Zanzibar Serena Inn

In the historic centre of Zanzibar’s Stone Town, off the coast of Tanzania.

The Serena Inn’s rooms have been designed to reflect the traditional style of Zanzibar – they have huge wooden four poster beds with billowing mosquito nets, and intricately carved wooded doors. Antique glass lamps and brass plates adorn the whitewashed stone walls, and blue and white colour scheme keeps everything looking cool and fresh. Many have spectacular sea views and the prime rooms and suites have private balconies with hammocks for watching the sailing boats drift by.

The Serena Inn's Bahari restaurant has always been regarded as one of the best in Stone Town, serving up a mix of western and Zanzibari cuisine. Fresh fish abounds, with the island’s plethora of spices being put to good use in fragrant curries, rice dishes and stews. Eat indoors in the beautifully decorated dining room, or sit up on the terrace and enjoy the legendary Zanzibar sunsets. 

The Serena Inn has a generous-sized swimming pool, a seaside terrace, spa treatment rooms, coffee shop and a boutique.

Stone Town, Zanzibar’s ancient capital, is well worth a day or two of exploring and shopping along its narrow laneways. The old Sultan’s Palace , market and cathedral can be visited as part of a walking tour organized by the hotel. Further afield, the hotel can arrange visits to the spice plantations of the island’s interior or provide a dhow (traditional sailing boat) for a beach barbeque on one of Zanzibar’s outlying islands.