Replicating the winding lanes and colourful market places of a traditional 13th Century Swahili town, the welcoming Serena Beach Resort & Spa sits in tropical gardens housing coconut palms and colourful bougainvillea that lead down to the beautiful beachfront. A large pool has its own swim-up bar and there are plenty of sunloungers dotted throughout the gardens. For dining, The Fountain is the main buffet restaurant. Then there’s the beachfront Jahazi Grill which is designed to resemble a traditional dhow and serves fresh seafood, and the Sokoni Plaza – a brasserie-style café. Guests with a sweet tooth will love the ice-cream parlour. To relax and rejuvenate, the Maisha Spa offers holistic therapies and has saunas, steamrooms and outdoor Jacuzzis. There's free Wi-Fi. Rooms are located either in the Village Wing, built in the style of a delightful Swahili-style village, or the Garden Wing, surrounded by palm trees with views across the gardens towards the sea. In the Village Wing, rooms are housed in two-storey buildings along the winding lanes. Choose from compact Village Rooms, spacious Prime Village Rooms, Seaview Rooms and excellent Family Village Rooms which feature one double and one twin room, each with private facilities making them ideal for families of all ages.
The resort’s location – on a coral headland overlooking vast stretches of world-famous Diani Beach – is idyllic. Shaded by indigenous coastal vegetation and exotic coconut palms, it stretches over 500 metres of golden beachfront. There is a great range of facilities which include main restaurants in all three wings of the hotel with live show cooking, two restaurants serving delicious seafood and bars serving snacks and drinks. If you’re looking to be active on holiday there is plenty to keep you entertained, from three swimming pools to archery and volleyball. For more sedate travellers, there's also the beautiful Afya Bora Spa and wellness centre, ideal for some rest and relaxation. Rooms are split between three wings, though only two are bookable in the UK. The main Baobab hotel has rooms in the main building and bungalows spread throughout the gardens. The Kole Kole Wing largely operates as a separate hotel, with its own reception area, dining room, lounges, bar and pool. Some facilities are shared with the main hotel, including the gym, wellness centre, amphitheatre and watersports. Standard Rooms are in the main hotel or in bungalows in the main hotel gardens. Superior and Deluxe Rooms as well as Suites are in the Kole Kole Wing.
This rustic and charming resort has long been a favourite with Kuoni customers due to the exemplary levels of service, quiet ambience and its secluded and beautiful natural setting. Dining here is a pleasure and there is no shortage of choice. From breakfast to dinner, which are both served at the main restaurant, Bahari, you will be able to enjoy international dishes as well as a few Kenyan specialities. If you opt for the Full Board package lunch is at the à la carte Tamu Snack Grill or the Jahazi Bistro which are situated by the pool and the beach. Guests choosing a suite can enjoy dinner in the comfort of their own room, with a chef on-hand to create personalised dishes – an indulgent extra that we think is worth the upgrade. The rooms and suites are located in two-storey whitewashed buildings throughout the resort. The first floor Deluxe Rooms and spacious ground floor Suites feature a balcony and terrace respectively which overlooks the resort’s gardens. For panoramic sea views you should choose either an Executive Room or Suite which have an enviable setting on the beachfront.
Whether you're seeking a beautiful setting in which to relax, a whole host of entertaining activities and facilities or a base from which you can explore the underwater world of the Mombasa Marine Park, this resort has it all. There are five pools here, including a lido pool with swim-up bar and a children’s pool with a slide. All tastes are catered for with three restaurants serving a variety of cuisines from around the world as well as local Swahili dishes. Meals are served at the buffet Pavilion Restaurant. If you are on holiday with your children we recommend eating at the Minazi Café which features a special kids’ menu and early evening buffet. Rooms here are simply designed with charming coastal-themed art works and light tones, and feature comfortable furnishings and modern amenities. The Garden Facing Rooms feature a balcony or terrace with garden views while Pool Facing Rooms overlook the lagoon-style Palm Pool. The sea views at the Sarova Whitesands are fantastic and if you choose a Sea Facing Room you will be able enjoy these vistas from your balcony or terrace.
With just ten rooms, AfroChic feels more like an exclusive villa than a hotel. Part of the Elewana collection, its home-from-home atmosphere makes it a little gem amongst the larger hotels on the Diani beachfront. There are no fixed dining times here – just let the staff know when suits you. The dining room has an international à la carte menu and serves up some excellent fish dishes. If you want a romantic al fresco dinner, ask for a table to be set up at the beach gazebo. AfroChic has an eclectic decor and no two rooms are the same. All have a traditional African design, wooden bedframes, local artwork, a private balcony or terrace with sun loungers and garden or ocean views. Amenities include tea and coffee facilities, a TV, iPod sound dock and in-room Wi-Fi. Upgrade to the Executive Suite for plusher furnishings and a Jacuzzi bath in the bathroom. The surroundings offer plenty of beach- and water-based activities, like exploring the reef at low tide with a local fisherman or joining a small group snorkelling trip to the Kisite-Mpunguti Marine Park. On land, take an island tour of Mombasa or tee off at the 18-hole championship golf course nearby, which has a large lake and plays host to bird life and monkeys.
