Chavda Hotel

Rates: from $50 per person per night, based on 2 sharing.

Comfortable and centrally located in Stone Town, this renovated merchant’s house is a good option for budget travellers. The Chavda is a family-run hotel and is always well maintained and tidy.

It has an attractive entrance with oriental lamps and beautiful wood carved doors. The hotel has 16 well-appointed rooms spread over three floors. There’s a new bar situated on the rooftop where you can soak up ocean views over the tin rooftops of Stone Town while you enjoy sundowners. Breakfast is served in the restaurant a floor down.

Chavda overlooks the Roman Catholic Church. The building was originally owned by a wealthy Indian family, who spared no expense in the construction and decoration. Most of the fittings were imported from India. Enormous Oriental vases fill the hallways. The hand carved doors at the arched entrance have the traditional brass knobs.