Category Archives: Hotels and Resorts

The Majlis

November 9, 2013 zurukenya 3 Comments

The Majlis, situated on Manda Island in Lamu is the perfect blend of Luxury, style, Swahili culture and western comforts. This privately owned resort is quickly turning into East Africa’s most intimate and Eco-friendly beach resort.

This boutique hotel constitutes 25 exquisite deluxe rooms and suites featured in three beachfront villas. In the rooms guests are provided with spectacular views of either the beach, garden, swimming pools or the endless Indian Ocean. Majlis is Ultra-stylish and elegant having Lamu style decor with displays of antique Swahili furniture, African paintings and sculptures.

Guests here should expect nothing short of excellence…

For the foodies, the Majlis restaurant will not fail to impress. Set on an open plan veranda with a panoramic view of the bay, it offers the finest cuisine. Additional state-of-the-art facilities include two bars, two swimming pools and an activity centre, which co-ordinates a wide variety of activities. Non-guests can book for lunch or dinner.

The Majlis is also child-friendly and features children’s areas supervised by dedicated nannies, family-friendly room layouts and delicious kid-friendly meals. Children can also safely swim in the sea or in the pools with pool attendants on duty all day long.

Activities here are centered around Swahili culture, sailing, water sports, and fishing. The Lamu archipelago cruises are unforgettable and so is the arrival on Majlis’s shore on Ras Kitau bay from Lamu, on a scenic 15-minute boat ride which is a treat in and of itself.

With a superb beachfront location and breathtaking views over the Ras Kitau bay and Shela village, Majlis Resort offers the perfect setting and ideal location for barefoot luxury, informal pampering and excellent cuisine.

Hotels and Resorts

Msambweni Beach House

November 7, 2013 zurukenya 2 Comments

Msambweni House is located just south of Msambweni village on the remote southern coast of Kenya. This family owned and run property is uniquely set and enjoys seclusion away from the busier south coast areas, a stay here thus guarantees utmost exclusivity.

This small boutique lodge appeals to individuals seeking personalized service and an intimate beach experience. It constitutes three suites in the main building, two detached cottages and a further tented room. Maweni Beach House is well thought out with its elegant Swahili-inspired design oozing pure luxury.

Expect top level comfort and service in this high-end property. Having your own private jacuzzi looking into the Indian ocean, butler service, and other staff at your disposal, Msambweni House is just the place to be. Highlight of the house is certainly its stunning centre-piece infinity pool that merges with the azure waters of the Indian Ocean. A whole range of activities are also offered here.

The dining experience here is divine with meals being centred on Swahili, Belgian and French cuisine.Children of all ages are most welcome at Msambweni Beach House. There are no specific child care facilities but babysitting can easily be arranged. It is possible to tailor food requirements to children’s tastes and arrange for earlier meal times if required.

Msambweni House is almost certainly the best upper-end market option in the south and is open for rental on an exclusive basis. Keep in mind though, December is peak season so be sure to make reservations earlier in advance. It remains closed in May.

Hotels and Resorts

Alfajiri Villas

October 28, 2013 zurukenya Leave a comment

We begin our feature on must do coastal accommodations for the December holidays at Alfajiri Villas in the southern region. Originally the Beach Villa, this Italian owned property is up there as the best exclusive villa on the East African Coast. So much so it was awarded the Harpers and Queen award for the private villa providing the best service worldwide in 2002.

Situated within Diani, an hour’s drive south of Mombasa airport, guests are provided with an option of either Garden Villa, the Cliff Villa, or the Beach Villa (book months in advance for the latter). These luxurious double-story villas, owned and run by Fabrizio and Marica Molinaro are well thought out, elegantly styled, and very private. All are rented out on an exclusive basis.

The Garden and Beach Villas feature four double en-suite rooms whereas the Cliff Villa supports two doubles, a twin and a triple. Service here is exceptional and so is the dining experience but the selling point at Alfajiri is definitely its exclusivity. Something that has seen famous names like Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie frequent the property.

Alfajiri villas gives you good value for money be sure though, it does not come cheap! Nonetheless, with the most desirable holiday location on the entire African coast, top quality service and the ultimate luxury experience, its well worth it.

