Reviews of The Sands At Nomad
Wildlife sightings and reviews
7 independent comments and wildlife information from our travellers who have visited The Sands At Nomad and kindly agreed to share their thoughts. They do not necessarily represent the views of Expert Africa
Joyorins
UK
"The Sands At Nomad review"
5 nights Arrived 14 Aug 2024
"relaxing atmosphere, clean comfortable rooms with a hint of luxury - no TV but we liked that as you can switch off!
Great beach and lovely restaurant with good choice of food.
Lots of beach activities to participate in." See all these reviews: 9n in Kenya
Great beach and lovely restaurant with good choice of food.
Lots of beach activities to participate in." See all these reviews: 9n in Kenya
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Good
Activities:
Good
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Good
Facilities:
Good
Dr A.B
Rotherwick
"The Sands At Nomad review"
3 nights Arrived 3 Jan 2022
"Lovely hotel with great rooms and a good beach bar/restaurant.
The pool was perfect for the kids with the extra deep end, plus being partially shaded. We went for the B&B option in order to enjoy dinner in some different locations, but unfortunately everywhere else we wanted to go was fully booked every night of our stay - so I advise booking additional restaurants in advance of your trip.
The service was slow at times and information about boat trips and tide times not always accurate, but staff were helpful with organising on-site covid testing prior to our journey home." See all these reviews: 10n in Kenya
The pool was perfect for the kids with the extra deep end, plus being partially shaded. We went for the B&B option in order to enjoy dinner in some different locations, but unfortunately everywhere else we wanted to go was fully booked every night of our stay - so I advise booking additional restaurants in advance of your trip.
The service was slow at times and information about boat trips and tide times not always accurate, but staff were helpful with organising on-site covid testing prior to our journey home." See all these reviews: 10n in Kenya
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Good
Activities:
Good
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Good
Facilities:
Good
L&J
UK
"Relaxed beach holiday"
4 nights Arrived 6 Jul 2019
"This is a great place for an easy beach holiday, and this was our second stay. We had a Beach Cottage, which is spacious and well-equipped, with a comfortable veranda with lovely views down to the sea.
The beach along this part of Diani is exceptional, and you can swim at high tide, low tide and all points between. The beach restaurant is relaxed and friendly, and Willy made us excellent ginger tea in the mornings! Staff were flexible and helpful about sorting out a day room and other facilities for us on the last afternoon, which we very much appreciated.
Our only difficulty was with the transfer from Mombasa airport. No one was there to meet us, and it turned out they had they had got the time of our arrival wrong. Luckily, the driver was not far away when we rang, and was able to collect us without too much of a delay." See all these reviews: 9n in Kenya
The beach along this part of Diani is exceptional, and you can swim at high tide, low tide and all points between. The beach restaurant is relaxed and friendly, and Willy made us excellent ginger tea in the mornings! Staff were flexible and helpful about sorting out a day room and other facilities for us on the last afternoon, which we very much appreciated.
Our only difficulty was with the transfer from Mombasa airport. No one was there to meet us, and it turned out they had they had got the time of our arrival wrong. Luckily, the driver was not far away when we rang, and was able to collect us without too much of a delay." See all these reviews: 9n in Kenya
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Good
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Good
Facilities:
Good
Feedback Response
We were delighted to hear these clients enjoyed The Sands at Nomad again. It's good to hear that Diani Beach, despite being well known, can still offer a really good beach stay, and with swimming at all states of the tide in this area. On the issue of the transfer, the hotel sincerely apologised for this error. Their driver noted down the wrong timings even after being given the correct pickup information by the hotel. We have asked the hotel to ensure there is no repeat of such transfer mistakes.
L&J
UK
"Relaxing stay at a beautiful beach"
5 nights Arrived 17 May 2018
"The location of the hotel was excellent, with a short transfer from Ukunda airstrip and very easy access to central Diani, local shops and restaurants. The beach was glorious: long stretches of white sand, minimal seaweed for the time of year, and swimming possible at all times (high and low tide). Beach vendors were present (as one would expect), but for the most part not overly intrusive.
