Is Jafferji House a good base for exploring Zanzibar?

Jafferji House is an excellent base for exploring Stone Town, with the Old Fort just a 1-minute walk away and the Zanzibar Spice Community Shop a 7-minute walk. For wider Zanzibar, sights like Zanzibar Park are 5.3 km away, while Cheetah's Rock is 11.3 km, so plan for a car or tour for those. The hotel can arrange tours and excursions, and the rooftop restaurant offers local flavors after a day out. You are well placed to start a Stone Town walking tour or join a full-day trip to Jozani Forest and Paje Beach.

Jafferji House Zanzibar: Location & Distance to Old Fort

Name: Jafferji House
Address: 170 Gizenga St, Zanzibar, 坦桑尼亚

Guest reviews

4.1Very good(369)

Excellent199
Good94
Average32
Poor17
Terrible27

What guests say about…

Property
Service
Breakfast
Room
Location
Dining

Guests like

Friendly Staff: Guests repeatedly praise the staff for being welcoming and helpful, with several noting specific assistance like arranging tours and airport pickups.
Prime Location: Reviews highlight the hotel's central Stone Town location, ideal for exploring the old town's attractions, restaurants, and markets on foot.
Characterful Atmosphere: Guests mention the authentic Zanzibari design, antiques, and lush vegetation that give the hotel a unique, charming feel.

Guests mention

Air Conditioning: A few reviews mention the AC breaking, though staff were quick to move guests; it's worth checking the unit on arrival.
Breakfast Variety: While breakfast is generally praised, some guests find the variety limited; the rooftop terrace view is a noted plus.

Summary for your reference

Reviews from

Ankunda Chloris

5/5

Google· 4 months ago

We had an amazing stay! Everything was perfect—from the excellent service and friendly staff to the clean, comfortable rooms. The breakfast was delicious with a great variety, and the family rooms were spacious and ideal for our group. Even though we were a large group, everyone was well taken care of and made to feel welcome. Thank you for making our stay so memorable. We highly recommend this hotel and look forward to coming back!

Ummekulsum Mustafa

4/5

Google· 4 months ago

I stayed for 3 nights and 4 days here at jafferji house and it was a pleasant stay for me. With zanzibari vibes and stonetown location one of the most pleasant stays I had in stone town. After long hours of work getting a good rest is important and the hotel accommodated it perfectly. The rooms are spacious and clean. The staff are friendly and helpfull. The breakfast was also fulfilling. I would definitely recommend anyone to stay here and enjoy their stay in stone town.

Loan Liem

5/5

Google· 4 months ago

We loved this beautiful authentic place, the comfortable room and the ocean view while having an excellent breakfast. Mohammed is so welcoming and kind and he also assisted us in arranging a private boot tour for snorkeling. His hospitality was more than great and we are definitely recommending this hotel!

Response from the property

Dear Loan, It truly makes our day to see your lovely feedback! Thank you for sharing your experience at Jafferji House. We’re happy to know that you enjoyed your stay, and your appreciation means a lot to our entire team. We can’t wait to welcome you back again in the future. Best regards, Team Jafferji House

Trip.com Member

5/5

Trip.com· 2 years ago

Utterly enchanting- from our 5am arrival until our departure 3 days later we were looked after so incredibly well. The hotel organised our airport pickup and opened up with a gentle tap (you may need help to find it as it’s in the narrow streets of old Stonetown). The front of house was superb and Peter took care of us. The hotel has so much atmosphere, full of antiques and lush vegetation. Breakfast is in the roof balcony. Excursions can be organised. I had read a few unpleasant reviews but I can’t think why, cleanliness was first class and the hospitality was outstanding. I hope you are lucky enough to find a room - we stayed 3 nights it was so good.

shaffiqd2023

3/5

Tripadvisor· 2 months ago

Jafferji House Stone Town & Jafferji Beach Retreat We stayed at both Jafferji House in Stone Town and Jafferji Beach Retreat in Matemwe, and while both properties have their strengths, our experiences were quite different. Jafferji House Stone Town has an unbeatable location. It is perfectly situated for exploring Stone Town on foot, with many of the main attractions, restaurants and markets within easy walking distance. The rooms were clean and comfortable, although ours had a somewhat musty smell that could use some attention. Where the property could really improve is customer service. Unfortunately, our experience with the reservation clerk was disappointing. We found her manner rude and unprofessional, and she made insulting remarks about guests in Kiswahili, apparently not realizing that we understood what was being said. Regardless of the circumstances, that is not the level of professionalism or hospitality one expects from a hotel. The breakfast could also use more effort and variety — it felt like a missed opportunity given the quality of the property and its location. Jafferji Beach Retreat, on the other hand, was fantastic. The property itself is beautiful, with gorgeous rooms located right on the beachfront. It has a much more relaxed and intimate feel, and the setting is absolutely stunning. The real highlight for us was Chef Augustine. His food was outstanding — easily one of the best parts of our stay. What impressed us most was his willingness to customize the menu to our preferences. Every meal felt personal, freshly prepared and thoughtfully done. His cooking genuinely elevated the entire experience. The only downside at the beach resort had little to do with the hotel itself: the beach attracts quite a few vendors and local children who approach guests asking for handouts. This can become a little uncomfortable when you're trying to relax, although it is obviously a broader local issue rather than something entirely within the resort's control. Jafferji House wins for location, but needs to significantly improve its customer service and breakfast offering. Jafferji Beach Retreat was the clear winner for us — beautiful setting, gorgeous rooms and exceptional food, with Chef Augustine being a particular standout. If the goal is a relaxing Zanzibar beach experience, the beach retreat is the one we would happily return to.

