Kisiwa House is a historic boutique hotel that has been in the same family for six generations, built in 1840 by Nassor ibn Abdullah Al Barwani, one of Stone Town’s earliest and most prominent Omani merchant families. It was one of the first buildings in Stone Town and dates from the reign of Said ibn Sultan, who made Zanzibar his primary residence in 1837. The building was painstakingly restored and opened as a boutique hotel in 2009, preserving original features including the impressive 170-year-old steep wooden staircase, brass-studded doors, and antique furniture passed down through generations Persian rugs, antique clocks, carved wooden chests, and original photographs lining the walls.
Eleven spacious rooms and suites in three categories Burdani Deluxe, Malkia Junior Suites (meaning ‘Queen’), and Sulaima Senior Suites are each named after aromatic flowers found on Zanzibar. The Darini rooftop restaurant serves traditional and international dishes with panoramic views over Stone Town’s rooftops and the Indian Ocean beyond. On arrival guests are welcomed with ‘Udi’ a traditional Zanzibari blend of rose water, sugar, spices, and flowers warmed in a coconut shell setting the sensory tone for the entire stay. The hotel is a UNESCO Stone Town heritage building, situated on a quiet residential street just minutes from all major attractions.
Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (ZNZ) is approximately 6–8km from Stone Town, a 15–20-minute drive. Daily flights connect Zanzibar with Dar es Salaam (approx. 20 min), Nairobi, Kilimanjaro, and Mombasa. The hotel arranges airport transfers.
Fast ferries from Dar es Salaam arrive at Stone Town ferry terminal in approximately 2–2.5 hours. The hotel is within walking distance or a short taxi ride from the terminal.
Our safari designers will build a bespoke itinerary entirely tailored to you.