Diani Reef Hotel
Mombasa, Kenya

The Diani Reef Hotel is set on a high coral cliff overlooking one of the most beautiful white sand beaches in Kenya, 20 km south of Mombasa.

The developers required a deluxe hotel that would offer a wider range of facilities and be altogether more sophisticated than the average coast hotel. This brief, and the inspiration of the beautiful topography, have resulted in a grander, more formal building eminently distinguishable from the prevalent makuti-style hotels of the area. The design has a coordinating theme of white Swahili-style arched openings set off by red clay grills and dark mvuli screens.

The hotel entrance, public rooms and shops are focused around a magnificent baobab tree in an open six-sided court. The dining room, cocktail bar and conference rooms all command dramatic views across the coral cliff to the Indian Ocean, as does the grill room a level lower than the bar. These public rooms offer an attractive variety of space, character and facilities.

Most of the 150 air-conditioned guest rooms are in two main wings which drop down the cliff in steps. The remaining rooms are above the baobab court and public areas and all enjoy extensive views towards the sea.

The swimming pool, with its coral island, has a ‘floating bar’ set in it and generous
sunbathing terraces which lead directly to the beach through a coconut grove at the foot of the cliff. There is a high standard of finish throughout the hotel with ceramic or polished
terazzo floors, teracotta clay screens in circulation areas and fitted carpets and sliding doors in guest rooms.

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