Waterlovers Beach Resort
Waterlovers Beach Resort is a charming privately owned beach resort situated on Diani Beach, an hour’s drive south of Mombasa.
Waterlovers Beach Resort is a small and friendly property, full of character and charm and offering personal service. The food is delicious with homemade breads, pasta and fresh seafood and fish. Waterlovers makes the perfect choice for couples and families alike, looking for a good value, laid back beach stay with a relaxed and intimate atmosphere, attentive service and great food on a beautiful stretch of coast.
Rooms
Accommodation is offered in just eight spacious suites contained within four two-storey sea facing thatched cottages, one villa and one penthouse apartment.
Each cottage suite has a private patio or balcony with either double or twin beds with mosquito nets and en suite bathroom.
The Bird’s Villa is a self-catering unit situated at the back of the property with two en suite double rooms downstairs (with air-conditioning) and an open gallery upstairs with two extra double beds (fan only) and a shared bathroom. The bedroom area upstairs is open-fronted and only screened by a curtain. There is a big open veranda / lounge area with a bar and a fully equipped kitchen on the ground floor. Supplies can be bought from the nearby supermarket in order to self-cater, or guests can hire a local chef, or you can simply join in with the dining options at the hotel.
The Ocean Penthouse apartment offers a superior level of comfort and has four bedrooms over two floors. The first floor has two double en suite bedrooms and a living area, while the second floor has a double bedroom and bathroom, as well as an open plan living room with a double bed. Located at the front of the property, above the restaurant, the penthouse has panoramic views of the beach and has its own private gym equipment, living area with sofas, flat screen TV and sound system. Although the apartment has an open-plan kitchen most guests choose to dine at the restaurant.
Central Areas
At the beach there is a turtle shaped freshwater swimming pool with swim up bar area, and sun loungers on the resort’s private area of the beach. The cool but laid-back Ocean Spirit Beach Bar has comfortable loungers and swing seats, and leads up to an elevated dining platform overlooking the beach – a great spot for sundowners or a romantic meal. The main building has the Tides Restaurant and lounge, but dining is usually al fresco on the beach. There is also a small spa and an art boutique.
Facilities
Wi-Fi – Yes
Power for Charging – Yes
Swimming Pool – Yes
Location
Diani Beach is Kenya’s foremost tourist beach, located some 30 km south of Mombasa. The beautiful 25 km long white-sandy palm tree lined beach stretches from Tiwi beach in the north to Galu beach in the south, and includes the small town of Ukunda which is serviced by a small airport (with direct flights from the Masai Mara and Nairobi). The area is known for its coral reefs, the nearby Shimba Hills National Reserve (the only place in Kenya where you can see the sable antelope), and for its black-and-white colobus monkeys.
Activities
Kayaks, bodyboards and snorkelling equipment are available on site, with a local fishermen providing short snorkelling trips directly from the beach at the front of the property (booked and arranged through Waterlovers). For other activities there are numerous water sports centres at the neighbouring hotels.
Located along the coast at Diani Beach are a number of quality restaurants and shopping centres, as well as a couple of interesting nightclubs and bars. Diani Beach is a popular water sports destination. Deep-sea fishing can also be arranged, although this is best a little south of Diani in the Pemba Channel. Other activities in the area include the Leisure Golf Club, cycling, and sailing dhow safaris.
Seasons
Waterlovers Beach Resort is closed during May each year, whilst weather can also be a little unpredictable in April and June in particular.
There is no age restriction for children and extra beds can be added to the suites which have plenty of space. The Bird’s Villa and Ocean Penthouse are ideal for a family group needing plenty of space, with four bedrooms each and the option for self-catering. Waterlovers is perfect for families looking for flexible accommodation options in a peaceful setting, whilst also offering access to the full range of activities and excursions.
Waterlovers Beach Resort is committed towards creating a greener future and goals include: achieving sound environmental practices; minimising use of energy, water and materials; minimising waste; reducing pollution; providing dignified employment opportunities with living wages; providing employees with resources and training; and monitoring and minimising environmental impact.
During the construction of Waterlovers no plant or tree was removed and buildings were built to accommodate the existing flora. As a result, the hotel’s grounds are home to two families of Colobus monkeys as well as bush babies and an active bird life.
The hotel works with local community initiatives to provide opportunities for the youth and increase conservation efforts. Local grassroot businesses and communities are supported where possible, for instance by selling locally made products in the hotel boutique, and sourcing local ingredients and materials for the hotel from staff members’ farms or family businesses.
One innovative method of waste reduction is that the hotel’s glassware has been recycled from wine bottles.
