COAST AND MOMBASA HOTELS
White sandy beaches, World class resorts, friendly people, fantastic coastal food and drinks, dare devil water sports and to die for sights and sounds is what the coast has to offer. Situated on the south-Eastern part of Kenya, the Kenya coast covers there major towns namely Mombasa (north and South coast), Malindi and Lamu.
Mombasa is the oldest and second biggest city in Kenya and strongly influenced by the Arabic culture in food, dressing and architecture.. The North and South Coast are both linked to the Mombasa island through Nyali Bridge and the Likoni Ferry respectively.
Malindi is a small town still processing some of its old architecture. Despite the Swahili culture, Malindi is largely influenced by the Italian who have settled there.
Three words describe Lamu - enchanting, mysterious, ancient! This 14th century town, island archipelago is undoubtedly the best preserved ancient Swahili settlement. It is made up of Lamu,Manda,Pate and Kiwayu islands that are still largely untouched by ‘civilization’. Donkeys and not cars are the main means of transport. Lamu is UNESCO world Heritage Site.
There is a wide variety of accommodation available on the Kenya coast, Lamu island, from the world class beach resorts to friendly basis budget accommodation and from small locally-owned guest houses to exclusive in privately-owned houses and small boutique hotels. Please inquire for a list of all the categories. Here we feature some of them in the up-market category.
MOMBASA NORTH
Sarova WhitesandsSarova Whitesands, 14kms north of Mombasa, features one of the longest and finest beaches in East Africa. St in 22acres of tropical gardens, with palm trees and fish pods, the resort has 4 outdoor swimming pools with waterfalls, a secluded and an exhilarating waterslide. All 340 rooms are air-conditioned wit en suite bathrooms and balcony or veranda, There are 2 presidential suites (with Jacuzzis and large verandas overlooking the swimming pools) and 6 executives suites. Sarova Whitesands has various open air restaurants and bars: Minazi café (light meals), Lido Grill (grilled steaks and seafood), pavilions (international themed dinner menus) and a 24-hour coffee shop. The resort is also the largest conference destination on the Kenyan coast with a combined capacity of 900 delegates. Leisure activities include jet ski-ing, windsurfing, sailing and scuba diving as well as golf,horse-riding tennis, volleyball and a fitness room.
Mombasa Serena Beach HotelStyled to resemble an ancient Swahili village, Mombasa Serena Beach offers an oasis of tranquility while delivering a unique mix of high action water sports, sybaritic sun worship, world-class cuisine and vibrant night life. The hotel is set in an extensive palm-shaded grounds and centred on a sky-blue swimming pool with a thatched bar. Accommodation is in 166 air-conditioned bed rooms and suites, many with splendid views of the gardens and ocean. Other facilities include 3 restaurants, maisha health and beauty Treatment and a wide choice of recreational facilities.
Nyali Beach Hotellocated 10kms from Mombasa and set amid 20acres of tropical gardens, The Nyali Beach hotel has been extensively modernized while retaining its period charm. The atmosphere is cool and comfortable, with ceiling fans, potted palms and wicker furniture. Accommodation is in 170 air-conditioned rooms, all with modern bathrooms. Other facilities include 5 restaurants, 2 large swimming pool plus a Jacuzzi and wide choice of water sports – windsurfing, catamaran and glass bottomed boat.
Voyager Beach Resort
7km north of Mombasa , offers easy access to a variety of tourist attractions including Africa’s largest crocodile farm and the world famous Haller park nature trail. The Voyager offers 232 spacious cabins including 63 sea view cabins, 96 garden-view cabins, 12 superior sea-view cabins, 51 superior garden-view cabins and 2 large studio cabins, plus 3 spacious luxury suites. Every cabin has its own balcony and all rooms are air-conditioned. The Mashua Restaurant offers sumptuous buffets with themed dinner menus. The Smugglers’ Cove offers grilled meat and seafood,, while the poolside Minestrone restaurant served Italian-style snacks, light lunches and table d’hote diners. There is a choice of 4 bars.
