Swahili Beach

My wife and I adore Diani Beach; we maintain it is one of the finest commercial beaches to be found anywhere in the world. We've stayed at a few hotels over the years. both boutique and high scale. Swahili Beach Resort sits aloft, above them all. Design, culture, food &...

My wife and I adore Diani Beach; we maintain it is one of the finest commercial beaches to be found anywhere in the world. We've stayed at a few hotels over the years. both boutique and high scale. Swahili Beach Resort sits aloft, above them all. Design, culture, food & drinks, maintenance and the excellent personal attention one receives from all of the willing and enthusiastic staff. The Indian restaurant and outstanding Spa are two particularly exceptional features. We're returning later this year.

We stayed at Swahili Beach Resort during our honeymoon to Kenya. From the moment we arrived, the service was impeccable. The staff took the time to get to know us and seemed genuinely interested in our travels. Keeping the restaurant open for us after our late arrival was over and...

We stayed at Swahili Beach Resort during our honeymoon to Kenya. From the moment we arrived, the service was impeccable. The staff took the time to get to know us and seemed genuinely interested in our travels. Keeping the restaurant open for us after our late arrival was over and above what we expected. The grounds, rooms and washrooms were immaculate and the food was some of the best we had throughout our whole trip. By far one of our favourite places to have stayed with the best night sleep due to the comfy beds. The location, rooms, views and rooms scream luxury but it is the staff that make Swahili Beach special. In particular Katana and Montana who were welcoming friendly faces every day. We hope to be back one day. Perhaps as your team suggested, for our anniversary!

We have gone to many hotels but Swahili beach stands to be the best hotel ever. We really loved you hospitality , we found our room very clean the food was amazing and our spur experience was awesome..in a special way we want to your driver Patrick for his wonderful...

We have gone to many hotels but Swahili beach stands to be the best hotel ever. We really loved you hospitality , we found our room very clean the food was amazing and our spur experience was awesome..in a special way we want to your driver Patrick for his wonderful driving skills, for making us smile always and also for suggesting to us the fun things we can do in the hotel and around Diani.. Also our regards goes the Mary (reception ) and brown ladies with specs at guest relation for been so helpful.

The property is great, but with terrible management that ruined the entire experience. Due to a mistake by a staff member, there was an issue with our bill (we took quite a few services so the amount in contention was less than 30%). When we tried to speak to the...

The property is great, but with terrible management that ruined the entire experience. Due to a mistake by a staff member, there was an issue with our bill (we took quite a few services so the amount in contention was less than 30%). When we tried to speak to the manager, the duty manager Alex - made us wait for hours, did not try to understand, rather, spoke extremely rudely - was nearly shouting. Finally, we were told that the staff member will be made to pay if we didn’t pay. Ofc we paid and left, not wanting anyone to suffer for an honest mistake but have never seen management behave this way with customers in avg hotels, let alone one that’s supposed to be a 5 star property. Not befitting of a property such as this at all.

Every single day the room takes hours to be cleaned. For example the room will start to be cleaned at 11am, then we will come back to the room at 2pm and it still isn’t finished. Then by 3pm the cleaner will have left, and they will forget to replace...

