Overall Ratings & Reviews Tembo Palace Hotel

The hotel is on the beach. Little did I know that we would get a room in another building behind the hotel. Air condition did not cool enough. The safe did not work…they tried to fix it… they could not. Only 3 towels, only 3 water bottles. We were 4 people. Bathroom not clean. Floors not clean. Not nice pillow. Restaurant got everything about our order wrong. Food not nice. The smell of diesel when we had lunch was horrible. Sorry to say, but I Can not recommend this hotel.

Just beautiful and perfect

Wonderful staff that were helpful and accommodating in many ways. I needed to store my luggage for a few extra days and they graciously agreed and it was kept safe. No elevator, but the porters were so helpful during check-in/out that it wasn’t a problem. The breakfast area, pool and beach were beautiful and overall this was a very convenient location. Room was huge and clean with adjustable air conditioning. I would definitely recommend and stay there again!

We picked this hotel for convenience to the ferry terminal and Stone Town. It seems to be the main hotel in Stone Town, centrally located to tourist areas, beach, and restaurants. It is also artistically very beautiful in terms of architecture and layout. We were in apartments adjacent to the main hotel, accessed via an alley. Kids in our group loved the three pools at both buildings, as well as the billiards and foosball table, which together provided many hours of fun. Staff in both buildings were friendly and eager to help. Rooms were beautiful and clean. We used this as a launching point for a sandbar visit, a snorkeling excursion, and a walking tour. The hotel very kindly accommodated us with a changing room to use after checkout after returning from an excursion -- much appreciated. Note that a small tax has to be paid locally - USD 15 per person per night. The only downside was that the area outside the hotel is full of vendors who aggressively seek customers almost 24/7.

This hotel is perfectly located for an easy walk all over town. Choice of three pools and fantastic restaurant with breakfast included. Lovely breakfast buffet! The building is immediately across the street from its sister hotel, which is right on the beach and provides beach access. Rooms are spacious and clean. Hotel staff is wonderfully accommodating and attentive. We would definitely return here! Architecture and decorating is classic Zanzibar and charming!

We were super happy with our stay at Tembo Palace, we could use the facilities at both hotels, close to everything 5 minutes walk away from the night market. The hotel is on the beach front which is perfect, restaurant and drinks was great and staff were really efficient and friendly. Breakfast was great, buffet and omelettes/waffles made on request. Rooms were cleaned every day. Would recommend this hotel

Excellent breakfast buffet and great location

Hotel is in a good location staff very courteous very clean rooms Just one thing no elevators lots of stairs to climb elevators should be added otherwise excellent

The breakfast was bad, and the hotel was under construction. The beds were vey hard.

If you have the choice DO NOT waste your money on this property. Rooms are claustrophobic, no proper ventilation, washroom is a senior nightmare with all the steps, stray cats peeing on the restaurant floor. They have the ocean front and another hotel behind and if you don’t know the difference and you book for the other it is at the back, in a hot room with no elevators (they made my senior parents climb 2 flights of stairs) until their changed out room…then made us wait until 9pm after travelling to get a room with the staff attitude. The wifi hardly works. To add to it the restaurant when you order a meal gives you the option to pay in US or local currency. They change more for the conversion than the live exchange!! It is an antique looking building but that isn’t an excuse for the dirt. Their mosquito nets have the same dead bugs on the top for days. Additionally there is zero sound proofing. Waste of money! We couldn’t not get out of there fast enough!!!

Great property and staff.

We loved our stay. We had a triple room in Tembo Palace, which is about a minutes walk from the main Tembo Hotel. It has its own pool (which is smaller but quieter than the main one) but breakfast and the restaurant is in the main hotel. Our room was huge with three king-sized beds and a large bathroom. A/c and fans were effective. Both hotels are beautifully restored buildings. The alley leading to ours didn’t look great initially but we always felt safe walking back and forth. It’s about 30 seconds from the Freddie Mercury museum. The staff were brilliant throughout with a special mention for Pieter, our waiter on a couple of occasions. Breakfast is awesome with lots of choice and eggs made to order. Our only disappointment was on arrival when the bathroom was covered with what looked like large flakes of paint - bath, floor, basin, loo - everything. It was 3am so we really couldn’t be bothered to report it then. When we did next day, it was quickly cleared but it was a disturbing reflection on how rooms are prepared. Having said that, the actual bedroom seemed clean. Oh, and it had a fridge - lovely for keeping water and juice cool.

It was nice very busy hotel

Good location in the center of Stowntown. but no lift, incase u have walking issues, and no liquor license of bar!

This is a very fun place to stay. It has lots of Zanzibar character. The three pools are amazing and the view is incredible

Lovely converted palace with a great spot on the beach. One friend had issues with water and a/c but they got fixed.

Staying at Tembo palace was amazing. Staff were friendly and very helpful. Breakfast was nice every morning.

Decent value hotel, nothing special - ran out of water for short periods of time both days we stayed - but quickly corrected when we contacted the desk.

Great hotel

It was nice. The staff was friendly, great location, a little noisy. Nothing too fancy, just an okay place.