Fleewinter

Beyt al Chai is located in Kelele Square at the heart of Zanzibar's fascinating capital Stone Town. The historical house, also called The Stone Town Inn, was built by a wealthy Arab merchant and became a popular tea house, hence its name. Surprisingly it is not far from the sea, which keeps the property cool and breezy.

The house has a wonderful feel to it. It’s light and grand and you get the sense that you are sharing a piece of history. There are 2 suites each with elegant bathroom and 4 bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms. All rooms are designed with richly coloured organza and silk curtains billowing in the breeze around antique furniture dating back to the days of the Sultan. The two larger rooms are approximately 40m² and the 3 smaller rooms are approximately 25m². All have air-conditioning, ceiling fans, four poster beds and sitting areas with comfortable couches and cushions. The furnishings have been chosen with care and evoke the mix of Arabic and African influences which are the essence of Stone Town itself.

The ground floor restaurant offers good food, which has already gained quite a reputation in town. The cuisine is a fusion of Zanzibar and European styles. In the evening candlelight transforms the dining room into a romantic retreat, where you can relax after a day in the busy winding streets of the old town.

Although it is a town house, Beyt al Chai has the advantage of being a sister to the Sultan Sands Island Resort and the Blue Bay Beach Resort. Guests are able to use the beach and water sports facilities at both of these hotels. Both are large, busy hotels but are fine if you want to go diving or snorkelling or just laze on their beautiful beaches for a day. Please note that these hotels are on the other side of the island and can take an hour to reach.