Every single day the room takes hours to be cleaned. For example the room will start to be cleaned at 11am, then we will come back to the room at 2pm and it still isn’t finished. Then by 3pm the cleaner will have left, and they will forget to replace the towels and the hand soap. So we have to call reception every day to ask to send towels. We went to hand laundry in to reception before breakfast. The member of staff made us take out our private and dirty laundry in the middle of the lobby for everyone to see and make sure we weren’t lying about what we had said we wanted washed. They made us count each piece of dirty underwear in the middle of the lobby for everyone to see. Name me one 5 star hotel around the world that would do this, I’ll wait. Another thing is that on both the hotel website and booking.com, there is zero mention of monkeys. As soon as you arrive you are told do not open any windows in the room and keep your door closed at all times, incase the monkeys get inside. The hotel are clearly being very secretive and know exactly what they are doing by not highlighting this information until arrival. Transparency isn’t a priority for this place. All about cutting corners. Some people think monkeys are cute etc but everyone is different. Monkeys are dirty animals and personally we don’t feel comfortable knowing that monkeys are able to and already have been in the room that we’re staying in. The staff members at the gate and in the restaurants and pool are all super friendly. Very nice to speak to. However, the reception staff are the total opposite. They make you feel like you’re a burden to the point that on our last few days we just phoned up to make a dinner reservation. We couldn’t be bothered having to interact with the world’s most rude and unhappy reception staff. The hotel itself is beautiful. The rooms and the pools are great, the onsite gym is also very nice. They have 4 restaurants. The buffet is very nice, the live cooking in the Zanzibar restaurant is very fun and the food is so fresh. The Indian restaurant is the highlight for us, one of the best Indian restaurants we have ever eaten in, it is 10/10. The one thing in terms of food that was a major let down was the beach bar restaurant. We arrived at 8pm and ordered chicken wings and spring rolls as starters, and two burgers for our main. It took 26 minutes for the starters to arrive and then a further 30 minutes for the burgers to arrive. The starters were good but the delay was a bit ridiculous. Then the burgers arrived and firstly the burger buns were completely stale and a bit burnt, and the main issue was that the chips were not cooked fully, most of them were undercooked. So we didn’t eat the chips. No one came to ask and check on us to say how is everything and is there anything we can get you. This is a basic thing that you get even from the most cheapest restaurants, let alone one in a supposed 5 star hotel. Then at the end when we left, I said the chips weren’t cooked so that’s why we haven’t touched them. Even in McDonald’s they would give you a replacement. But not in this restaurant. Not even were we offered replacement chips, the service was so poor that we had to leave. Another issue that would never happen in 5 star hotels elsewhere around the world is not being allowed even some water when you have paid for the dinner to be included in the package. The hotel are that cheap that you are not allowed any water to go along with the dinner plan. There is also a 660ml (2 bottles) per person limit of water given to you each day. Which is absurd in a place where it’s 33 degrees Celsius. If you want anymore then you have to pay. Also the water you are given is left out so it’s very warm. You could try and put them in the fridge but the fridges are so terrible that they may as well save electricity and not have them in the room. It doesn’t keep anything cool. Additionally, to save themselves more money from guests who have paid to be in a 5 star hotel they only allow you 2 eggs maximum in an omelette at breakfast. I asked for 3 and they told me it’s not allowed. I felt like I was at school. All in all, this is a beautiful hotel with enormous rooms and lovely pools. In terms of hotel gyms this one is good. It has direct access to the beach which is a bonus. Some of the staff are very polite and friendly. The majority of the restaurants are of a high standard. However, they claim to be a 5 star hotel and when you pay for 5 stars you should receive 5 star service. Which is something that you will not find in this hotel. Expect long waits to get towels for the pool. And when you eventually get one, they are all stained. Expect the reception staff to look down on you and not smile and be friendly, to the point where you have to make dinner reservations on the phone. If you want any laundry done, then expect to have someone go through all your dirty underwear in broad daylight in the middle of the lobby so everyone can see. We paid for half board, so breakfast and dinner included. You’re only allowed black coffee with breakfast, if you want a cappuccino/latte/flat white etc then you have to pay extra. You’re not allowed any drinks, not even water with dinner. So if you want water with the dinner that you’ve paid for in advance, then you will have to pay extra. Expect that your room will take on average 3 hours to be cleaned each day, only for you to call reception and ask for towels and soap as they are always forgotten. This hotel has great potential but sadly it has fallen short. We have paid for a 5 star hotel but it really offers nothing more than 3 stars. We have enjoyed the most part of our stay here, but certain things have let this place down. We will not be coming back nor would we recommend this place to anyone seeking a stay in a 5 star hotel, as you will not be given the 5 star treatment. What a shame.

First of all, I have travelled to many countries around the world, stayed in many hotels, but this hotel may have been my favourite. The architecture is as the pictures look, the decor is amazing and it is like a paradise with the beautiful palm trees surrounding the amazing pool....

