With its powder-soft white sand beaches against the deep blue silk of the Indian Ocean, swaying palm trees against the brilliant sky, warm spice-scented breeze, hotels that are the epitome of Swahili style, luxury world-class, international cuisine and endless leisure activities and entertainment. history that is steeped in a rich culture, Mombasa, Kenya has it all.
Mombasa Hotels and Resorts:
Many Mombasa hotels offer relaxing experiences designed to help weary travelers recharge mind, body, and soul. With a variety of options that range along the financial scale, there is something for everyone, from world-class beach resorts to independent cottages along the coast.
Sarova Whitesands Beach Resort and Spa boasts the longest beach on the north coast and the largest hotel. With its Tulia Spa, Ozone Children’s Club, four free-form pools, restaurants and bars, floodlit tennis courts, and the hotel’s water sports center, you’re spoiled for choice at this beautiful resort.
The Serena Beach Hotel and Spa on Shanzu Beach is a lovely way to try water sports like mini-sailing, deep-sea fishing, beach volleyball, windsurfing, and scuba diving. Or just pamper yourself at the Maisha Health and Beauty Spa.
Endless beaches, slave caves, excellent snorkeling and even dolphins to swim with. From beautiful sunsets to frolicking dolphins, the wonders of nature are constantly surrounding you on Mombasa’s south coast. What better way to enjoy a family vacation than in the comfort of your own ‘home’? There are numerous villas and country houses to stay on the south coast. The very reasonably priced Vindigo Huts near Ukunda are quiet and very rustic in a quaint way. Who needs luxurious Egyptian cotton sheets or Italian-tiled bathrooms when you have soft-sand beaches, a sprawling tree-filled garden, and the company of Vervet monkeys coming to dine? Eat fresh seafood at your leisure, relax on the terrace, or take a dip in the tempting ocean, guaranteed to lift your spirits.
Restaurants in Mombasa:
There are dozens of restaurants in Mombasa, but if you’re looking for a quick bite in a relaxed atmosphere, try the ones on Mama Ngina Drive, which runs parallel to the coast from Likoni to the north. Huge baobab trees are lit up at night and there are a number of small restaurants on either side of the road, offering excellent views over the channel and the shipping traffic on the coastal side. All offer snack menus, cold drinks and outdoor dining.
The North Shore comes alive at sunset with fantastic dining and entertainment. Just north of Mombasa, towards the posh suburb of Nyali, you’ll find one of Africa’s best seafood restaurants. The Tamarind serves a delicious variety of seafood, combining the best of French, Asian and African cuisine. Housed in an elegant Moorish-style building, the restaurant is the perfect setting for a fine dining experience, with a starlit terrace perched on a cliff overlooking Old Mombasa Harbour. The four-course set menu offered on the Tamarind Dhow is another great way to enjoy fine dining. The Dhow sails around Mombasa Island in the early evening, serving the restaurant’s spectacular seafood against the backdrop of stunning views of Mombasa Island.
As the last light fades over the horizon, the North Shore comes alive. From Mombasa’s famous bazaars, tea rooms and open-air restaurants lining the main streets to the thriving nightclub culture, the area promises an evening to remember, whatever your preference. Bob’s is one of Mombasa’s most popular nightspots. It’s an outdoor bar and grill, and it can get pretty raucous as the night goes on. If you’re looking for a cold beer served in a slightly more relaxed atmosphere, try Moffat’s in the leafy suburbs of Nyali.
Things to do in Mombasa:
If you’re looking for an adrenaline-pumping adventure, Mombasa’s North Shore won’t disappoint. In particular, it offers one of the fastest growing extreme water sports: kitesurfing. For the thrill seeker, it puts you in touch with two forces of nature: water and wind. You’ll find some of the best kitesurfing spots in the world in Mombasa.
There’s nothing like a couple of rounds of golf in the sea air to clear your mind. With some of the world’s most beautiful white sand beaches and breathtaking views, Mombasa’s north coast is adding golf safaris and golf trips to its long list of leisure options.
With near-perfect weather, abundant fish stocks, and a wide range of species, Mombasa’s coastline offers some of the best sport fishing in the Indian Ocean. You can see more diversity in nature in ten minutes in the ocean than in ten hours in the most pristine nature. Explore the world beneath the placid blue waters of the Indian Ocean and get in touch with your inner water baby. Clouds of silvery fish, sea plants like feather boas, colors so vibrant you’re sure you’ve never seen that particular hue on land. Given the large number of dive centers, it’s no surprise that scuba diving is the most popular water sport off the Kenyan coast. Divers come from all over the world to explore this reef.
We are all looking for a place that allows us to slow down and escape the world at large. Whether you’re looking for a hedonistic R&R getaway or something more solid, Mombasa truly is the perfect destination for your dream beach vacation and offers a variety of Mombasa hotels to choose from.
Go ahead… let yourself be pampered!