Mombasa

[HappyFarang]

There is no such a thing as a "guest unfriendly" place in Mtwapa. Mtwapa is known as Sin City in Kenya. It is an open air brothel. When you walk through the posta street you will be approached after dark for jiggi jiggi by the Malayas. Merry Villas and Luck Apartments is monger central. Everybody knows these joints. Watch out for noise. I'd never book in advance. Take a place. Book three nights and see how the noise levels are from churches, drinking dens and mosques. And move places as required. Go to the local beach at Copacabana on the mouth of Mtwapa River or take a matatu during the day to Bamburi beach. 30 is not cheap. That's average. Most hotels are booked by normal Kenyans. For them 4500 KES are a lot of money. In the holidays there's kenyan colleges with their yellow busses on holiday or teachers conventions. Always have prices in KES quoted. Never in foreign currency. There's cheap guest houses like Hippo which probably go for 2000 KES. But security problems.

There's normal people living in Mtwapa. Middle class. Nightlife is a shadow of it's former self. There's lot of Kenyan style drinking dens and nowadays theres a lot of upmarket so called sports bars. No African vibes there any more. Sigh. This is not walking street in Pattaya. Expect overpriced accommodation with bad standards. Not Thai standards. TIA. This is Africa. Lock up all your valuables and give everything which wears an uniform (Mtwapas finest) a wide berth. Have fun.

Neddy.

Thanks Neddy! Great info.

What you say about Mtwapa being a shadow of what it used to be made me a little sad. :'D.

I was going to book the whole stay so I must thank you. I won't do that and maybe book the first 3 nights as you suggested.

Is there the risk that everything will be fully booked when I get there in October-November? I was getting a little anxious because of this prospect.

If I can just look for apartments once I get there and book directly I'd feel much better.

Who are the Malayas? I googled it and could only find references to Malaysia.

[HappyFarang]

Yes, the pricing is about right. There is also that big hotel in Mtwapa, someone will post name I guess, near the petrol station, maybe worth exploring. I am a bit out the loop with nightlife these days. Casaurinha still gets busy at midnight though.

Merry Villa looks nice. I texted Merry Villa and a few other places asking about guest policy but the wording is difficult. I don't want to say "can I have a different girl stay every other night". Awaiting response.

There's apartments with free cancellation on Booking, seems easy enough. .

[Neddy69]

Considering nightlife seems to be centered around Mtwapa area, I wanted to follow someone's advice here and get an apartment in Mtwapa. My reasoning is that I would rather remain local in the evening / night. I can travel to Bamburi during the day.

Any advice on Mtwapa apartments?

I found many apartments on Booking and the ones with most reviews are Merry Villa Hotel and Hyven's Apartments. Does anyone know if they are girl friendly? Of course I can ask them myself but if they already have a reputation that may be unnecessary.

Also I don't understand how can they be so cheap. Some are 30 or less per night.

There is no such a thing as a "guest unfriendly" place in Mtwapa. Mtwapa is known as Sin City in Kenya. It is an open air brothel. When you walk through the posta street you will be approached after dark for jiggi jiggi by the Malayas. Merry Villas and Luck Apartments is monger central. Everybody knows these joints. Watch out for noise. I'd never book in advance. Take a place. Book three nights and see how the noise levels are from churches, drinking dens and mosques. And move places as required. Go to the local beach at Copacabana on the mouth of Mtwapa River or take a matatu during the day to Bamburi beach. 30 £ is not cheap. That's average. Most hotels are booked by normal Kenyans. For them 4500 KES are a lot of money. In the holidays there's kenyan colleges with their yellow busses on holiday or teachers conventions. Always have prices in KES quoted. Never in foreign currency. There's cheap guest houses like Hippo which probably go for 2000 KES. But security problems.

There's normal people living in Mtwapa. Middle class. Nightlife is a shadow of it's former self. There's lot of Kenyan style drinking dens and nowadays theres a lot of upmarket so called sports bars. No African vibes there any more. Sigh. This is not walking street in Pattaya. Expect overpriced accommodation with bad standards. Not Thai standards. TIA. This is Africa. Lock up all your valuables and give everything which wears an uniform (Mtwapas finest) a wide berth. Have fun.

Neddy.

[Mombie75]

Considering nightlife seems to be centered around Mtwapa area, I wanted to follow someone's advice here and get an apartment in Mtwapa. My reasoning is that I would rather remain local in the evening / night. I can travel to Bamburi during the day.

Any advice on Mtwapa apartments?

I found many apartments on Booking and the ones with most reviews are Merry Villa Hotel and Hyven's Apartments. Does anyone know if they are girl friendly? Of course I can ask them myself but if they already have a reputation that may be unnecessary.

Also I don't understand how can they be so cheap. Some are 30 or less per night.

Yes, the pricing is about right. There is also that big hotel in Mtwapa, someone will post name I guess, near the petrol station, maybe worth exploring. I am a bit out the loop with nightlife these days. Casaurinha still gets busy at midnight though.

