Park Hyatt Zanzibar is the luxury choice in Stone Town and the one hotel in the old town that feels like a full resort. It occupies a historic seafront building, the old Mambo Msiige house, together with a sympathetic modern wing, right on the beach in the Shangani quarter, so you step from the lanes of a UNESCO World Heritage town to sea-view terraces and a pool above the Indian Ocean. There are 67 rooms, including 11 suites, decorated in a calm, contemporary take on Swahili and Omani style with carved wood, local fabrics and plenty of space. The Dining Room recalls an Omani colonial home and looks out over the dhow harbour, with intimate tables and communal seating. There is a pool, a spa and room service, and the Forodhani Gardens, the Old Fort and the palace museum are all within a few minutes’ walk. Expedia guests rate it 9.4 out of 10, among the highest in Stone Town.
Location and getting around: the hotel sits on the beachfront in Shangani, the western tip of Stone Town, a short walk from the Forodhani Gardens, the Old Fort and the main sights. Taxis and tour pickups can reach the entrance, which matters in a town of narrow lanes. Abeid Amani Karume International Airport is about fifteen to twenty minutes away by car, and the north-coast beaches are around an hour and a half.
Rooms: rooms and suites are bright and modern, with Swahili touches, large bathrooms and, in many cases, views over the ocean or the town. Suites add more space and terraces, and are worth it for a special occasion. Sea-view rooms are the ones to ask for.
Who it suits: couples on a honeymoon or anniversary, travellers who want a luxurious and quiet base for exploring Stone Town, and anyone ending a mainland safari with a few days of comfort before the beach.
Good to know: the beach in front is a city beach, lively with local life and boats, so most people swim in the pool and go to the north or east coasts for beach days. Book dinner at The Dining Room for sunset over the harbour. Dress modestly when walking into the old town.
Why stay here
- ✓Seafront pool
- ✓Spa
- ✓The Dining Room restaurant
- ✓Beachfront location
- ✓Room service
- ✓Suites with terraces
- ✓Ocean-view rooms
- ✓Walk to Forodhani Gardens
Good questions
How many rooms does Park Hyatt Zanzibar have?+
Park Hyatt Zanzibar has 67 rooms, including 11 suites. Many look over the Indian Ocean.
Is Park Hyatt Zanzibar on the beach?+
Yes, it is on the beachfront in the Shangani quarter of Stone Town. It is a lively town beach, so most guests swim in the pool.
How far is Park Hyatt Zanzibar from the Stone Town sights?+
The Forodhani Gardens, the Old Fort and the palace museum are all a few minutes’ walk away. Most of the old town is walkable from the hotel.
