Jafferji House Reviews

The decoration is gorgeous and reflects the culture and history of the place. Good rooftop view of the ocean too.

Utterly enchanting- from our 5am arrival until our departure 3 days later we were looked after so incredibly well. The hotel organised our airport pickup and opened up with a gentle tap (you may need help to find it as it’s in the narrow streets of old Stonetown). The front of house was superb and Peter took care of us. The hotel has so much atmosphere, full of antiques and lush vegetation. Breakfast is in the roof balcony. Excursions can be organised. I had read a few unpleasant reviews but I can’t think why, cleanliness was first class and the hospitality was outstanding. I hope you are lucky enough to find a room - we stayed 3 nights it was so good.

We booked two rooms a month in advance but when we got there, our rooms were not available. We were sent to a much cheaper hotel and didn’t get refunded. This hotel is so unprofessional and would not recommend it.

Great location, very authentic interior, nice breakfast. The staff very kind🥳

the staff were friendly, really nice stay, hotel was in the middle of stone town close to everything

Service good, great housekeeping staa

A very nice city center hotel in a very good location. The decor is unusual but interesting. All the necessary facilities worked and it was clean. The beds are good. The roof terrace is worth seeing.

Everything was fine. We did not experience any negativity. Breakfast could have been a little more varied.

Excellent location, very helpful staff, very clean and large room. Excellent breakfast. Right in the center of Stone Town. Very nice hotel with Africans antique furniture with really beautiful pieces. Wifi and air conditioning and working fans. Cool room even with only shovels, we only used shovels for the entire stay. Highly recommended, very satisfied.

Excelent location. The personal was very attentive. My daughters got a nice suite. Open bathroom and shower. It was ok with us. Our room on the other hand had a closed bathroom but it was a little bit smelly. For one night it is ok. The breakfast buffet includes omelettes, sausages, baked beans ...if you ask for!

There is indeed the sharm of the story and the history of this building but once you stay here you don't have much use for it in principle. It remains a strongly outdated building and for a bit more expensive you have very hip and real boutique hotels in the area. Both in the city and against the coast.

Tucked away in the vibrant heart of Stone Town, Jafferji House & Spa offers a truly unique stay that beautifully merges Zanzibar’s rich cultural heritage with modern comfort. This boutique hotel features 10 elegantly designed suites, each with its own distinctive theme that reflects the island’s vibrant history. Guests can choose from Signature, Superior, and Superior Deluxe suites, all equipped with air conditioning and complimentary Wi-Fi. The hotel’s rooftop restaurant is a standout, offering panoramic views of the ocean and Stone Town’s iconic landmarks, while serving a delightful fusion of Swahili and continental cuisine. After a day of exploring, the hotel’s serene spa provides a range of rejuvenating treatments, ensuring ultimate relaxation. The tranquil lounges, decorated with local art, create the perfect setting for unwinding. Jafferji House & Spa is the brainchild of its passionate owner, a photographer and African art lover, who has carefully curated the space, transforming it into a living gallery that’s as much a museum as a hotel. With its meticulously preserved architecture and ever-changing decor, each visit offers something new to discover. Jafferji House & Spa isn’t just a place to stay—it’s an immersive experience, offering guests a peaceful sanctuary in the heart of Stone Town.

Hotel itself was not bad, but has the worst staff ever. When we arrived they had completely ignored the "twin beds" request on the booking, and had no other choice than giving us an upgraded room. Problems came later. We arrived by car and needed somewhere to park. The hotel has no parking, but the lady on the reception desk told us we could park around the old fort, so we did. The next morning, someone deliberately has deflated the 2 front wheels to avoid us driving it. So we came back to the hotel and asked to call the police. Incredibly, nobody knew the number of the police, nobody wanted to help, and all seemed quite funny with the situation and continuously were laughing at us.

You can't judge a place from the front, or from where it's located. This was a little gem of a B & B (for us). We ate out for lunch & dinner, but really enjoyed their breakfasts. More on the service & rooms first. The front desk manager, which varied, was always very kind & attentive to our needs. The rooms were very nice, beds super comfortable, and having a TV was not a necessity until I got a little sick (possibly from eating out at lunch?), and then I could watch sports. Having a safe for valuables was a bonus. I saw some reviews on Google maps that did not put the hotel in a good light, but our group was there for 4 nights and we never had anything stolen, or any bad experience. Just be wise & careful. The rooms were cleaned daily and the working fan & AC were really nice! The architecture is really cool with lots of old wood, nice decorations, and interesting design. The rooftop was nice, with a great view of the harbor to the west. It is next to a mosque, but that didn't bother us. We had breakfast up there every morning and they had a couple of juice choices, plus really good masala tea, and bottled water - would be nice if they could not use SO MANY plastic bottles, and maybe get those larger ones & dispense into glass pitchers, but I can only suggest. The freshly made maandazi were amazing and there were several fruit choices, yoghurt, and bread - I've lived in Portugal and really appreciate nice, freshly baked bread and this was just the cheap store-packaged white bread, but bread is not a huge part of this culture. We could order eggs and my omelet was always very good. Coffee is pretty basic, so I did masala tea instead and they also make a nice lemon grass tea. As is true with all of Africa where I've lived & traveled, all the staff are super friendly & patient. The location is perfect - right next to the Old Fort and Mama Mia (gelato), as well as Forodhani Food Market, but easy walking distance to everything in Stonetown proper. We had a guide take us around & give us a tour of Darajani (the bazaar or market area), the Anglican church and slave market site (very sobering), the Fort, and other places.