The hotel is 4.5 stars for luxury. It doesn't have the opulence (or cost) of Essque next door. But it has the feeling of family intimacy and warmth and caring that, to me, is worth far more than opulence. For example, my arrival flight to Zanzibar was delayed for hours. The hotel driver stayed at the airport for hours waiting for me, with frequent communication between me and the reception manager, Khatib. Khatib stayed until 10:30 at night until I arrived, and then suggested I check in the next morning so I could sleep first (but offered me food in case I was hungry). My walking tour of the village was done by the hotel manager, who introduced me to the weavers, fishermen, and boat repair people he's known for 20 years, giving me chance to try my skills at these tasks. This was a personal, not a commercial experience. I booked only the breakfast (half board), which was excellent with many choices. I then also ate all my dinners at the outdoor, covered, hotel restaurant because the food was so good, reasonably priced, and convenient. When I checked out after a 3 day stay I accidentally left a credit card that was found by housekeeping. Khatib called me that afternoon and took a taxi 1 1/2 hours (each way) to Stonetown to personally deliver my card to me at my next hotel. The staff at the hotel included me as part of their family. My observations of interactions with other guests is that this was not unique to me, but is part of the culture.
