Book a Room

Emerson Zanzibar

EMERSON ‘S FOUNDATION FOR ZANZIBAR, A SPECIAL FUND FOR EDUCATION AND CULTURE

Emerson on Hurumzi

The venerable “Emerson on Hurumzi”, Grande Dame of restored palaces in Zanzibar

Emerson Spice

THE INSPIRED AND LOVINGLY RESTORED FORMER MERCHANT’S PALACE, WHERE SPACES ARE MAGICAL

– EMERSON Zanzibar –

Emerson Zanzibar is actually three organisations founded by Emerson Skeens. Two hotels ‘Emerson Spice’ and ‘Emerson on Hurumzi’ and the ‘Emerson Foundation’ for Zanzibar.

Discover the intriguing story of Emerson Zanzibar. How the larger than life, flamboyant Emerson D Skeens created two of Stone Town’s best and most renowned hotels. 

Explore the uniquely magical guest rooms. Feel the beguiling charm. Hear the enchanting sensual stories that each room tells of a 1001 exotic nights. Flavour delicious authentic Zanzibari cuisine. Watch the breathtaking sunsets over Stone Town harbour from the rooftop terraces. Walk and rest in the mysterious secret garden.

But the story is not complete without you hearing the many moving stories of lives changed by Emerson Skeens’ big-hearted social conscience. A lasting legacy to future generations of thankful individuals and families.  

The Zanzibar Foundation continues to make such a huge difference to the local community on this Spice Island of Zanzibar.  Every one of your senses will be enticed… But Emerson Skeens would encourage you not to simply be a spectator, but to actually be a part of the continuing story…

The Emerson’s Zanzibar Foundation

A Special Fund for Education and Culture believes in Zanzibar, in Zanzibaris, and their potential to create a vibrant and self-sustaining future that uniquely reflects the rich history and cultural heritage of these islands. To that end a Fund has been established to support individuals with exceptional talents in artistic and academic fields and to assist local organizations that preserve and enhance the culture of Zanzibar. The foundation will be a nongovernmental organization, non-political, non–commercial, non- religious and non–profit making.
Emerson SPice

Stay at Spice

An inspired and lovingly restored Merchant’s House, this Boutique Hotel has eleven stylishly furnished rooms structured around an airy central courtyard.
The hotel hosts two restaurants: The Secret Garden, located in the distinctive Ruins of the adjacent garden and the rooftop ‘Tea House’ one of Stone town’s most renowned restaurants offering a stylish ambience amidst the sound of the calls to prayer from the town’s many mosques.

Book Now

Experience

Flavours of Zanzibar

Emerson On Hurumzi

Stay at Hurumzi

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

Book Now

Let us show you

Stone Town, The Real Zanzibar

Emerson Skeens
Spaces are magical, always have been for me. Since childhood, often when I walk into a space for the first time, I’m confronted with a narrative, a feeling, a history, some characters. Like Jaques, in “As you Like It,” there is a myth, an opera, a film or a play stretching out on stage before me. These stages present themselves for me to play on and, for even more fun, to play with. The romantic and erotic are always embedded in the space. How would I make love in that space and narrative? Then, I set out to embody that in three dimensional space. To this old frustrated sculptor the process is exhilarating. May I ask the visitors of Emerson’s Zanzibar’s hotels to indulge with me and perhaps join in by feeling the archetypal stories that inspired the designs of each room. For all the mad romantics that remain among us in a digital age, here’s the scoop.