Spice Palace Hotel

The hotel offers a distinctive experience in the heart of Stone Town, with its central location being its signature feature, placing guests directly amidst the vibrant alleys and historical sites. This makes it an ideal choice for sightseers and explorers eager to immerse themselves in the local culture, as most attractions, shops, and restaurants are within easy walking distance. Guests consistently highlight the hotel's remarkable cleanliness and the exceptionally friendly staff who contribute significantly to a positive stay. The rooftop restaurant and bar is another standout, providing a pleasant setting for meals with scenic views, especially at sunset. While the hotel is well-suited for couples seeking a romantic getaway and solo travelers looking for a safe and convenient base, navigating the narrow, car-inaccessible streets can be initially challenging. A helpful tip for new arrivals is to utilize online maps for navigation and be prepared for a short walk from the main roads where taxis drop off.

Facilities & Amenities
The hotel provides a range of facilities designed to enhance guest comfort and convenience. The rooftop restaurant and bar serves as a central hub, offering not only dining but also a relaxing space with panoramic views. A notable feature is the swimming pool, described as small but clean and refreshing, providing a welcome respite from the Stone Town heat, though some guests note its covered nature limits sunbathing. While a gym is available, some reviews suggest it could benefit from updates to be more functional. Wi-Fi connectivity is generally good, allowing guests to stay connected, though some experienced frequent disconnections requiring re-login. Air conditioning is widely appreciated as a much-needed amenity, though a few guests reported issues with its functionality or noise. Other conveniences include coffee and tea making facilities in rooms, and a unique service of mosquito nets and evening spraying.

Cleanliness & Room Comfort
Guests frequently commend the hotel for its exceptional cleanliness, with rooms and common areas consistently described as spotless and well-maintained. Housekeeping services are noted for their attentiveness, often cleaning rooms twice daily and providing mosquito spraying. Rooms are generally found to be comfortable and well-appointed, featuring comfortable beds and quality linens that ensure a restful sleep. While most rooms are considered a decent size, some guests noted smaller rooms or those with frosted windows lacking views. The air conditioning is a crucial amenity for comfort, though a few isolated reports mentioned it being noisy or having a slight odor. Bathrooms are typically spacious with good showers, but some guests encountered issues such as mold, drainage problems, or unpleasant smells. Noise levels are a significant point of mixed feedback; while some rooms are quiet, many guests experienced considerable noise from the lively street, motorbikes, and even from the rooftop restaurant or staff in hallways, impacting sleep quality.

Dining & Food Quality
The hotel's dining experience, particularly the breakfast, receives widespread praise from guests. Served on the rooftop restaurant with pleasant views, the breakfast is consistently described as superb, excellent, and delicious, offering a great variety of options. It typically features a comprehensive buffet with both local dishes and continental choices, alongside an egg station where fresh eggs are prepared to order. While the breakfast is a highlight, a few guests noted issues with crows on the rooftop attempting to snatch food, and some experienced difficulties with early breakfast or takeaway requests not being fulfilled. The rooftop restaurant also serves other meals, with many positive comments on the food quality overall, highlighting dishes like fish curry, pizza, and seafood. The bar offers a good selection of drinks, including popular cocktails, though some guests reported slow service or confusion regarding happy hour promotions.

Location & Accessibility
The hotel's central location in the heart of Stone Town is a major draw, situated within the vibrant and historic alleys near Jaws Corner. This prime position allows guests to easily explore the city on foot, with most popular attractions, including the Freddie Mercury Museum, Forodhani Gardens, and the Old Fort, just a short walk away. The proximity to numerous shops and restaurants further enhances the convenience. While the location is excellent for immersion in local life, guests should be aware that the hotel is in a pedestrian zone, meaning it is not car accessible. Taxis typically drop off a few blocks away, requiring a short walk through the narrow streets, though tuk-tuks can sometimes get closer. Despite the bustling environment, many guests felt safe navigating the area, even as solo travelers.

Staff & Service
The hotel's staff and service consistently receive high commendation from guests. Reviewers frequently describe the team as exceptionally friendly, helpful, attentive, and accommodating, contributing significantly to a positive and welcoming atmosphere. The check-in process is generally reported as smooth and efficient, even for late arrivals. Housekeeping is particularly noted for its attentiveness, providing twice-daily service and thoughtful touches like evening mosquito spraying and cookies. While staff are eager to assist with tour and taxi arrangements, some guests experienced discrepancies in pricing or unfulfilled requests, such as takeaway breakfasts. A recurring minor inconvenience mentioned by several guests is the frequent need to reset room key cards and re-login to the Wi-Fi, which can be a bit annoying. Despite these small issues, the overall impression of the service is overwhelmingly positive, with staff going out of their way to ensure guest satisfaction.

Additional Information
For guests planning a stay, it's worth noting a few additional points. The hotel has an open-space design in some areas, which means during the rainy season, guests might encounter water from the rooftop. While generally well-maintained, a few isolated reports mentioned issues such as bed bugs or cockroaches, though these were not widespread concerns. Some guests noted a strict guest policy that does not permit visitors in rooms. There were also occasional reports of construction noise from nearby buildings impacting the tranquility of the stay. Furthermore, some guests experienced issues with payment processing, including a reported 5% surcharge for card payments and instances of staff attempting to overcharge, which required vigilance. The hotel does offer money exchange services, which some found to be at a better rate than external options.