Guest reviews Kinondo Kwetu

by Annette227913 Zoetermeer, The Netherlands

Perfect place to stay at Galu beach

I was traveling alone and booked just a long weekend at the coast to be away from Nairobi. I had heard before of Kinondo Kwetu and was anxious to visit it myself. The positive reviews aren’t exaggerated. The lodge itself is a very relaxing place and very spacious. My first night I stayed in a room in the main building. The room was ok but the location was disappointing. I guess it’s the last room to be given out. Disappointing view and direct contact with bar area. The next day I luckily got an upgrade to a really nice cottage in which I felt very happy. Beautiful room, own veranda, and a nice view. The food is wonderful for as well lunch as dinner. They really must have a wonderful chef who is also very creative. They table setting is also very creative. Every day you are seated at a different table on a different spot. Can be inside, in the garden or on the beach. Anna the manager is a perfect host,the staff is very friendly and helpful and it is really the perfect place to relax , to read and to enjoy the beach and ocean. The beach itself is not as sandy as Diani and the coral makes it a bit hard to enter the ocean. For this reason they created a long cemented path into the ocean to give you easier access to the ocean. I had a wonderful horse-riding trip along the beach and through the ocean with a lovely guide named Peter. It was worth doing it. The only minus according to me are the prices which are charged for the various activities/ excursions. I think they are extremely overpriced. You think twice before doing it and some things ( transport)you can organise yourself much cheaper. Nevertheless , I had a wonderful stay and I think it’s worth to come back to.

by DayTrip593647

Beautiful retreat - but not perfect value

We had a lovely time at Kinondo and the management were very helpful (booking things on our behalf etc) and generously upgraded us as it was our honeymoon. Kinondo Kwetu really is a haven from the crowded, slightly run down and touristy Diani and Galu beaches. The environment is stunning and spacious, and we never felt on top of other guests. The rooms are lovely, and the staff are incredibly friendly. The food is where the resort shines - it is extraordinary and some of the best we’ve eaten anywhere in the world. You’re moved to a different beautiful spot every meal and it’s genuinely heavenly. There’s a great outdoor gym, yoga area and sauna and in general a huge amount of care has been taken with the space - there’s water, towels and whatever else you might need everywhere you turn Cons - There were areas which we felt weren’t great value given the price of the hotel and the baseline cost of services in Kenya. The 15 minute shuttle from Ukunda is $50 USD each way: call Diani Taxis and they’ll do it for $15 before you even start haggling. Activities are fun, but again quite expensive for what you get - the 15 minute boat ride to a touristy sand island off Diani swarming with beach boys and glass-bottom boats will set you back 125 USD if you can’t find someone to split the trip with. Waterskiing is $25 pp every 10minutes. Nobody’s forcing you to do these though and the resort is a great place to forget about the outside world.

by Jim H

Paradise in Kenya

Fantastic location on a quite part of the beach, lovely friendly staff who could not have been more helpful and great food. The villas are spacious and very well equipped and well laid out- we will definitely go back!

by tobymh11 London, United Kingdom

Tropical paradise

We spent the second half of our honeymoon at Kinondo, relaxing after our safari trip. It is an amazing place to escape to, the amenities are second to none (sauna, tennis court, 2 pools, a library full of paperbacks and board games) and the staff are super attentive without being overbearing. The food in particular is awesome - we'd never eaten so well (or so much!) - so special thanks to the chef and waiting staff. Vincent was our waiter most days/nights, and he was so charming and lovely, we felt very well cared for. Anna and the rest of the management team were very accomodating and were able to allow us to have late checkout given that the resort was not as busy in October, which was very much appreciated. Nothing was too much trouble for them, which made for a lovely honeymoon experience that we will never forget!

by mndmason Bidford-on-Avon, United Kingdom

Perfect Relaxing Stay

We spent 5 nights here in July and had a wonderful stay. Anna and Harry were perfect hosts and all the staff were wonderful - great service with genuine care shown to guests. A really relaxing location - I will definitely go back!