Travellers Beach Hotel Travellers Beach Club and Hotel is located on white sandy beaches just 12kms north of Mombasa. The hotel has 286 air-conditioned bedrooms, with choices of standard rooms, suites, family rooms and honeymoon suites, all en suite with shower. There are 6 restaurants: The Suli Suli Grill and Bahari Grill (serving informal meals), Main restaurant overlooking the pool (Dinner) , La Pergola (Italian cuisine) and the Sher-e-Punjab (indian delicacies).
Club Sun N SandSun n sand is a recently renovated resort, located 28km north of Mombasa. The resort has 300 standard, deluxe and executive rooms plus a royal suite. All rooms offer private balcony, split-unit air conditioning, pedestal fan, hair dryer, mini-fridge, tea & coffee making facilities, en-suite bath/shower, queen and twin-size beds. Guests have a choice of 6 restaurants: FAHARI (international cuisine and themed dinners), LA STELLA (Italian cuisine), SAFINA (snack), THE ORIENTAL HUT (ultimate Chinese experience) THE SAFARI RANCH (Out of Africa experience) and SAFINA Grill (international a’la c arte cuisine). Other facilities include a business center, a selection of 4 bars, indoor sports center, a water sports center and a kids club.
MOMBASA SOUTH
Leisure lodge beach & Golf ResortLeisure is internationally renowned both as a vacation and golf resort and as a conference and convention center. The resort stands on a coral cliff with splendid ocean views. All the rooms are air-conditioned with en-suite bath and shower. The Palm wing has 36 standard rooms, The Bahari wing has 104 sea facing superior rooms, The Bustani has 93 garden rooms, 16 oasis villas (with private swimming pools) and 4 suites. Both the Bahari and Bustani club have their own swimming pool, dining facilities and bar. Leisure lodge is home to East Africa’s largest conference and banqueting venue, while the 18-hole, par 72 golf course is a venue for international tournaments.
Leopard Beach Resort Set in 30 acres of magnificent tropical gardens, Leopard Beach Resort is located 40kms south of Mombasa on the idyllic white sands of Diane Beach. The hotel has 155 rooms in double-story blocks and cottages, including 40 suites and superior rooms with ocean views. The restaurants include The Horizon and Coco Mchana offering lunch a’la carte; the Chui Grill providing a’ la carte and there is a beach-side Pizzeria and Bistro. There is ample scope for water sports with windsurfing, deep-sea fishing, glass bottomed boat and an SSI/PADI diving school.
Indian Ocean Beach Club The Indian Ocean Beach Club is situated on a stretch of white sandy beach, next to a 16th century mosque and bordering a marine park. Designed in Swahili style, the club has 100 air conditioned rooms in clusters of thatched cottages and double upper-level whitewashed room with flat roofs. All rooms are en suite. Dining options include Spices (for breakfast and dinner); the OCEAN terrace (for lunch), the open-air Bahrain Cove (a’ la carte seafood) and a beach side bar. Other facilities include a conference room for groups up to 100, a 200 metre free-form swimming pool and 3 plunge pools and two floodlit lenis courts. Birdwatching and a joggling trail as well a water sports are available.
Al FajiriConsidered by many as one of the finest private houses on the Kenyan coast, Alfajiri overlooks the Indian Ocean facing the sunrise. Its high position ensures privacy and stunning views. The theme is large glass windows, white Danish floors, wooden beams, bright pillars, Lamu doors and impressive African and Far eastern Artefacts. Most furniture is made on the property and some exported. The gardens are meticulously maintained and include many palms from it’s own nursery. Two large gazebos with huge hand carved sofas and cushions dominate the front of the house. An “infinity” swimming pool sits on the edge of a small cliff merging into the sea and the horizon beyond. Alfajiri is located some distance from the nearest hotel ensuring excellent privacy.
Funzi KeysThe main building reflects the influence of coastal Omani architecture. Six spacious cottages set along the high-water line are constructed from stone and thatch, with large netted windows open to the sea breezes. In front of each cottage is a private sitting area where a camp fire is lit each night and guests can watch the sun setting with a drink in hand. In the evenings dinner is served on the deck of an authentic dhow anchored off the beach, where the hotel chef offers a varied menu which includes a wide-selection of wonderful local seafood and fresh fruit and vegetables.
