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Maru Maru Hotel

3.0 star property

Photo gallery for Maru Maru Hotel

Outdoor pool, pool umbrellas, pool loungers
Rooftop bar, ocean views, open daily
Point of interest
Exterior
Standard Twin Room, 2 Single Beds, Non Smoking, Air conditioning

Reviews

8.8 out of 10
Excellent

Popular amenities

  • Bar
  • Gym
  • Spa
  • Pool
  • Room service

Explore the area

View map
Gizenga Street, Shangani, Zanzibar Town, Zanzibar, 394-400
  • Place, Shangani Beach
    ‪2 min walk‬
  • Place, Forodhani Gardens
    ‪2 min walk‬
  • Place, Slave Market
    ‪5 min walk‬
  • Airport, Zanzibar (ZNZ-Zanzibar Intl.)
    ‪11 min drive‬

Room options

View all photos for Deluxe Room, 1 Queen Bed, Non Smoking, Air conditioning

Deluxe Room, 1 Queen Bed, Non Smoking, Air conditioning

Deluxe Room, 1 Queen Bed, Non Smoking, Air conditioning

9.0 out of 10
Wonderful
(7 reviews)
  • 18 sq m
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 Queen Bed

View all photos for Deluxe Double Room, 1 King Bed, Non Smoking, Air conditioning

Deluxe Double Room, 1 King Bed, Non Smoking, Air conditioning

Deluxe Double Room, 1 King Bed, Non Smoking, Air conditioning

9.2 out of 10
Wonderful
(7 reviews)
  • 23 sq m
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 King Bed

View all photos for Standard Twin Room, 2 Single Beds, Non Smoking, Air conditioning

Standard Twin Room, 2 Single Beds, Non Smoking, Air conditioning

Standard Twin Room, 2 Single Beds, Non Smoking, Air conditioning

7.6 out of 10
Good
(5 reviews)
  • 18 sq m
  • City view
  • Sleeps 3
  • 2 Twin Beds

View all photos for Family Room

Family Room

Family Room

8.0 out of 10
Very good
(1 review)
  • 36 sq m
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Twin Beds and 1 King Bed OR 1 King Bed and 1 Twin Bunk Bed

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About the area

Zanzibar Town

With a stay at Maru Maru Hotel, you'll be centrally located in Zanzibar Town, steps from Old Fort and within a 5-minute walk of Hamamni Persian Baths. .This beach hotel is 0.1 mi (0.2 km) from Forodhani Gardens and 0.4 mi (0.7 km) from Malindi Mosque.

What's nearby

  • Shangani Beach - 2 min walk - 0.2 km
  • Forodhani Gardens - 2 min walk - 0.2 km
  • Old Fort - 2 min walk - 0.2 km
  • Christ Church Cathedral - 3 min walk - 0.3 km
  • Slave Market - 5 min walk - 0.5 km

Getting around

  • Zanzibar Intl. Airport (ZNZ) - 16 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Forodhani Park - ‬4 min walk
  • ‪House of Karafuu - ‬1 min walk
  • ‪Lukmaan Restaurant - ‬5 min walk
  • ‪Zenji Garden Café - ‬4 min walk
  • ‪Secret Garden - ‬3 min walk

About this property

Maru Maru Hotel

Family-friendly Zanzibar Town hotel connected to the convention center, steps from Old Fort
Maru Maru Hotel offers 51 air-conditioned accommodations with DVD players and minibars. Each accommodation is individually furnished and decorated. 24-inch LCD televisions come with cable channels. Bathrooms include slippers and complimentary toiletries.

This Zanzibar Town hotel provides complimentary wireless Internet access. Business-friendly amenities include desks, desk chairs, and phones. Additionally, rooms include safes and complimentary newspapers. A nightly turndown service is provided and housekeeping is offered daily. Amenities available on request include irons/ironing boards.

Recreational amenities at the hotel include an outdoor pool and a fitness center.

The recreational activities listed below are available either on site or nearby; fees may apply.

Guests can pamper themselves by indulging in the onsite spa services. Services include deep-tissue massages, Swedish massages, facials, and body wraps. A variety of treatment therapies are provided, including aromatherapy.
Make yourself at home in one of the 51 individually decorated guestrooms, featuring minibars and DVD players. 24-inch LCD televisions with cable programming provide entertainment, while complimentary wireless internet access keeps you connected. Private bathrooms have complimentary toiletries and slippers. Conveniences include phones, as well as safes and desks.
Treat yourself with massages, body treatments, and facials. If you're looking for recreational opportunities, you'll find an outdoor pool and a fitness center. This hotel also features complimentary wireless internet access, babysitting (surcharge), and tour/ticket assistance. Getting to nearby attractions is a breeze with the area shuttle (surcharge) that operates within 5 km.
Enjoy Asian cuisine at Terrace Lounge, a bar/lounge where you can take in the ocean view, or stay in and take advantage of the room service (during limited hours). Buffet breakfasts are available daily from 7:00 AM to 10:00 AM for a fee.
Featured amenities include limo/town car service, express check-out, and complimentary newspapers in the lobby. Planning an event in Zanzibar Town? This hotel has 500 square feet (46 square meters) of space consisting of a conference center and 3 meeting rooms. For a surcharge, guests may use a roundtrip airport shuttle (available 24 hours) and a ferry terminal shuttle.
Buffet breakfasts are available for a surcharge and are served each morning between 7:00 AM and 10:00 AM.
Terrace Lounge - Overlooking the ocean, this rooftop bar specializes in Asian cuisine. Happy hour is offered.
Terrace Restaurant - Overlooking the ocean, this fine-dining restaurant specializes in Asian cuisine and serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Guests can enjoy drinks at the bar. A children's menu is available. Open daily.
Coffee Lounge - Overlooking the garden, this lobby lounge serves light fare only. Open daily.
Room service (during limited hours) is available.

Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
  • Available in some public areas: Free WiFi

Parking and transport

  • Free offsite parking
  • Street parking available
  • 24-hour return airport shuttle on request for a surcharge
  • Area shuttle (surcharge) up to 5 km
  • Ferry terminal shuttle (surcharge)
  • Shopping centre shuttle (surcharge)
  • Limo/town car service
  • Free self parking on site
  • Limited on-site parking
  • Wheelchair-accessible parking available

Food and drink

  • Daily buffet breakfast available 7:00 AM to 10:00 AM for a fee: USD 15 for adults and USD 12 for children
  • A bar/lounge
  • A coffee shop/cafe
  • A restaurant
  • Coffee and tea in common areas
  • Couples/private dining
  • Private picnics
  • Snack bar/deli

Restaurants on site

  • Coffee Lounge
  • Terrace Lounge
  • Terrace Restaurant

Things to do

  • Art gallery
  • Evening entertainment
  • Gym
  • Outdoor pool
  • Playground

Family friendly

  • Babysitting (surcharge)
  • Children's dinnerware
  • DVD player
  • High chair
  • Laundry facilities
  • Mini-fridge
  • Outdoor pool
  • Playground
  • Snack bar/deli

Conveniences

  • 24-hour front desk
  • ATM
  • Free newspapers in lobby
  • Laundry facilities
  • Luggage storage

Guest services

  • Housekeeping (daily)
  • Porter/bellhop
  • Proposal/romance packages
  • Tour and ticket assistance
  • Turndown service

Business services

  • 3 meeting rooms
  • Conference centre (500 square foot of space)

Outdoors

  • Garden
  • Pool loungers
  • Pool umbrellas
  • Rooftop terrace

Spa

  • Aromatherapy
  • Body scrubs
  • Body wraps
  • Deep-tissue massages
  • Facials
  • Manicures/pedicures
  • Swedish massages

Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • Accessible airport shuttle
  • Lift
  • Tile flooring in public areas
  • Wheelchair accessibility
  • Wheelchair accessible (may have limitations)
  • Wheelchair-accessible parking
  • Wheelchair-accessible path to lift
  • Wheelchair-accessible restaurant
  • Wheelchair-width doorways

More

  • 3 buildings
  • 4 floors
  • Banquet hall
  • Built in 2012
  • Mosquito nets
  • No plastic water bottles
  • Smoke-free property
  • Traditional architecture

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • Free toiletries
  • Private bathroom
  • Slippers
  • Towels provided

Entertainment

  • 24-inch LCD TV with cable channels
  • CD player
  • DVD player

Food and drink

  • Champagne service
  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Electric kettle
  • Free bottled water
  • Limited room service
  • Mini-fridge
  • Minibar

More

  • Air conditioning
  • Desk
  • Desk chair
  • Free daily newspapers
  • Individual decor
  • Individual furnishings
  • Iron/ironing board on request
  • Laptop workspace
  • Phone
  • Safe

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: 2:00 PM; Check-in end time: anytime
Early check-in subject to availability
Early check-in is available for a fee
Minimum check-in age: 18

Check-out

Check-out before 11 AM
Contactless check-out available
Late check-out subject to availability
A late check-out fee will be charged
Express check-out available

Special check-in instructions

This property offers transfers from the ferry terminal and airport (surcharges may apply); to arrange pick-up, guests must contact the property 48 hours prior to arrival, using the contact information on the booking confirmation
Front desk staff will greet guests on arrival at the property
For any questions, please contact the property using the information on the booking confirmation

Access methods

Staffed front desk

Pets

No pets or service animals allowed

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome
Rollaway/extra beds are available for USD 30.0 per day
Cribs (infant beds) are not available

Payment types

Important information

Fees

You'll be asked to pay the following charges at the property. Fees may include applicable taxes:

  • A tax is imposed by the city: USD 4.00 per person, per night

We have included all charges provided to us by the property.

Optional extras

  • Fee for buffet breakfast: approximately USD 15 for adults and USD 12 for children
  • Airport shuttle fee: USD 20 per vehicle (one-way, maximum occupancy 3)
  • Early check-in is available for a fee (subject to availability)
  • Late check-out is available for a fee (subject to availability)
  • Rollaway bed fee: USD 30.0 per day

The above list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits may not include tax and are subject to change.

