Upendo House Hotel Zanzibar

Upendo House has a perfect location in the heart of the old part of Stone Town with walking distance to all the attractions and restaurants. It´s a charming boutique hotel (see attached photos). Our room (302) was a bit small and there are no seats to sit down. The bathroom is like a wet room and there are no places to put your things. The water pressure was OK, and we always got hot water. The room was spotlessly cleaned. The breakfast was very good and made to order from the menu. The beautiful rooftop terrasse is a lovely place to have a refreshing swim during the day and an amazing cocktail in the evening while watching the sunset. The rooftop restaurant and bar give you great views of Stone town and the Indian oce The free Wi-Fi is really slow. I measured it early in the morning (07:00) and it shows less than 1MB both at download and upload. In the evening when a lot of guests are connected to wifi it is not possible to use it. The best (and most important) thing about this hotel is the beautiful people that works there - they made us feel so welcome and comfortable all the time. Keep on with this high service level (I know it´s really hard work!) Highly recommended! Regards Svein-Magne Tunli from Bergen, Norway.

We had a great stay. The room was good and the food is marvellous. Friendly people. We stayed there for two nights and that was enough because the town is very noisy. The hotel has a rooftop pool with a bar where it is very nice to stay. For us was the only problem the stairs.

I loved my stay at upendo, beautiful view from The rooftop, the staff at the restaurant were very friendly and the food and drinks were amazing! It’s a bit noisy until around 10pm as there’s a large restaurant/bar opposite. There was a slight issue when I asked for the iron - when I checked out the person on the reception seemed to be mad that I didn’t return it but they never came to get it back and the cleaner had been in the room several times so I’m not sure why they didn’t take it.

Nestled in the heart of Stone Town, Upendo House offers a modern and unique boutique experience in Zanzibar. With 11 individually designed rooms, each named after the theme of its décor, this charming hotel ensures comfort and style. The superior rooms, some with private balconies, come equipped with air conditioning and Wi-Fi, while select rooms feature bathtubs for an added touch of luxury. Regular maintenance is conducted twice a year to guarantee a pristine experience for guests. The hotel’s rooftop terrace is a standout feature, offering stunning panoramic views of Stone Town and the Indian Ocean. The infinity pool, with its partially transparent floor overlooking the restaurant below, creates a striking and stylish element to the space. Sun loungers positioned to face the sea make for the perfect spot to enjoy an unforgettable sunset. While the terrace is open to the public, Upendo House maintains an exclusive and intimate atmosphere by carefully managing access for guests only. For ultimate relaxation, the spa offers a serene haven to unwind after a day of exploration. With a minimum stay of two nights, this exceptional hotel offers flexible options during the low season, ensuring guests enjoy their stay to the fullest. With its prime location, distinctive rooms, and outstanding amenities, Upendo House is an unmissable destination for travelers seeking both authenticity and luxury in Zanzibar.

This should really be a three-star, but given the fantastic pool and sunset, I'll make it a four. The hotel is alright, although the rooms (at least the one we stayed in) are rather small. We were disappointed with the service, particularly the wait staff, at the bar area who took upwards of 30 minutes to deliver a shot of gin and ginger soda (?!) choosing to prioritize arriving non-guests who made cocktail orders. The restaurant offers good food but nothing really stands out as I write this. The server for dinner is really good though, and was patient with us, which we appreciate.

Extremely delayed service and poor communication from the waiters. We have to wait 45 mins to get our drinks which we already paid in advance because of the entrance charge. Most of the tables were getting ignored because of a big table. The rooftop is good but the staff needs training on customer service