A five-star utopia in the heart of Zanzibar’s cultural jewel is opening its doors to the world. Families, adventurers and business travellers can now reserve the ultimate luxury escape at The Neela Boutique Hotel Stone Town, the first of two new offerings from The Neela Collection in Zanzibar’s historic city and the Fumba Peninsula.
Welcoming its first guests from 15 July 2023, The Neela Boutique Hotel Stone Town has prioritised comfort and relaxation in 14 Deluxe and Superior rooms conceptualised by internationally renowned interior designer Nelly Levin.
Seamlessly marrying vintage and new elements, the hotel draws from Stone Town’s rich cultural history and African, Arab, Indian, Persian and European influences to offer guests a warm and welcoming experience that is both contemporary and steeped in tradition.
All Superior rooms boast King Size beds, a luxurious standalone bath in the room as well as a separate ensuite bathroom and large shower. The Deluxe Rooms are comfort epitomised, offering a choice of King Size or Twin beds and an ensuite bathroom with walk-in shower. High thread count linen makes resting that much more heavenly.
All units in the beautifully restored building, which sits in one of Stone Town’s most desirable areas, offer luxurious room amenities one would expect from a high-end boutique hotel, but with the added touch of the Neela experience. What’s more, guests can look forward to unique room layouts that only a refurbished heritage building can offer.
Aside from world-class bespoke interiors and service, what sets The Neela Boutique Hotel Stone Town apart are its unique food and beverage options. The in-house Breadfruit Restaurant & Café will offer a fantasy of flavour embracing Stone Town’s myriad influences.
The Lobster Brekkie Bun comprises a potato bun, butter poached lobster, scrambled eggs, kewpie mayo and black sesame, while The Benedict is like no other iteration of the breakfast classic: Mahamri muffins, pulled goat, poached eggs, semi-dried tomatoes, Zafarani hollandaise, and herb shoots.
Innovation also abounds at Breadfruit Restaurant & Café, where guests will be treated to meals like The Neela Kamba Roll, an indulgent dish combining local lobster, lobster bisque, mayo, chives and togarashi served on a milk roll.
For the outdoors inclined, guests have a range of options to choose from thanks to the Neela Collection’s partnership with a local tour operator. From sunset cruises on a traditional dhow to swimming with dolphins and kitesurfing, the hotel will ensure that every visitor comes away with memories that last forever.
In The Neela Boutique Hotel Stone Town, developed by husband and wife, Steve and Raju Shaulis, together with a local partner, the trio have created an urban masterpiece that addresses an undersupply of high-end luxury hotels in Stone Town and which will now cater to the thousands of visitors who pass through its streets each year to marvel at breath-taking architecture and its famous homogenised character.
Steve and Raju have undertaken major projects across Africa, Asia and the Middle East, and are developing another oceanside boutique hotel in Fumba scheduled for opening in 2024, further cementing The Neela Collection as the hotel group of choice in Zanzibar’s vibrant cultural heart.
The Neela Collection was born from the desire to offer beautiful locations for families to spend quality time together while enjoying the freshest seasonal food surrounded by stunning natural beauty and the rich culture of Zanzibar.
Each of the properties in The Collection, either in restored landmark heritage buildings or architecturally designed and built using local craftsmanship and international experts, have their distinct personality rooted in and authentic to their location.
