Safari · Swahili for "journey"
Safari Single
A calm single room for the solo traveller, with a large single bed and everything you need to rest between adventures.
from USD 65 / nightBook
Most places give you a bed. Habari House gives you a home base.
A family-run boutique hotel, café and rooftop in Shangani, in the heart of Stone Town, Zanzibar.
5 rooms + the whole house
Breakfast included
24/7 power backup
Officially graded 3-star
Your home away from home
Habari House on Shangani
Karibu Habari House
Where history and hospitality meet.
Tucked away on a quiet street in the heart of Stone Town, Habari House & Café is more than a boutique hotel. It's a living story.
Built by the Al-Busaidi Omani Royal Family, the house was later home to Emerson Skeens, the visionary behind Stone Town's Emerson hotels. It still carries his spirit of artistry, generosity and quiet elegance.
Today it opens its doors as a place of community, belonging and Swahili heritage. Five rooms, each with its own character, welcome travellers looking for comfort with meaning. Our botanical courtyard café and rooftop terrace invite you to slow down, taste fresh flavours and feel the rhythm of Zanzibar.
Come for rest, reflection or inspiration, and you'll be welcomed like family. Karibu sana.
A courtyardBotanical café downstairs
A rooftopSlow afternoons, long views
Five roomsEach one its own world
A communityFilm nights, open mic, members
The family behind the house
Karibu. We're GG, Lucy and Loloma.
Habari is our warm family greeting: an invitation to pause, share and connect. Enjoy local coffee in our café, sip fresh juice on the rooftop, and book a massage with Lucy.
Most of all, we invite you to stay, unwind and lala salama (Swahili for "sleep peacefully") in our culturally inspired rooms. We live this house every day, and we'd love you to feel at home in it.
Karibuni sana,
Gillead, Lucy & Loloma Mziray
Stay
Five rooms, each its own world
Swahili chic with modern comforts. Every room has air conditioning, a private bathroom and breakfast in the café.
Dalasini · Swahili for "cinnamon"
Dalasini Double
Garden level on the ground floor, right beside the café garden. Step out for breakfast under the trees.
from USD 85 / nightBook
Ruby · our premium double
Ruby Double
Our premium double, with a queen bed and a view over the rooftops of Stone Town.
from USD 95 / nightBook
Zambarau · the purple Java plum
Zambarau Family Room
Room for a small family or three friends, with a double bed and a single bed.
from USD 115 / nightBook
Tanzanite · the gem found only in Tanzania
Tanzanite Master Suite
Our largest room: a king bed below, a double bed on the mezzanine above, and a view across the city.
from USD 145 / nightBook
Prices are per room per night, the same for any number of guests Hotel levy is included. The Zanzibar infrastructure tax of USD 4 per guest per night is paid in person at the hotel.
Only on our website
Book the whole house and make it yours
All five rooms, the garden café and the rooftop for up to 12 guests. Made for families, friends and small groups who want Stone Town to feel like home, not a hotel.
Whole House
USD 510 / night
For the whole house, up to 12 guests.
No minimum stay. Hotel levy included; infrastructure tax of USD 4 per guest per night is paid at the hotel.
Check datesHabari Café · Healthy Swahili Food
A café that feels like a friend's kitchen
East African ingredients, global inspiration and fair prices, served in our botanical garden. Whether you're sharing small bites, exploring Swahili classics or trying one of our signature dishes, every plate is made to bring people together.
Reserve on WhatsApp
Or call or WhatsApp +255 774 839 643, or email info@habarihouse.com.
LucyYour massage therapist
Massage with Lucy
Remind your body how it's supposed to feel
Lucy is qualified in a range of massage techniques and comes to Habari from a top-rated clinic in London, where she treated everyone from athletes and 9-to-5 desk workers to end-of-life patients.
Every treatment starts with a proper consultation. Lucy then tailors the techniques to what your body needs, whether that's injury treatment, deep relaxation, or anything in between.
| Treatment | USD | TZS |
|---|---|---|
| 45 min back, neck & shoulders, or legs & feet | $35 | 95,000 |
| 45 min back, neck & shoulders with dry cupping | $45 | 120,000 |
| 75 min full body | $55 | 145,000 |
| 75 min full body with dry cupping | $65 | 175,000 |
| 90 min full body | $70 | 185,000 |
| 90 min full body with dry cupping | $80 | 210,000 |
| 120 min full body | $90 | 240,000 |
| 120 min full body with dry cupping | $100 | 265,000 |
Book with Lucy on WhatsApp at +44 7445 266 577 or email lucy@habarihouse.com. Habari members get massage discounts.
Habari Membership
Join the family. Your best rates live here.
For TZS 10,000 a month, members unlock our best room rates and member-only perks across the house. It pays for itself.
TZS 10,000per month
TZS 100,000per year, save TZS 20,000
- 10% off rooms when you book direct with us.
- Member prices on all food and drink in the café.
- First taste of our new signature food and juice flavours.
- Massage discounts with Lucy and access to private outdoor film nights.
- Pay as you go monthly, or commit for the year and save.
Book direct
Plan your stay
Booking with us directly gets you our best price, and members save a further 10%.
Check-in from 14:00 · Check-out by 11:00 · Questions? Call +255 748 779 903 or email info@habarihouse.com.
Your window into Stone Town
The old city is right outside
The call to prayer, the ocean breeze, the rooftops that have stood for centuries. From inside Habari House you're not just visiting Stone Town, you're waking up inside it.
We're at 102 Shangani, inside the heart of the old town and a 2 minute walk from the Indian Ocean.
- ShanganiWelcome to the neighbourhood. Our neighbours include Park Hyatt Zanzibar, Zanzibar Serena Hotel, The Neela Boutique Hotel, Turaco Spice Tree by Marriott, NoirArt House, Shangani Hotel and the historic Mazson Hotel.
- Forodhani GardensThe waterfront park and evening food market.
- Kenyatta RoadShangani Post Office and the shops and cafés of the old town.
- Trips and excursionsAsk us and we'll arrange trips across Zanzibar with people we trust.
Zanzibar, then