Although we had booked an ocean view room, they were being renovated so we were upgraded to a beach cottage. We hadn't booked this as they looked a bit dark in the photos, but with high ceilings and windows on three sides, this wasn't a problem. The cottage was lovely and private, with a beautiful view to the beach from the bed, the veranda and the private sun-loungers. The bathroom was clean, light and well-equipped. The bed was beautiful, firm and comfortable (but be aware that it is very high, which could be tricky if you have mobility difficulties).
The food was very good and varied, and being able to pick from the al a carte menu on half board is a real bonus. The restaurant location right on the beach is lovely, and the fact that it is a destination in its own right (i.e., not just open to hotel residents) means they can offer a wider choice of menu and that there's a nice mixture of locals and tourists.
Management were very present and engaged, frequently checking in on how things were going.
The spa treatments were excellent, and Dorcas was welcoming and skilled." See all these reviews: 11n in Kenya
Although we had booked an ocean view room, they were being renovated so we were upgraded to a beach cottage. We hadn't booked this as they looked a bit dark in the photos, but with high ceilings and windows on three sides, this wasn't a problem. The cottage was lovely and private, with a beautiful view to the beach from the bed, the veranda and the private sun-loungers. The bathroom was clean, light and well-equipped. The bed was beautiful, firm and comfortable (but be aware that it is very high, which could be tricky if you have mobility difficulties).
The food was very good and varied, and being able to pick from the al a carte menu on half board is a real bonus. The restaurant location right on the beach is lovely, and the fact that it is a destination in its own right (i.e., not just open to hotel residents) means they can offer a wider choice of menu and that there's a nice mixture of locals and tourists.
Management were very present and engaged, frequently checking in on how things were going.
The spa treatments were excellent, and Dorcas was welcoming and skilled." See all these reviews: 11n in Kenya
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Good
Activities:
Good
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Good
Facilities:
Good
Ms L
London
"The Sands At Nomad review"
4 nights Arrived 15 Sep 2017
"Really lovely hotel - we stayed in a superior Ocean View room which was really clean, and looked after. The beds were a little hard, but that is the only thing I could fault!
The beach and pool were lovely, and the weather great. The half board option was great, and there was a lovely selection of food to choose from. We could decide whether we wanted lunch or dinner which was great as it meant we could go out for dinner nearby if we chose to.
Overall, a lovely stay." See all these reviews: 9n in Kenya
The beach and pool were lovely, and the weather great. The half board option was great, and there was a lovely selection of food to choose from. We could decide whether we wanted lunch or dinner which was great as it meant we could go out for dinner nearby if we chose to.
Overall, a lovely stay." See all these reviews: 9n in Kenya
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Good
Facilities:
Good
Mr & Mrs B
Wokingham
"Just go!"
8 nights Arrived 9 Sep 2017
"We've had a tough few months personally as I was desperate to feel sand between my toes. Unfortunately as we were going through the check-in procedure at Sands, we noticed that a block of nine new rooms were being built next to reception. What a racket! The customer services manager was kind enough to find us another room and we settled in very quickly.
The rooms are dark and really need to be updated. They say their style is "Swahili" meaning dark, solid wood and it probably is, but the whole hotel would benefit from lighter colours, better cushions outside the rooms, new towels etc.. The bed was very comfortable.
Food was an absolute delight and the beautiful restaurant on the beach is just somewhere to sit and people watch. The menu is varied and whilst we were on full board, we could eat a sandwich or a chateaubriand - we didn't have to stay within a price bracket. Apparently there is an a la carte restaurant which we didn't even bother to visit as the beach restaurant was perfect for us.
The situation of this hotel is just beautiful. You can walk for miles on powder like sand and the sea felt safe as the reef protected the beach from the worst of the waves. If flights improved (BA arrive into Nairobi at 9pm so an overnight stay is needed, then a trip across town to Wilson the domestic airport to fly to Diani or you can fly Turkish via Istanbul but then to Mombassa) and you could get there easier, this would be an ideal spot for a beach holiday with or without safari.
Delightful staff!" See all these reviews: 17n in Kenya
The rooms are dark and really need to be updated. They say their style is "Swahili" meaning dark, solid wood and it probably is, but the whole hotel would benefit from lighter colours, better cushions outside the rooms, new towels etc.. The bed was very comfortable.