[HappyFarang]

Considering nightlife seems to be centered around Mtwapa area, I wanted to follow someone's advice here and get an apartment in Mtwapa. My reasoning is that I would rather remain local in the evening / night. I can travel to Bamburi during the day.

Any advice on Mtwapa apartments?

I found many apartments on Booking and the ones with most reviews are Merry Villa Hotel and Hyven's Apartments. Does anyone know if they are girl friendly? Of course I can ask them myself but if they already have a reputation that may be unnecessary.

Also I don't understand how can they be so cheap. Some are £30 or less per night.

[Radical Guy]

Thanks for your reply.

Just done a search for October and found a reasonably deal for Sarova, about 25% more than Severin which I think is OK. I assume that Sarova is guest friendly, what did you do for airport transfer, trips out to Big Tree etc. - any recomendations?

Cheers.

G.

You can arrange airport transfer with Sarova in advance, and they'll be waiting for you when you arrive. As I recall, the Big Tree is just a short stroll on the beach away from the Sarova, or you can just use Uber or Bolt, which will pick you up at the main entrance. I had no issues at Sarova bringing my girlfriend. For meals, they just make sure that only two people are getting a meal. No one cares who the extra person is.

[HappyFarang]

Mombie, do you mean here Bamburi Beach hotel? I assume so. You are not talking about Bamburi beach generally?

I did not know that Bamburi Beach hotel is girl friendly, good to know.

There is often confusion about word Bamburi. There is big community called Bamburi, where there are no beach at all, you can look from google maps. And then there is Bamburi beach, also sometimes called Northern beach. I consider this whole beach which you can see as Bamburi beach, but some people call parts of the beach as other name, especially Pirate beach. North of the Bamburi beach is Sheraton beach (or Shanzy beach? South of it is Nyali beach. I think all of these are included in this term Northern beaches.

There are several hotels in the Bamburi beach which have name Bamburi included, confusing.

I made research of the hotels near Big Tree once, it is in my previous reports. Here are some names:

Big Tree, my favourite place. It is cheapest, but it is not for everybody, rooms are very simple, no luxury. Usually full booked.

Second favourite for me is Sheratton Beach Villagio, which is very near Big Tree. More convenient, like tv and aircon in some rooms, and breakfast. Book for two.

Azul Margarita Beach Resort, that is next to Big Tree. Book for two. Both Sheratton and Azul, you can try to negotiate the prize.

Sai Rock, if I remember right apartments were girl friendly, but hotel rooms not. You can ask.

Ziwa Beach resort, interesting rooms.

Indiana is very big hotel, they have both apartments for long time stay and normal rooms.

Kahama, that is not on beach. Bar can be noisy at night at cheaper rooms.

Note that I only go to cheap hotels, of the expensive ones I don't know. Ziwa Beach is maybe medium prices already.

Severin Sea Lodge, that is new to me.

Somebody wrote that he would prefer to stay in Bamburi (beach?) because it is more near to airport than Mwtapa.

Typically, mongerers from Mwtapa go to Big Tree (Bamburi Beach) every day in day time. And mongerers staying in Bamburi beach hotels go to Mwtapa every night because they go to Casourina.

Bamburi beach and Mwtapa are not so far each others, it just take taxi drive, or motobike drive. Or even matatu.

I wish there was a thank you function in these forums as some people here really put good effort in delivering information.

I found out through your post that hotels also offer apartments, which sounds great. I may forget about AirBnB, with all the hassle, and focus on finding a few girl-friendly hotels for my stay.

Also thank you for clarifying about Bamburi beach. The map was showing somewhere else, not on the beach, and I was mistakenly thinking that that was Bamburi. My understanding now is that Bamburi is the beach where Bamburi Beach Hotel and Severin Sea Lodge are.

Do you know any good hotels / apartments in Mtwapa area?

[Mombie75]

Mombie, do you mean here Bamburi Beach hotel? I assume so. You are not talking about Bamburi beach generally?

I did not know that Bamburi Beach hotel is girl friendly, good to know.

There is often confusion about word Bamburi. There is big community called Bamburi, where there are no beach at all, you can look from google maps. And then there is Bamburi beach, also sometimes called Northern beach. I consider this whole beach which you can see as Bamburi beach, but some people call parts of the beach as other name, especially Pirate beach. North of the Bamburi beach is Sheraton beach (or Shanzy beach? South of it is Nyali beach. I think all of these are included in this term Northern beaches.

There are several hotels in the Bamburi beach which have name Bamburi included, confusing.

Once you get off Mombasa, Mombasa is an island which the airport is on, you head north.

Beach wise you would hit Nyali beach first which has Voyager, Mombasa hotel, Reef hotel, Bahari beach hotel on it.

Then further up you come to Pirates or Public beach as it is called which is actually on Bamburi beach.

This has Big Tree, Sherraton, Azul margarita, Sai rock, Sarova Whitesands, Travellers, Indiana and Bamburi beach hotel itself, Kenya bay.

