Johari Rotana
By the Top3Hotels editorial team. Based on Booking.com guest scores and reviews, location data and reference prices. We did not stay at this hotel. Updated 2026-10-24.
Johari Rotana is worth booking if you want a five-star hotel with strong service right by the Zanzibar ferry terminal and the city's central sights. If you plan to use the pool a lot, check its hours first, as guests say they are limited.
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Sold out? See available alternatives →Who it suits and who should skip it
This is our Luxury pick in Dar es Salaam. It suits business travellers, couples heading to or from Zanzibar, and families, since family rooms are listed. The property also lists a spa, a pool, a restaurant, a terrace and free parking. Breakfast is listed as a buffet.
Guests score it 8.6 out of 10 across 658 reviews, a solid sample for a five-star city hotel.
Skip it if you are on a tight budget: our Budget pick cost about a third as much. Also think twice if long pool afternoons are central to your plans, because guests mention limited opening hours.
Location and getting around
The address is Sokoine Drive Mwalimu Nyerere Foundation Square Salaam Towers, in Kivukoni. The location score is 8.9.
Short walks cover the central sights. St. Joseph's Cathedral, Dar es Salaam is about 0.1 km away, about 1 minute on foot. The Askari Monument is about 0.5 km, around 6 minutes, and the National Museum of Tanzania about 1.1 km, around 14 minutes.
Guests say the hotel is next to the Zanzibar ferry terminal, which is useful for island trips. Walking times are straight-line estimates and have not been verified.
What guests say
Staff earn the most praise. Guests describe a helpful, friendly and professional team and a warm welcome. The location also gets credit, with guests mentioning the ferry terminal next door and harbour views.
The main complaint concerns the pool. Guests find it a relaxing area, but say the changing room layout is awkward and the opening hours are limited. Room size, noise and renovation condition have not been assessed in our data.
Price and what you get compared with our other picks
The reference price seen for a 2-night stay in November 2026 for 2 adults was €194.30 per night, against a sample median of €138.56. It is not a live quote, so check today's price for your dates.
Our Budget pick, Seascape Hotel, was €66.74 per night with an 8.1 and four stars. Our Best Value pick, Mediterraneo Boutique Hotel, was €102.08 with an 8.4 and three stars.
Johari Rotana costs about €92 a night more than the Best Value pick. For that you get five stars, the highest score of the three, the central address by the ferry and the listed spa and pool. Breakfast inclusion is not confirmed, so check your rate.
Why it made our top 3
We compared 13 eligible properties in Dar es Salaam. Johari Rotana shares the top review-score position among them, with 658 reviews behind its 8.6.
Five-star hotels get priority for our Luxury slot, and this was the strongest five-star option in the sample.
Before you book
Ask for the pool opening hours during your stay, and check spa hours and fees. Confirm whether the buffet breakfast is included in your rate and read the cancellation terms, as they have not been assessed.
Harbour views are mentioned by guests but not confirmed for every room, so ask about room type if a view matters. Compare today's price with our other two picks.
Check prices on Booking.com ↗We may earn a commission if you book. It never changes our pick.
Sold out? See available alternatives →Questions travellers ask
Is Johari Rotana close to the Zanzibar ferry?
Guests say the hotel is next to the Zanzibar ferry terminal. Confirm the walking route on a map before your crossing.
Does Johari Rotana have a pool and spa?
Both are listed by the property. Guests say pool hours are limited, so check times for your dates.
Does Johari Rotana include breakfast?
A buffet breakfast is listed, but whether it is included in your rate is not confirmed. Check when you book.
How much does Johari Rotana cost per night?
The reference price seen for a 2-night stay in November 2026 for 2 adults was €194.30 per night. It is not a live quote, so check today's price.