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Summary of reviewsPositive reviews of Zanzibar Serena Hotel highlight its beautiful colonial architecture, friendly staff and excellent beachfront location. Although there is no official hotel beach, guests can easily access the sea and enjoy the calming sound of the waves. The hotel's breakfast with a beach view is also highly praised and its proximity to Stone Town's main tourist attractions is convenient for guests. Overall, Zanzibar Serena Hotel is a perfect choice for those seeking a beautiful lodge with an unbeatable location. Show more
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Categories
Boutique-style Hotel
Luxury Hotel
Beachfront Hotel
Hotel near The Beach
Hotel Taking Steps Towards Sustainability
Hotel for Honeymoon
Hotel with Spa
Family Friendly Hotel
Romantic Hotel
Hotel with Swimming Pool
Outdoor Pool
Business Hotel
Hotel with Parking
Hotel for Yoga
5-Star Hotel
Hotel with Outdoor Pool
Room Types
Standard Double RoomEach air-conditioned room is decorated with traditional Swahili-style furnishings and a blue-and-white colour scheme.
All are equipped with a satellite TV, minibar, private safe and tea/coffee facilities. The private bathroom has a bath and shower.
Superior Double Room with Sea ViewThe spacious double room provides air conditioning, a minibar, a balcony with sea views as well as a private bathroom featuring a bath. The unit offers 1 bed.
Executive SuiteGuests will have a special experience as the suite provides a pool with a view. This spacious suite consists of 1 living room, 1 separate bedroom and 1 bathroom with a bath and bathrobes. This suite features air conditioning, a minibar, a flat-screen TV with satellite channels and a balcony. The unit offers 2 beds.
Guest Reviews
8.6
Very Good
Location
The Zanzibar Serena Hotel boasts a stunning location right on the beach, overlooking the bay and in the prime part of Stonetown. This historic building on the corniche is the perfect oriental style first line hotel with perfect balconies and a beautiful pool that is rarely crowded. The hotel's excellent location makes it super central for exploring Stone Town, as it is very close to the old town on one side and modern rooftop bars and restaurants on the other. With its great location in the heart of the city, guests can easily walk to the best spots to watch the sunset on the beach or try the great restaurants in the area. The hotel's perfect location and design make it a must-stay for those looking to explore Stonetown or simply relax right on the beach.
Breakfast
The breakfast at Zanzibar Serena Hotel receives many positive reviews from guests. There are plenty of choices available ranging from cheese to local cuisine. Many guests enjoyed the buffet and found it good and plentiful. One guest particularly enjoyed the omelet. The variety and taste of the breakfast is praised as fantastic, excellent and very nice. Cocktails and breakfast are described as amazing and there is lots on offer in the buffet which overlooks the sea. Some guests found the breakfast to be mediocre but still decent. While others were disappointed and described it as a disaster. However, the food is generally described as fine and fresh. The restaurant and breakfast are described as good overall with a varied wine menu. Some guests note that breakfast could be improved with the addition of more options like different cheeses and sweets. Nonetheless, many guests appreciate the complete breakfast and the beautiful view of the sea and nearby islands.
Rooms
If you're looking for a hotel in Zanzibar with an old-world charm, the Zanzibar Serena Hotel should definitely be on your list. Despite some comments about the rooms being a bit outdated, there are plenty of positives to take away from guest reviews. The rooms are clean and well-decorated with stunning sea views available from some. Some guest reviews mention the need for updates with some fixtures and fittings showing signs of wear and tear, but others enjoyed the vintage charm. The beds are generally comfortable with reports of perfect bedding and mattresses needing a slight upgrade. The bathrooms are clean with some needing slight improvements, showers and bathrooms were the most commonly mentioned areas in need of some attention. The sea view rooms are described as really pretty and the views are truly magnificent, including sunset views of the sea and pool. All in all, a recommended spot to stay in Zanzibar if you can handle some vintage charm.
Staff
The Zanzibar Serena Hotel boasts an exceptional team of staff who go above and beyond to provide friendly, attentive and professional service to their guests. Many visitors rave about the wonderful staff who make them feel like they're at home. The staff are hospitable, caring and efficient, following all safety protocols as directed by local authorities. While some guests note that the staff can be pushy for tips, most agree that they could not have been more eager to please. Personnel around the restaurant and pool are adorable and Susan the spa lady is amazing and highly recommended. Visitors are impressed by the courteous and efficient staff who are always willing to help, even changing rooms twice without making guests feel bad. Whether it's the Fatma in the restaurant or the front desk staff who check guests in at 4 am, the staff at Zanzibar Serena Hotel truly shine.
Pool
If you're looking for a relaxing swim during your stay in Zanzibar, look no further than the pool at the Zanzibar Serena Hotel. The outdoor pool offers a great way to cool off from the heat and is consistently mentioned as being clean and well-maintained by previous guests. While some visitors suggest that there could be more seating available around the pool, those who do manage to snag a spot can enjoy well-crafted cocktails with ocean views. If you're looking for a picture-perfect pool area, this is the place for you. Enjoy the beautiful and direct views of the ocean while soaking up the sun on the superbe swimming-pool. With a little bit of attention to a moldy grating issue, this pool would be nothing short of perfection. So go ahead, take a dip and enjoy the beautiful ocean views at the Zanzibar Serena Hotel.
Beach
Zanzibar Serena Hotel is a beautiful colonial hotel with friendly staff, perfect for those looking to stay in the Old Town with the added bonus of being right on the beach. Although there is no official hotel beach, its excellent beachfront location allows for easy proximity and access to the sea. Not only is the view of the ocean amazing, but the calming sound of the waves will lull you to sleep. You can enjoy a lovely breakfast with a relaxing beach view and the hotel is conveniently situated close to Stone Town's main tourist attractions. All in all, the Serena Hotel is perfect for those seeking a beautiful lodge with an unbeatable location.
Yes, Zanzibar Serena Hotel has pool(s) that belong to one or more of the following categories: Outdoor Pool.
Yes, a spa is available at Zanzibar Serena Hotel.
No, Zanzibar Serena Hotel doesn't allow dogs.
Yes, parking facilities are available at Zanzibar Serena Hotel.