Zanzibar Serena Hotel

In Zanzibar City, this is a 51-room hotel spread over three storeys, with the sea at the front and Stone Town close enough to explore on foot. The setting suits divers who want more than a simple base: there is a proper restaurant, a bar, a spa, direct beach access and a concierge to help arrange the island part of the trip.

The mood is more town-and-coast than remote island hideaway. You can spend the morning by the water, disappear into Stone Town for an excursion, then return to air conditioning, a drink and a meal without having to organise the evening from scratch. The hotel team speaks English, which keeps the useful conversations useful.

The address is in Stone Town, Zanzibar City, Tanzania, right on the seafront. Stonetown Beach is only a short walk away, while the town centre is close enough for an unplanned wander rather than a full expedition.

That location gives you two very different days. The coast is there for a swim, a shaded lounger or a slow look across the water; Stone Town brings its streets, museums and historic atmosphere. The hotel can also help arrange trips further around the island, including the Spice Tour, Jozani Forest and Prison Island.

The room choice is broad, but the practical decision is fairly simple. For a couple, look towards a double room with a sea view, balcony or both if the view matters to you; twin-bed options also make sense when two divers want separate sleeping arrangements. Families can use adjoining rooms, and larger room configurations are available for groups of up to six.

Air conditioning matters in Zanzibar, particularly when you return warm, salty and ready to stop functioning for a while. Depending on the category, rooms add a private bathroom, television, hairdryer, minibar, safe and Wi-Fi. Some also have a bath, shower, mosquito net, blackout blinds, bathrobes, slippers, tea and coffee facilities, drinking water and a balcony. The equipment is not identical across the categories, so check the individual room card rather than assuming every room has the same kit.

Suites and executive categories bring a more spacious step up, with selected options offering a balcony, minibar, air conditioning and Wi-Fi. For a quieter night, the useful question is not simply whether the room has a better name; it is whether you want the sea view, the balcony or the extra in-room comforts. Room service runs around the clock, handy when dive timing and normal dinner timing fail to meet.

Breakfast is included and comes as a buffet or à la carte. Baharia Restaurant handles breakfast, lunch and dinner on its terrace, with international cooking shaped by creative Swahili flavours. Breakfast starts at 06:30, which gives an early start a fighting chance, although the hotel does not set out a dedicated diver breakfast arrangement.

Dinner has a second option. Terrace Seafood Restaurant sits on the rooftop, looks across the bay and focuses on local catch and seasonal ingredients. It opens for dinner from 18:30 to 21:00; Baharia serves dinner from 19:30 to 21:00, with lunch from 12:30 to 14:00 and breakfast from 06:30 to 10:00.

There is one bar, Masahani Bar, a lobby bar built around cocktails and a relaxed Swahili setting. A snack bar, coffee and tea, bottled water and 24-hour room service cover the less formal moments. Children have a dedicated menu, with buffet or à la carte meals and earlier meal times available on request.

The sea is not the only place to switch off. Swimming facilities include indoor and outdoor pools, with pool equipment and towels available, while the direct beach access adds loungers and parasols when you would rather hear the water than get back into it. The garden, terrace and library offer quieter places to sit when the day has finally caught up with you.

Maisha Spa provides massage treatments, and the hotel also has an on-site infirmary. That combination is useful after several days of salt water, sun and boat movement: one option is restorative, the other is reassuringly practical. There is also an outdoor barbecue and a picnic area for a slower change of scene.

When staying put feels like a waste of Zanzibar, the concierge can arrange excursions. The choices include a Stone Town Tour, Pange Sandbank, Safari Blue Sea Day, the Freddie Mercury Museum, Prison Island, Jozani Forest, a Spice Tour and a Dolphin Safari. Boat excursions are available too, so you can choose between a day with a plan and a day with a lounger.

Check-in runs from 12:00 to midnight, with check-out at 10:00. An airport transfer service is available and can be arranged with the hotel, with vehicle hire also offered. If you arrive by car, parking is available.

Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel. The concierge can assist with excursions and practical arrangements, while luggage storage, a safe at reception, laundry, dry cleaning and ironing cover the jobs that tend to appear halfway through a longer dive trip. A currency exchange service and on-site shops add a little convenience without requiring a town walk for every small errand.

The hotel is accessible to wheelchair users, with an accessible restaurant. Families can request adjoining rooms and baby cots, and babysitting is available. Payment can be made by Visa, Mastercard, American Express, China UnionPay, Diners Club or cash.