Perched on the Indian Ocean, this historic hotel offers spectacular sunset views of colorful boats. The large pool provides a serene retreat with attentive service. Guests can savor excellent cuisine before exploring nearby Stone Town with help from the exceptional concierge team.
Located on the beach, Zanzibar Serena Hotel is in Stone Town neighborhood and is connected to a shopping center. Zanzibar Ferry Terminal and Kidichi Spice Farm are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Forodhani Gardens and Shangani Beach. Hamamni Persian Baths and Old Fort are two other places to visit that come recommended. Snorkeling and windsurfing offer great chances to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with horse riding and hiking/biking trails nearby. Visit our Zanzibar Town travel guide
Kelele Square, Stone Town, Zanzibar Town
What's nearby
Shangani Beach
1 min walk - 0.0 km
Old Fort
3 min walk - 0.3 km
Forodhani Gardens
5 min walk - 0.5 km
Slave Market
10 min walk - 0.9 km
Hamamni Persian Baths
7 min walk - 0.6 km
Getting around
Zanzibar Intl. Airport (ZNZ)
21 min drive
Restaurants
Lukmaan Restaurant
9 min walk
Maru Maru Terrace Restaurant
6 min walk
Livingstone Beach Restaurant
4 min walk
Out of Afrika
5 min walk
Zanzibar Coffeehouse
11 min walk
About this property
Zanzibar Serena Hotel
Luxury family-friendly hotel near Shangani Beach
Located close to Old Fort and Forodhani Gardens, Zanzibar Serena Hotel provides a poolside bar, a free daily manager's reception, and a terrace. With amenities like a beachfront location and sun loungers, this hotel is the perfect place to soak up the sun. Treat yourself to a facial, a massage, or a body treatment at the onsite spa. At the two on-site restaurants, enjoy breakfast, lunch, dinner, and seafood. Free in-room WiFi is available to all guests, along with a coffee shop/cafe and a garden.
You'll also enjoy perks such as:
An outdoor pool and a children's pool, along with pool umbrellas and a lifeguard on site
Free self parking
Bike rentals, a roundtrip airport shuttle (surcharge), and babysitting (surcharge)
A gift shop, a porter/bellhop, and a front-desk safe
Guest reviews give top marks for the helpful staff
Room features
All 51 individually furnished rooms feature comforts such as 24-hour room service and premium bedding, as well as thoughtful touches like laptop-compatible safes and air conditioning.
More amenities include:
Shared bathrooms with designer toiletries and separate tubs/showers
21-inch LCD TVs with premium channels
Balconies, childcare services, and electric kettles
Yes, this property has an outdoor pool and a children's pool.
How much does it cost to stay at Zanzibar Serena Hotel?
As of Nov 10, 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Zanzibar Serena Hotel on Nov 11, 2026 start from P18,947, excluding 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.
Is Zanzibar Serena Hotel pet-friendly?
No, pets are not allowed at this property.
How much is parking?
Self parking is free at this property.
What time is check-in at Zanzibar Serena Hotel?
Check-in start time: noon; Check-in end time: midnight. A fee applies for early check-in (subject to availability). Late check-in is available during limited hours.
What time is check-out at Zanzibar Serena Hotel?
Check-out is at 10:00 AM. Late check-out is available for a fee (subject to availability).
Does Zanzibar Serena Hotel provide a shuttle to the airport?
Yes, there's an airport shuttle that runs on request. A fee of USD 90800 per person applies.
Where is Zanzibar Serena Hotel located?
Located in Stone Town, this beachfront hotel is in the city center and within a 10-minute walk of Shangani Beach, Forodhani Gardens, and Old Fort. Hamamni Persian Baths and Zanzibar Ferry Terminal are also within 1 mi (2 km).
Can I cancel my reservation for free and receive a full refund?
Yes, this property offers free cancellation on select room rates, because flexibility matters! Please refer to the property cancellation policy on our site for more details about any exclusions or requirements.
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Reviews
Zanzibar Serena Hotel Reviews
9.0
Wonderful
All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travelers who have booked a stay with us can submit a review. We verify reviews according to our guidelines and publish all reviews, positive or negative.More informationOpens in a new window
Perfect combination between town, beach and pool. Ideal location for walking excursions is Stone Town. Clean and comfy rooms overlooking the ocean, friendly and helpful staff all over the place.
Beautiful property
Amazing Staff
Shoutout to David and the breakfast staff they are amazing!!
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2025
Verified review
10/10 Excellent
Catherine
Nov 16, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
The room was beautiful and very clean. Staff were very pleasant and helpful. The food was wonderful. And a great location for walking around Stone Town which was very safe. In all an excellent stay.
This is a lovely hotel in a historic building. It’s walking distance to all the sights of Stonetown. Our room was clean and comfortable. The balcony looked out to the Indian Ocean. Staff were very helpful and friendly, particularly the receptionist who helped us with booking our transfer to the airport at the end of our stay.
Superbly helpful and friendly staff.
Located in a very central area….easy to walk to nearby attractions like Freddie Mercury house etc.
Plenty of taxis right outside the hotel.
Hotel staff very very friendly and helpful for organizing any tours/taxis.
My third stay here! I love Zanzibar and love staying here. It's so convenient to everything and the staff are exceptional. Big Joe is always there to welcome us! And Johannes and Suliman also are great. Food is good, view is spectacular, rooms are big and have an "Old World" feel. I love it here!
Our stay at Serena Hotel Zanzibar was simply outstanding.
From the moment we arrived, we were greeted with warm smiles and genuine hospitality. Every member of the staff went above and beyond to make us feel welcome and valued. Their friendliness, professionalism, and attention to detail truly set this hotel apart.
The rooms were spotless, comfortable, and beautifully maintained throughout our stay. The food was excellent, with a great variety of delicious dishes and high-quality ingredients. Every meal was a pleasure.
What impressed us most was the atmosphere. The entire team seemed genuinely happy to help, creating a relaxed and welcoming environment that made us feel at home from day one.
If you are looking for a top-class hotel in Zanzibar with exceptional service, excellent food, and immaculate rooms, Serena Hotel is an easy 5-star recommendation.
Thank you to the entire Serena team for making our stay unforgettable. We will return Tuesday 9. June. Hope for room 23 😀👍
Excellent location next to the beach with a very nice pool. Shame the sea has some litter in it. The bar service around the pool is very slow. The young staff in particular need to learn more English and a sense of urgency. Stone town is very interesting but beware fake guides
Lovely property in a quiet corner of Stonetown. Great swimming pool. Historic quality of hotel added a charming feel. Most rooms overlook the ocean. The amenities were complete and the room was very comfortable. Spend a little extra to get an outside balcony or verandah. The staff was wonderful and helpful. There are lots of restaurants nearby. I can't speak for the food at the on property restaurant since I had to leave early and skipped the breakfast. I would definitely stay here again on a Stonetown visit.
The Zanzibar Serena Hotel is a gem. The staff is extremely helpful and courteous. They helped us find guides, get to Prison Island, find places to shop for certain items, the list goes on. The room was quiet and very comfortable with a large balcony. The food was excellent. The location is fabulous -- right on the water. Also, we had a late flight out and were able to store our luggage and use the all the amenities of the hotel. We could even shower before leaving! I highly recommend this hotel. I can't imagine finding a better one.