Cheapest Accommodation in Zanzibar ( revised)

Stone town

Bandari Lodge

Located at Malindi, Zanzibar One of the newer additions to the assortment of affordable hotels in Malindi, just 100m from the port, this pleasant place offers good-value accommodation in airy clean rooms with net and fan. Facilities include a common lounge area and paperback book swap service. This hotel has 16 rooms and the price is US$ 20 pp

Bottoms Up Guesthouse

Named after the attached disreputable bar, this place is hard to find in the narrow alleys between the Spice Inn and the House of Wonders, and was closed for renovation in late 2005. In its previous incarnation the facilities were basic, the bathrooms were dilapidated and the atmosphere at night was not pleasant, but it's possible that this will change when it re-opens in 2006 with rooms in the US$20–30 range. An enduring attraction is the roof terrace where guests used to relax, sunbathe and swap travel tales.

Flamingo Guesthouse

Although the surrounding area is a bit noisy, this no-frills place on Mkunazini St is popular with budget travellers for its friendly atmosphere and simple but clean rooms with net and fan. Facilities include TV and video lounge, book-swap service and sale of cold drinks. From the terrace upstairs you get great views of the Anglican Cathedral. This hotel has18 rooms with shared facilities US$ 20pp; en-suite room US$25 pp

Haven Lodge

(9 rooms) This is a very friendly and good value place, in the southern part of Stone Town between Soko Muhugo St and Vuga Rd, and many budget travellers have written to recommend it. Makame the manager knows what backpackers want, and offers very simple but clean bedrooms and bathrooms, hot water, and a big b/fast with as much tea and coffee as you like. There's a generator in case of power cuts, an organised safe-deposit system, luggage storage, a kitchen for self-catering (free) and travel information boards about Tanzania and other parts of east Africa. The staff can arrange cheap transfers to the coast, boat trips and tours,
and they also have bikes for hire. US$20 pp.

Jambo Guesthouse

(9 rooms)
In a quiet and peaceful quarter of the Mkunazini area, near the Anglican Cathedral and opposite the Green Garden Restaurant, this straightforward little hotel has a range of rooms. It's a good budget place, which has been justifiably popular with backpackers for many years. The rooms are simple and bright but can get a bit hot, in spite of all having AC or a fan. The shared bathrooms are OK. Free tea and coffee is available throughout the day. US$20/30/35 sgl/dbl/tpl.

Kokoni's Hotel

(14 rooms)
In the Kokoni area between Malindi St and Creek Rd, a short walk behind the BP petrol station, this is the former Hotel Karwan Sarai. It's a big old house and has a range of rooms; some are large and airy with old wooden shutters leading onto a small balcony overlooking the square, while others are small and dark with no view. Most rooms have en-suite bathroom, all have fans, and some also have TV, while the rooftop lounge has great views across Stone Town. It's a quiet place and good value, but veering towards the soulless. US$20/30 sgl/dbl (negotiable).

Malindi Lodge

(8 rooms)
In a handy position if you're coming by boat, near the port gates and next to the Ciné Afrique on Malawi Rd, the Malindi Lodge (not to be confused with the Malindi Guesthouse, see above in Budget section) is a good choice in this range. There are just 8 rooms, which are all very simple but clean, light and absolutely spotless. There are no fans, just noisy AC. The shared bathrooms are also basic but clean. This place has links with Sunset Bungalows in Kendwa in northern Zanzibar and can arrange bargain transport there and back. Room with shared facilities US$20 pp; en-suite room US$30/30 sgl/dbl.

Manch Lodge

(22 rooms)
Just up the street from the Haven Hotel, this is another friendly budget place, although their penchant for heavy brown furniture makes things a bit cramped. pick-up from the port (free), or from the airport (US$10). Sgl, dbl and tpl rooms are available, all with en-suite bathroom. US$20 pp.

Mzuri Guesthouse

(11 rooms)
In the Malindi area near the port, on Malawi Rd opposite the Passing Show Restaurant, this is a definite budget place, used mainly by locals and a few backpackers. Rooms are quite small and have a fridge, TV and AC (noisy), and bathroom (small and a bit tired), but seem fair value. US$25/30sgl/dbl.

Pyramid Hotel

(11 rooms)
On Kokoni St, between the Malindi and Kiponda areas, this long-standing hotel is just behind the Ijumaa Mosque, a short walk back from the seafront. A budget travellers' favourite for many years, and deservedly so, it gets it name from the very steep and narrow staircases (almost ladders) that lead to the upper floors. The rooms have netting, fan and hot water, yet vary in atmosphere: some are large and bright, others small and dark, so choose carefully. The staffs are very friendly, and the rooftop restaurant does good cheap food. Overall, it's a good budget choice, offering a free pick-up from the airport or port as well as a book-swap service. US$20/30 sgl/dbl.

Riverman Hotel

(12 rooms)
Located at the back of the Anglican Cathedral, well signposted off Tharia St, this basic guesthouse is a fair budget option. Rooms have seen better days but are adequate. This hotel is an agent for the Tazara train on the Tanzanian mainland, and you can buy tickets here. US$10 pp. Victoria House PO Box 4137, Zanzibar; 024 2232861. Near the People's Gardens, this place on Vuga St is old (in fact, back in the early 1980s it was just about the only budget option on the whole island) and is nothing special. Though located in a fairly modern but dilapidated building, it's in a nice position and the spacious rooms all come with fan or AC. Some rooms have shared bathrooms, others are en-suite. US$25 pp (negotiable).

