Fodor's Expert Review Emerson on Hurumzi

Tucked away in Stone Town, this small hotel, once the home of one of the richest men in Zanzibar, was the brainchild of two New Yorkers. You'll find it hard to believe you're in the 21st century when you step through the carved wooden doors of this authentic Omani Arab building with bright rooms, original stucco decor, gorgeous antique furnishings, deep-green stone baths, and overhead fans. You'll sleep in a high four-poster bed complete with billowing mosquito net, and dine on the high rooftop restaurant—now one of the "it" places in Zanzibar, which is also perfect for sundowners. Treat yourself to one of the spacious top-floor suites, which come with spectacular views and a private teahouse.