Traditional dhow boat at sunset on the Jambiani coast, Zanzibar

Jambiani, Zanzibar

Ember Hotels — boutique beachfront hotel in Jambiani, Zanzibar

Formerly Five Palms

A refuge on the sea, on Zanzibar's east coast, where the tide pulls back over glass-clear water and evenings end around a fire. Same address, same team — a new name for what comes next.

16Rooms & Suites
60–70 minFrom Zanzibar Airport
On the ReefJambiani Lagoon
Founded as Five PalmsFounded as Five Palms

Our Story

From Five Palms to Ember

For years, this stretch of Jambiani beach was known as Five Palms — a quiet address with its feet in the sand, on Zanzibar's southeast coast. The reef is the same, the sand hasn't moved, and much of our team has been here from the start.

What's changed is everything we do with what surrounds us: rooms rethought around the sea breeze and shade, a kitchen that cooks over real embers, evenings that end the way they do all along the coast — gathered around a fire as the tide comes back in.

Ember Hotels sits right on the beach in Jambiani, facing the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean. Each of our 16 rooms carries a piece of African beauty in its design, and at Safi Mediterranean Grill, our restaurant, every meal comes with the ocean as backdrop.

Five Palms is now called Ember — the flame, kept alive.

The Hotel

Sixteen rooms, four moods

Every category opens onto a veranda or terrace — the difference is how close you sleep to the waterline. All rooms include 30 minutes of complimentary massage a day, right on the ocean — and at Spa you'll find extended treatments too, for an additional charge.

Garden

01 — Garden

Ember Garden Room

A ground-floor room facing our frangipani garden, with a private veranda and an outdoor daybed for lazy afternoons.

Fan + ACKing or Twin Bed28 m²30-min Massage Included →
From $95 / nightDetails →Book
Ocean View

02 — Ocean View

Ocean View Room

An upper-floor room with a generous balcony right above the reef line, catching the first light over the water.

From $140 / nightDetails →Book
Beachfront

03 — Beachfront

Beachfront Suite

A few steps from the sand, with an outdoor shower and a terrace built for the hour the sky turns the color the room is named after.

From $190 / nightDetails →Book
Family

04 — Family

Ember Family Bungalow

Two connected rooms set around a private garden — room to breathe, a few steps from shore.

ACKing Bed + Twin Bed58 m²30-min Massage Included →
From $225 / nightDetails →Book

The Restaurant

Mediterranean grill with fresh ingredients, served on the ocean's edge in Jambiani, Zanzibar.

Hours & Dining

Breakfast7:30 – 10:30
Open12:00 – 22:00
Book a Table

Open to non-guests too, subject to availability.

Excursions

Beyond the Reef

Organized by our front desk, together with local guides and boat captains from Jambiani village.

Sunset Dhow Boat RideDhow Boat

Sunset Dhow Boat Ride

Two hours aboard a traditional dhow, along the reef, as the sky turns the color of embers over the water.

2 HoursUp to 8 People
From $45 / personRequest Details
Seaweed Farm VisitSeaweed Farm

Seaweed Farm Visit

Meet the women of Jambiani's seaweed cooperative at low tide, and learn how seaweed is grown and dried.

1.5 HoursTide Dependent
From $20 / personRequest Details
Jozani Forest & Red Colobus MonkeysJozani Forest

Jozani Forest & Red Colobus Monkeys

A short trip inland to Jozani-Chwaka Bay National Park, home to Zanzibar red colobus monkeys.

Half Day~25 Min Drive
From $35 / personRequest Details
Historic Stone Town TourStone Town

Historic Stone Town Tour

A full day crossing the island to the UNESCO-listed old town of Stone Town, with a stop at a spice plantation on the way.

Full Day~1.5 Hr Drive
From $60 / personRequest Details
Blue Safari & SnorkelingBlue Safari

Blue Safari & Snorkeling

A boat trip out to a sandbank in the middle of the ocean, then snorkeling along the reef on the way back.

4 HoursEquipment Included
From $50 / personRequest Details

Plan Your Stay

Tides & Weather in Jambiani

Zanzibar's east coast has one of the largest tidal ranges in the region: at low tide, the ocean retreats hundreds of meters over the coral flat; at high tide, clear, warm water returns right in front of the hotel.

Weather right now in Jambiani Loading…
The sea right now Loading…

High & low tide

Like the rest of Zanzibar's coast, Jambiani's tide is semi-diurnal: two high tides and two low tides every 24 hours, about 6 hours 12 minutes apart.

High Low High Low 0h 6h 12h 18h 24h

An approximate chart of the daily pattern — for exact tide times on your arrival day, Ember's front desk can share the current tide chart.

Weather, season by season

Jun – OctDry season, southerly wind (Kusi)24–29°C
NovemberShort rains ("Vuli"), brief showers25–30°C
Dec – FebDry and warm season26–31°C
Mar – MayLong rains ("Masika"), heaviest rainfall24–29°C

July–October and December–February are generally the driest, sunniest stretches for a beach holiday.

About the Area

Guide to Jambiani, Zanzibar

Jambiani is a traditional fishing village on Zanzibar's southeast coast, Tanzania — one of the coast's most authentic addresses, away from the bustle of Stone Town or the island's north.

01 — The Village

An authentic fishing village

Traditional houses, dhow boats pulled up on the sand and local seaweed cooperatives — Jambiani has kept its village pace, unlike the island's busier tourist areas.

02 — Reef & Kitesurfing

Endless beach, protected reef

The east coast, from Jambiani toward neighboring Paje, is one of Zanzibar's kitesurfing destinations, thanks to steady wind and the shallow lagoon behind the reef.

