The Swahili House

The Swahili House

The Swahili House occupies a restored 19th-century Indian merchant house in the heart of Stone Town, Zanzibar’s UNESCO World Heritage old quarter. The five-storey building is arranged around a traditional courtyard, with rooms reached via classic Zanzibari staircases and decorated in authentic Swahili style – carved wooden furniture, mosquito-netted beds, and locally made textiles – combined with modern comforts such as air conditioning and en-suite bathrooms.

Rooms

The 22 rooms are split between spacious Sultan Suites with private balconies (around 45 sqm) and Deluxe Rooms (around 21 sqm) offering double or twin configurations. Every room has an en-suite bathroom with bath or shower, a fan in addition to air conditioning, and beds draped with mosquito nets.

Rooftop Terrace

The hotel’s signature feature is its rooftop terrace, with a small plunge pool, sun loungers, a bar, and a restaurant serving fresh seafood and Mediterranean-style dishes against sweeping views over Stone Town’s rooftops to the Indian Ocean.

Location

Tucked into the back streets of Stone Town, the hotel is a short walk from the seafront, the main markets, the Old Fort, and Stone Town’s historic sites. It is the sister property to Fumba Beach Lodge on Zanzibar’s south-west coast.