Shaba Boutique Hotel, Zanzibar ➤ Reviews, Rooms & Prices 2026

Name: Shaba Boutique Hotel, Zanzibar
Address: Kiponda Street, Stone Town, Zanzibar, Mjini Magharibi Region
Price range: US$30+
Rating: 8.4

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Key details

About the Hotel

Kiponda Street, Stone Town, Zanzibar

Steps from Stone Town

Great

8.4

8.3

/10

4.6

4.3

Loved by Shaba Boutique Hotel guests

Spacious rooms

Helpful staff

Delicious breakfast

Charming style

"The room was reasonably large and we had a wonderful balcony where we could sit back and watch the old Stone Town world go by."

Graham from Australia

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"The hotel is an oasis of tranquility in the bustling heart of Stone Town."

Steve L from Spain

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"The breakfast buffet had the largest variety of delicious foods (incl. some local stuff)."

701christofa from Egypt

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3-star charming boutique hotel in Stone Town

Location

Shaba Boutique Hotel is located in the center of Stone Town, just a 2-minute walk from the beach and ferry terminal. The hotel is a short 15-minute drive from the airport. Cobblestone alleyways, bustling markets, and local cafes surround the hotel, providing an authentic Stone Town experience.

Rooms

Shaba Boutique Hotel offers three distinct room categories: Suites, Deluxe Rooms, and Standard Rooms. The Suites accommodate 1 to 4 guests and feature traditional architecture with various bedding configurations. Each room type maintains uniqueness due to the building's distinctive design.

Dining

Shaba Boutique Hotel provides a complimentary breakfast to start the day. Guests can choose from nearby restaurants and cafes within walking distance, featuring stunning ocean views and local flavors. The hotel's location allows access to various dining options that showcase Zanzibar's culinary diversity.

Wellness and Excursions

Shaba Boutique Hotel offers proximity to local wellness options within walking distance. Guests can explore wellness centers or plan excursions such as visits to Prison Island and Spice Farms through the hotel's resources. A PADI diving center is also available just 800 meters away for diving enthusiasts.

Highlights

Shaba Boutique Hotel promotes sustainable tourism that benefits local communities and the environment. The hotel staff speaks multiple languages, providing a welcoming atmosphere for international guests. The establishment offers easy access to all main attractions of Stone Town for a comprehensive cultural experience.

Highlights

Location: Located in the centre of Stone Town

Rooms: Four Suite rooms available

Dining: Complimentary use of safety deposit box

Wellness: Spa and wellness within walking distance

Excursions: Padi diving centre

Experience: Authentic Stone Town ambience

“This boutique hotel, steeped in Stone Town's history, impressed me with its blend of authentic Zanzibari style and prime location. The personalized service stood out, creating a secure and welcoming environment, especially for solo travelers. Its proximity to local markets and cultural sites adds a layer of genuine immersion beyond the typical tourist experience.”

Anna BlackEditor-in-Chief at Tohotel

Select your room type

Shaba Boutique Hotel offers a variety of rooms including double rooms, family rooms, and suites with breakfast, free cancelations, and special deals

Suite
2 persons
33 sq. feet
1 King-size bed
Air conditioning
Shower
room details
Deluxe Room
2 persons
15 sq. feet
1 Double bed
Air conditioning
Shower
room details
Small Double Room
2 persons
8 sq. feet
1 Double bed
Air conditioning
Shower
room details

Price and Room Availability Calendar

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September 2026 - September 2027

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Check-in/ Check-out

Facilities

Shaba Boutique Hotel offers amenities for your comfortable stay and unforgettable experiences

Facilities: Great

8.3/10Review score

General

No smoking on site
Wi-Fi
Safe deposit box
No pets allowed
24-hour security
Luggage storage
Smoke detectors
Fire extinguishers

Services

Paid shuttle service
Housekeeping
Tours/Ticket assistance

Children

Cots

Room features

Air conditioning
Sitting area
Tea and coffee facilities

Media

Flat-screen TV
AM/FM alarm clock

Shaba Boutique Hotel Location

Kiponda Street, Stone Town, Zanzibar

Explore Zanzibar

Old Fort of Zanzibar

7 minutes' walk

Historic fortress offering insights into Zanzibar's past. Features cultural events and local art exhibitions.

