Where to Stay in Stone Town, Zanzibar – Kholle House Review

I recently spent 10 days exploring the stunning island of Zanzibar, and my first stop was Stone Town, the capital and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Many people only spend a night or two in Stone Town, but after visiting, I can honestly say it’s one of my favourite cities. It’s large but walkable, full of vibrant people and architecture, the culture is a unique blend of Arab, African, Asian and European influences, and its history is beautifully preserved.

So, if you ever find yourself in Zanzibar, I implore you to spend at least 3 nights in Stone Town, and a property I HIGHLY recommend you stay at is Kholle House, a boutique Hotel in the heart of the city. Let’s get into this review!

Disclaimer: This page contains affiliate links. If you book a stay, I earn a commission at no extra cost to you!

The Area

Kholle House Boutique Hotel is located in the heart of Stone Town, Zanzibar, 20 minutes away from the International airport. The streets are very winding and confusing for anyone who doesn’t live there, but the hotel is about a 3-minute walk from the main road, and Google Maps works well for directions, so I never felt unsafe.

However, as a solo female traveller, I exercised caution, like never going out alone late at night.

The Amenities

For a boutique hotel, Kholle House has several open spaces and amenities to help make your stay better. There’s a STUNNING pool, but I’m biased because I am yet to find a pool I dislike and multiple balconies to relax and enjoy fresh air.

Lastly, there is a quaint little courtyard where meals can be eaten and a rooftop terrace where afternoon tea with local sweet treats is served. You can’t leave Zanzibar without going for afternoon tea, it’s a daily ritual in their culture. I missed it and have added it to the itinerary for my next visit.

The Rooms

I stayed in the Swahili Prestige Suite (the most expensive option at $175 a night), which has a living space, a private balcony that opens up to breathtaking views of the old town and Indian Ocean, plus it has an extra-large ensuite bath. When I travel, I hate staying in places that make me feel trapped, which is why I particularly loved my suite. It has a lot of open spaces and I never felt constricted.

The architecture is quintessentially Zanzibar, the details are very thoughtful, from the water to the Zanzibar guidebook on the coffee table, which has information on must-do activities in Zanzibar that can be booked through the hotel.

All my needs were anticipated and very well provided for. As a solo female traveller, my safety is always a number one concern, but I felt safe in the room because I could bolt it from the inside, it was literally an unbreachable fortress (not an exaggeration).

There are other room options such as the:

• French Prestige ($150/night), which has a living area and a door that opens up to the terrace (it, however, doesn’t have the extra-large ensuite bath).
• While not as large as the Prestige suites, the Deluxe rooms ($120/night) have the same unique Zanzibari design every other room has (and 2 of the Deluxe rooms open up to a terrace as well).
• The Classic Double rooms ($100/night) have four-poster beds and are just as comfortable as the other spaces, but they have no balconies or direct access to the terrace.
• While not as large as the other rooms, the Classic Single ($80/night) is great for any solo traveller who still wants to experience a touch of luxury.

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4. Casa Del Papa Beach Resort

The Food & Drink

Each room booking comes with an a la carte breakfast. I enjoyed a wonderful feast of fruits (so good that a fruit bat stole a pineapple off my plate), Spanish omelette with bacon, sausages and grilled tomatoes, pancakes with honey, all accompanied by passionfruit juice. Dinner, of course, is also a la carte, and everything is just delicious.

If you don’t get the chance to spend a night here, you can still eat here and experience one of their many dining experiences, like the:

• Taarab Music Dinner, a 3-course Swahili dinner with live music for $20
• Rooftop Swahili Dinner, a 3-course menu with traditional Swahili dishes for $25
• Traditional Swahili tea service with local pastries, spiced drinks and sweets served from 1 pm to 6 pm on the rooftop for $15.

Is it worth booking?

100%. I stayed in 2 other hotels in Stone Town, and Kholle House is easily my favourite. From the pool, to the delicious breakfast spread, the amazing customer service, idyllic views and INSANE architecture. I have no notes, go experience it for yourself!

What’s the most unique stay you’ve experienced? Let me know in the comments!

I hope this helps you choose the best accommodation for your next trip to Stone Town, Zanzibar. Happy travels!