FLABBERGAST FACTOR: 8.0/10
VIBES: 7/10
DESIGN: 8/10
HOSPITALITY: 8/10
SLEEP QUALITY: 8/10
EXTRAS: 8/10
LOCATION: 9/10
We’ll be honest with you from the get-go - when we arrived in Stone Town, we were almost washed away by the torrential rains that had conveniently decided to come early (of course…), and so our mood was somewhat dampened, shall we say, from the jump. However, despite our unenthusiastic start to the Zanzibar leg of our trip, The Neela Boutique Hotel ended up being the perfect place for us to dry off and discover this utterly fascinating place. The hotel is perfectly placed for a short stay in Stone Town, and most of the main sights, walking tours and key attractions are an easy stroll away. The staff are warm, welcoming and everyone goes out of their way to make your stay feel easy - which is exactly what you want when navigating Stone Town’s beautiful-but-chaotic energy. The design is a real standout. Interiors are thoughtful and atmospheric, drawing heavily on Zanzibar’s Arab influences and layered history. Think elegant arches, rich textures and spaces that feel curated but not precious - the kind of hotel where you actually want to linger for a while, ideally with a drink in hand. Food-wise, it’s mostly a win. Breakfast was solid, and the cocktails definitely understood the assignment. Dinner, however, didn’t quite live up to our expectations. It wasn’t bad by any means - just not the standout moment we were hoping for. Overall, Neela Boutique Hotel is stylish, comfortable, and thoughtfully run - a great base in Stone Town if you care about design, warm hospitality and plan to spend your days exploring.
Top Tip: Book a historic tour of Stone Town to learn more about its complex history.
Date of our stay: October 2025