Photos by Brian Siambi
Medina Palms, Watamu
Kilifi/Malindi
Kilifi/Malindi
Kilifi/Malindi
Kilifi/Malindi
With its distinct North African and Mediterranean flair which followed through to the dishes served, this hotel became a fast favourite. We checked into a chic all-white apartment-style villa with two ensuite rooms, a kitchen, private lounge and balcony overlooking the pool, an upstairs living room complete with a rooftop plunge pool on the terrace. Families and honeymooners whiled away the day by the main pool which stretched across the length of the hotel, culminating in an infinity pool overlooking the sea. Choose from 50 units ranging from cozy one-bedroom apartments to palatial five-bedroom villas. Meals can be enjoyed at Amandina Restaurant, or under the moon by the pool, beach or garden. There’s a fitness centre as well as the rooftop, open-air Sakina Ocean spa offering full-body massages using rose quartz crystals, shea and water jets, as well as a range of deep facials. Rates start as Ksh 24,000.
Silver Palm Spa & Resort, Kilifi
Kilifi/Malindi
Kilifi/Malindi
Kilifi/Malindi
Kilifi/Malindi
Kilifi/Malindi
With 38 rooms, this contemporary Swahili style accommodation sets the benchmark for chic luxury accommodation in Kilifi. A grand pool wends its way around the midsection of the resort which majestically sits on a cliff overlooking the sea. We were each booked into one bedroom executive suites complete with a living room, shower and bathtub, all housed in a white-walled villa. The best part about each of the rooms is however that one can step right from the terrace of the living room and into the pool. There are two restaurants and bars: Forodhani Beach Bar & Restaurant offers freshly caught seafood, wood-fired pizzas, Indian dishes as well as a teppanyaki grill, the beach bar offers tropical classics like the (Kilifi) sunrise, and there is also the option of Bustani Lounge Bar and Mambrui Restaurant. Using Theranaka body and skin care products, Barizi Spa offers a range of massages and grooming complete with a jacuzzi on the balcony of the couple’s massage room. Rates start at Ksh 16,000.
Vipingo Ridge
Kilifi/Malindi
Kilifi/Malindi
Kilifi/MalindiSet within a 2,500 acre estate, this exclusive residential golf development has a top-ranked PGA championship golf course, best enjoyed from the Clubhouse. With a distinct moorish flair, the Clubhouse has the signature high ceilings, central courtyard as well as Arabic decor marked by intricately carved chests and mirrors. Vipingo ridge offers luxury accommodation in the form of villas ranging from two to four bedrooms- you may enjoy the public swimming pool or opt for a villa with a private plunge pool on its rooftop terrace. If you would however prefer an even more homely feel, you can book a private homestay. There is a sundowner bar across the road from the 10th fairway right next to the horse stables, but our favourite part was however the pristine private beach bar set on Kuruwitu Marine Park which is perfect for snorkelling, and serving some of the best seafood and cocktails you can ever have at the coast. The property also has a 1.5km Private Airstrip with flights being only an hour away from Nairobi. Accommodation starts at Ksh 15,000 for a single room in the low season. Golf and fly in packages are available on enquiry.
Set within a 2,500 acre estate, this exclusive residential golf development has a top-ranked PGA championship golf course, best enjoyed from the Clubhouse. With a distinct moorish flair, the Clubhouse has the signature high ceilings, central courtyard as well as Arabic decor marked by intricately carved chests and mirrors. Vipingo ridge offers luxury accommodation in the form of villas ranging from two to four bedrooms- you may enjoy the public swimming pool or opt for a villa with a private plunge pool on its rooftop terrace. If you would however prefer an even more homely feel, you can book a private homestay. There is a sundowner bar across the road from the 10th fairway right next to the horse stables, but our favourite part was however the pristine private beach bar set on Kuruwitu Marine Park which is perfect for snorkelling, and serving some of the best seafood and cocktails you can ever have at the coast. The property also has a 1.5km Private Airstrip with flights being only an hour away from Nairobi. Accommodation starts at Ksh 15,000 for a single room in the low season. Golf and fly in packages are available on enquiry.
Hemingways Watamu, Watamu
Kilifi/Malindi
Kilifi/Malindi
Kilifi/Malindi
The hotel sits on the protected Watamu Marine National Park, considered one of the best snorkeling and diving areas at the coast. With simple luxury at its core, recent renovations, now a combination of a 39-bedroom hotel and 21-unit Residences, have boosted it into the ranks of one of the most high- end accommodations in the area. Hotel rooms and apartments are decorated in bright and crisp colours that reflect a modern Coastal style. Wide balconies overlook the sea and well manicured gardens. Deluxe rooms provide the most luxurious experience, each containing marble tiled en-suite bathrooms and four-poster beds. Water lovers have direct access to pristine, white sand beaches, two new swimming pools surrounded by immaculate gardens, an outdoor restaurant, spa and the iconic Hemingways bar. Apartments are in the south wing and offer 1, 2 and 4 bedroom configurations. All Residences include a lounge room, dining area, modern fitted kitchen, en- suite bathrooms and private balcony. Rates start at Ksh 20,750.
Che Shale Hotel, Malindi
Kilifi/Malindi
Kilifi/Malindi
Kilifi/Malindi
The hotel is set on a beach that is quite literally golden because it has mica, a mineral often referred to as “fool’s gold” because it’s not actually the real deal. Located a little after Malindi, this is a hub for kitesurfing along the Kenyan coast with a well stocked kitesurf center complete with beginner courses. Private and secluded, it blends low-key luxury with natural beauty and has been one of Kenya’s most iconic destinations for almost 40 years. All the charm and quiet of nature is captured in nine uniquely designed, castaway-chic style beachfront bandas. Fresh seafood by the beach, an organic crab farm and a tempting array of experiences to choose from – including big-game fishing, dhow sailing, kayaking and more – will keep you as active or as chilled as you wish to be. Rates available on enquiry.
Rock and Sea Resort, Watamu
Rock and Sea Bubble Eco Lodge & Gourmet Restaurant is the ideal base for various activities including romantic candlelit dinners in the middle of the savanna and aperitifs at sunset on hills that offer breathtaking panoramic views. Perched on a 55-metre high rock overlooking nature at its best, it promises a magical dining experience with exquisite cuisine using locally- sourced fresh ingredients. Suites are eco- friendly and completely immersed in nature. Start with a lunch at the restaurant built on a 50-metre high rock, taking in the fantastic views of Mida Creek, Arabuko Forest and Indian Ocean. Thereafter, relax with a soothing massage. There are four rooms available, including a bush bubble suite.
