The Emerson Spice Hotel in Stone Town, Zanzibar, stands out as one of the island’s most distinctive boutique properties—a restored 19th-century merchant’s house where actress Joanna Lumley filmed part of her 2023 Spice Trail series. This review gathers verified facts from the property’s official site, the MICHELIN Guide, and neutral review platforms to help you understand what makes this historic hotel tick, from its 11 individually decorated rooms to its rooftop Tea House tasting menu. Read on for a grounded look at the hotel’s character, dining schedule, and how it compares to its sister property Emerson on Hurumzi.
Last checked: 2026-06-01
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Hotel Name: Emerson Spice Hotel · Location: Stone Town, Zanzibar City · Number of Rooms: 11 · Property Type: Boutique hotel in restored 19th-century merchant’s house · Dining: 2 restaurants · Free Breakfast: Yes
How we researched this
Last checked: 2026-06-01.
Sources reviewed: Official property website, MICHELIN Guide hotel listing, Tripadvisor reviews and FAQ responses, SafariFrank accommodation profile, Expedia listing, Tablet Hotels / MICHELIN Guide, travel blog by Ellie Faye.
We did not conduct an on-site visit, staff interview, or independent price verification directly with the hotel.
Emerson Spice Hotel at a Glance
- Only 11 boutique rooms, each individually decorated with antiques under high timbered ceilings (MICHELIN Guide)
- Selected for the MICHELIN Guide hotel collection, validating its characterful historic setting (MICHELIN Guide)
- Situated on a pedestrian-only street in Stone Town’s historic Kasbah district, a few minutes’ walk from the beach and the Old Fort (MICHELIN Guide)
- Filming location for Joanna Lumley’s 2023 Spice Trail series episode on Zanzibar spice heritage (Emerson Zanzibar)
Where Did Joanna Lumley Stay in Zanzibar?
Dame Joanna Lumley stayed at the Emerson Spice Hotel in Stone Town during the filming of her 2023 four-part television series The Spice Trail, a production that explored the spice heritage of East Africa and the Indian Ocean rim. According to the property’s official site, Lumley filmed a segment at the hotel where she met designer and cultural personality Farouque Abdela to discuss Zanzibar’s famous spices (Emerson Zanzibar). The episode featuring Stone Town focused on the island’s role as a historic spice trade hub, with the Emerson Spice Hotel serving as both backdrop and filming location.
Joanna Lumley’s Choice: Emerson Spice
The hotel’s selection as a filming venue was not accidental. The property markets itself as an “iconic Zanzibar Hotel” with deep ties to the island’s cultural and design heritage. Farouque Abdela, described on the hotel’s site as a legendary designer and cultural figure, is noted as a friend of Emerson (Babu) Skeens, the late founder behind the Emerson hotels. This connection between the hotel’s founding vision and local cultural figures made it a natural choice for an episode centered on Zanzibari heritage.
Celebrity Endorsement and Its Impact
For travelers researching where celebrities stay in Zanzibar, the Lumley connection provides a specific, verifiable data point rather than speculation. The hotel’s official site explicitly features this association, and neutral platforms like Tripadvisor have noted the property’s popularity among guests seeking the “Stone Town experience” portrayed in the series. The pattern suggests that cultural authenticity—rather than modern high-rise luxury—drew the production to the property.
What Is the Most Luxury Hotel in Zanzibar?
The definition of “most luxury” depends on what you value, but the Emerson Spice Hotel consistently appears in authoritative lists that frame luxury as character, heritage, and curated experience rather than sheer scale. The MICHELIN Guide includes the hotel in its curated selection, highlighting its 11 individually decorated rooms with antiques and high timbered ceilings (MICHELIN Guide). The property also ranks among the Top 10 Luxury Hotels on Zanzibar Island according to Tripadvisor’s 2026 listing (Tripadvisor).
Emerson Spice: A Top Contender
The property competes not on room count—11 rooms is deliberately intimate—but on architectural and experiential depth. Three historic buildings have been combined to form the current structure, creating a layered environment that independent reviewers describe as one of the most beautiful historic buildings in Stone Town (Tablet Hotels / MICHELIN Guide). For guests who define luxury as access to authentic Swahili architecture, private rooftop dining, and proximity to UNESCO-listed streets, the Emerson Spice Hotel ranks among the island’s most distinctive options.
Tripadvisor’s 10 Best Luxury Hotels List
Tripadvisor’s ranking aggregates verified guest reviews rather than expert assessments, meaning the top placement reflects sustained traveler satisfaction across service, atmosphere, and value. The MICHELIN Guide’s parallel listing adds a layer of professional validation that the property meets international standards for design coherence and guest experience. This dual recognition—from both crowdsourced reviews and a professional travel guide—provides more robust evidence than a single platform alone.
