Emerson on Hurumzi

In the heart of Stone Town is the beautifully restored Emerson on Hurumzi. This hotel was once home of one of the richest men in the Swahili Empire – Mr Tharia Topan who served as the principal financial advisor to Sultan Bargash.

The 16 guest rooms are beautiful and romantic, each representing Zanzibari traditions in a distinct way. Rooms are equipped with large stone bathtubs and a bottle of wine. The rooms on the first and second floors have 20 foot ceilings, carved doors, original stucco decor and hand painted glass lamps and window panes. All guest rooms have large Zanzibari beds complete with mosquito netting.

From here, you can explore and photograph the harbor, mosques and narrow streets of this UNESCO World Heritage site. Zanzibar was for years the center of an ancient trading empire with vessels coming from as far as Persia, India and China. Among the many interesting sites of Stone Town are the Palace Museum, the Old Fort, the Slave market, the House of Wonders and the Hamamni Baths.