House of Wonders

7 minutes' walk

The largest building in Zanzibar, showcasing history and exhibitions of Swahili culture, with panoramic views of the harbor.

Stone Town

7 minutes' walk

UNESCO World Heritage site known for its winding streets and vibrant markets, perfect for cultural immersion.

Kizimkazi Dolphin Tour

20 minutes' drive

Exciting boat tour for dolphin watching. Rentals for gear available; perfect for thrill-seekers.

Maisha Mazuri Horse Riding Club

3.9 km

Offers horse riding along beautiful trails. Suitable for all skills levels, and stunning views of nature.

House of Spices

1 minute' walk

Zanzibari cuisine with a vibrant atmosphere. Famous for its seafood and spice-infused dishes.

Zanzibar Coffee House Cafe

2 minutes' walk

Casual spot specializing in local coffee and light bites. Offers vegetarian options and a cozy ambiance.

Two Tables

2 minutes' walk

Unique dining experience with a focus on fresh ingredients. Known for its Italian and Swahili fusion dishes.

Forodhani Gardens

10 minutes' walk

Lively evening market offering local street food, perfect for families and visitors seeking a taste of local life.

The Old Dispensary

7 minutes' walk

Venue for cultural events and live music. The ambiance reflects Zanzibar's diverse heritage with weekly performances.

Getting around

City Centre
Zanzibar 4 min · 1000 ft
Airports
Kisauni (ZNZ) 12 min · 4.9 mi
Julius Nyerere (DAR) 120 min · 49.4 mi

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Property information and rules

Check-in

from 14:00-23:30

Check-out

from 05:00-10:00

Guest Parking

No parking available.Private parking is possible at a location nearby for free.

Internet

Wireless internet is available in the entire hotel for free.Wireless internet is available in public areas for free.

Breakfast

The hotel Shaba Boutique serves a full breakfast for free.

Children & extra beds

There are no extra beds provided in a room. There are no cots provided in a room.

Pets

Pets are not allowed.

Number of rooms:

Former name

House of Spices

Reviews and Ratings

Feedback about Shaba Boutique Hotel from previous guests about their experience.

Review summary

Based on recent reviews

Shaba Boutique Hotel enjoys a superb location in the heart of Stone Town, making it easy to explore the area, including being within walking distance to the ferry port. Guests frequently mention the spacious and clean rooms, many with charming, traditional decor, along with well-functioning AC. Breakfast is a highlight for many, offering a great and varied selection with fresh fruit, although some guests have noted that certain rooms can feel a bit small. Overall, visitors find it to be very good value for money.

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Review score

Based on 900 verified reviews

8.6 /10

Great

91 %

Recommend

Staff

9.3/10

Location

8.8/10

Free WiFi

8.0/10

Facilities

8.3/10

Pros

Central location

Beautiful decor

Friendly staff

Delicious breakfast

Daily cleaning

Cons

Noisy room

Mouldy smell

Damp room

Steven from United States

Single

Suite

3 nights in November 2025

Reviewed: February 12, 2026

8.5/10

excellent stay!!!

helpful staff cute room delicious breakfast

the staff was amazing, friendly, and helpful. the room had a cute, little design. breakfast was delicious!!! the location is ideal in historical stone town. i loved the beautiful decorations. the room was comfortable.

the absence of an elevator presented a slight inconvenience when handling luggage.

Dining

9/10

The breakfast was fantastic. It was super complete with lots of fruits and delicacies. the lady that served us was wonderful. the choices available were great!!!

Facilities

8/10

the hotel has luggage storage available. there is a water dispenser, allowing you to refill your bottle. after checking out, i could still shower. a safebox is inside each room.

0 Helpful

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Justin from Canada

Single

Suite

3 nights in November 2025

Reviewed: February 03, 2026

9/10

Fantastic Spot in the Heart of It All!

central location tasty options helpful staff

The location was superb, right in the middle of the action. I walked to many attractions and restaurants without any trouble. Breakfast was also a real treat. There was a great variety of tasty options. The staff even held onto my bags after checkout (that was very convenient!).

