Emerson Spice Hotel is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Our lovingly restored Swahili mansion hosts twelve unique rooms, all individually designed and decorated.
All rooms offer framed views of the surrounding buildings; with nothing to filter the sights and sounds of local life you feel properly immersed.
We also host two renowned restaurants; our roof top Tea House Restaurant with amazing views of Stone Town. Then the magical first floor Secret Garden Restaurant, where guests relax in the ancient surroundings and soon forget the bustling narrow streets of the town.
The Emerson Spice Swahili Mansion was originally built and owned by Mohammed bin Ahmed el Alawi, the Mwinyi Mkuu and last Swahili ruler of Zanzibar from 1845 until his death in 1865.
He built the oldest portion of our mansion which is the northeast wing. This wing of the mansion reflects classic Swahili-Arab architecture with high timbered ceilings and arched walls.
Following the Sultans death the mansion was from 1873 owned by Tharia Topan, a wealthy Ismaili customs master, businessman, and spice trader who served as a principal advisor to the Omani Sultan. Topan built additional structures and added a distinct Indian Swahili architectural influence, including intricately carved latticed balconies and courtyard spaces.
After the building was appropriated during the 1964 revolution, it passed into the hands of Mr. Sharbaidi who leased it to Mr. Sharali Champsi that opened the original Spice Inn in 1980.
The Spice Inn was one of the first hotels in Zanzibar after the revolution and one of the few existing when our founder Emerson Dewey Skeens, a flamboyant American expatriate, opera lover, and pioneer of boutique hospitality in Zanzibar, acquired the buildings in 2006.
By then our historic structure had fallen into severe dereliction, Emerson Dewey Skeens meticulously restored and combined the three crumbling buildings into the unique twelve room mansion featuring two restaurants that our hotel is today.
Our current shareholders are dedicated to keeping Emerson Dewey Skeens` vision for this opulent Swahili mansion alive, preserving World Heritage and the vibrant, colorful Swahili culture we live and thrive in.
FAQs
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Kappa Senses Zanzibar is located in Pwani Mchangani, North-East Zanzibar, directly on a pristine white-sand beach overlooking the Indian Ocean. The resort is approximately 45 minutes from Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (ZNZ) and offers easy access to Stone Town, Mnemba Atoll, and other key attractions.
Kappa Senses Zanzibar features contemporary and spacious room categories, including Prestige Garden Rooms and Sea View Rooms, designed with modern comfort and elegant coastal aesthetics. Select categories offer direct sea views, while others are surrounded by lush tropical gardens.
The resort offers a large swimming pool, direct beach access, multiple restaurants and bars including a rooftop lounge, wellness and spa facilities, water sports options, and curated island experiences. The setting is ideal for couples, families, and groups seeking a stylish beachfront escape.
Zanzibar is a year-round destination. The best weather is typically from June to October and December to March, offering warm temperatures, low rainfall, and ideal beach conditions. The resort is perfectly positioned to enjoy Zanzibar’s tropical climate throughout the year.
Travelers to Zanzibar are generally not required to present specific vaccinations unless arriving from a country where Yellow Fever is endemic. In that case, a Yellow Fever vaccination certificate may be required. It is always recommended to consult your doctor or travel clinic before travel for the most up-to-date advice.
