Beyt al Chai

The Beyt al Chai is a small boutique hotel which is relaxed and peaceful, and a favourite amongst our travellers. The building itself is beautiful, with thick stone walls, large shuttered windows and a grand staircase. Originally built by an Arab merchant, the Beyt al Chai was a popular meeting place where people would gather to drink spiced tea. Its name, meaning “house of tea”, is reminiscent of these times when the ritual of tea drinking was a significant part of the Zanzibari culture.

The hotel has five en-suite rooms which are spread over three floors, each with a different a style. The rooms are large and full of character with high ceilings, authentic Zanzibari furniture and vibrant silk fabrics covering the windows and beds. One feature of the Zanzibari beds is that they are slightly higher off the ground than other beds you may be used to.

There is a large lounge on the first floor offering two sofas covered with lots of cushions. They look so comfortable that it is impossible to resist relaxing on them with a book. Enjoy a drink from the honesty bar offering local and imported alcohol.

There is also a new, highly-regarded restaurant on the ground floor which is always popular. The décor is traditional with white walls and alcoves filled with beautiful local ornaments. There is an elaborately carved beam across the ceiling and the stone floors and shuttered windows enhance the authentic atmosphere. The food lives up to the setting with a mix of local delicacies combined with other African and world influences. You can sit and watch Stone Town pass you by as you enjoy the varied and tasty menu, and it is strongly advised to book for dinner.

There are also an array of restaurants and bars nearby, where guests can get fresh fish, Italian food, Zanzibari food or standard international cuisine, and the Serena Inn is right opposite us. The Beyt al Chai has a lovely atmosphere and we found staying here a real pleasure. The team is friendly and welcoming, and because the hotel is so small it feels really homely. It offers an ideal base to explore Stone Town.