Epic Zanzibar - Serena Hotel & Thanda Island 6 night Ext

Zanzibar Serena Hotel, established in 1997, is a historical treasure born from the meticulous restoration of two iconic buildings: the 19th-century Extelcoms building and the 18th-century "Chinese doctor's residence." These structures were thoughtfully preserved, reflecting the 19th-century cultural influences of the Sultans of Zanzibar. The hotel provides an authentic connection to the rich history and culture of Zanzibar, now recognized as the "Zanzibar Style."

Situated on the Zanzibar seafront within the captivating Stone Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site, the hotel offers an oceanfront setting and opulent Arabic and Swahili-inspired interiors. With 51 rooms and suites exuding coastal serenity, guests can enjoy private balconies with stunning Indian Ocean views.

The rooftop Terrace Seafood Restaurant offers fresh seafood and bay views, while Baharia Restaurant hosts weekly Swahili banquets by the pool. Masahani Bar serves signature cocktails and live Taarab band performances. Zanzibar Serena Hotel provides a blend of history, culture, and elegance in a sumptuous retreat, celebrating the grandeur of a bygone era.

• Images
• Video
• Rooms
• Facilities

Aerial view of Zanzibar Serena Hotel

Exterior Credit: Serena Hotels Zanzibar Serena Hotel's exterior is an enchanting blend of restored 19th-century and 18th-century buildings, carefully preserved and restored to reflect the Swahili and Arabic influences typical of the Sultans of Zanzibar. The hotel's seafront location in Stone Town, flanked by sultan's palaces, Portuguese forts, ancient dhow harbours, and bright bazaars, adds to its allure.

Entrance

Reception

Terrace Credit: Serena Hotels Zanzibar Serena Hotel's rooftop terrace offers extraordinary views of the bay and a tranquil setting to unwind and enjoy the ocean breeze.

Baharia Restaurant Credit: Serena Hotels With stunning ocean views and an emphasis on using the finest local ingredients and fresh-caught seafood, the restaurants and bars at Zanzibar Serena Hotel specialise in exquisite cuisine served in extraordinary settings. From a rooftop restaurant with breathtaking bay views, to weekly Swahili banquets by the pool, to cocktails and live Taarab music, enjoy an array of tastes unlike any other.

Restaurant terrace

Balcony dining

Beach dining

Conference Credit: Serena Hotels Zanzibar Serena Hotel is an impressive and unique destination for hosting corporate events, whether intimate or lavish. The opulent Conference Suite can accommodate up to 40 guests, while larger events can be hosted at nearby iconic venues like Sultan Hamoud's Palace and Old Dispensary, with the help of the hotel's attentive banquets team.

Pool Credit: Serena Hotels Zanzibar Serena Hotel features a stunning pool area surrounded by lush gardens and offering views of the Indian Ocean. The large pool is perfect for a refreshing swim or relaxing on the comfortable sun loungers.

Swimming pool

Poolside entertainment

Entertainment Credit: Serena Hotels Zanzibar Serena Hotel offers a range of entertainment options, including traditional Zanzibari music and dance performances, Swahili cooking classes, and guided tours of Stone Town's historic sites. These activities allow guests to immerse themselves in the local culture and create unforgettable memories during their stay.

Executive Suite Prime Room Standard Room Honeymoon Room

Spacious and elegant, our Executive Suites offer a magnificent bedroom , a sumptuous bathroom (with bath and shower) and a relaxing sitting room (with TV and mini bar), which opens onto a magnificent L-shaped balcony with panoramic ocean views, its own al fresco cocktail area and a double hammock.

Our exceptionally spacious Prime Rooms are presented in traditional Swahili style featuring traditional niches, fretwork cabinets and brightly coloured coastal cotton soft furnishings in cool blue. The four-poster beds are draped in mosquito nets and are generously king-sized.

Our 41 standard rooms are presented in traditional Swahili style featuring traditional niches, fretwork cabinets and a cool blue and white colour scheme. Each room has either a king-sized bed with mosquito netting or twin beds.

