Malindi Kenya
Malindi is the second largest city on the Kenyan Coast. There are trendy boutiques and shops, many restaurants, and a colorful outdoor market. It is famous for the Malindi Marine National Park and deep sea fishing. Many of the beach resorts have a significant Italian influence.
Most of the hotels are strung out along the beachfront to the south of Malindi's town centre. Those closest to town resemble city hotels. There are also many hotels which are further inland and have beach access. We did not visit all of these hotels.
Indian Ocean Lodge Malindi Kenya
This prestigious lodge in Malindi accommodates guests in sumptuous Arab-style houses. The lodge has four acres of private property and is built on a promontory overlooking the ocean. There is a great beauty and a sense of the exotic about this unusual and exclusive lodge. Your first impression if of wonderful color contrasts-brilliant arches against a vivid profusion of bougainvillea and the deep blueness of the Indian Ocean gleaming beyond. Timeless baobabs twist with ponderous grace.
Indian Ocean Lodge offers something similar to a private home stay since your hosts live here and are familiar with the surrounding area and its history. The difference is that the lodge looks more like a perfectly arranged museum than a "worn at the corners" family home. You want to stop and admire the lovely Swahili furniture, the carpets, and the wall decorations.
The lodge guarantees exclusivity. A maximum of only eight guests are accommodated at a time. The guests stay in spacious quarters with four-poster beds, sitting areas, and private patios or balconies. All has been tastefully decorated in keeping with the Arab style of the buildings. There is an indoor-outdoor feel about the lodge-open arches, outdoor stairways, breezes blowing and bright clear light streaming into rooms. The white wash dazzles the eyes.
There is a swimming pool within the walled property, and you must climb down many steps to the sea. A boat belonging to the lodge can be used for fishing or snorkeling. The rates include your hosts collecting you from the airport and driving you within a 40 kilometers radius for shopping or sightseeing. They will also accompany guests to tennis, golf, squash, windsurfing, or scuba diving. Deep -sea fishing can be arranged at an extra charge. Full board rates include alcohol, soft drinks and daily laundry.
The atmosphere and ambience of a privately hosted stay depend to a large extent on the hosts.
Malindi Beach Club
The Malindi beach club stresses privacy and a Swahili atmosphere in its 24 newly renovated rooms. With its private beach fronting, Malindi's marine park, you can sample all marine sports, take advantage of nearby disco and casino, play golf or tennis, go for morning horse rides along the beach, or just enjoy palm-shaded court yard terraces, some with a sea view. The peaceful harmony of an Arabian village is suggested by an irregular grouping of white two story structures, accented by arches, black grillwork, and balconies. Tile pathways meander through shaded gardens and into courtyards. There are two salt water swimming pools, a club house, bar, piano and barbeque. The restaurant menu features fresh seafood and Italian cuisine. The Swahili theme is accented inside with fine antique pieces of brass, chests and oriental carpets. All is well coordinated and tastefully done.
The rooms have Swahili décor with tile or wood floors, air conditioning, mosquito net, refrigerator-bar, telephone, and private bathroom.
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