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Accommodation · Kiponda

Emerson Spice Tanzania

Verdict Accommodation Eco Score

A twelve room hotel created by restoring three derelict nineteenth century buildings in the heart of Stone Town, including a former Swahili ruler's mansion.

Accommodation Eco Score
1.5/5 Accommodation Eco Score
Throne Standard 2.2 · Evidence coverage 100% · Evidenced performance 11.3%. Weighted sources are shown below.
Against accommodations
Records scored in accommodations476
Category average2.3/5
Scores below this one16%
Emerson Spice Tanzania
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Where it is
Kiponda
Postcode4044
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Google reviews

Google rating · 4.6/5 · 566 reviews

Stored Google rating; this is separate from the Accommodation Eco Score or Throne Score. The current Google rating may have changed.

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About Emerson Spice Tanzania

27 of 96 fields held
Recorded research, grouped by subject; claims remain unverified unless linked to reviewed evidence. Blue bars show how much information is held; they are not positive or negative scores. Fields with nothing behind them are counted, not listed.
8 groups · 27 fields
Features 1 of 8
What to do generally The hotel sits in the historic centre of Stone Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a few minutes walk from the seafront. Guests explore the alleys, markets and carved doors on foot, and dine at the rooftop Tea House at sunset.
Scan result 2 of 4
Eco Score 2
Eco Score Label Developing evidenced performance
Certification 1 of 2
Certificates Status requires reviewed source evidence
Ownership and legal entity 1 of 16
Owner Name Current shareholders (not named); founded by Emerson Dewey Skeens
Identity 1 of 4
Closest Airport name Abeid Amani Karume International Airport, Zanzibar
Claims and evidence 1 of 5
Verified Researched and source checked in three passes, Oct 2026
Place and access 2 of 3
Continent/Region Africa
Google Place ID ChIJ2UNsC1nQXBgR2KvchQ3avhs
Further detail 18 of 54
Booking Link expedia.com expedia.com
Booking Site Expedia
Street 1494, Tharia Street
City Kiponda
Country Zanzibar
Closest Airport KM 8.7
Stars 4-star
Type Boutique Hotel
Environment Type Urban
Rooms 12 rooms
Room Types 11 Swahili designed rooms with small fridge, air conditioner, fan, and high ceiling mosquito net
People Targeting Adult-Focused Eco-Chic
Secluded / Isolated Urban Sounds
Activities to do While at Emerson Spice, you can explore the labyrinthine streets of the ancient city, enjoy rooftop sunsets at the Tea House, and dine in the romantic Secret Garden courtyard.
Food Options Emerson Spice Tanzania has a rooftop restaurant and a second garden dining space.
Food Type Swahili high tea, rooftop Tea House and Secret Garden restaurants
Google rating 4.6
Google review count 566
Filed under 25 terms held

Environmental evidence and weighted assessment

1.5/5 Accommodation Eco Score · Evidence coverage 100% · Evidenced performance 11.3%

Environmental evidence by pillar
PillarWeightLevel and what it meansContributionEvidence, quote and source
Nature, biodiversity and regeneration30%0/4 · Not disclosed on the stay's own pages0 / 30 points

Not disclosed on the stay's own pages, checked 2026-11-03.

Page read · 2026-11-03 · Page read · Page read · Page read · Page read
Energy and climate15%0/4 · Not disclosed on the stay's own pages0 / 15 points

Not disclosed on the stay's own pages, checked 2026-11-03.

Page read · 2026-11-03 · Page read · Page read · Page read · Page read
Water10%0/4 · Not disclosed on the stay's own pages0 / 10 points

Not disclosed on the stay's own pages, checked 2026-11-03.

Page read · 2026-11-03 · Page read · Page read · Page read · Page read
Waste and plastic10%0/4 · Not disclosed on the stay's own pages0 / 10 points

Not disclosed on the stay's own pages, checked 2026-11-03.

