Serena Inn

The Serena Inn in Stone Town is part of the internationally renowned Serena chain, which has hotels all over East Africa. The buildings which make up the Serena Inn were once used as the residence for a Chinese doctor but it has been a hotel for the past 12 years and has all of the facilities you would expect of an international-style chain – including a choice of restaurants, a swimming pool, shop and coffee shop. It even has a conference centre for those who are in Stone Town on business.

Our view of Serena Inn

The Serena Inn is generally regarded as the best hotel in Stone Town, and it is a very well run establishment. When we were there last the team were helpful and friendly. The hotel can also arrange sunset dhow cruises around the harbour, or picnic trips to a sandbank for lunch!

What could be a draw-back for some people is that this is quite a large hotel – there are 51 rooms in total. It is the kind of place where all the staff wear immaculately ironed matching uniforms, and have a fixed gracious smile. It can feel a little commercial, but it certainly isn't pretentious and everyone is genuinely very welcoming. (You can see it's location and shape very clearly from our satellite photograph of the hotel.)

Rooms at Serena Inn

Prime Room | Standard Room | Suite