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
This property accepts credit cards; cash is not accepted
Safety features at this property include a carbon monoxide detector, a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector, a first aid kit, and window guards

We should mention

Reservations are required for massage services and spa treatments; reservations can be made by contacting the property prior to arrival, using the contact information on the booking confirmation
Only registered guests are allowed in the guestrooms
No pets and no service animals are allowed at this property

Property is also known as

Hotel Maru
Maru Hotel
Maru Maru Hotel Zanzibar Island/Stone Town
Maru Maru Hotel
Maru Maru Hotel Zanzibar Town
Maru Maru Zanzibar Town
Maru Maru Hotel Hotel
Maru Maru Hotel Zanzibar Town
Maru Maru Hotel Hotel Zanzibar Town

Maru Maru Hotel Reviews

Reviews

8.8

Excellent

Rating 10 - Excellent. 284 out of 564 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 218 out of 564 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 40 out of 564 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 15 out of 564 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 7 out of 564 reviews

9.4/10

Cleanliness

8.6/10

Staff & service

8.6/10

Amenities

9.0/10

Property conditions & facilities

8.6/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

rosalie

Liked: Amenities
Excellent experience. The internet super good and roof top is shaded and perfect placer to do some work that we had to do. Working on vacation feel. Great food. Only tip: ask for inward facing room to avoid occasional street noise at night.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025

4/10 Poor

Fasika

Location is good , but they kept asking about the local tax after i took care off it . Annoying .
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025

8/10 Good

Amir

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Our room was above the reception area. Wifi at reception was good but we were unable to access WiFi in our rooms despite attempts of the staff to assist us.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Marion

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
It is well situated and gives you a true sense of being in Stonetown. The dining options were not that plentiful though.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025

6/10 Okay

Omar Cassim

Travelled with family, Travelled with partner
Room was okay. Bed not too comfy. Everything was satisfactory
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

AMIT

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

2/10 Terrible

Penda

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
My first room had a broken shower door, lukewarm water, and roaches—including one crawling in the food. When I brought it up, the waitstaff laughed, and the front desk ignored me completely—no apology, no accountability, no help. I was only moved to a better room after outside intervention, but the damage was done. Disgusting experience. I wouldn’t recommend this hotel to anyone.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Tamoi

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The hotel was very nice. Good customer service 👍
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025

8/10 Good

Baljeet Singh

Travelled with family, Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Short stay nice and comfortable
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Falgun, Stamford

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Very comfortable beds, clean bathroom, air-conditioned, great rooftop restaurant, live entertainment, central location.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

stephane

Business traveller
Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Disliked: Staff & service
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Phillip

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Excellent lication and amenities, friendly staff
Stayed 1 night in May 2025

8/10 Good

Bob

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Loves the proximity to Old Arab Fort and waterfront. Loved the staff. Didnt like the cockroaches and very limited parking.
Stayed 5 nights in May 2025

8/10 Good

Thomas

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Really enjoyed my stay overall but please improve the WiFi connection, I needed to work and WiFi worked for 1 hour both days l.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2025

4/10 Poor

Timothy

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Disliked: Amenities
Nice hotel esthetic. Good appearance. What didn't work was no towels in the room at check in, had to call and ask for bath towels and washing cloths. Never got washing cloths. Did not refresh drinking water and did not provide after request. Air conditioning stopped working and had to change rooms in the middle of the night. I requested for decoration of the room for our anniversary and they refused to discuse.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Kirit

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
There was nothing which we didn’t like.Very friendly service and breakfast choice was excellent.Had Lunch and Dinner one day and the food was excellent.Even The General Manager made us Feel Very Welcome.Words cannot describe our experience.Would Recommend Maru Maru Hotel to Everyone.🙏🙏🙏
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Leonard, Cincinnati

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Catherine

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Wonderful location and staff

Staff friendly and kind, especially Frank who took us on a historic Stone town wali g tour Location perfect, food and service were excellent!
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Had an excellent stay at the Maru Maru hotel. I've been here twice and the service, room, and accessibility to the rest of Stone Town were great. The rooftop restaurant has an incredible view of Stone Town. Would highly recommend Maru Maru.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2025

6/10 Okay

Sandra

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
It was close to waterfront but with Ramadan places to eat limited
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Leona

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Nice clean rooms. Staff was professionally and very helpful.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Juergen

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Perfect Hotel in Stonetown

After climbing Kilimanjaro, we spent several nights on a round trip in Zanzibar in a group of five. On arrival, we were able to leave the rest of our luggage at the hotel so that we didn't have to lug it around all day. We spent the last two days at the Maru Maru Hotel, which was a very good decision. The hotel is located in the middle of the alleyways of Stonetown, is easily accessible and the perfect starting point for sightseeing tours. We were warmly welcomed and were able to use the rooftop bar and pool even on the day of our departure. Very good breakfast, lunch and dinner, we enjoyed it very much and would love to come back. Many thanks
Room
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Per

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Kristin

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Overall, a very nice stay. It is conveniently located in Stone Town and for catching day trips out to Prison Island. The rooms are comfortable and clean. Food and bar options plentiful. The rooftop restaurant, bar, and pool area is quite nice.

10/10 Excellent

Christina

Liked: Property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2024