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Tembo Palace Hotel

Property class: 4

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Photo gallery for Tembo Palace Hotel

A beach with sun loungers and a building with arches.
A spacious lobby with high ceilings, ornate chandeliers, and a central seating area with sofas and a coffee table.
A spacious room with a large bay window offering a view of the sea and a checkered terrace.
A poolside area with wooden furniture and a checkered floor.
A pool table in a room with a large ornate door and wall sconces.

Reviews

8.4 out of 10
Very good

Popular amenities

  • Spa
  • Parking included
  • Free WiFi
  • Restaurant
  • Air conditioning

Explore the area

View in a map
Kenyatta Road, Shangani, Zanzibar Town, Zanzibar, 3974
  • Place, Old Fort
    ‪2 min walk‬
  • Place, Forodhani Gardens
    ‪3 min walk‬
  • Place, Slave Market
    ‪8 min walk‬
  • Airport, Zanzibar (ZNZ-Zanzibar Intl.)
    ‪11 min drive‬

Room options

View all photos for Superior Double Room

A hotel room with a large bed, a dresser, a television, and a mirror.

Superior Double Room

8.0 out of 10
Very good
(2 reviews)
  • 237 sq ft
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

View all photos for Superior Twin Room

A hotel room with two beds, each with red bedding and a wooden headboard. There are wall-mounted lamps and a ceiling fan.

Superior Twin Room

7.2 out of 10
Good
(5 reviews)
  • City view
  • 237 sq ft
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 3
  • 2 Twin Beds

View all photos for Superior Triple Room

A hotel room with two beds, each with a red bedspread, wooden headboards, and bedside lamps.

Superior Triple Room

8.0 out of 10
Very good
(2 reviews)
  • City view
  • 344 sq ft
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 King Beds

View all photos for Family Suite

A hotel room with two beds, each with red bedspreads and white linens. There are wall-mounted lamps and a large mirror above the beds.

Family Suite

9.4 out of 10
Exceptional
(3 reviews)
  • City view
  • 431 sq ft
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 6
  • 3 King Beds

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A swimming pool with a tiled edge, surrounded by a building with multiple balconies and arched windows.

Tembo House Hotel

Stone Town
  • Pool
  • Spa
  • Kids pool
  • Parking included
8.8 out of 10, Excellent, 1,004 reviews
$104 nightly
The price is $130
Nov 1 - Nov 2
Total with taxes and fees
Tembo House Hotel

About the neighborhood

Zanzibar Town

Located in Stone Town, Tembo Palace Hotel is adjacent to Old Fort and within a 5-minute walk of other popular sights like House of Wonders. This 15-room, 4-star hotel has 3 outdoor pools along with a full-service spa and a restaurant.

What's nearby

  • Old Fort - 2 min walk - 0.1 miles
  • Forodhani Gardens - 3 min walk - 0.2 miles
  • House of Wonders - 3 min walk - 0.2 miles
  • Christ Church Cathedral - 7 min walk - 0.4 miles
  • Slave Market - 8 min walk - 0.5 miles

Getting around

  • Zanzibar Intl. Airport (ZNZ) - 18 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Lukmaan Restaurant - ‬6 min walk
  • ‪Maru Maru Terrace Restaurant - ‬3 min walk
  • ‪Livingstone Beach Restaurant - ‬2 min walk
  • ‪Beach House Restaurant - ‬3 min walk
  • ‪Zanzibar Coffeehouse - ‬7 min walk

About this property

Tembo Palace Hotel

Guests of Tembo Palace Hotel have access to a full-service spa, 3 outdoor pools, and a children's pool. There's free parking, and an airport shuttle (available 24 hours) for USD 15 per vehicle one way. The 24-hour front desk has multilingual staff ready to assist with luggage storage, dry cleaning/laundry, and securing valuables. Other amenities at this beach hotel include free WiFi in public areas, a library, and free newspapers.
Guests can expect free WiFi and 41-inch flat-screen TVs with cable channels. Bathrooms offer free toiletries and slippers, and beds sport premium bedding. Sitting areas, minibars, and coffee makers are also standard.
3 outdoor swimming pools are on site along with a children's pool.

The recreational activities listed below are available either on site or nearby; fees may apply.

The onsite spa has couples treatment room(s). Services include massages. The spa is open daily.

