Mashariki Palace Hotel

Stone Town is now home to the new Mashariki Palace Hotel. This is the eastern palace on the islands, once the seat of the Omani empire spanning a thousand miles, created by the first sultan of Zanzibar almost 200 years ago. The domicile of the Sultan's religious councillor is now restored beyond its former magnificence.

The Mashariki Palace Hotel is a privileged residence for travellers choosing refined hospitality in a historical setting. Our hospitality is based on good taste and warmth, comfort and style. The 18 non-smoking rooms are all unique; the ground floor looks into the courtyard and has high ceilings, several have balconies, some have sea views, some have a living area or mezzanine floor, but all are enclosed in this original ancient palace with cool, thick walls, Arabian beds, stucco decoration and carved doors, bringing you the essence of old Zanzibar with a twist of modern chic.

Wandering through the ancient corridors, your thoughts will drift to the past splendour of a lost era, and the secret memories, like a faint waft of incense, that this old palace jealously preserves. All rooms include breakfast until 11 am and are equipped with air-conditioning, mosquito nets, spring box mattresses, a baby crib, hairdryer, internal phone, minibar, laptop safe, flat screen TV, free WiFi wireless Internet access, anti-panic door lock and complimentary tea and coffee facilities.

An al fresco lunch or starlight dinner is available on request, as is laundry service, extra bed and babysitting services. In our tea lounge, the pastry chef offers a selection of savouries and tea cakes to enjoy with Zanzibar traditional morning coffee selection or afternoon spiced teas.

Treat yourself to a relaxing massage or hammam scrub to wind down from your journey and prepare your body for the beach, or have a nap on the sun beds in our open terrace. Relaxing on our sea view terrace overlooking the Old Town, with mosques, churches and temples below, you can cast your eyes past the tropical seafront gardens to the sparkling blue Indian Ocean and wonder about the generations of people who sailed here on gentle monsoon breezes.

As the sound of the muezzin call to prayer mingles with the laughter of Zanzibar children at play, and the red sun sets over the sea to bring the sultry and star-spangled African evening, you will sense the pulse of this living, breathing, vibrant town, and bask in the charm of a mingling past and present.