Chavda Hotel

Comfortable and centrally located in Stone Town, this renovated merchant’s house is a good option for budget travellers. The Chavda is a family-run hotel and is always well maintained and tidy. 

It has an attractive entrance with oriental lamps and beautiful wood carved doors. The hotel has 16 well-appointed rooms spread over three floors. There’s a new bar situated on the rooftop where you can soak up ocean views over the tin rooftops of Stone Town while you enjoy sundowners. Breakfast is served in the restaurant a floor down.

Chavda overlooks the Roman Catholic Church. It's easy to find in the labyrinth of Stone Town streets and is well lit at night.

The building was originally owned by a wealthy Indian family, who spared no expense in the construction and decoration. Most of the fittings were imported from India. Enormous Oriental vases fill the hallways. The hand carved doors at the arched entrance have the traditional brass knobs. These knobs were originally used in India as protection from elephants but, here on Zanzibar, they're just an attractive decorative feature.

Clean and comfortable, the en-suite bedrooms are decorated simply with good reproduction Zanzibari furniture. There's a four-poster bed, side table and cupboard. You’ll find all the modern conveniences - air conditioner, mini-bar fridge, safe and satellite television.

The rooms on the first and ground floors are rather small and pokey, with a bit too much furniture for their size. We're not crazy about the colour schemes which feature a rich mix of reds and pinks in some rooms. Others have more soothing brown tones. There are three suites with a sitting area.

As with so many Stone Town hotels, you do hear a bit of noise of the residents who live around you at night and the muezzin calling from the mosque in the early mornings. However, you'll find this anywhere in this ancient city and it adds to the atmosphere. If you can't stand it, be sure to bring earplugs.