0 Helpful

Ella from United Kingdom

Single

Deluxe Room

3 nights in November 2025

Reviewed: January 13, 2026

7/10

a decent stay in stone town

friendly staff breakfast variety cozy balcony noisy room mouldy smell water absence

i found the staff friendly and helpful. the breakfast offered a big variety of dishes. my room was very clean and it featured a cozy balcony.

the room was noisy i could hear everything and everyone. the room also smelled mouldy. i found no water provided in the room.

0 Helpful

William from United States

Family with children

Suite

3 nights in November 2025

Reviewed: December 16, 2025

6/10

Acceptable but Flawed Stay

noisy room inaccessible location

My room was quite noisy. I could hear everything outside. There was no water provided in the room, a negative. It was a walk to the main street to get a taxi. Cars could not reach the hotel. That was inconvenient.

0 Helpful

Christian from Germany

Single

Deluxe Room

4 nights in November 2025

Reviewed: December 05, 2025

9.3/10

FANTASTIC stay in stone town

delicious food variety central location refreshing shower

The included breakfast had a HUGE variety of delicious foods. I even tried some local specialties. Rooms were clean and well kept! The central location REALLY helped me explore Stone Town EASILY. As my flight was in the evening, I could use a shower before heading to the airport. I felt REFRESHED.

My room faced the street and it was very noisy. The STREETS outside got VERY smelly sometimes.

Service

10/10

The staff proved to be kind and helpful. They always greeted guests with a smile. One staff member named Happiness was always happy whenever I saw her. They also let me borrow an umbrella when unexpected rain came.

Facilities

9/10

The hotel has nice little touches EVERYWHERE. There are lovely chill areas outside the room. I also appreciated being able to leave my bag downstairs when I checked in early or checked out late. The location was PERFECT! though the parking was expensive.

Rooms

9/10

The room was a comfortable size, and the bathroom was big. The style of my room was beautiful. It was ALSO very clean. The room had everything i needed. Good air conditioning was AVAILABLE.

0 Helpful

Nathaniel from United Kingdom

Single

suite

3 nights in November 2025

Reviewed: December 03, 2025

9/10

tender stone town stay

fresh fruit central location

the breakfast included fresh fruit. the location was central to stone town and easy to navigate. i was provided a hairdryer in the bathroom. the air conditioning worked wonderfully in my suite.

0 Helpful

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Questions of the users

About Shaba Boutique Hotel

Are baby cots available for families traveling with infants?

12 November 2024

Yes, baby cots can be arranged for families staying at the hotel.

Is there any available parking nearby for guests traveling by car?

03 January 2025

Parking is not available on-site, but there is a chargeable parking area close to the hotel.

Can airport transfer services be arranged for guests? If so, what is the cost?

20 February 2024

Airport transfer can be organized for $25 USD one way for two people, with a requirement of pre-booking at least 48 hours before arrival.

What time is the typical check-out for guests, and is there an option to store luggage after checking out?

15 March 2025

Check-out is usually at 11:00 AM, and luggage can be stored at the hotel after check-out for guests' convenience.

Are there king-size beds available in the hotel rooms?

28 April 2024

Yes, king-size beds are offered in various room types at the hotel.

Is there iron availability for guests needing to iron their clothes during their stay?

06 May 2025

An iron can be provided upon request, and assistance with ironing is also available.

Are there facilities to facilitate late check-out for guests?

10 June 2024

Late check-out may be possible based on availability and would incur a fee of $15 USD.

Can the hotel accommodate guests with specific dietary requests such as no breakfast options?

19 July 2024

Unfortunately, reduced rates are not available if no meal plan is selected.

Are there nearby ATMs for withdrawing cash during a stay in Stone Town?

25 August 2024

Yes, ATMs are located about 200 meters from the hotel, with cash available in Tanzanian Shillings.

Is the hotel located within walking distance to the beach and local attractions?

30 September 2024

The hotel is just 430 meters from the beach and within a short stroll to local attractions, providing easy access to the rich culture and ambience of Stone Town.