Zanzibar Serean Inn is idyllically situated on the sea-front of ancient Stone Town, and flanked by an exotic mix of sultan's palaces, Portuguese forts, ancient dhow harbors, and bright bazaars; the Zanzibar Serena Inn is a haven of tranquility and opulence amongst the bustle of one of Africa's most ancient and most enchanting towns. A member of the prestigious Small Luxury Hotels of the World, the inn has been styled to represent the epitome of Swahili style, ethnic elegance and Arabic opulence.

Location
The resort is located in Stone Town, which is in the ‘Old Town' of Zanzibar City, which lies on the western side of the island of the same name. Zanzibar has an international airport, which is approximately 20 minutes flight from the mainland (Tanzania). There are daily flights, ferries and speed boats linking Zanzibar with Dar es Salaam, Tanga, Arusha, the northern safari circuit airstrips, Pemba and Nairobi (Kenya).

Accommodation
Zanzibar Serena Inn’s rooms and suites are havens of cool and shade. With their high ceilings, shuttered windows and cool white walls, they are constructed in the traditional Swahili manner, whereby the size is dictated by the length of the mangrove poles that make up their ceilings. Adorned with arched niches, antique plates and brass lamps; and featuring traditionally carved furniture with basket weave and ceramic inlay, the rooms are predominantly royal blue and white. Four-poster, net draped beds dominate, offset by delicate side tables, vanity units and louver doors leading onto balconies, some of which feature massive free-standing hammocks.

They offer:

Standard Rooms: There are 39 standard rooms presented in traditional Swahili style featuring traditional niches, fretwork cabinets and a cool blue and white color scheme. Each room has either a king-sized bed with mosquito netting or twin beds.

Prime Rooms: Exceptionally spacious Prime Rooms are presented in traditional Swahili style featuring traditional niches, fretwork cabinets and brightly colored coastal cotton soft furnishings in cool blue. The four-poster beds are draped in mosquito nets and are either generous twins or king-size.

Suites: Cooled by the breezes of the spice island, located in the heart of romantic Stone Town, enjoying sweeping views across the Zanzibar waterfront; and with access to its own private beach facility, the magnificent Zanzibar Inn offers the ultimate escape from reality.

All the rooms and suites are equipped with: 24-hour room service, air-conditioning, WIFI, direct-dial phone, in-room satellite TV, mini bar, private safe, 240V/3 pin (square)sockets and shaver sockets, hair driers, mosquito nets, bathrobe and slippers, umbrellas, porter/concierge, airport shuttle and limousine service.

While most of the rooms are designated non-smoking, a number of rooms are available for smokers, but these should be booked in advance.

Dining
There are various Restaurants and Bars offering different atmospheres. They are as follows: -

The Baharia Restaurant
The Baharia Restaurant was constructed so that the waves lap to within inches of its open windows and the lateen-sailed dhows pass within meters of its tables. The restaurant features fretwork screens, Omani carvings, Persian rugs and bright Swahili artifacts. The Zanzibar cuisine meanwhile, blends freshly caught seafood, fresh spices, luscious fruit and delicately flavored vegetables. It also offers an all-day international cuisine.

The Terrace Restaurant
On the roof of the Inn is the exclusive open-air Terrace Restaurant, which looks out over the bay and features a supreme selection of freshly-caught seafood.

The Masahani Bar
The Masahani Bar is presented in traditional Swahili style. It offers performances by traditional Taarab orchestras.

The Pool Terrace
The Poole Terrace has both indoor and outdoor seating overlooking the pool, where a wide range of drinks and snacks are served all day long.

The Mdele Coffee Shop
The Mdele Coffee Shop is adjacent to the pool. It offers traditional Swahili coffee, fresh-baked pastries and a wide range of international beverages and snacks.

The Mangapwani Beach Barbeque
A short drive from the Inn, the Serena's exclusive beach hideaway offers a superb Swahili seafood lunch buffet.

Room service
The hotel offers a 24-hour room service, which features an extensive menu offering everything from the classic club sandwich to a delicately-spiced curry. They serve a delightful private lunch or dinner in your room or suite; or provide cocktails and canapés on your private terrace.

Facililities
    * Wide selection of rooms and suites: all with AC, satellite TV, WiFi
    * All-day Baharia Restaurant, Mdele Coffee Shop, Masahani Bar and Terrace Seafood Restaurant
    * Swimming pool and pool deck
    * Live music nightly
    * Treatment rooms.
    * Business centre, travel desk, taxi service
    * Wedding planning service
    * Gift Shop, news-stand and travel requisites kiosk
    * Baby-sitting, children's dining/menus.

Conferences, Meetings and Events
The sumptuous Zanzibar Inn Conference Suite is located on the ground floor of the Inn and has been decorated in traditional Zanzibar style. It can accommodate up to 40 participants in a range of different room layouts and offers a wide range of services which include:

    * PA system, table microphones, cordless microphones, TV/Video/DVD, LCD projector/screen, podium, white boards/flip charts and markers
    * WiFi connectivity
    * Delegate pads, pens/pencils and 1-litre mineral water
    * Modern, modular events furniture, which can be tailored to your specifications.
    * Business support (secretarial services, photo-copying, WiFi and a full range of global communications)
    * Registration staff and conference organization support
    * Floral services
    * 24-hour generator back-up
    * Travel desk for onward bookings or local safaris
    * Concierge services
    * Limousine and taxi services
    * ‘Meet and greet' services
    * A wide range of CEO suites
    * Health and spa services
    * Team-building programs.

Entertainment, dinners, receptions and cocktails can also be held in a choice of two highly prestigious, alternative venues namely:

The Sultan Hamoud's Palace, the fabulous sea-front ‘House of Wonders'; a magnificent iron-built structure, built in 1883, with central courtyard, slender pillars, sweeping staircases and broad verandas with spectacular views over Stone Town and the Zanzibar channel

The equally impressive and newly restored ‘Old Dispensary'; one of Zanzibar's finest historic buildings and now a Cultural Centre offering dance, song and musical displays.

Weddings and honeymoons at the Zanzibar Serena Inn
Few venues can be more romantic than the spice island of Zanzibar, where the Zanzibar Serena Inn stands in prime position on the sea front. Offering a sublime selection of wedding venues within the Inn and around its grounds, we can also offer some unique historical venues.

As to formalities; from registrar to certificate, cake to champagne, all will be arranged. They also offer some unique family and friends accommodation packages, ‘his and hers' pre-wedding grooming, flowers for the venue and the bride, wedding planning service, professional banquet catering and limousine service.

Options Include:
    * Flower-bowered, sea-terrace ceremony
    * Swahili bedecked cocktail reception by the pool.
    * Wedding reception in the former Sultan Hamoud's residential palace, the ‘House of Wonders' or in the newly-restored Old Dispensary, one of Zanzibar's finest historic buildings
    * Wedding on a traditional dhow
    * Wedding on a deserted island in the Zanzibar Channel
    * Traditional henna body decoration for the bride
    * A beach wedding at Mangapwani Serena Beach Club
    * Swahili cultural entertainment, dance and song
    * Taarab orchestra or local choir
    * Photography and videography of your special day.
    * Special accommodation packages for the entire wedding party.

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