Al-Minar Hotel

3.5 star property
3.5-star spa hotel in Stone Town

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your current months are December, 2024 and January, 2025.
December 2024
January 2025

Photo gallery for Al-Minar Hotel

Exterior
Exterior
21-inch flat-screen TV with cable channels, TV
Reception
Lobby

Reviews

8.6 out of 10

Excellent

Popular amenities

  • Spa
    Spa
  • Breakfast included
    Breakfast included
  • Room service
    Room service
  • 24/7 front desk
    24/7 front desk
  • Air conditioning
    Air conditioning
  • Housekeeping
    Housekeeping

Explore the area

Map
Plot 96 Shangani, Zanzibar Town
  • Mbweni Ruins
    1 min walk
  • Shangani Beach
    3 min walk
  • Nakupenda Beach
    3 min walk
  • Zanzibar (ZNZ-Zanzibar Intl.)
    19 min drive

Room options

Family Room

  • Sleeps 4
  • 1 Double Bed and 2 Twin Beds

Standard Double Room

  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 Double Bed

Standard Twin Room

  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 Twin Bed

Similar properties

About the neighborhood

Zanzibar Town

Oceanside stay.With a stay at this Stone Town hotel, you'll be steps from Mbweni Ruins and People's Palace Museum. Marahubi Palace and Freddie Mercury Museum are also within half a mile (1 km).

What's nearby

  • Shangani Beach - 3 min walk - 0.2 miles
  • Old Fort - 3 min walk - 0.2 miles
  • Forodhani Gardens - 4 min walk - 0.3 miles
  • Slave Market - 9 min walk - 0.5 miles
  • Zanzibar Ferry Terminal - 13 min walk - 0.7 miles

Getting around

  • Zanzibar Intl. Airport (ZNZ) - 19 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Cape Town Fish Market - ‬5 min walk
  • ‪Passing Show Hotel - ‬11 min walk
  • ‪Meeting Point Cafe - ‬6 min walk
  • ‪Lukmaan - ‬7 min walk
  • ‪Livingstone Beach Restaurant - ‬2 min walk

About this property

Al-Minar Hotel

3.5-star spa hotel in Stone Town
Al-Minar Hotel offers its guests a full-service spa. There's a restaurant on site, as well as a coffee shop/cafe and a snack bar/deli. Free breakfast is available daily.

A terrace, tour/ticket assistance, and concierge services are also featured at the business-friendly Al-Minar Hotel. An airport shuttle (available 24 hours) is available for a fee.

Smoking is allowed in designated areas at this 3.5-star Zanzibar Town hotel.

  • 22 guestrooms or units
  • Full breakfast (free)
  • Deli
  • Childcare (surcharge)
  • Dry cleaning
  • Self-service laundry
  • Front desk (24 hours)
  • Express check-in
  • Express check-out
  • Storage area for luggage
  • Front-desk safe
  • Tour and ticket information
  • Concierge
  • Terrace
  • Beauty salon
  • Computer for guest use
  • Newspapers in lobby (free)
  • Television in lobby
  • Smoking in designated areas
  • Coffee shop
  • Dining venue
Al-Minar Hotel offers 22 air-conditioned accommodations with safes and complimentary bottled water. Accommodations offer separate dining areas. Memory foam beds feature premium bedding. Guests can make use of the in-room refrigerators and coffee/tea makers. Bathrooms include showers with rainfall showerheads, and complimentary toiletries.

21-inch flat-screen televisions come with cable channels. Business-friendly amenities include desks and desk chairs. Additionally, rooms include irons/ironing boards and ceiling fans. Housekeeping is offered daily and hair dryers can be requested.

The onsite spa has couples treatment room(s). Services include massages and facials. The spa is open daily.

Languages

English, French, German, Hindi, Spanish, Swahili

Property amenities

Family friendly

  • Babysitting (surcharge)
  • In-room refrigerator
  • Laundry facilities
  • Separate bedroom
  • Separate in-room dining area
  • Snack bar/deli
  • Soundproofed rooms

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: WiFi
  • In-room WiFi speed: 25+ Mbps

Parking and transportation

  • Offsite parking available (USD 3 per night)
  • 24-hour roundtrip airport shuttle on request for a surcharge

Food and drink

  • Free full breakfast available daily 7:00 AM to 10:00 AM
  • A coffee shop/cafe
  • A restaurant
  • Snack bar/deli

Things to do

  • Bicycle rentals
  • Full-service spa
  • TV in common areas

Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • Low-height counter and sink
  • Upper floors accessible by stairs only
  • Wheelchair accessibility
  • Wheelchair accessible (may have limitations)
  • Wheelchair-accessible registration desk

