236 HURUMZI

236 Hurumzi: Our View

The key with 236 Hurumzi is to book the right room....in fact our view on 236 Hurumzi is that there are only a couple of rooms and if you don’t get them then don’t stay there! Dinner however is still fabulous, if a slightly more atmospheric than cordon bleu! With more slightly more modern and newer options for Stone Town, 236 isn’t the specialty it once was, but still a good economical option, full of culture.

236 Hurumzi used to be high on our books, but since moving from its original Emerson and Green brand, and with its competition slightly overtaking it, we give it 2 palms.

236 Hurumzi: The Detail

Contrived as a haven of opulent style and panache in the centre of the old town, 236 Hurumzi is a small hotel that achieves its helplessly chic aim of not feeling like a hotel at all. Recent extension and development means that there are now 17 rooms to choose from rather than the original seven, but choosing is not easy as each is designed with individual character and charm.

The old favourites are named after points of the compass; South is accessible over high wooden bridge, and provides a semi open air bathroom with views over Stone Town, separated from the bedroom by small private veranda. In East a lattice work wall provides an atmospheric dappled light and catches the breeze. All rooms have a memorably romantic bath and a sense of bohemian antique grandeur, but all guests should be aware that these open rooms that are so elegant during waking hours are also hellishly noisy during the Zanzibari night, specially Ramadan.

All rooms are prone to enjoy the languishing choirs of cats, cockerels and children through the early hours around midnight and then the distinct awakening of the Hindu and then the Muslim faithful at their own prayer times. The months from late November to March are usually very hot and humid, and you feel it here at the heart of the old town.
 
The rooftop restaurant provides wide and airy views of the town and harbour, and excellent many course meals in an ethnic style. Guests gather cross-legged on cushions and tiny portions of a pre-arranged menu are brought one after another. The popularity of the restaurant and space constrictions on this cosy rooftop make it necessary to book at least on the day that you wish to dine, and it is worth arriving early to enjoy the cocktail selection as the sun goes down.

236 Hurumzi: Client Reviews

236 Hurumzi – Yes, the rooms are full of character and unique but it is style over quality and is looking quite tired.  The sheets didn’t feel or look very new and although the place was clean it didn’t really feel it due to everything looking so worn.  East is a unique room and an experience to stay particularly during Ramadan and listening to early morning prayer at 5am!  The roof top dinner is more atmospheric than haute cuisine and rather expensive at $25PP compared to eating at one of the restaurants in the town.  I know this was our choice and not your recommendation so you probably know all this feedback already and you were right that 1 night in Stone is sufficient.  It’s quite sad really how the whole town is falling apart as there are some beautiful buildings.
Jo Howitt 2010

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