Then further up you reach Shanzu beach which has a few hotels I am not familiar with these days.

Further north from here you hit Mtwapa.

Many locals live in Bamburi, but this is Bamburi the area inland, set back a mile and beyond from Bamburi beach.

I stay at Indiana beach hotel on bamburi beach not Bamburi beach hotel.

[Leblon]

I stay on Bamburi beach as security is good and I like to be on the beach during the day. I have used Airbnb's in the past but they are not for me now.

Also Bamburi beach is in the middle for going to Mtwapa, Nyali and Shanzu for when I go hunting.

Mombie, do you mean here Bamburi Beach hotel? I assume so. You are not talking about Bamburi beach generally?

I did not know that Bamburi Beach hotel is girl friendly, good to know.

There is often confusion about word Bamburi. There is big community called Bamburi, where there are no beach at all, you can look from google maps. And then there is Bamburi beach, also sometimes called Northern beach. I consider this whole beach which you can see as Bamburi beach, but some people call parts of the beach as other name, especially Pirate beach. North of the Bamburi beach is Sheraton beach (or Shanzy beach? South of it is Nyali beach. I think all of these are included in this term Northern beaches.

There are several hotels in the Bamburi beach which have name Bamburi included, confusing.

I made research of the hotels near Big Tree once, it is in my previous reports. Here are some names:

Big Tree, my favourite place. It is cheapest, but it is not for everybody, rooms are very simple, no luxury. Usually full booked.

Second favourite for me is Sheratton Beach Villagio, which is very near Big Tree. More convenient, like tv and aircon in some rooms, and breakfast. Book for two.

Azul Margarita Beach Resort, that is next to Big Tree. Book for two. Both Sheratton and Azul, you can try to negotiate the prize.

Sai Rock, if I remember right apartments were girl friendly, but hotel rooms not. You can ask.

Ziwa Beach resort, interesting rooms.

Indiana is very big hotel, they have both apartments for long time stay and normal rooms.

Kahama, that is not on beach. Bar can be noisy at night at cheaper rooms.

Note that I only go to cheap hotels, of the expensive ones I don't know. Ziwa Beach is maybe medium prices already.

Severin Sea Lodge, that is new to me.

Somebody wrote that he would prefer to stay in Bamburi (beach?) because it is more near to airport than Mwtapa.

Typically, mongerers from Mwtapa go to Big Tree (Bamburi Beach) every day in day time. And mongerers staying in Bamburi beach hotels go to Mwtapa every night because they go to Casourina.

Bamburi beach and Mwtapa are not so far each others, it just take taxi drive, or motobike drive. Or even matatu.

[Belsie]

I prefer Sarova also. I got a great deal with "full board" last October, but I booked it 2 months in advance. I haven't tried Severin, but it seems to get great reviews.

RG.

Thanks for your reply.

Just done a search for October and found a reasonably deal for Sarova, about 25% more than Severin which I think is OK. I assume that Sarova is guest friendly, what did you do for airport transfer, trips out to Big Tree etc. - any recomendations?

Cheers.

G.

[Mombie75]

Sound good to me, assume you are using hotels now. Any suggestions?

Cheers.

G.

I use either sai rock apartments or Indiana beach hotel. Both as per usual in Kenya are dated but both on the beach, GF and secure. Sai rock was my goto but now has a mosque over the road crying out at all hours so switched to Indiana beach. Indiana has the massage outside it and a few kabandas for local food too like grilled sweet potato and sweetcorn.

[Carlos Primeros]

I stayed there several times over the last 20 years. I had one of the "Garden-Chalets" with no problem bringing in a girl -.

The Hotel itself is a bit outdated but a good deal for your money. I can recommend it.

Carlos Primeros.

[Radical Guy]

I do like a comfortable room, so considering booking Severin Sea Lodge, would prefer Sarova, but that is just too expensive. Think Severin is a good compromise, as I can easily get to Big Tree and Cheers. Anybody who has any information about Severin. Is it guest friendly etc. Any good reasons why I should not stay there? Any better alternatives?

Cheers.

G.

I prefer Sarova also. I got a great deal with "full board" last October, but I booked it 2 months in advance. I haven't tried Severin, but it seems to get great reviews.

RG.

[Belsie]

I stay on Bamburi beach as security is good and I like to be on the beach during the day. I have used Airbnb's in the past but they are not for me now.

Also Bamburi beach is in the middle for going to Mtwapa, Nyali and Shanzu for when I go hunting.

Sound good to me, assume you are using hotels now. Any suggestions?

Cheers.

G.

[Belsie]

I do like a comfortable room, so considering booking Severin Sea Lodge, would prefer Sarova, but that is just too expensive. Think Severin is a good compromise, as I can easily get to Big Tree and Cheers. Anybody who has any information about Severin. Is it guest friendly etc. Any good reasons why I should not stay there? Any better alternatives?

Cheers.

G.