Room amenities

Entertainment

  • 21-inch flat-screen TV with cable channels

Bedroom

  • Memory foam mattress
  • Premium bedding

Bathroom

  • Free toiletries
  • Hair dryer (on request)
  • Private bathroom
  • Rainfall showerhead
  • Shower
  • Towels provided

Food and drink

  • 24-hour room service
  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Free bottled water
  • Refrigerator
  • Separate dining area

More

  • Air conditioning
  • Ceiling fan
  • Desk
  • Desk chair
  • Iron/ironing board
  • Safe
  • Soundproofed rooms

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: noon; Check-in end time: anytime
Contactless check-in available
Express check-in available
Minimum check-in age: 15

Check-out

Check-out before 11 AM
Contactless check-out available
Late check-out subject to availability
A late check-out fee will be charged
Express check-out available

Special check-in instructions

This property offers transfers from the airport (surcharges may apply); guests must contact the property with arrival details before travel, using the contact information on the booking confirmation
Front desk staff will greet guests on arrival
For more details, please contact the property using the information on the booking confirmation

Access methods

Staffed front desk

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Children and extra beds

  • Children are welcome.
  • Kids stay free! One child 7 years old or younger stays free when using existing bedding.
  • Rollaway/extra beds are available for USD 20.0 per night.

Property payment types

Important information

Fees

Guests will be asked to pay the following charges at the property:

  • A tax is imposed by the city: USD 4.00 per person, per night

We've listed all charges provided to us by the property.

Optional extras

The fees and deposits listed below will be charged at the time of service, check-in, or check-out.

  • Airport shuttle fee: USD 20 per vehicle (one-way)
  • Nearby parking fee: USD 3 per night (328 ft away)
  • Late check-out is available for a fee (subject to availability)
  • Rollaway bed fee: USD 20.0 per night

This may not be a comprehensive list. Fees and deposits are subject to change and might not include tax.

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
This property accepts credit cards; cash is not accepted
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a security system, and a first aid kit
Charges for extra guests may apply and vary according to property policy.
A cash deposit, credit card, or debit card for incidental charges and government-issued photo identification may be required upon check-in.
Special requests are subject to availability at the time of check-in. Special requests can't be guaranteed and may incur additional charges.
    This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business, or profession. This property accepts Visa and Mastercard. Cash is not accepted. For guests' safety, the property includes a fire extinguisher, a security system, and a first aid kit in each accommodation.

We should mention

  • One child 7 years old or younger stays free in the same room as the parent or guardian when using existing bedding.
  • Registered guests are the only ones allowed to be in guestrooms.

Property is also known as

Al-Minar
Al-Minar Hotel
Al-Minar Hotel Zanzibar Town
Al-Minar Zanzibar Town
Al Minar Hotel
Al-Minar Hotel Hotel
Al-Minar Hotel Zanzibar Town
Al-Minar Hotel Hotel Zanzibar Town

Frequently asked questions

How close is Al-Minar Hotel to the airport?

Al-Minar Hotel is 4.7 mi (19-min drive) away from the Zanzibar Intl. Airport (ZNZ) airport, the closest popular airport to the property.

Does Al-Minar Hotel have an airport shuttle?

Al-Minar Hotel offers an airport shuttle 24 hours a day, on request, for a charge of USD 20 per vehicle, one-way.

How close is Al-Minar Hotel to the beach?

This hotel is a short 3-minute walk from Shangani Beach and 3-minute walk from Nakupenda Beach. Don't forget your sunscreen!

Does Al-Minar Hotel offer free breakfast?

Al-Minar Hotel offers free full breakfast every day from 7:00 AM to 10:00 AM.

Is there a casino at Al-Minar Hotel?

No, there is no casino at this hotel.

What time is check-in at Al-Minar Hotel?

Check-in start time: noon; Check-in end time: anytime.

Is there free parking at Al-Minar Hotel?

Free parking is not available at this hotel.

Does Al-Minar Hotel have a pool?

Al-Minar Hotel does not have a pool.

Does Al-Minar Hotel have a restaurant?

Al-Minar Hotel is home to Terrace Restaurant, which features international cuisine and al fresco dining.

Does Al-Minar Hotel have a spa?

This hotel has a spa, which features facials and massages.

How close is Al-Minar Hotel to downtown Zanzibar Town?

Al-Minar Hotel is 0.8 mi away from Zanzibar Town.