Food was an absolute delight and the beautiful restaurant on the beach is just somewhere to sit and people watch. The menu is varied and whilst we were on full board, we could eat a sandwich or a chateaubriand - we didn't have to stay within a price bracket. Apparently there is an a la carte restaurant which we didn't even bother to visit as the beach restaurant was perfect for us.
The situation of this hotel is just beautiful. You can walk for miles on powder like sand and the sea felt safe as the reef protected the beach from the worst of the waves. If flights improved (BA arrive into Nairobi at 9pm so an overnight stay is needed, then a trip across town to Wilson the domestic airport to fly to Diani or you can fly Turkish via Istanbul but then to Mombassa) and you could get there easier, this would be an ideal spot for a beach holiday with or without safari.
Delightful staff!" See all these reviews: 17n in Kenya
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Rooms:
Poor
Food:
Excellent
Dr K
London
"Overpriced and run down but good activities"
6 nights Arrived 28 Aug 2016
"I thought the hotel was very overpriced for our room. Initially the first room felt very strong of damp and the walls were covered in scuff and it was dark. Unfortunately this made a really disappointing first impression.
Thankfully we were moved upstairs, which didn't smell damp, however overall stilla run down room, e.g. stained curtains, rusty looking toilet, showergel that smelt and looked like toilet cleaner, scuffs around the place and generally feeling out-dated (and not due to it being of a Swahili design) - room needed a lot of TLC. Bed was like a rock - not nice, never slept on anything that hard ....except the ground.
Emailed the hotel manager - not the most beautiful customer service reply - essentially he replied saying he thought we were wrong....in my book that just proves a little more that we weren't.
Discussed upgrade to a cottage, stated our maximum budget, got taken round and then told a price above our budget - a pretty unfair experience - felt led on and disappointed.
Restaurant however is beautiful and pool is lovely. Beach is beautiful, lovely location.
Restaurant staff were very nice, hotel staff were OK but not particularly helpful (e.g. at arranging activities and regarding the room)." See all these reviews: 10n in Kenya
Thankfully we were moved upstairs, which didn't smell damp, however overall stilla run down room, e.g. stained curtains, rusty looking toilet, showergel that smelt and looked like toilet cleaner, scuffs around the place and generally feeling out-dated (and not due to it being of a Swahili design) - room needed a lot of TLC. Bed was like a rock - not nice, never slept on anything that hard ....except the ground.
Emailed the hotel manager - not the most beautiful customer service reply - essentially he replied saying he thought we were wrong....in my book that just proves a little more that we weren't.
Discussed upgrade to a cottage, stated our maximum budget, got taken round and then told a price above our budget - a pretty unfair experience - felt led on and disappointed.
Restaurant however is beautiful and pool is lovely. Beach is beautiful, lovely location.
Restaurant staff were very nice, hotel staff were OK but not particularly helpful (e.g. at arranging activities and regarding the room)." See all these reviews: 10n in Kenya
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Poor
Location:
Good
Service:
Average
Activities:
Good
Rooms:
Terrible
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Average
Feedback Response
We are very pleased to hear that these travellers enjoyed The Sands at Nomad’s restaurant and beach and found the staff pleasant. But we are disappointed that the staff did not seem particularly helpful and we’re especially concerned that these travellers’ impression of the rooms was so poor. They asked us to book the least expensive rooms available but we are very sorry that the inexpensive Forest View Room that they initially checked into was so below their expectations. We have heard back from the hotel who explained that unusually rainy weather in this El Niño year made some of the rooms rather damp and gloomy. After moving them free of charge to a Sea Breeze Room, they were offered a Beach Cottage at an additional total cost of $50 per day rather than the usual difference in cost of $302 per day, however they decided not to move. As we write in our report on The Sands at Nomad, “it is vital to note that this is not a luxury property”, but these travellers’ experience points to the fact that the tropical beach climate takes a very heavy toll on every aspect of hotel infrastructure. We accept that the cheaper rooms have low rates for this part of the world, but we do think they should be upgraded with non-rust fittings and regularly refurbished with new décor and furniture. While we have confidence that The Sands at Nomad is a well-run hotel, we would always encourage guests to book the most comfortable and luxurious rooms they can afford.
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