For those who want to experience the charm of a classic African setting with a touch of ancient Arabian mystique, the place is Beyt al Chai in Stone Town, Zanzibar. This is an exquisite 5-room boutique hotel within a traditional Zanzibar house, built on 3 floors on what was once a tea house.

Sitting only a few paces from the sea, the house is cool and breezy. On a typical day, guests relax in our beautifully appointed lounge and rooms overlooking a square filled with hibiscus and ancient tamarind trees - simultaneously feeling the pull of the mysterious Indian Ocean that lies just beyond the trees and soaking up the ambiance of this World Heritage Site only steps a way from the shops, restaurants and attractions of contemporary Zanzibar.

Beyt al Chai is a bed & breakfast establishment and is also fully equipped to handle conferences, weddings and other special banqueting events.

Everything about Beyt al Chai rooms is as authentic old Zanzibari as the great house itself. Each of the 5 en-suite bedrooms and suites are designed with richly coloured organza and silk curtains billowing in the breeze around antique furniture dating back to the days of the Sultan.

No detail has been over looked. The service is personalized and meticulous and the sanitary facilities are modern. But even the modern amenities make concession to the ancient: Every room is fully air-conditioned, but just so you can open the window and enjoy the breeze in the ancient manner, or simply listen to the late night call of the Muezzin as it has been heard in the square of this house for generations, there is a ceiling fan.

The 5 bedrooms and suites are divided in three categories:

SULTAN Rooms: These are the two largest rooms at the Beyt al Chai, at approximately 40 sq. metres each. They have private bathrooms and captivating views of Zanzibar.

PRINCE Rooms: These three rooms are the second largest in the house, averaging about 25 Sq Metres each. They each have a private bathroom and dressing room.

Typical in-room amenities include:

• Tea/Coffee making Facilities
• Hair Dryer
• Ceiling Fan
• Air Conditioner
• En suite Shower
• Wardrobe
• Sitting area with a comfortable couch
• Four poster antique bed.

To dine at the Beyt al Chai is to experience Zanzibar. The restaurant, simply called the Beyt al Chai Restaurant, opened only in May 2007 but is already considered the finest dining establishment within Zanzibar's Stone Town. The Restaurant is unobtrusively located on the ground floor, away from the rooms.

The cuisine is a fusion of Zanzibari and European cuisine. At breakfast, from 0700 hrs to 1000 hrs, only hotel guests are allowed in to savour fresh and prepared orders. Lunch is between 1200 hrs & 1530 hrs and provides a choice of Zanzibari and European cuisine. But you need not wait for lunch: in the course of the day you can drop in for a selection of light lunches that include Fresh Seafood Salads and a selection of Homemade Bruschetta and Baquettes with a choice of fillings.

Dinner is the event here. Served between 1800 hrs & 2200 hrs, the menu transforms into a fine dining candlelight experience of culinary creations especially prepared by our Executive Chef. Begin your evening with Fresh Crab Meat layered with Crispy Eggplant and Green Mango then select the "Fritto Misto" which is a Mix of Deep Fried Fish and Seafood. Complete your evening with our famous Passion Fruit Parfait served with caramelized Banana and Coconut Cookies. A wide selection of Fine Wines complements as well as completes the experience.

Beyt al Chai is, naturally, located in the famous Kelele Square at the heart of Zanzibar's renowned Stone Town. The Zanzibar Stone Town was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in the year 2000.

The location has an interesting history. A wealthy Arab merchant originally built this fabulous old building. In the years that followed, its square became a favourite haunt of the European residents of the town. Folklore has it that the square was christened, Kelele - Swahili for noise - because of the noisy dogs that the Europeans brought with them.

The Beyt Al Chai Hotel has the rare advantage of being part of a group that includes two sister beach resorts located a short drive away from it's the city - the Bluebay Beach Resort & Spa and the Sultan Sands Island Resort. This enables the Beyt Al Chai Hotel to offer its guests a variety and scope of facilities well beyond the reach of a normal city hotel.

Besides the services at the Hotel itself, guests at the Hotel have access to most of the facilities available at the two beach resorts.

The following are the facilities/services available at Beyt Al Chai:

• Banqueting
• Big Game Fishing
• Boutique
• Excursions
• Scuba Diving
• Honeymoons
• Spa (Oasis)
• Groups & Incentives
• Weddings

A wide range of conferencing and banqueting options are available at Beyt al Chai's sister Zanzibar beach hotel, the Bluebay Beach Resort & Spa, which is located a short drive away from Stone Town.

Teambuilding can be arranged by Beach and Bush Adventures at Bluebay Beach Resort & Spa, Zanzibar.

There are many different rates related to low, high and peak season. Please check applicable rate on enquiry.

Children's Policy:

• Children under 2 sharing a room with 2 adults, FREE
• Children 2-12, sharing a room with 2 adults, 50% of adult rate per child
• Children 2-12, sharing own room, 75% of adult rate per child
• Children over 12 pay full adult rate.