First of all, I have travelled to many countries around the world, stayed in many hotels, but this hotel may have been my favourite. The architecture is as the pictures look, the decor is amazing and it is like a paradise with the beautiful palm trees surrounding the amazing pool. The rooms are super spacious in terms of the bedroom and the ensuite. The restaurants are packed with great food and options. But mainly what makes this hotel so amazing is the staff. I've honestly never met a hotel with so many friendly and helpful staff. From the moment you walk through the reception, you're greeted by great staff like Nancy who took care of everything for us and any little requests. From booking things for us like excursions or requests i may have for the room. You walk through after to the bar where you have a truly great barman in Tsofa who always greets you with a smile. He taught me and my wife some Swahili also! Adjacent to the bar is the restaurant where you dine for breakfast where the staff always welcomed us every morning. Staff like Sila, Valentine, Karisa, Kudura, Hellen and Adam were always there for us with a smile and happy to help with anything. The staff change from morning to the afternoon and the great staff continued throughout the day. During the day you can lounge by the pool and enjoy the spa also. In the evening Katana and Nanyinja would welcome us warmly. And it was great to always talk to great staff like Samantha, Linder and Grace who would always be smiling and happy take time to talk to us. And also a great chef in Abubukar, a truly top man and chef. I did love Zanzibar also in the evening. The 2 chefs entertain you throughout the night and leave you so full. The 2 girls who work there, Caroline and Nivia are fantastic too and always are smiling and dancing. It's a truly entertaining night there. I'm truly going to miss this place and it will always have a place in my heart. In general Kenya was amazing and the people make this country. Always smiling and happy to help with anything. Thank you Swahili Beach, from room 12. Michael and Natália

BED BUGS Very disappointed in our stay. We travelled from Canada and stayed at this hotel September 1-2nd during our vacation. We booked the hotel based on recommendations from family/friends and based on its 5 star rating. The hotel does have beautiful pools and the staff were quite friendly but...

BED BUGS Very disappointed in our stay. We travelled from Canada and stayed at this hotel September 1-2nd during our vacation. We booked the hotel based on recommendations from family/friends and based on its 5 star rating. The hotel does have beautiful pools and the staff were quite friendly but the rooms do not meet the 5 star ratings that they claim. Our stay resulted in waking up to numerous bed bug bites on our bodies. The bites were located on my legs, arms, and hands and were extremely red and itchy. This ruined my vacation and I hope this review warns others of the bed bug infestation that we experienced. I do not recommend staying at this hotel!

What can I say, a dream! As soon as we arrived, security at the gate greeted us with a big smile. A large parking area if you have your own car. The hotel has a long corridor where you can find the check-in team and relaxation areas, the various swimming...

What can I say, a dream! As soon as we arrived, security at the gate greeted us with a big smile. A large parking area if you have your own car. The hotel has a long corridor where you can find the check-in team and relaxation areas, the various swimming pools that overlook the sea are majestic! My fiancé and I were guests on a wellness course in an adults-only area. The style that was used is perfect for the surrounding atmosphere! We were pampered in every respect, with a nice welcome glass of champagne. We ordered appetisers and the quality of the food matched the AMAZING service. Special thanks go to Salima, who guided us through our experience and made everything perfect! Excellent work! I would recommend you to anyone, and look forward to coming back and having more good experiences with you.

Swahili Beach resort is a very well kept large oasis on the Diani Beach area (not technically on Diani Beach but just South of it) . The rooms are all set within some wonderfully kept gardens complete with various local visiting monkeys. We just stayed here for two weeks so...

Swahili Beach resort is a very well kept large oasis on the Diani Beach area (not technically on Diani Beach but just South of it) . The rooms are all set within some wonderfully kept gardens complete with various local visiting monkeys. We just stayed here for two weeks so got a good feel for what the hotel has to offer. The hotel has several pools and comfortable sun loungers with great umbrella shades when needed. There’s also a bar adjoining the pool for your sun-baking refreshments. The pools are complemented by four varied restaurant offerings from great authentic Indian dishes to teppanyaki grill, fresh seafood and all are work a visit. All the rooms are large and air conditioned which was nice and a ceiling fan above the beds for sleeping and keeping the mosquitos away was useful. I can recommend the All Inclusive option which works across many dishes in all restaurants and you can add extra paid menu options if you like. The pricing is very reasonable also on the bar and food if you are paying a little more here and there. The Spa at the hotel is for sure a feature. You can have very reasonably prices treatments and use an adult only pool with a great ocean view when you are there. You can also book a day pass to that pool area that includes some drinks, snacks and a 15 mini massage on your sun lounge. It’s a useful respite if the kids are being kids at the pool for hours on end. For me the only thing that lets this place down is the lack of a beach front for sun lounging on. It’s not a great place for ocean swimming although you can if you wish to. You will be asked, like everywhere, to buy things or take tours if you do step onto the beach so knowing that makes it a lot easier to take. After all the Kenyan’s are the most friendly of people and it’s important to support the locally run tourist activities. We’ll be back for another visit, perhaps even a linger stay, to the Swahili Beach so I think that says it all.

