"🌴 A Destination in Itself – Beautiful Design, Great AC, a True “Wow” Hotel
Arrival & First Impressions
On arrival, we were greeted with a refreshing welcome drink called Dawa Sawa (lime juice, honey, and soda – 550 KES). It was so good I ordered it several times during our stay. We also received a helpful briefing and tour of the property, which immediately set the tone for a special experience.
Architecture & Atmosphere
Swahili Beach Resort is truly a destination in itself. Designed in the 1970s by Polish-born architect Zbigniew Trzebinski and Slovakian Tibor Gaal, the property is a stunning showcase of coastal design and remains one of the most impressive resorts on the Kenyan coast. Photos and videos simply don’t do it justice – this is a genuine “wow” hotel.
Rooms & Rates
I paid $2,390 through Expedia for three nights in two king rooms (#115 & #116). Rooms are spacious, with mosquito netting, strong Wi-Fi, and excellent air conditioning. Views are limited due to lush mature vegetation, but that greenery adds to the tropical setting (and keeps mischievous monkeys nearby – keep balcony doors closed!).
Bathrooms feature powerful rain showers with strong water pressure (caution: hot water runs very hot). Tuk-tuks are available right outside the resort, and there’s a complimentary shuttle to Diani Airport.
Dining
Food here was the best we had during our 10 days in Kenya. The resort offers both half-board and full-board options across four restaurants."