Page read · 2026-11-03 · Page read · Page read · Page read · Page read
Food, farming and sourcing15%1/4 · Claim only, such as local or organic with no named source3.75 / 15 points

The dining page claims fresh local ingredients with no named farms or garden.

“featuring fresh local ingredients and flavours inspired by the Swahili coast”

Source · 2026-11-03
Buildings, heritage reuse and land use15%2/4 · One specific practice, such as a historic building reused, local natural materials, or passive cooling design7.5 / 15 points

The hotel was created from 2006 by restoring and combining three derelict historic buildings, including a mansion built by the last Swahili ruler of Zanzibar, inside the Stone Town World Heritage Site.

Source · 2026-10-29
Measurement, transparency and certification5%0/4 · Not disclosed on the stay's own pages0 / 5 points

Not disclosed on the stay's own pages, checked 2026-11-03.

Page read · 2026-11-03 · Page read · Page read · Page read · Page read

Throne Standard for stays 2.2. Accommodation Eco Score weights: Nature, biodiversity and regeneration 30%, Energy and climate 15%, Water 10%, Waste and plastic 10%, Food, farming and sourcing 15%, Buildings, heritage reuse and land use 15%, Measurement, transparency and certification 5%. Each pillar earns its weight times its level divided by four. The score is 1 plus 4 times the evidenced performance, shown to one decimal, so 0% is 1.0 and 100% is 5.0. A pillar the stay does not disclose, after we read its own pages, counts as 0 and is shown as Not disclosed, with every page we read linked, because silence is an answer too. Every finding quotes its source word for word. Below 85% coverage, below 70% performance, or with less than half the weight at level 2 or above, the score is held under the next whole number (3.4 or 2.4). A 5.0 band needs 90% coverage and performance, level 4 evidence on half the weight and the key pillar at level 3 or above. Green flags are pillars at level 3 or 4. Every level can be earned from public, dated evidence; no score requires a visit. Evidence must be rechecked within two years. Guest travel is not scored; everyone gets there how they can.

Purity, what touches your body

1.3/5 Purity Score · Evidence coverage 100% · Evidenced performance 7.5%

Purity evidence, what touches your body by pillar
PillarWeightLevel and what it meansContributionEvidence, quote and source
Water you drink and bathe in25%0/4 · Not disclosed on the stay's own pages0 / 25 points

Not disclosed on the stay's own pages, checked 2026-11-03.

Page read · 2026-11-03 · Page read · Page read · Page read · Page read
Food on your plate20%1/4 · Claim only, such as fresh or organic with no named source5 / 20 points

The dining page claims fresh local ingredients but names no organic source or garden.

“featuring fresh local ingredients and flavours inspired by the Swahili coast”

Source · 2026-11-03
Grounds and pest control15%0/4 · Not disclosed on the stay's own pages0 / 15 points

Not disclosed on the stay's own pages, checked 2026-11-03.

Page read · 2026-11-03 · Page read · Page read · Page read · Page read
Cleaning, laundry and fragrance15%0/4 · Not disclosed on the stay's own pages0 / 15 points

Not disclosed on the stay's own pages, checked 2026-11-03.

Page read · 2026-11-03 · Page read · Page read · Page read · Page read
Linen, towels and mattresses10%1/4 · Claim only2.5 / 10 points

The rooms page names handwoven cotton towels but does not state the bed linen composition.

“Our bathrooms are supplied with handwoven cotton kikoi towels and handmade organic soaps.”

Source · 2026-11-03
Air and quiet10%0/4 · Not disclosed on the stay's own pages0 / 10 points

Not disclosed on the stay's own pages, checked 2026-11-03.

Page read · 2026-11-03 · Page read · Page read · Page read · Page read
Pool and bathing water5%0/4 · Not disclosed on the stay's own pages0 / 5 points

Not disclosed on the stay's own pages, checked 2026-11-03.