Similar properties

A swimming pool with a tiled edge, surrounded by a building with multiple balconies and arched windows.
Tembo House Hotel
Stone Town
  • Pool
  • Spa
  • Kids pool
  • Parking included
8.8 out of 10, Excellent, 1,004 reviews
$104 nightly
The price is $130
Nov 1 - Nov 2
Total with taxes and fees
Tembo House Hotel

Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
  • Available in some public areas: Free WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • Free offsite parking
  • 24-hour roundtrip airport shuttle on request for a surcharge
  • Area shuttle (surcharge)
  • Free self parking on site

Food and drink

  • A coffee shop/cafe
  • A restaurant
  • Snack bar/deli

Restaurants on site

  • Tembo Bahari Restaurant

Things to do

  • 3 outdoor pools
  • Children's pool
  • Full-service spa
  • Library
  • TV in common areas

Family friendly

  • 3 outdoor pools
  • Children's pool
  • Laundry facilities
  • Snack bar/deli

Conveniences

  • 24-hour front desk
  • ATM
  • Free newspapers in lobby
  • Hair salon
  • Laundry facilities
  • Luggage storage
  • Safe at front desk

Guest services

  • Concierge services
  • Dry cleaning/laundry service
  • Housekeeping (daily)
  • Multilingual staff
  • Porter/bellhop
  • Tour and ticket assistance
  • Turndown service

Outdoors

  • Beach loungers
  • Beach towels
  • Garden
  • Outdoor entertainment area
  • Picnic area
  • Pool loungers
  • Terrace

Full-service spa

  • Couples treatment rooms
  • Massage
  • Spa open daily

Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • Upper floors accessible by stairs only
  • Wheelchairs on site

More

  • Smoking not allowed

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Premium bedding

Bathroom

  • Free toiletries
  • Private bathroom
  • Shampoo
  • Shower/bathtub combination
  • Slippers
  • Soap
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided

Entertainment

  • 41-inch flat-screen TV with cable channels

Food and drink

  • 24-hour room service
  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Electric kettle
  • Free bottled water
  • Minibar

More

  • Air conditioning
  • Ceiling fan
  • Desk
  • Iron/ironing board on request
  • Phone
  • Safe
  • Separate sitting area

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: noon; Check-in end time: anytime
Contactless check-in available
Minimum check-in age: 18

Check-out

Check-out before 10 AM
Contactless check-out available

Special check-in instructions

This property offers transfers from the airport (surcharges may apply); to arrange pick-up, guests must contact the property 24 hours prior to arrival, using the contact information on the booking confirmation
Front desk staff will greet guests on arrival at the property
For any questions, please contact the property using the information on the booking confirmation
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools
Dining and recreation facilities are located across the street at Tembo Hotel.

Access methods

Staffed front desk

Pets

  • This property doesn't allow pets or service animals

Children and extra beds

  • Rollaway/extra beds are available for USD 30.0 per day

Property payment types

  • American Express
  • Mastercard
  • Visa

Important information

Fees

You'll be asked to pay these charges at the property:

  • A tax is imposed by the city: USD 5.00 per person, per night

These are all of the charges provided to us by the property.

Optional extras

These fees and deposits will be charged at check-in, check-out, or the time of service.

  • Airport shuttle fee: USD 15 per vehicle (one way)
  • Rollaway bed fee: USD 30.0 per day

This list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits might not include tax and are subject to change.

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
This property accepts credit cards; cash is not accepted
Cashless transactions are available
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a security system, a first aid kit, and window guards
Please note that cultural norms and guest policies may differ by country and by property; the policies listed are provided by the property
  • Check-in: noon
  • Check-out: 10 AM
  • Minimum check-in age: 18
The front desk is open 24 hours a day. For convenient arrivals and departures, you can take advantage of the airport shuttle (available 24 hours), which is offered for a fee. Driving? This property offers free parking.

We should mention

Details about charges, deposits, or other important information:

  • This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business, or profession.
  • Charges for extra guests may apply and vary depending on the property's policy.
  • A cash deposit, credit card, or debit card for incidental charges, as well as a government-issued photo ID, may be required at check-in.
  • Special requests are subject to availability at the time of check-in and can't be guaranteed. Certain requests may come with additional charges.
  • This property accepts credit cards. Cash is not accepted. 
  • Onsite safety features include a fire extinguisher, a security system, a first aid kit, and window guards.
  • Cashless payment methods are available for all transactions.

Additional information about polices, regulations, and more:

  • Pool access available from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
  • No alcohol is served at Tembo Palace Hotel.
  • There are no elevators.

Property is also known as

Annex Tembo hotel Zanzibar Town
Annex Tembo hotel
Annex Tembo Zanzibar Town
Annex Tembo
Tembo Palace Hotel Hotel
Tembo Palace Hotel Zanzibar Town
Tembo Palace Hotel Hotel Zanzibar Town

Frequently asked questions

Are free cancellation options available at Tembo Palace Hotel?

Tembo Palace Hotel offers free cancellation on some room rates. To learn more, review the cancellation policy on our site.

How much does it cost to stay at Tembo Palace Hotel?