MALINDI
Kilili Baharini Resort
Situated just south of Malindi, the exclusive Kilili Baharini comprises just 25 fabulous rooms and two spacious suites. Rooms are all individually decorated with classis Kiswahili furniture and fine examples of African art. Bathrooms are in Italian style with marble and mosaic decorations. Breakfasts are prepared each morning on the veranda. Dinner is served at the Resort Restaurant with its fusion of Italian and African Styles. The hotel has four Swimming pool, two bars, two restaurants ad wellness center.
Hemmingways Hotel
Hemingways is a 74 room resort hotel overlooking the watamu marine park, just 15 minutes from Malindi airport. The property offers relaxed sophistication, with the friendliness of a privately owned hotel of international standards.
All rooms and suites have ocean views and are close to the beach. All have bathrooms and showers en-suite, air-conditioning and fans. The cuisine at Hemingways is highly regarded, with attentive service to match.
The beach was voted by the UK’S SUNDAY times as being the world’s ten best. The hotel is also known for the best big-game fishing fleet in Africa with some of the most productive fishing grounds in the world. Hemingways is a truly unique and exceptional destination.
Turtle Bay beach Club
Turtle Bay beach Club is Kenya’s first all inclusive beach resort, offering fun and entertainment for the entire family. Accommodation is set in 10acres of tropical gardens and comprises of 145 air-conditioned rooms, ranging from club rooms and lamu style rooms to spacious ocean front rooms with direct access to the beach.
All rooms are en-suite. Price includes all meals, local drinks, sparkling wine, day and night entertainment and a well-supervised kid’s club. The club is located near a marine park, with excellent facilities for water sports, deep sea fishing, scuba diving, horse riding and tennis.
Driftwood Beach Club
The Driftwood Beach Club, only five minutes from Malindi airport is a popular family hotel on the famous silversands Beach. The hotel prides itself on its friendly and sociable ambience. Guests are accommodated in individual air-conditioned bandas or chalets, all en-suite. Rooms are attractively sited in spacious grounds and are ideal for families. For extra privacy, there are two secluded cottages with a shared private pool. The villas, located around an exclusive swimming pool, are spacious and comfortable with two bedrooms, a large sitting and dining area and a kitchen for self-catering. Renowned for its excellent cuisine, The Driftwood specializes in fresh seafood and poolside dinners under the African sky. The hotel is an ideal venue for weddings and other special occasions. Water sports like scuba diving, windsurfing are available as well as bird watching and wildlife safaris.
LAMU
Peponi Hotel
There are too many luxury hotels around the world but Peponi stands apart from them - architecture, views, beach, dining, sounds, smells are all exhilarating surprises, unique to this coast, this culture, this Africa.
This small, private, family owned hotel has 9 superior rooms, 5 of which are built right on the beach and 8 standard rooms located in the palm garden.
All rooms have overhead fans, mosquito nets, showers (Not baths), fresh flowers and personal safes. Other facilities include the sea-facing bar and snack restaurant, a newly built swimming pool overlooking the sea and a very well-stocked gift shop. The hotel is highly recommended, guests are guaranteed a high standard of service, in a wonderful setting.
Kiwayu
The epitome of ‘barefoot luxury’, Kiwayu nestles under coconut palms on the white sand beach of a secluded bay on Kenya’s far north coast. Accommodation is on the beach in large individual cottages constructed of palm matting. King size beds are romantically draped with mosquito netting and enormous verandahs provide for every comfort – hammocks, beautiful Lamu beds and scatterings of huge colourful cushions.
A host of water sports are available but for the less active there are miles of un-spoilt beaches to explore and exquisite shells to admire. Delicious seafood dishes dominate mealtimes at Kiwayu and oysters replace olives as pre-dinner bitings. The combination of the crystal clear waters of the Indian Ocean, exotic furnishings and superb cuisine make Kiwayu the ideal romantic hideaway.
Kipungani Explorer
Located on the ancient Arab island of Lamu, Kipungani is one of Africa’s most remote and relaxing coastal hideaways.
Accommodation is in 13 spacious chalets and 4 raised stilt –houses sitting above the soft hands of Kipungani bay.
Each chalet has an ocean-facing veranda with local funzi sofas. Amenities include freshwater showers, flush toilets and separate dressing areas with wash basins.