Al-Minar Hotel Reviews

Reviews

8.6

Excellent

Rating 10 - Excellent. 124 out of 274 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 109 out of 274 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 28 out of 274 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 8 out of 274 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 5 out of 274 reviews" "

8.8/10

Cleanliness

9.2/10

Staff & service

8.2/10

Amenities

8.2/10

Property conditions & facilities

8.4/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

8/10 Good

Rembrand

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
No nonsense hotel with good service
We enjoyed our 2 night stay at Al Minar. Good value for money, located close to all the 5 star hotels, but this one is affordable. Especially the family room which fitted us nicely.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2023

6/10 Okay

Zororai

Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Cleanliness
Stayed 4 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Carol A

Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Al

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Location is excellent. Manager is great. Facilty requires upgrades.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2022

8/10 Good

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2022

10/10 Excellent

Daniel

Business traveler
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Excellent management and customer services
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2022

6/10 Okay

Verified traveler

Traveled with group
Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Room comfort
Overview for a 9 days stay at the hotel.
Friendly staff ,green energy for water heating systems ,flexibility with prices to help a client who wishes to extent their stay,great rooftop breakfast restaurant,safe location,ease of available assisted information on tours of the island. The beddings &rooms were smelling damp most times with indications of repeated beddings and towels or lack of proper air at ion.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2021

10/10 Excellent

Daniel

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Awesome location and staff.
Al Minar feels like my home-away-from-home after 7 times to Zanzibar (I run a nonprofit working on the mainland). Very cozy rooms in an incredible Shangani location surrounding by high-rent luxury hotels that cost many times as much. Staff is wonderful and service excellent, steps away from beach and great dining options.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2021

10/10 Excellent

Mary

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Lovely!
I had a lovely stay at Al-Minar. It is off the main road, but easy to find, unlike some hotels in the labyrinth of historic Stonetown.The room (while a bit on the small side) was beautifully decorated, with a very comfortable bed and a good shower. I loved having a mini-fridge and kettle in my room to make my own coffee! Breakfast was excellent, and all the staff were OUTSTANDING! Welcoming, helpful, and friendly. Highly recommended.
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2021

10/10 Excellent

Daniel

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Al Minar has been my favorite stay in Zanzibar for 5 trips since 2015. Great service, location, and comfortable rooms. Good rooftop breakfast cooked to order. Very inviting and cordial staff.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2021

8/10 Good

Dorian

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Nice hotel with friendly helpful staff. Very good breakfast with a nice rooftop view to match. I had a pleasant stay.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2021

8/10 Good

Verified traveler

Traveled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Nice & helpful staff, great breakfast, clean room. Very pleasant stay overall!
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2021

8/10 Good

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Great location, friendly and helpful staff. Breakfast was plentiful and tasty. Good budget choice for Stone town.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2021

8/10 Good

Alexander D

Stayed 1 night in Jan 2021

8/10 Good

OWEN

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2021

8/10 Good

Bakenam

Traveled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2020

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2020

10/10 Excellent

SM, US

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Staff was EXTREMELY friendly and super helpful!! My original tour to Prison Island was abruptly cancelled without notice one day. So I asked the front desk if they knew of any tour guides. They immediately hooked me up with a great guide and matched the price of my original tour. Facilities were good. My only issue was that the hot water only lasted for a few minutes (didn’t go straight to cold though), but it was already so hot outside that lukewarm water actually felt pretty nice.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2020

8/10 Good

Tshepo

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
A well spent stay
It was a pleasant experience Very friendly staff Juma and Sebastian.....bery helpful guys
Stayed 7 nights in Feb 2020

8/10 Good

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2020

10/10 Excellent

Daniel

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Affordable gem in an upscale hotel area
Always an awesome choice for location, service, and room quality, this was my 4th stay and probably not my last.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2020

8/10 Good

Verified traveler

Business traveler
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Nice, clean comfortable place to stay in Stone Town for business.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2019

8/10 Good

Ana

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Great Place near everything at Stone Town
Amazing...just need to replace worn out towels
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2019

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Very nice hotel, right in Stonetown! Easy walking distance to Forodhani Gardens, to the OneOcean dive center, to the ocean, all around Stonetown! Very friendly, helpful staff.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2019

10/10 Excellent

Douglas

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
A Brilliant and reasonable Hotel in Zanmzibar
I have stayed in hundreds of hotels around the world, and this one stands out as special. A boutique-sized hotek, I was greeted by the manager, the room was excellent, then decor was classic Arabian Nights, the location st Shangani is sublime. An absolute recommendation.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2019