As of Oct 14, 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Tembo Palace Hotel on Nov 2, 2026 start from $98, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.

What is there to do within easy reach of Tembo Palace Hotel?

This hotel is situated in Stone Town, just steps from Shangani Beach and Old Fort, and within a short walk of Forodhani Gardens. You'll also find Zanzibar Ferry Terminal and Mbweni Ruins less than a mile away.

Is a spa located at Tembo Palace Hotel?

There is a full-service spa available for guests to enjoy and services include couples treatments and massages.

Does Tembo Palace Hotel feature a casino on the premises?

No, Tembo Palace Hotel doesn't have a casino.

Is there an indoor pool at Tembo Palace Hotel?

No, this hotel doesn't have an indoor pool; however, there are 3 outdoor pools. Guests have pool access between 8:00 AM and 6:00 PM.

Does Tembo Palace Hotel feature a restaurant that includes a breakfast menu?

Yes, Tembo Palace Hotel serves breakfast for a surcharge at Tembo Bahari Restaurant.

Does Tembo Palace Hotel allow pets to stay for free?

No, pets and service animals aren't allowed at Tembo Palace Hotel.

Where is the closest airport to Tembo Palace Hotel?

The closest major airport to Tembo Palace Hotel is Zanzibar Intl. Airport (ZNZ), which is 4.8 mi away (18 minutes by car).

Tembo Palace Hotel Reviews

Reviews

8.4

Very Good

Rating 10 - Excellent. 56 out of 144 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 70 out of 144 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 9 out of 144 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 3 out of 144 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 6 out of 144 reviews

8.6/10

Cleanliness

9.0/10

Staff & service

8.0/10

Amenities

8.2/10

Property conditions & facilities

Reviews

Verified review

8/10 Good

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Several different location of where rooms are located. We stayed 100 m from main hotel reception. Room we stayed in was spacious including the bathroom. Best buffé breakfast with many options.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Excellent breakfast buffet and great location
Stayed 8 nights in May 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great property and staff.
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2024
Verified review

8/10 Good

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Breakfast was outstanding
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2023
Verified review

8/10 Good

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
It was nice very busy hotel
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
This is a very fun place to stay. It has lots of Zanzibar character. The three pools are amazing and the view is incredible
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Zanzibar

Staying at Tembo palace was amazing. Staff were friendly and very helpful. Breakfast was nice every morning.
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2022
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Just beautiful and perfect
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
We had an appartment next to the main building, it was enormous, with great bathroom. Great value for money, right on the beach, next to the top class hotels. Tasteful breakfast, for all likes.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2022
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
We were super happy with our stay at Tembo Palace, we could use the facilities at both hotels, close to everything 5 minutes walk away from the night market. The hotel is on the beach front which is perfect, restaurant and drinks was great and staff were really efficient and friendly. Breakfast was great, buffet and omelettes/waffles made on request. Rooms were cleaned every day. Would recommend this hotel
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2024
Verified review

8/10 Good

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Good location in the center of Stowntown. but no lift, incase u have walking issues, and no liquor license of bar!
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2023
Verified review

6/10 Okay

Liked: Staff & service
Decent value hotel, nothing special - ran out of water for short periods of time both days we stayed - but quickly corrected when we contacted the desk.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2022
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Hotel is in a good location staff very courteous very clean rooms Just one thing no elevators lots of stairs to climb elevators should be added otherwise excellent
Stayed 1 night in May 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Wonderful stay!

This hotel is perfectly located for an easy walk all over town. Choice of three pools and fantastic restaurant with breakfast included. Lovely breakfast buffet! The building is immediately across the street from its sister hotel, which is right on the beach and provides beach access. Rooms are spacious and clean. Hotel staff is wonderfully accommodating and attentive. We would definitely return here! Architecture and decorating is classic Zanzibar and charming!
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2024
Verified review

8/10 Good

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The place is nice. However, the advertisement about tempo palace was deceiving. We thought the tempo palace was on the beach as per pictures that we saw. However, even though you have access to the beach and pools at tempo hotel, tempo palace is in a different side with old building views. We were not allowed to check in early. There were fixing the bathroom by the pool. There were dust all over the place and hanging the whole afternoon We tried to take a nap after a long flight but we couldn't bc of the noise. When we told them about the situation, they offered to give us a room on a different level on the same tempo palace which didn't make sense. We stayed where we were. The magnets tried to accomodate but they couldn't. It was disappointing. They tried to provide us a late checkout and a place to shower. We checked out early so we we had other plans. When we ask to shower, they told us a couple was using the room that we need to wait 10 min. That 10 min ended up being over one hour. It was disappointing. I had to call the manger for us to get a room to shower. I wish they make it easy for us. It was disappointing. Besides that the food was good.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Wonderful staff that were helpful and accommodating in many ways. I needed to store my luggage for a few extra days and they graciously agreed and it was kept safe. No elevator, but the porters were so helpful during check-in/out that it wasn’t a problem. The breakfast area, pool and beach were beautiful and overall this was a very convenient location. Room was huge and clean with adjustable air conditioning. I would definitely recommend and stay there again!
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2024
Verified review