03 — Getting Here

60–70 minutes from the airport

From Zanzibar International Airport, Jambiani is about 55 km along the east coast road — and Stone Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is about 1.5 hours by car.

Transfers

From the Airport to Ember

We meet every guest at Zanzibar's Abeid Amani Karume International Airport and drive along the east coast road, straight to Jambiani.

ZNZ Airport ~55 km · 60–70 min Jambiani

Private Car

Direct, door to door, air-conditioned. Timed around your flight.

$60 one-way / family

Shared Shuttle

Runs together with other arriving guests; leaves within an hour of landing.

$20 one-way / person

Own Car / Taxi

We'll send you GPS coordinates and the contact of a recommended local driver.

—

Request a Transfer

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know before your stay

Quick answers about transfers, the beach, weather and dining. For anything else, email us at contact@ember-hotels.com.

How much does the transfer from Zanzibar Airport to Ember Hotels cost?

A private car costs $60 one-way per family, and the shared shuttle $20 one-way per person. The distance is about 55 km along the east coast road, and the drive takes 60–70 minutes.

How long is the drive from the airport to Jambiani?

Between 60 and 70 minutes by car, along Zanzibar's east coast road, from Abeid Amani Karume International Airport to Ember Hotels.

Is the beach right in front of the hotel?

Yes, Ember Hotels sits on the reef in Jambiani. Zanzibar's east coast has semi-diurnal tides with a large range between high and low — at low tide, the ocean retreats hundreds of meters over the coral flat.

What is the best time to visit Jambiani, Zanzibar?

July–October and December–February are generally the driest, sunniest stretches for a beach holiday, with temperatures between 24 and 31°C year-round.

Is the hotel restaurant open to non-guests too?

Yes. Safi Mediterranean Grill is open daily to both hotel guests and outside visitors, subject to availability — breakfast from 7:30 to 10:30, then continuous service until 22:00.

What's included in a room rate at Ember Hotels?

All 16 rooms and suites include 30 minutes of complimentary massage a day, right on the ocean. Extended spa treatments are available separately, for an additional charge.

What excursions can I book through Ember Hotels?

The front desk arranges, together with local guides from Jambiani, sunset dhow boat rides, seaweed farm visits, Jozani Forest tours, Blue Safari snorkeling trips and full-day Stone Town tours.

Reviews

Stories from our guests

Real reviews from our guests on TripAdvisor.

„Beautiful accommodations, very friendly staff. I spent 5 days alone at this hotel, where I had a wonderful time."

Robert M. — Solo traveler
September 2026 · TripAdvisor

„What stood out most to me was the incredible attention to detail everywhere I looked. I really felt the love and care that has gone into every part of the location. My room had everything I needed, and the whole place had a very thoughtful and beautifully designed feel."

Nicholas E. — Couple
September 2026 · TripAdvisor

„I had a wonderful stay at Ember Hotels in Zanzibar. Not only is the property beautifully maintained, but it also exudes a sense of tranquility that's hard to find elsewhere."

Veronica M. — Family
September 2026 · TripAdvisor

„Excellent stay with a fantastic location! I recently stayed at this hotel and had a wonderful experience overall. The location is absolutely superb — just a short walk from the beach, which made it incredibly convenient for relaxing by the sea every day. The services were good and reliable, and the staff were consistently friendly and helpful throughout our stay. They made us feel welcome and were always ready to assist with a smile. I would happily recommend this hotel to anyone looking for a comfortable place close to the beach with attentive service."

Jade S. — Couple
September 2026 · TripAdvisor

„I had a wonderful experience; I recommend it and would return anytime."

Cosmin M. — Family
January 2026 · TripAdvisor

„A very beautiful location directly on the beach. Delicious food and service too. The employees are very smiling and help you in any situation. I highly recommend this location. Superb holiday and wonderful people."

Ionut E. — Couple
August 2022 · TripAdvisor

„We stayed here on our honeymoon — drinks were waiting for us on arrival, and our room had a romantic surprise with flowers and "Happy Honeymoon" spelled out in palm leaves. We had an unforgettable romantic dinner on the beach. The staff were extremely kind, and the hotel's own guide made our excursion days memorable. Excellent value for money — we'll definitely be back!"

James M. — United Kingdom
January 2022 · TripAdvisor

„Excellent hotel, right on the beach! Large, recently renovated rooms, comfortable bed. Pool and beach bar. Good Wi-Fi. Good breakfast. The staff are very attentive and always ready to go beyond expectations! They can organize various excursions for guests, including safari."

Bigklau25 — Ploiești, Romania
August 2021 · TripAdvisor

„I'll start by saying it's an excellent location, right on the beach! The staff are very friendly and kind, and the atmosphere is properly a vacation one. The rooms are clean and recently renovated! Worth visiting."

AndreiS. — Romania
August 2021 · TripAdvisor

„A clean, modern hotel, with friendly staff and good for kids. The food was prepared quickly and was tasty. We had a room with a sea view. The cocktails were delicious. I confidently recommend it — you can really enjoy your holiday here."

Beatrice S. — Germany
September 2021 · TripAdvisor

„The hotel has an excellent location, very close to the beach. The staff are willing to meet any request, if you simply tell them what you'd like. Overall it was a very good experience and I'd gladly return."

Highgrade56 — Solo traveler
August 2021 · TripAdvisor

Book

Check Availability

Tell us your stay dates and we'll hold a room — every request is confirmed by our team within 24 hours.

Stay Details

2

Private car, ZNZ Airport ↔ Ember, per family.

$120/family

One excursion added to your stay, per person.

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