THE Neela Boutique Hotel Stone Town is set to become the ultimate luxury escape for families, adventurers and business travellers visiting Zanzibar’s historic city. The hotel, which is the first of two new offerings from The Neela Collection in the region, is scheduled to welcome its first guests on July 15, 2023.
According to Gene Redelinghuys, Marketing and PR Manager for The Neela Collection, the hotel is designed to offer guests a warm and welcoming experience that is both contemporary and steeped in tradition. ‘Seamlessly marrying vintage and new elements, the hotel draws from Stone Town’s rich cultural history and African, Arab, Indian, Persian and European influences,’ said Redelinghuys.
The boutique hotel features 14 Deluxe and Superior rooms, each conceptualised by internationally renowned interior designer Nelly Levin. All Superior rooms boast King Size beds, a luxurious standalone bath in the room as well as a separate en-suite bathroom and large shower.
Redelinghuys highlighted that 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,’ she said.
Aside from the 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,’ said Redelinghuys. The restaurant features a Lobster Brekkie Bun comprising a potato bun, butter poached lobster, scrambled eggs, kewpie mayo and black sesame, as well as The Benedict, a breakfast classic with a twist: Mahamri muffins, pulled goat, poached eggs, semi-dried tomatoes, Zafarani hollandaise, and herb shoots.
Redelinghuys revealed that The Neela Boutique Hotel Stone Town is developed by husband and wife, Steve and Raju Shaulis, together with a local partner. ‘The trio have created an urban masterpiece that addresses an under-supply 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,’ said Redelinghuys.
The Neela Collection is also developing another ocean-side boutique hotel in Fumba, scheduled for opening in 2024, further cementing the hotel group’s reputation as the choice for luxury accommodation 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,’ said Redelinghuys.