Sensational hotel with sensational service The best value for money I’ve had in a long time. We arrived at 11.30 pm at night and they opened one of four kitchens to cook us dinner. Not many hotels would do that. The room was just perfect. Very spacious, with a huge...

Sensational hotel with sensational service The best value for money I’ve had in a long time. We arrived at 11.30 pm at night and they opened one of four kitchens to cook us dinner. Not many hotels would do that. The room was just perfect. Very spacious, with a huge en suite bathroom ( with shower, bath, ) and terrace with 2 sun loungers. Couldn’t have wished for more There are 4 restaurants , with excellent, tasty and varied food. Drinks ( water and alcohol are extra but this is common at African hotels with full board). The staff are so attentive, always receive you with a friendly smile. Ensure you book dinner at the Japanese restaurant. A totally personalised experience by the beach with a lovely sea breeze and impeccable service. The adjoining beach allows for long walks at low tide and there are sufficient sun loungers, deck chairs and balinese beds all over the resort and by the pools Special thanks to Nancy for her customer-centric resolution skills and huge thanks to Kennedy, our driver. We didn’t want to reach the airport so that we could keep on talking to him. Fascinating conversation from a very articulate and knowledgeable driver Congrats to GM Alex for managing a formidable team and top notch property

The staff is very nice. The crew of the Sansi-bar restaurant was so friendly and funny. Moses makes the greatest dim Sum! The beach unfortunately was covered in seagrass during the time we stayed there. But beachwalks were fun. For a couple it might get too loud/busy at times as...

The staff is very nice. The crew of the Sansi-bar restaurant was so friendly and funny. Moses makes the greatest dim Sum! The beach unfortunately was covered in seagrass during the time we stayed there. But beachwalks were fun. For a couple it might get too loud/busy at times as there are families with kids. To the management: Don't kill the cats! They are very cute. The room was great.

The hotel was was a brilliant experience from start to finish Amazing beach and pools Such a cool beach bar that serves great food and cocktails Total of 4 restaurants to choice from Staff are amazing Clinton at reception was great and couldn’t do enough to help any need that...

The hotel was was a brilliant experience from start to finish Amazing beach and pools Such a cool beach bar that serves great food and cocktails Total of 4 restaurants to choice from Staff are amazing Clinton at reception was great and couldn’t do enough to help any need that you had Great experience overall and will 100% return

The pictures on the Swahili website do not do justice to the elegance and beauty of this resort. The rooms are decadent, the grounds are immaculate and overall, this feels like a place fit for royalty. I cannot describe how beautiful this place is. The white sand beach looks like...

The pictures on the Swahili website do not do justice to the elegance and beauty of this resort. The rooms are decadent, the grounds are immaculate and overall, this feels like a place fit for royalty. I cannot describe how beautiful this place is. The white sand beach looks like something from a postcard. The water is warm and inviting. A short walk to the beach when the tide is out reveals a cornucopia of life in the coral tide pools. I have always considered myself an adventurer and balked at people who stay at all inclusive resorts, but honestly, I could have stayed here and not left the resort and been happy. We chose the breakfast only option, but the resort is so inviting, and the food is so good, I wished we would have opted for full board. We stayed here for three nights at the end of our safari and wished we could have stayed longer. If you do stay here, don’t miss out on the spa. It was hands down the best massage I’ve ever had, and took place in a room overlooking the beach with the only noise the sound of the ocean waves. Rahima, Mary, Chikoza and Virginia all went above and beyond to make our stay even more enjoyable.

Just got back from an absolutely AMAZING stay at Swahili Beach in Diani, and I’m honestly still dreaming about it. The place is stunning, a perfect blend of luxury and coastal charm. The pools are beautiful, the beach views are breathtaking, and the service was next-level. Every single member of...

Just got back from an absolutely AMAZING stay at Swahili Beach in Diani, and I’m honestly still dreaming about it. The place is stunning, a perfect blend of luxury and coastal charm. The pools are beautiful, the beach views are breathtaking, and the service was next-level. Every single member of staff made me feel so welcome and taken care of. The food? Incredible. The vibe? Pure relaxation. I couldn’t have asked for a better escape. If you’re thinking about Diani, Swahili Beach is 100% worth it. Can’t wait to go back!