What Is the History of the Emerson Hotel?
The Emerson Spice Hotel traces its roots to the merchant era of Zanzibar’s 19th-century spice and slave trade. According to SafariFrank, the property was originally a merchants’ house that has been transformed into a boutique hotel offering an immersive cultural experience (SafariFrank). The MICHELIN Guide notes that the current structure combines three landmark buildings into one cohesive boutique property (MICHELIN Guide), a fact reflected in the varied room layouts and ceiling heights that guests frequently mention in reviews.
From Merchant’s House to Boutique Hotel
SafariFrank provides additional historical detail, noting that the older L-shaped wing on the northeast side was originally owned by Muhammad bin Ahmed, known as the Mwinyi Mkuu—described as the last Swahili ruler of Zanzibar (SafariFrank). This provenance gives the property a specific historical anchor beyond generic “historic building” marketing. The hotel’s own testimonials describe it as a “former palace that has retained its character” (Emerson Zanzibar), though this claim is less precisely documented than the merchant-house lineage.
The implication: The Emerson Spice Hotel’s historical credentials are layered. The best-documented claim is its origin as a merchant’s house from the 19th-century trading era. The connection to the Mwinyi Mkuu is reported by a specialist tour operator (SafariFrank) but lacks corroboration from primary historical records. Guests who value precise provenance should treat the latter claim as plausible but not independently verified.
Which Part of Zanzibar Is the Best to Stay in?
Stone Town—the historic heart of Zanzibar City—is consistently recommended for travelers seeking cultural immersion, UNESCO-listed architecture, and walkable streets within the old trading quarter. The Emerson Spice Hotel is specifically located on Tharia Street in the Kiponda area, within the pedestrian-only Kasbah district, with a postal reference of 4044 Stone Town, Zanzibar, Tanzania (Emerson Zanzibar). The MICHELIN Guide confirms the hotel sits “a few minutes’ walk from the beach and the Old Fort,” yet describes the immediate surroundings as feeling “very private” (MICHELIN Guide).
Stone Town: The Cultural Heart
Travel advisories and travel blogs position Stone Town as the recommended base for culture and history-oriented visitors. Travel blogger Ellie Faye notes that there are two distinct Emerson hotels in Stone Town—Emerson Spice and Emerson on Hurumzi—located within a short walking distance of each other (Ellie Faye travel blog). This proximity means that staying at Emerson Spice still gives you access to the sister property’s rooftop if you wish to compare. The pedestrian-only street setting reduces traffic noise and creates a more atmospheric evening environment, though it also means you should confirm luggage transfer arrangements if arriving by car.
What to watch: Stone Town’s streets are narrow and can be uneven. Guests with mobility concerns should check accessibility arrangements before booking, as the property combines historic buildings without documented elevator access. The pedestrian-only location is an asset for atmosphere but requires some planning for airport transfers and excursions.
| Hotel Name | Location | Number of Rooms | Property Type | Dining | Free Breakfast | Free Wi-Fi | Michelin Guide Selection |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Emerson Spice Hotel | Stone Town, Zanzibar City | 11 | Boutique hotel in restored 19th-century merchant’s house | 2 restaurants | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Emerson Spice Hotel: Pros and Cons
Balanced assessment requires looking at verified patterns across multiple reviews and source types rather than isolated impressions.
Strengths
- Authentic 19th-century Swahili architecture with individually decorated rooms featuring antiques and high timbered ceilings (MICHELIN Guide)
- Two distinct dining venues—the rooftop Tea House and the ground-level Secret Garden—catering to different moods and schedules (SafariFrank)
- UNESCO-listed Stone Town location on a pedestrian-only street, within walking distance of the beach and Old Fort (MICHELIN Guide)
- Michelin Guide recognition adds third-party validation of the property’s quality (Tablet Hotels / MICHELIN Guide)
- Documented celebrity association with Joanna Lumley’s 2023 Spice Trail filming (Emerson Zanzibar)
Limitations
- Only 11 rooms means limited availability during peak seasons
- Historic building constraints may mean no elevator, uneven floors, and varying room sizes (Emerson Zanzibar testimonial)
- Restaurant closure days: Tea House closed Thursdays, Secret Garden closed Wednesdays (Tripadvisor FAQ)
- Single dinner seating requires advance reservation, which may not suit flexible travelers (MICHELIN Guide)
- Stone Town location means less beachfront access compared to east coast resorts
The bottom line: The Emerson Spice Hotel’s strengths—historic authenticity, intimate scale, and curated dining—are inseparable from its limitations. If you want a polished resort experience with consistent amenities, this property will frustrate you. If you value architectural character, cultural context, and a rooftop sunset view, the trade-offs are worth managing.
