Tembo House Hotel
Located on the seafront in what was once the American Consulate, Tembo House is ideally located for exploring historic Stone Town. It is also easy to find as it is not tucked away in the pedestrian alleys that spider the city. Though the road and the beach can be noisy, there are few places in Stone Town that are not; the town is all bustle and hubbub.
ABOUT TEMBO HOUSE HOTEL
Rooms and suites
The hotel has 37 rooms of varying size and comfort. All rooms are en suite and most have balconies overlooking either the beach, or the hotel’s courtyard pool. The hotel is decorated and furnished in Swahili style with antique furniture and ornaments. This gives it a refreshing amount of character but does mean that some of the beds are either higher or shorter than the Western expectation. Rooms are well equipped by Tanzanian standards, each with air-conditioning, fridge, Satellite television and telephone. Some are quite small though it may be possible to organise a room change during less busy periods. The hotel also offers an internet café and Wifi access and, for an extra charge, a laundry service.
The hotel overlooks the town’s beach. This can be used for bathing in both sun and sea but is very public and not tranquil, nor as clean as many of Zanzibar’s beaches. It is better for catching a glimpse of Stone Town life over your hotel breakfast which is served in the beach side Restaurant. Besides which, the hotel has a well-maintained courtyard pool, far better for a relaxing swim after exploring hot and dusty Stone Town than the waves.