Located in the heart of Stone Town, this stunning property is set in two historic seafront buildings that have been integrated and restored into a unique single property echoing the grandeur of days past. One was an 18th century house, the other the offices of telecommunication in later colonial times.
The hotel is elegant and romantic and it offers fantastic island hospitality. All the bedrooms overlook the azure waters of the Indian Ocean and the lazy dhows that plough beneath the restaurant’s
windows. The interiors echo Zanzibar’s rich Arab influence – intricately carved doors and furniture coupled with colourful mosaic flooring. The local specialities are freshly caught seafood with spices. A team of chefs prepare sumptuous meals daily that guests enjoy in the seafront restaurant.
The Rooms
Serena Inn has 51 bedrooms and a lovely private swimming pool overlooking the ocean. Each room is cool, white and constructed to the traditional design of a Swahili house, which is dependant upon the length of the mangrove poles that make up its ceilings. Adorned with arched niches, antique plates and brass lamps and featuring traditionally carved furniture, cool-ceramics, intricate fretwork, draped beds and louver doors giving onto wrought-iron balconies overlooking the Persian-bath pool and azure bay beyond, each room reflects a blend of essential Zanzibar and world-class elegance.
Dining
Constructed so that the waves lap to within inches of its open windows and the lateen-sailed dhows pass within metres of its tables, the Baharia Restaurant features lazily whirring fans, a jewel-glass atrium, mangrove-pole ceiling, fretwork screens, Omani carvings, Persian rugs and bright Swahili artefacts.
The Zanzibar cuisine, meanwhile, is a glorious melee of freshly caught seafood, fresh picked spices, luscious fruit and delicately flavoured vegetables. A selection of dining and entertaining venues include: The Baharia Restaurant, the Mdele Coffee Shop, the Masahani Bar and the exclusive Mangapwani Beach Resort.
Services include:
- Satellite TV, air-conditioning in all rooms, mosquito nets, mini-bar, in-room safe, telephone, bathroom with tub/shower, hairdryer, full housekeeping services (concierge and porter services, laundry, valet, 24-hour room service, babysitting on request, children’s menus and dining options and shoeshine) plus full medical back-up
- The ‘Serena Active’ selection of high-action adventure and cultural activities
- Unique range of event and entertainment venues to include The House of Wonders and The Old Dispensary
- Luxury swimming pool and sun-deck
- Sumptuous beauty treatments, massage and hairdressing
- A vibrant selection of nightly entertainment
- Extensively stocked Boutique, Gift shop and News Stand
- Internet connectivity, secretarial services and a wide range of board games plus a full library of books on Africa
- Express check in and out, porter and concierge services and 24-hour Forex facilities.
Activities
Activities include excursions to Stone Town with its winding streets, beautiful houses and museums, to Jozani Forest, home to the Red Colobus monkey, extensive watersports, round-the-island trips, scuba diving and snorkelling, day-boat trips to nearby beaches and islands and native Arab-influenced entertainment in the evenings.
The most spectacular of excursions is to the Serena owned Mangapwani where guests can experience a succession of dazzlingly white hidden and secluded beaches, spice gardens, private watersports and the most sumptuous dining in simple elegance.
