Serena Beach Resort: Our full report
Dating from the 1970s, this 164-room hotel is part of the international Serena Hotels group whose largest ...
... shareholder is the Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development. There are plenty of facilities here and the location is reasonably close to Mombasa island and Mombasa airport without being on a particularly busy stretch of coast.As in all the Serena hotels, the standard rooms (all of which come with air-conditioning, DSTV, room safes and mosquito nests) are on the small side.
There are lots of activities, most of them free to guests, including floodlit tennis and air-conditioned squash courts, snorkelling, kayaking and sailing. They also have good children's activities and there's a PADI diving school on site.
Our view
With its relatively secluded location, beyond the busiest parts of the Mombasa North Coast beaches, this is a long-standing favourite among Kenya's coastal hotels. Beautifully put together in a mélange of Moorish and Swahili designs, and generally well maintained, it's the standout place to stay on Shanzu Beach. Although we haven't visited recently, we believe the range of activities and restaurants makes it an attractive proposition if you want to be based in a lively part of the Kenya coast.
Country manager: Kenya
Geographics
- Location
- Kenya Coast, Kenya
- Ideal length of stay
- 4-7 nights
- Accessible by
- Fly-and-Transfer
Food & drink
- Usual board basis
- Half Board
- Food quality
- Multiple dining options.
- Dining style
- Individual Tables
- Dining locations
- Indoor and Outdoor Dining
- Drinks included
- Drinks are not included, and tend to be slightly pricier than the norm.
Children
- Attitude towards children
- Chidlren are welcomed.
- Property’s age restrictions
- None.
- Equipment
- Babysitters can be booked with housekeeping.
Communications
- Communications
- Good mobile network and wifi throughout.
- TV & radio
- TVs in all rooms.
- Water supply
- Mains
Health & safety
- Malarial protection recommended
- Yes
- Dangerous animals
- Low Risk
- Fire safety
Activities
Birdwatching
Boat trip
Scuba-diving
Snorkelling
Watersports
Extras
- Disabled access
- On Request
- Laundry facilities
- Available - extra charge.
- Money
- All major currencies are accepted, though prices are set in Kenya shillings.
- Accepted payment on location
- Credit cards can be used.
Other lodges in Kenya Coast
Alternative places to stay in this same area.
Kinondo Kwetu
Kinondo Kwetu is a small, owner-run, all-inclusive boutique lodge of exceptional quality situated on a remote stretch of beach south of the busier Diani Beach area.
Pinewood Beach Resort
Pinewood Beach Resort is a relaxed resort-style hotel at the far south end of Diani Beach - an area known as Galu Beach.
Water Lovers
Water Lovers is a popular, low-key beach hotel in a central location on Diani Beach on the south coast of Kenya.
Asha Boutique Hotel
Diani Blue is a low-key but stylishly comfortable small guesthouse, with high levels of service, in a busy, central part of Diani Beach.
The Sands At Nomad
The Sands At Nomad is a good-value, laidback, family friendly resort with lots of Swahili character.
Peponi
Peponi is a long-established beach hotel, renowned for its good food, located in the village of Shela on the south side of Lamu island.
The Sands at Chale Island
The Sands at Chale Island is a beach resort offering plenty of activities and beautiful flora and fauna all around.
Hemingways Watamu
Long-established resort hotel with a strong British following and a good reputation for deep-sea fishing.
Ocean Sports
Ocean Sports is long-established and popular beach hotel right on one of Watamu's famous and beautiful bays.
Mnarani Club
The Mnarari Club is located towards the seaward end of the beautiful Killifi Creek, and is an enduring favourite on the Kenya coast.
Manda Bay
Manda Bay is a luxury beach hideaway in a remote corner of an island in the Lamu archipelago, on Kenya's northern coast. It has a huge range of water sports on offer.
Alfajiri Villas
Alfajiri Villas is an exclusive, owner-run, hideaway property consisting of three unique villas in a central part of the north end of Diani Beach.
Shimba Lodge
Shimba Lodge is a picturesque tree-hotel overlooking a forest waterhole in Shimba Hills National Park, with an aerial walkway and abundant wildlife.
The Maji
The Maji is a small, well managed beach hotel on the northern stretch of Diani Beach in southern Kenya.
Kizingo
Kizingo is an owner-managed, rustic, barefoot beach lodge on the southwest tip of Lamu island.
Tamarind Village
Tamaarind Village is a well managed apartment complex close to Mombasa city, with excellent restaurants, pools and visitor services.
Swahili Beach
Swahili Beach is one of the biggest resort hotels on Diani Beach, with a spectacular lobby and cascading swimming pool.
Msambweni Beach House
Msambweni Beach House is a secluded and luxurious boutique hotel on the southern Kenya coast, south of Diani Beach.
Lamu House
Lamu House is a boutique hotel on the waterfront in Lamu town, with a swimming pool, bar and terrace restaurant.
