| Diani House is a coastal taste of colonial Kenya | | | | The almost five hectares in size grounds are |
| located about halfway along Diani, this pleasant | | | | impressive with palms, baobabs and bougainvillea is |
| home with grassy slopes rolling down to the | | | | also a refuge for all manner of birds and small |
| beach is a nostalgic reminder of what the Kenyan | | | | wildlife. There are colobus monkeys in the trees, a |
| coast was like before the mushrooming of resort | | | | bush baby helps itself from a feeder, and every |
| hotels. Sitting on the cool veranda with dogs at | | | | where there are birds. |
| your feet, you feel transported back in time. | | | | Fresh home-cooked food is served with an |
| When you stay at Diani house you are hosted by | | | | emphasis on the wonderful seafood and tropical |
| Annelise (lulu) Archer and John Clark. This lively | | | | fruits available. Meals are casual and usually |
| young couple helps you to feel completely relaxed | | | | enjoyed alfresco on the long veranda. |
| and at home, and they will organize activities or | | | | Golden Beach |
| outings to suit. They have a boat for fishing, | | | | This is a huge concrete high-rise with 138 rooms. |
| snorkeling, or visiting nearby islands. You can also | | | | There is little charm and loud décor-more |
| windsurf. Side trips to the Shimba Hills National | | | | like a convention center. Although the beach front |
| Reserve for game viewing or into Mombasa for | | | | is extensive, the buildings are from the beach. |
| shopping or sight seeing can easily be arranged. | | | | There are many sports activities, a big pool and |
| Safari journal-last late evening | | | | gardens. The hotel is frequented mainly by |
| "At dinner there were candles, music wafting out | | | | German tour groups. |
| of the living room, and a selection of wines. There | | | | Robinson Baobab Club |
| was a pleasant breeze, a bush baby ran along the | | | | Built in 1974, this is one of the oldest hotels on |
| edge of the veranda and we could sense the | | | | the beach. It can accommodate 300 people. The |
| ocean through the night. Conversation flowed. | | | | clientele is predominantly German, and bookings |
| Could have spent a week just talking to John and | | | | are made in Frankfurt. The hotel has a |
| Lulu, to hear more about their wonderful and | | | | magnificent site high on a rocky promontory, |
| diverse experiences growing up in Kenya-from | | | | well-treed, and with views down over the ocean. |
| game safaris to movie sets". | | | | There are some nice touches-a waterfall by the |
| Diani House can accommodate a maximum of | | | | lobby, interesting Lamu furniture, dining tables next |
| eight guests. The bedrooms are spacious and | | | | to big open windows with sea views. |
| simple. Lulu has decorated them individually using | | | | Southern Palms Beach Resort |
| Kenyan furniture, fabrics and crafts to make | | | | This is a new beach resort going up near the |
| them colorful and attractive. There are | | | | northern end of Diani Beach. Southern Palms will |
| bookshelves piled with books and scattered | | | | have 180 rooms in three stories. There is to be a |
| rugs-the ambience is casual and homey rather | | | | large pool, sports and conference facilities and |
| than luxurious. There are fans (no air conditioning) | | | | nightly entertainment. Rooms will have |
| and each bedroom has a large bathroom ensuite. | | | | Swahili-style décor and balconies facing the |
| In place of glass, there is dark meshing over | | | | sea. They will also have air conditioning, mosquito |
| windows, but from the veranda outside there are | | | | nets and large double beds. An extra Lamu-style |
| nice views down over the garden towards the | | | | divan will add to the Swahili theme. |
| ocean. | | | | |