Emerson Spice Hotel Prices and Value
While specific nightly rates vary by season and room type, the Emerson Spice Hotel positions itself in the upper mid-range to luxury segment for Stone Town accommodation. According to Tripadvisor listings, the property displays up-to-date prices alongside guest reviews, allowing travelers to compare rates across platforms (Tripadvisor). Expedia’s listing similarly features pricing alongside descriptions of traditional Zanzibar architecture and the culturally rich experience on offer (Expedia).
The catch: Prices for the Emerson Spice Hotel reflect its boutique positioning and historic appeal rather than scale or resort infrastructure. During peak season (December–February and July–August), expect rates to be at the higher end of the spectrum. Off-season deals may bring the property within reach of travelers who would otherwise book mid-range alternatives. Always check current rates on neutral platforms like Tripadvisor or Expedia for the most accurate comparison.
Location and Getting There
The Emerson Spice Hotel occupies Tharia Street in the Kiponda area of Stone Town, Zanzibar City. The address carries a postal reference of 4044 Stone Town, Zanzibar, Tanzania (Emerson Zanzibar). The property sits on a pedestrian-only street in the Kasbah/ancient part of Stone Town, placing it within the UNESCO-listed historic center.
The MICHELIN Guide notes that the hotel is “a few minutes’ walk from the beach and the Old Fort,” making it viable as a base for exploring Stone Town on foot (MICHELIN Guide). However, the pedestrian-only setting means taxi drop-offs may require a short walk from the nearest vehicle access point. Airport transfers from Zanzibar International Airport typically take 15–20 minutes depending on traffic, but you should confirm pick-up arrangements with the hotel in advance given the street configuration.
Alternatives: Emerson on Hurumzi
The Emerson Spice Hotel has a sister property within walking distance: the Emerson on Hurumzi. According to travel blogger Ellie Faye, many first-time visitors confuse the two properties, which are distinct entities with different atmospheres and rooftop setups (Ellie Faye travel blog). Both are historic boutique hotels in Stone Town, but they differ in scale, pricing, and guest profile.
| Hotel | Location | Number of Rooms | Restaurants | Highlight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Emerson Spice Hotel | Tharia Street, Kiponda, Stone Town | 11 | Tea House (rooftop) + Secret Garden | Michelin Guide selection, Spice Trail filming location |
| Emerson on Hurumzi | Hurumzi Street, Stone Town | Varies | Rooftop restaurant | Historic palace setting, separate cultural identity |
The practical takeaway for travelers: if you plan to dine at both rooftops, verify which hotel’s restaurant is open on your intended evening—the Tea House at Emerson Spice closes on Thursdays while the Secret Garden closes on Wednesdays (Tripadvisor FAQ). This scheduling detail is easy to miss and has led to guest confusion, as documented in Tripadvisor forum exchanges.
Our recommendation: The Emerson Spice Hotel is the better choice for travelers who prioritize the Michelin-recognized dining experience, the documented Joanna Lumley connection, and a slightly more intimate scale. The Emerson on Hurumzi serves a similar audience but has a different architectural character. If you are specifically drawn to the “Spice Trail” storyline or want to experience the Secret Garden courtyard dining, book directly at the Emerson Spice Hotel and plan your restaurant visits around the closure schedule.
Does Emerson Spice Hotel offer free breakfast?
Yes. Free breakfast is included with stays at Emerson Spice Hotel.
How many rooms does Emerson Spice Hotel have?
The hotel has 11 rooms, each individually decorated with antiques under high timbered ceilings.
What restaurants are available at Emerson Spice Hotel?
The hotel has two restaurants: the rooftop Tea House (closed Thursdays) serving sunset drinks at 6 pm and a five-course tasting menu at 7 pm, and the ground-level Secret Garden (closed Wednesdays) open for lunch between 12:00 and 16:00 and dinner from 17:00 to 21:30. Reservations for dinner are essential, especially for the Tea House, which has only about 10 tables per night.
Where is Emerson Spice Hotel located?
The hotel is located on Tharia Street in the Kiponda area, within the pedestrian-only Kasbah district of Stone Town, Zanzibar City. The postal reference is 4044 Stone Town, Zanzibar, Tanzania. It is a few minutes’ walk from the beach and the Old Fort.
Is free Wi-Fi available at the hotel?
Yes. Free Wi-Fi is listed among the property’s amenities.
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