Zanzibar Serena Hotel's honeymoon room is a private and opulent retreat designed to celebrate the romance of newlyweds. This intimate and cozy room features a four-poster bed draped in romantic netting, as well as a private balcony with sweeping views of the Indian Ocean.

Property Facilities

24-hour Security, Activity Desk, Bar, Battery Charging Facilities, Communal Dining, Conference Centre, Disability Services, Eco Friendly, Internet Access (Complimentary), Kiddies Club, Laundry Service (Available), Meal on Request, Mobile Connectivity, Pool, Restaurant, Secure Parking, Spa, TV Room

Room Facilities

Air Conditioning, Balcony / Deck, Complimentary Wi-Fi, Dressing Gowns, Electrical Outlets, En-Suite, Fridge, Hair Dryer, Internet Access (Complimentary), Laundry Service (Available), Lounge Area, Mini Bar, Mosquito Nets, Pure Cotton Linen, Safe, Satellite / Cable Television, Shower, Tea / Coffee, Television, Wheelchair Friendly

Services

Airport Shuttle (Available), Foreign Exchange, Room Service (24 hours), Travel Desk

Thanda Island started with a dream to find a small, remote, uninhabited Tropical Island off the coast of East Africa. Today, it is one of the world’s most exclusive island getaways, a paradise for you to enjoy in complete privacy with family and friends. A secluded island with a single luxurious villa and two traditional bandas (beach chalets) in the Indian Ocean, off the east coast of Tanzania. Situated in your own marine reserve, you can swim with the gentlest giant of the ocean, the whale shark, and watch sea turtles nesting. Here, you can rest, rejuvenate and enjoy adventure sports in a world where shades of turquoise infuse your days and tropical spices your nights.

• Images
• Rooms
• Units
• Facilities

Thanda Island - Aerial Credit: Thanda Group Off the East coast of Africa, surrounded by coral reefs, you will find the the 8ha Thanda Island

Thanda Island - Activities Credit: Thanda Group Island Princess - one of the activity boats on the island

Thanda Island - Villa Credit: Thanda Group Five-bedroom Villa

Thanda Island - Activities Credit: Thanda Group Water activities, including a seabob

Thanda Island - Banda Credit: Thanda Group Tanzanian styled beach bandas offering additional accommodation for 8 guests.

Thanda Island - Boathouse Credit: Thanda Group Boathouse filled with water sports activity kit

Tanzanian Banda

Thanda Island also features two traditional open-air Tanzanian Bandas or Beach Chalets, making the Island a nine-bedroom destination for your exclusive enjoyment. Each Banda has an en-suite master bedroom on the ground floor and two single beds with en-suite bathroom on the first floor. Each floor of the Bandas is 72m² with clever use of the space to maximise the indoor-outdoor flow. Beautiful, locally hand-carved furniture and fabrics from Mafia Island in soft, natural colours enhance the stylish, authentic feel.

Villa

The five-bedroomed Villa offers comfortable living and sleeping areas, with everything you would want from an extraordinary beach house, including an indoor aquarium, a variety of musical instruments, magnificent wine collection, glass rim-flow swimming pool, air-conditioned gym, library, including an extensive Ernest Hemingway book collection, and a wraparound dining area with its 180-degree view of the ocean. All five en-suite bedrooms are air-conditioned with king-size beds and an idyllic island feel. If required, additional beds for children can be set up in the bedroom suites or library.

Property Facilities

24-hour Security, Bar, Barbeque Facilities, Battery Charging Facilities, Communal Dining, Eco Friendly, Gym, Internet Access (Complimentary), Laundry Service (Complimentary), Library, Malaria Free, Meal on Request, Mobile Connectivity, Pool, Restaurant, Spa, TV Room

Room Facilities

Air Conditioning, Balcony / Deck, Complimentary Wi-Fi, Detached Private Bathroom, Dressing Gowns, Electrical Outlets, Fan, Hair Dryer, Heated Towel Rails, Internet Access (Complimentary), Laundry Service (Complimentary), Mosquito Nets, Outside Shower, Pure Cotton Linen, Safe, Satellite / Cable Television, Shower, Verandah

Services

Room Service (24 hours)