Mombasa

[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.

[Radical Guy]

Thank you Radical Guy. I saved the AirBnB link, looks great! I get a little worried when I read about excellent security on the premises as I don't know how much they will like seeing a different girl everyday, not to mention the host and other people in the same building. Did you ask the host directly about bringing girls to the flat?

No, I just brought my one 21-year-old spinner girlfriend. I didn't bring anyone else there, but there wasn't anyone around to complain had I wanted to switch them out.

RG.

[Mombie75]

These locations are pretty far, I'll stay in Mombasa for my first trip. Going by exclusion, Bamburi and Nyali are the least liked, Mtwapa and Shanzu are the most liked beaches.

Some people seem to prefer Mtwapa, but I like the position of Bamburi. Closer to the airport too.

I would spend up to $50-60 per night although I see much cheaper flats on AirBnB.

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.

[HappyFarang]

Staying in Nyali, walked almos the length of Nyali Beach yesterday and a lousy beach. Underwhelmed by location in general but in fairness I'm spending most my time laying indoor pipe.
I've heard lots of good things from locals about the white sands of Diani and several beaches north toward Malindi, but this trip has been my Mombasa cherry so no first hand knowledge on any other areas.

These locations are pretty far, I'll stay in Mombasa for my first trip. Going by exclusion, Bamburi and Nyali are the least liked, Mtwapa and Shanzu are the most liked beaches.

What is your budget?

The best beach is Bamburi for relaxing and walking. It is also most central.

Some people seem to prefer Mtwapa, but I like the position of Bamburi. Closer to the airport too.

I would spend up to $50-60 per night although I see much cheaper flats on AirBnB.

[HappyFarang]

Yes, I was in Shanzu for 3 weeks, last May. I booked this AirBnB.

https://abnb.me/c7XlEPxOBCb

It was awesome. Maid service daily, and it was a huge 2-story condo.

RG.

Thank you Radical Guy. I saved the AirBnB link, looks great! I get a little worried when I read about excellent security on the premises as I don't know how much they will like seeing a different girl everyday, not to mention the host and other people in the same building. Did you ask the host directly about bringing girls to the flat?

[SuperChuck]

My opinion: Go to Mwtapa, you are in good and right place if that apartment is near Merry Villa. Mwtapa is safe, even at night. Normal cautiousness needed of course. Your biggest danger is traffic.

Most of the mongerers are in that Postal street near Merry Villa, so also girls are there. For daytime activities you should go to Big Tree maybe.

I think Bamburi as a boring place, and you don't find white people there. Bamburi girls (and many Mwtapa) you can find in daytime in Big Tree.

Ok so my impression was good unless other members say otherwise. I read a lot about this big tree and I think I will go there during the day to enjoi the beach, the places full of professional sluts bore me and I prefer the girls I meet on the street (surely the same professional sluts I would meet in the evening but at least I have the illusion that they are very good girls student virgins who go to church on Sunday morning).

I have seen beautiful photos of shanzu beach but even there, always looking with google street view, the streets seem very desolate and isolated.

Mtwapa remains ahead of the choices.