Passport08677645434

4/5

Tripadvisor· 3 months ago

Located in an old Arab house, the hotel has character but … something was missing. Our room was large and so was the bed. But, essentially, there was no window and the toilet was separated from the rest of the room by a simple curtain. The breakfast was served in a terrace with very nice view. It was tasty but the variety was relatively limited. The staff was friendly and helpful.

CYKim

5/5

Google· 3 months ago

This hotel is perfectly located in the heart of Stone Town, making it an ideal place to experience the unique atmosphere and charm of the old town. The staff were incredibly friendly and welcoming throughout our stay, and the room had a beautiful, authentic design that gave us a true sense of Zanzibar’s character. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay and would happily recommend this hotel to anyone visiting Stone Town.

Response from the property

Dear Guest, It truly makes our day to see your lovely feedback! Thank you for sharing your experience at Jafferji House. We’re happy to know that you enjoyed your stay, and your appreciation means a lot to our entire team. We can’t wait to welcome you back again in the future. Best regards, Team Jafferji House

Edwin Peters

4/5

Google· 6 months ago

Very nice hotel with friendly and accommodating staff. Convenient location at the heart of stone town. The breakfast is nice and big. The hotel room we stayed in initially was a bit worn and could do with some repairs. After the ac broke, the staff was very helpful to move us to another room immediately, and that room was in perfect shape.

Response from the property

Dear Edwin, It truly makes our day to see your lovely feedback! Thank you for sharing your experience at Jafferji House. We’re happy to know that you enjoyed your stay, and your appreciation means a lot to our entire team. We can’t wait to welcome you back again in the future. Best regards, Team Jafferji House

Frequently asked questions about Jafferji House

Where can I eat near Jafferji House?

You can dine at the hotel's own rooftop restaurant, Zanzibar Blues, which serves Swahili fusion cuisine with fresh local seafood, and at the ground-floor Mistress of Spices restaurant. Stone Town around the hotel has many restaurants offering international and local dishes, especially seafood, curries, and coconut-based specialties. The Old Fort is just a 1-minute walk away, and the area is full of dining options to explore. For a broader choice, the Zanzibar Spice Community Shop is a 7-minute walk, and you can find more eateries as you wander the nearby streets.

What is the area around Jafferji House like?

Jafferji House sits in the heart of Stone Town, Zanzibar's historic core, surrounded by winding streets and landmarks. The Old Fort is just a 1-minute walk away, and the Zanzibar Spice Community Shop is a 7-minute stroll. The area is rich in history and culture, with many shops, restaurants, and bars nearby. You can easily explore the old town on foot, soaking in the atmosphere. For longer trips, sights like Zanzibar Park are 5.3 km away, so you would need transport to reach them. The hotel's rooftop restaurant offers local flavors with views over the town and ocean.

How do I get to Jafferji House from the airport or main train station?

From Zanzibar International Airport, the hotel is about 7 km away, roughly a 15-minute drive. You can take a taxi or arrange a pre-booked transfer, which the hotel can help with. If arriving by ferry, the terminal is a five-minute walk or a three-minute drive from the hotel. The hotel is on Gizenga Street in Stone Town, close to the Old Fort, so drivers will know the location.

What's there to do near Jafferji House in the evening?

In the evening, you can dine at the hotel's rooftop restaurant, Zanzibar Blues, which serves Swahili fusion cuisine with ocean views, or at the ground-floor Mistress of Spices restaurant. The Old Fort is just a 1-minute walk away, and the surrounding Stone Town streets are filled with shops, restaurants, and bars to explore. For a longer outing, Zanzibar Park is 5.3 km away, so you might take a taxi or ride-hailing service to reach it. The hotel can also arrange tours, such as the Zanzibar Adventure Quad with Sunset, which includes a transfer.

Jafferji House

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About

You might want to ask

Good to know

Amenities

Property amenities

Room types

Guest reviews

Guests like

Guests mention

Create your own trip to Zanzibar

More hotels near Jafferji House

Sights near Jafferji House

Things to do in Zanzibar

Frequently asked questions about Jafferji House

Sights near Jafferji House

Guests like

Guests mention

More hotels near Jafferji House

Things to do in Zanzibar