 

BUDGET HOTELS IN ZANZIBAR

Bwawani Hotel ( closed)

(78 rooms) This 4-storey government-owned monolith on the outskirts of town is a drab monstrosity on the outside and abysmally dreary inside, with an institutional feel more appropriate to a prison than a hotel. The large en-suite rooms all cost the same, and, while this rate is just about acceptable for those rooms that have been renovated, it ranks as spectacularly bad value for those that haven't. It's probably best avoided, though the sheer number of rooms might count in its favour if you have difficulty finding accommodation in the high season. Unverifiable rumours have long circulated that the hotel will one day be privatised and rebuilt by an international hotel chain. US$35/52 sgl/dbl.

Garden Lodge

(18 rooms)
Situated on Kaunda Rd near the People's Gardens and the main hospital, this place is simple but neat and friendly, and good value in this range. Upstairs rooms are clean and bright and airy; downstairs they're still spacious and adequate but darker and a little musty. All rooms have en-suite bathroom, the showers are warm, the b/fast is filling and there's a nice little garden terrace out the front. When choosing a room, try to get one at the back as those overlooking Kaunda Rd are noisy. Downstairs with cold shower US$15/25 sgl/dbl, upstairs with hot shower US$30/45 sgl/dbl.

Island View Hotel

(18 rooms)
About 2km south of Zanzibar Town, at Kilimani, this is a small and welcoming B&B, run by the friendly Mitha family. All rooms are spacious, clean and tidy, with dbl/twin bed, mosquito net, en-suite bathroom, fan, TV, fridge and telephone. Meals can be ordered, tea or coffee is available all day free of charge, and there's internet access. This hotel is very handy for the airport, and only a few mins' drive from town. US$30/40/50 sgl/dbl/tpl. AC is an extra US$5.

Karibu Inn

On a narrow street, parallel with Kenyatta Rd, in the Shangani part of town, this very simple, hostel-like place caters mainly for backpackers, budget tour groups or people travelling on overland trucks. The friendly and helpful management can set you up with budget tours, and also run a very well organised safe-deposit scheme. Clean but basic sgl/dbl en-suite rooms are available, as are dormitories, each of which sleeps between 4 and 7 people and has an en-suite bathroom. Rooms US$30/40/50 sgl/dbl/tpl; dormitory US$15 pp.

Kiponda Hotel

(14 rooms)
On Nyumba ya Moto St in the Kiponda area, not far from the main seafront, this is a small, quiet hotel in a building which used to house part of a sultan's harem. It has been renovated in local style and still has an original carved wooden entrance door. The Dutch–Australian– Zanzibari management team give the place a relaxed and friendly atmosphere, and although it's a touch more expensive than the budget hotels to which it is sometimes compared, it is also a lot cleaner, quieter and much better value. All prices are discountable for long stays and for groups, with extra reductions in low season. There's a rooftop restaurant specialising in Zanzibari and seafood dishes. The hotel also has good connections with the local Kenya Airways office and can help with flights and reservations. US$20/40/50 sgl/dbl/tpl; en-suite rooms US$50/60 sgl/dbl.

Mauwani InAAaf

(7 rooms) Another new hotel, situated just off Kenyatta Rd behind the Rendezvous Les Spices Restaurant, this offers cramped but very clean en-suite rooms with tiled floor, fan, net and in some cases AC – it looks to be good value! US$30/45/55 sgl/dbl/tpl.

Malindi Guesthouse

(14 rooms
In the northern part of Stone Town, near the port, this place has been consistently popular with travellers for many years. It's clean and nicely decorated, with a lot of character and a fine collection of old photographs from Arab-ruled, British colonial times and the early years of independence. There's also a bar and restaurant. Room with shared facilities US$30/40 sgl/dbl; en-suite room US$35/45 sgl/dbl; 6-person room US$70.
 

Narrow Street Hotel

(8 rooms)
In an interesting bit of town, this old hotel on Malindi St is recently renovated. The rooms are all neat and tidy, but quite small, so ideally you should know your roommate well. The en-suite bathrooms are also small and simple but clean. The staff are a bit sleepy, but this is a fair choice in the low-to-middle range. US$25/30/45 sgl/dbl/tpl; US$10/room suppt for AC.

St Monica's Hostel

(15 rooms) Very near the Anglican Cathedral, on Sultan Ahmed Mugheiri Rd (which everyone still calls New Mkunazini Rd), this hostel is mainly for church guests, but it is also open to the public. The hostel was built in the 1890s and formerly housed teachers and nurses working at the UMCA mission. The reverential atmosphere remains but this place really has an aura, with thick walls, wide staircases, sweeping arches and rooms with balconies (some have views of the cathedral). Rooms are simple and very clean.
In the same building is a restaurant, with simple good-value meals. No alcohol is allowed. On the lower floor is a small art workshop where you can buy paintings and hand-printed T-shirts. Room with shared facilities US$20 pp; en-suite room US$30/40 sgl/dbl.

Safari Lodge

(28 rooms) This new hotel in the Malindi quarter, though somewhat bland and soulless, is good value for money. The neat and spacious en-suite rooms have large beds and cable TV, and larger suites are also available. It has a convenient location for exploring the old town and a decent rooftop restaurant is attached. Standard room US$30/40 sgl/dbl; suite USSUS$40/45 sgl/dbl.

Warere Town House

(10 rooms) Situated in an early 20th-century homestead, in the northern part of Stone Town, very near the port, this 3-storey lodge has been popular for many years with travellers on a tight budget. It now offers even better value following a major renovation a couple of years back. The comfortable and airy en-suite rooms come with a 4-poster bed, TV, fan and attractive period furnishing. US$30/50sgl/dbl.