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 cottages, one family villa and one Ocean Penthouse apartment. Each cottage suite has a private patio or balcony with a double Zanzibari bed (some suites also have a day bed which can be converted to a single bed), mosquito nets, air-conditioning, ceiling fan, safe and en suite bathroom with his and hers sinks and a shower.
The Bird’s Villa is a family 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. Please note the bedroom area upstairs is ‘open air’ at the front and only divided by a curtain. There is a big open veranda / lounge area with a bar, and a fully equipped kitchen on the ground floor. This is an ideal villa for a family group.
The Ocean Penthouse apartment has four bedrooms over two floors. The first floor has two double en suite bedrooms, while the second floor has a double bedroom and bathroom, as well as an open plan living room with a double bed. Three bedrooms have air-conditioning, all have ceiling fans. Located at the front of the property, above the restaurant, the penthouse has panoramic views of the beach and has a living area with sofas, and open-plan kitchen. This is an ideal apartment for families or couples travelling together.
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 (please note ‘beach boys’ selling goods do operate on the public 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 their private beach or around the pool. There is a small spa offering massages and treatments.
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.
