overall friendliness of the staff and manager is great. Home away from home!

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

30 Nov 2024

Arlene

I loved every thing about the property. The food was great
They need to offer more Zanzibar foods
The people were so hrlpful.

Leisure

10/10

Exceptional

28 Nov 2024

Jonathon

Great beachfront historical property.

Leisure Family

8/10

Excellent

26 Nov 2024

Jayantha

Internet was not good, very weak. Our room was not too spacious. No chair or table in our room. Good location. Staff always there to help you. Beach front is a good place to watch locals in the evening time. staff make sure all the areas are clean all the time. Good breakfast buffet! Hot water and A/C very good. Enough TV channels. Family friendly.

Leisure Friends

10/10

Exceptional

26 Nov 2024

Diane

Staff were exceptional. Pools beautiful location perfect. Staff consistently went out of there way to make you happy.

Leisure Friends

10/10

Exceptional

24 Nov 2024

Katja

Overnight in Stonetown

We spend an amazing 2 days at Tembo house. It is a historic hotel with lots of charm. Service is nice and the rooms are large and comfortable. I would come back.

Friends_and_family Friends

10/10

Exceptional

24 Nov 2024

Lene

Good - and not so good

+ The hotel is placed in the middle of everything, the room was nice and had lots of space and a great balcony.

The madrass were very good and aircon/fan was working around the clock, so the room was always in temperature.

All the pools were perfect.

- I would have loved to know - in advance- that my room was placed in another building, as I travel alone.

At breakfast my table were cleaned (even for food) and my table given to someone else when I was getting a refill.

The breakfast were good, but food \"a la carte\" was no good

Self

10/10

Exceptional

23 Nov 2024

Caroline

I liked the staff and amenities. The pools were a great benefit. Staff was very helpful. Good location. Stated twice during our trip.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

19 Nov 2024

Monica

We had an amazing time. Hotel was just perfect.

Business_and_leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

14 Nov 2024

Kai Bjarne

Local hotel centrally situated

Nice stay at a hotel centrally situated, with “personality” and a friendly staff.

Self

10/10

Exceptional

11 Nov 2024

Charles

All the staff were Excellent, friendly, and knowledgeable and they go above and beyond for the guests. One even offered to escort me to where I needed to go. I was thankful but declined as I was confident that I could find it. I definitely would return to this hotel again if I ever came back to Tanzania, which I plan to do.

Leisure Self

8/10

Excellent

09 Nov 2024

ZEINAB

Unfortunately the sheets were not clean!
There were some stains.
We asked the staff to change them

Leisure

6/10

Pleasant

09 Nov 2024

Sandro

The TV kept going on and off all night.

8/10

Excellent

09 Nov 2024

Jenny

Charming hotel with good location

Good location on the beach. Close to boats that you can take to visit islands and sandbanks. Nice staff and incredibly charming hotel. Good restaurant with mixed menu. Perfect to end the holiday here to visit Stone Town

Friends_and_family Friends