4/10 Poor

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
The breakfast was bad, and the hotel was under construction. The beds were vey hard.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2024
Verified review

8/10 Good

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Lovely converted palace with a great spot on the beach. One friend had issues with water and a/c but they got fixed.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Seamless check in with exceptional service. I failed to do my due diligence and got a room that faced alleys with adjacent dwellings that had much desirable walls requiring paint and garbage below. I would still recommend Tembo Hotel but ensure you select one with city view and/or balcony as the property does have multiple sections. Don't hesitate to reach out to them as they do respond back. People in general are very humble and respectful.
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The check in and the service by staff was exceptional. I would, however, advice any guests planning to stay at this hotel to ensure they select the section which provides a balcony and/or city view. I missed doing my due diligence and ended up in a room with pretty bad views of the alley where one can see garbage also. The hotel was fully booked hence nothing else was avaliable for us to switch. Otherwise I would recommend this hotel and the plus point being Forodhani was within walking distance. Safe with no issues. People in Zanzibar are humble and respectful.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Beautiful centrally located hotel fun for kids

We picked this hotel for convenience to the ferry terminal and Stone Town. It seems to be the main hotel in Stone Town, centrally located to tourist areas, beach, and restaurants. It is also artistically very beautiful in terms of architecture and layout. We were in apartments adjacent to the main hotel, accessed via an alley. Kids in our group loved the three pools at both buildings, as well as the billiards and foosball table, which together provided many hours of fun. Staff in both buildings were friendly and eager to help. Rooms were beautiful and clean. We used this as a launching point for a sandbar visit, a snorkeling excursion, and a walking tour. The hotel very kindly accommodated us with a changing room to use after checkout after returning from an excursion -- much appreciated. Note that a small tax has to be paid locally - USD 15 per person per night. The only downside was that the area outside the hotel is full of vendors who aggressively seek customers almost 24/7.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2024
Verified review

2/10 Terrible

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Not a good stay!

The hotel is on the beach. Little did I know that we would get a room in another building behind the hotel. Air condition did not cool enough. The safe did not work…they tried to fix it… they could not. Only 3 towels, only 3 water bottles. We were 4 people. Bathroom not clean. Floors not clean. Not nice pillow. Restaurant got everything about our order wrong. Food not nice. The smell of diesel when we had lunch was horrible. Sorry to say, but I Can not recommend this hotel.
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Lovely after a dodgy start

We loved our stay. We had a triple room in Tembo Palace, which is about a minutes walk from the main Tembo Hotel. It has its own pool (which is smaller but quieter than the main one) but breakfast and the restaurant is in the main hotel. Our room was huge with three king-sized beds and a large bathroom. A/c and fans were effective. Both hotels are beautifully restored buildings. The alley leading to ours didn’t look great initially but we always felt safe walking back and forth. It’s about 30 seconds from the Freddie Mercury museum. The staff were brilliant throughout with a special mention for Pieter, our waiter on a couple of occasions. Breakfast is awesome with lots of choice and eggs made to order. Our only disappointment was on arrival when the bathroom was covered with what looked like large flakes of paint - bath, floor, basin, loo - everything. It was 3am so we really couldn’t be bothered to report it then. When we did next day, it was quickly cleared but it was a disturbing reflection on how rooms are prepared. Having said that, the actual bedroom seemed clean. Oh, and it had a fridge - lovely for keeping water and juice cool.
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2024
Verified review

2/10 Terrible

Disliked: Staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
If you have the choice DO NOT waste your money on this property. Rooms are claustrophobic, no proper ventilation, washroom is a senior nightmare with all the steps, stray cats peeing on the restaurant floor. They have the ocean front and another hotel behind and if you don’t know the difference and you book for the other it is at the back, in a hot room with no elevators (they made my senior parents climb 2 flights of stairs) until their changed out room…then made us wait until 9pm after travelling to get a room with the staff attitude. The wifi hardly works. To add to it the restaurant when you order a meal gives you the option to pay in US or local currency. They change more for the conversion than the live exchange!! It is an antique looking building but that isn’t an excuse for the dirt. Their mosquito nets have the same dead bugs on the top for days. Additionally there is zero sound proofing. Waste of money! We couldn’t not get out of there fast enough!!!
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2024
Verified review

8/10 Good

Helt kurrant! God beliggenhet, kurrant hotell.
Stayed 1 night in May 2025