Page read · 2026-11-03 · Page read · Page read · Page read · Page read

Throne Standard for stays 2.2. Purity Score weights: Water you drink and bathe in 25%, Food on your plate 20%, Grounds and pest control 15%, Cleaning, laundry and fragrance 15%, Linen, towels and mattresses 10%, Air and quiet 10%, Pool and bathing water 5%. Each pillar earns its weight times its level divided by four. The score is 1 plus 4 times the evidenced performance, shown to one decimal, so 0% is 1.0 and 100% is 5.0. A pillar the stay does not disclose, after we read its own pages, counts as 0 and is shown as Not disclosed, with every page we read linked, because silence is an answer too. Every finding quotes its source word for word. Below 85% coverage, below 70% performance, or with less than half the weight at level 2 or above, the score is held under the next whole number (3.4 or 2.4). A 5.0 band needs 90% coverage and performance, level 4 evidence on half the weight and the key pillar at level 3 or above. Green flags are pillars at level 3 or 4. Every level can be earned from public, dated evidence; no score requires a visit. Evidence must be rechecked within two years.

People, ownership, work and community

2.1/5 People Score · Evidence coverage 100% · Evidenced performance 26.3%

People evidence, ownership, work and community by pillar
PillarWeightLevel and what it meansContributionEvidence, quote and source
Ownership and control30%1/4 · Ownership stated without detail7.5 / 30 points

The about page says current shareholders hold the hotel but does not name them or state their nationality.

“Our current shareholders are dedicated to keeping Emerson Dewey Skeens` vision for this opulent Swahili mansion alive”

Source · 2026-11-03
Local work and fair pay25%0/4 · Not disclosed on the stay's own pages0 / 25 points

Not disclosed on the stay's own pages, checked 2026-11-03.

Page read · 2026-11-03 · Page read · Page read · Page read · Page read
Community benefit20%2/4 · A named community programme, such as a school, fund or training10 / 20 points

The founder page names a foundation that supports local Zanzibari artists, filmmakers and musicians together with the hotel.

“his legacy is preserved through the Emerson’s Zanzibar Foundation, which continues to support and honor local Zanzibari artists, filmmakers, and musicians”

Source · 2026-11-03
Access to beach and land15%1/4 · Claim only3.75 / 15 points

The dining page says the Secret Garden hosts events and live music, but it does not describe community use of land or open access.

“On Wednesdays and Fridays, the garden comes alive with live music from local Zanzibari artists.”

Source · 2026-11-03
Culture and heritage10%2/4 · Local food, crafts or language presented with named makers5 / 10 points

The dining page presents live music from local Zanzibari artists, and the about page describes the restored historic mansion, though no makers are named.

“On Wednesdays and Fridays, the garden comes alive with live music from local Zanzibari artists.”

Source · 2026-11-03

Throne Standard for stays 2.2. People Score weights: Ownership and control 30%, Local work and fair pay 25%, Community benefit 20%, Access to beach and land 15%, Culture and heritage 10%. Each pillar earns its weight times its level divided by four. The score is 1 plus 4 times the evidenced performance, shown to one decimal, so 0% is 1.0 and 100% is 5.0. A pillar the stay does not disclose, after we read its own pages, counts as 0 and is shown as Not disclosed, with every page we read linked, because silence is an answer too. Every finding quotes its source word for word. Below 85% coverage, below 70% performance, or with less than half the weight at level 2 or above, the score is held under the next whole number (3.4 or 2.4). A 5.0 band needs 90% coverage and performance, level 4 evidence on half the weight and the key pillar at level 3 or above. Green flags are pillars at level 3 or 4. Every level can be earned from public, dated evidence; no score requires a visit. Evidence must be rechecked within two years.

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These source pages were captured on 2026-10-02. Capturing a page does not establish a rating or verify its claims. Only the reviewed pillar evidence above earns assessment points. Missing findings remain unavailable.

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