Kinondo Kwetu has a tranquil beachfront location. It’s cut off from the main stretch of Diani Beach thanks to a rocky cliff, meaning there are no beach boys or crowds to spoil the peace. The local area is classified as sacred ‘kaya’ land and the surrounding holy forest is protected by the National Museum. The hotel is quiet and has a home-away-from-home vibe; it’s family-owned-and-run and the Swedish owners live on site with their children, so the service is warm and personalised. The family are related to Baron Blixen, husband of Out of Africa author Karen Blixen, and at Kinondo Kwetu they have created a traditional Swahili-style retreat. Rooms are dotted around the shaded gardens and are individually designed, but all have a traditional Swahili décor with cool white-washed walls and hand-carved furniture. The thatched cottages are ideal for couples, while the layout of the villas allows for flexible living. Each villa is made up of various rooms and suites that can be booked privately or together; families with young children are well catered for with interconnecting rooms and a family cottage. Some rooms have a terrace or balcony with sea view. Kinondo Kwetu’s daily set menu focuses on fresh seafood and local vegetables, but the hotel is happy to go off-menu. As well as the restaurant, guests can dine in a cute wooden fishing boat on the beach, tables out on the sand or on top of the water tower with views out over the resort. For relaxation, the hotel has two pools, a sauna and a yoga deck. There’s a focus on wellbeing, with yoga retreats held throughout the year. Watersports include kitesurfing and stand-up paddle boarding and there’s an on-site dive centre. Guests can also venture further afield to explore the surrounding sacred forest.
This popular resort offers relaxation, personalised service and a host of activities to suit all ages. The expansive gardens are dotted with ponds and home to inquisitive monkeys. With its pretty waterfalls, shallow areas for kids, a games area and plenty of space for swimming, the large pool caters for everyone while the white sands of Diani Beach are just a few steps away. Kids have a dedicated check-in desk, special menus and a kids’ club offering fun activities such as treasure hunts. An excellent choice of restaurants and bars means that all tastes and moods are catered for, from fresh seafood at the signature grill to casual pizza and pasta and an Asian-fusion restaurant and bar. Enjoy stir-fries with your toes in the sand at Coco Mchana and catch live bands at the Horizon Restaurant during the weekly barbecue. The rooms are scattered in 26-acre tropical gardens and feature modern amenities including free Wi-Fi and an eco-smart rain shower. Accommodation choices include Superior Balcony Rooms with resort views and Deluxe Terrace Rooms with spacious living areas and sea views. The luxury semi-detached Chui Class Cottages have twin rain showers, a private garden and stunning sea views. The romantic Honeymoon Suites offer a spacious living area, a double shower and/or Jacuzzi, a private garden and spectacular sea views.
Hemingways Watamu recently reopened after a multi-million-pound refurbishment to create an elegant retreat with historic charm. The hotel has a stunning setting – it fronts a white-sand beach within the protected Watamu Marine National Park and is backed by the Mida Creek Mangrove Forest, which is rich in birdlife. The snorkelling in Watamu Marine National Park is outstanding and during July and August, the area is a hot spot for humpback whales. You’ll receive a warm welcome at Hemingways and the service is personalised and genuine. The classic Hemingways Bar has been the hub of the hotel since its opening over 30 years ago, and returning guests will be happy to hear that it retains its original charm. Hemingways Restaurant is a brasserie-style restaurant that focuses on local produce and boat-fresh seafood, served up with a side of ocean views, while Gede Café Bar is a relaxed spot for snacking on pastries or pizzas by the botanical pool. There’s also the seasonal Rock Bar, which serves up light bites by the beach. Every room at the hotel has a beautiful view of the Indian Ocean. In the north wing, Ocean Rooms are located on the ground or first floors, while Deluxe Ocean Rooms sit on the top floor with views out over the bay. One-, two- and four-bedroom Residences offer the best of both worlds, with the privacy of a fully-equipped apartment and access to all hotel facilities.
Serena Beach
Baobab Beach Resort & Spa and Kole Kole
Pinewood Beach Resort & Spa
Sarova Whitesands Beach Resort & Spa
Elewana AfroChic
Kinondo Kwetu
Leopard Beach Resort & Spa
Hemingways Watamu
