Upendo House, Stone Town: Zanzibar’s Best-Kept Luxury Gem: Full Review
By Travel Blogger Mr Plane Guy
If your looking for a quiet secluded hotel then look away! This hotel hustle and bustle and exotic yet urban charm of Stone Town, Zanzibar—its labyrinthine streets, busy markets, and the intoxicating blend of African, Arab, Indian, and European influences.
A Sense of Discovery: Position Upendo House as a hidden treasure in the heart of Stone Town, perfectly suited for the modern luxury traveler seeking both historical depth and contemporary comfort.
Seamless Arrival: You arrive by walking through the historic cobbled streets to the boutique hotel’s entrance, you feel a sense of stepping back in time, chaos of food stalls, street sellersand buiding works! Lots of all of it!
Design Aesthetic: Detail the 11 individually designed rooms—boasting a chic fusion of contemporary design with local Zanzibari elements. Highlight textures, muted colors, and handcrafted touches that bring a sense of luxury.
Rooms: An Oasis of Calm: Elegance in Simplicity: Elaborate on the design ethos—minimalist yet luxurious, featuring high-end amenities like plush bedding, organic bath products, and state-of-the-art technology that appeals to discerning travellers. The shower gel shampoo and conditioner spell un real and luckily you can take them all home for a small fee!
Personalised Touches: My return flight to Dar Es Salaam at 0800 meant pickup at 6am! My taxi awaited and breakfast picnic box to go handed to me witha wave off!
Dining: Elevated Local Cuisine: The 4th-Floor Restaurant: with elevated views of Stone Town’s skyline mixed with the aromas of spices and flavors that capture Zanzibar’s culinary history. A sea food experience of fresh King prawns marinated with a delicios Dcoconut thai flavour followed by the most amazing decadent chocolate brownie! The cuisine, designed to tantalise even the most seasoned palates.
The Jewel in Stone Town: The fifth-floor bar—known simply as "The Fifth"—is a crowning feature, ideal for sundowners with panoramic views over the historic rooftops of Stone Town as the sun sets into the Indian Ocean.
Luxury Meets Relaxation: Talk about the infinity pool, which offers a peaceful retreat by day, and the bar, which transforms into an atmospheric spot at night for signature cocktails under the stars. From 5pm onwards the bar is a popular spot for sundowners.
Insider Tips: Don't go for the upgraded balcony rooms, the balcony rooms are looking over corralated iron roofs and building sites. Enjoy drinks on the top floor not on your balcony!
Experiencing Stone Town: Location, Location, Location: The hotel is in prime location in the heart of Stone Town, allowing guests to step out into the history and culture that surrounds them. Check out a walking tour of Stone Town with a local guide.
Curated Experiences: My friends at Happy Bikes tours suggested a trip to Nakupenda Sandbanks, this is not too far out by boat from Stone Town and I would highly recommend a trip with them! I also did a private walking tour around Stone Town with them which was just excellent! You you should definatly do this!
Final Thoughts: The Ultimate Luxury Escape Upendo House is Special: Upendo House stands out—it has the ability to offer a serene, luxurious retreat amidst the vibrant history and culture of Stone Town.
For the Luxury Traveler: With gourmet dining, and the one-of-a-kind rooftop pool. A hidden gem for those who seek both adventure and indulgence in equal measure for a real authentic Zanzibar experience!
Things to do in Zanzibar
Hello I’m Paul a Travel and flight expert, I spent most of my career working in and around planes with 15 years providing top-notch service with a London-based airline. I became an expert in travel after soaring across the Atlantic up to 10 times a month!
I’m now, producing travel content, reaching millions of viewers monthly. Reporting on travel news, sharing travel tips, reviews, and deals with a sprinkle of humour and a whole lot of authenticity!
I hope you found Upendo House, Stone Town: Zanzibar’s Best-Kept Luxury Gem: Full Review useful do let me know in the comments if you have any questions.
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