Zanzibar Serena Inn in Stone Town: reviews, rooms and who it suits (2026)
The Zanzibar Serena Inn is a 4 to 5-star hotel in the Shangani district of Stone Town, on the seafront. Travel agencies often rate it among the best hotels in the old town: all rooms are air-conditioned with a private bathroom, and many have sea views. Scores seen in October 2026: 4.5 out of 5 from 47 reviews on a French guide, 8.5 out of 10 from 359 reviews on a boutique-hotel site. The number of rooms differs by source (52 or 13): confirm it with the hotel. Rates are not given here, as they vary too much by season: see Booking for your dates.
Highlights
The Shangani seafront
The hotel faces the Stone Town coast: sunsets over the dhows from the waterfront (illustration photo of the Stone Town seafront, not of the hotel).
The rooms
Travellers rate the rooms "excellent" or "good" (only one "average"). One review finds the bathrooms small, with shower only, but the rooms very comfortable.
The old town on foot
The Forodhani Gardens, the House of Wonders and the old fort are a few minutes' walk away: see Stone Town.
Practical info
Tips
- For a mixed stay, the classic formula is 2 to 3 nights here, then the beach (Nungwi, Paje): see where to stay in Zanzibar. If you want something smaller and more intimate, compare with the boutique hotels of Stone Town. Sea-view rooms book early in high season. No pool or private beach is confirmed by our sources: check before booking if it matters.
How to get there
About 15 to 20 minutes by car from the airport (estimate); the hotel is a 5-minute walk from the ferry port. See from the airport to hotels.
Opening hours
Our guides that feature it
Nearby
See on the map →
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