Hotels and Resorts

Hemingways Watamu

July 17, 2013 zurukenya Leave a comment

Welcome to Hemingways Watamu,

This Indian Ocean beach resort is everyone’s favorite. Guests just keep coming back for more. Maybe it’s the location – right in the middle of the pristine white sand beach of Watamu; perhaps it’s the big game fishing – one of the top destinations in the world for this sport; or maybe it’s the fantastic personal service and sincere charm of this established hotel that has come to represent Kenyan coastal luxury to so many families and couples over the years.

Hemingways’ 76 bright, airy rooms all offer a view of the Indian Ocean horizon. Every room is en-suite, air-conditioned and has mosquito netting, a fridge and a personal safe. You’ll also find a fan, telephone, minibar, hairdryer and kettle in your room. Their restaurant also serves the freshest sea-food, straight from the ocean.

There’s just so much to do here – relax in the poolside bar of the resort working your way through their cocktail menu; play a round of golf on the nearby world class course, Vipingo Ridge; learn to kite-surf; get your PADI certificate, take a sunset dhow cruise on Mida Creek; or go on safari for a few days in Tsavo or the Masai Mara.

If the world is your oyster – Hemingways is your pearl.

– Owner’s Description

Hotels and Resorts

Hemingways Nairobi

July 16, 2013 zurukenya Leave a comment

A warm welcome to guests at Hemingways Nairobi,

The debut of this 45-room boutique hotel elevates the standard of luxury service for travellers in the region. Beautiful in its symmetry and flooded with natural light, this plantation-style property is airy and spacious. Its 80 squared metre bedrooms each have a private balcony overlooking the iconic silhouette of the Ngong Hills.

Hallmark Hemingways hospitality, borne out of decades of expertise in welcoming guests to Kenya, makes guests the focus of their every design. This new hotel, only a 40-minute drive away from Nairobi’s international airport, completes Hemingways’ definitive Collection which encompasses the beach and the bush.

Hemingways’ guest-attention is personal and sincere, offering a seamless service from the moment guests touchdown in Kenya to the final adieu of their departure. They are there to enhance your experience and surprise you with the detailed care they give you during your stay. Your dedicated butler will know that you prefer Earl Grey to Assam with your scones and Cornish clotted cream, and he’ll remember which trousers you like pressed flat and which ones need a central crease.

So while you’re reposing in the spa or discussing the delicacies of the a la carte menu with their Michelin-starred chef in the private dining room, back in your suite your butler will have dimmed the lights, adjusted your personalised pillows, set out your nightcap and arranged the morning’s outing to the game park down to the last detail.

Lofty, expansive rooms with vast, bright en-suite bathrooms are characteristic of hemingways’ boutique hotel’s wonderful sense of space and use of natural light. The hotel has 45 high-ceilinged rooms, two of which are penthouse style Presidential Suites and 43 Junior Suites culminating in vaulted beams. Muted colours and textured fabrics in ecru and taupe create an ambiance of contemporary-chic while subtle touches of brass, mahogany and leather bear reference to the classic elegance of vintage East African safaris. Your attentive butler is on hand to rustle up a treat from the pantry and tend to the artisan bouquets of fresh roses in your room. Beyond the balustrade of your private balcony, Hemingways have chosen for you a view of The Green Hills of Africa, as described in Hemingway’s novel.

Room Features

Spacious en-suite bathroom lined with hand cut Italian marble, walk-in wardrobe, double vanity, separate toilet, bath and shower
Complimentary wired and Wi-Fi internet acces
Pop-up 40″ LED television
Dual Telephone lines with conference call and speakerphone capabilities call forwarding and voice mall
Bathroom telephone
Air conditioning and ceiling fan
Personalised bar
Electronic safe with charging socket and space for 17” laptop
Hairdryer
Bathrobes & Slippers
Overnight kit
Hypoallergenic pillows available
Finest Egyptian cotton bed linen and towels
Complimentary daily newspaper (local)
Same day international newspapers available
On request laptop PC, DVD player, fax machine, Playstation 3, Xbox 360