Kinondo Kwetu

After five very full on days on safari, this was the perfect place to kick back and unwind. The hotel is a short drive from Diani airport into which we had flown from the Masai Mara. The hotel was not at capacity when we arrived, but even so, the guest accommodation is spread out across various buildings in the substantial grounds of the hotel, so you can always find somewhere quiet to spend your day. The hotel is right at the very southern end of Diani beach, cut off from the busier Galu beach by a couple of small headlands which can only be got round either on foot at low tide or by taking the beach road an using one of the public beach accesses. So the beach which borders the hotel has no hawkers, has direct access from the hotel and feels very much like part of the hotel grounds. Our room (in the large villa away from the main hotel building) was enormous and whilst everything has a "rustic" feel to it, the essentials (comfy bed, functional a/c - it was HOT - and bathroom) were all five stars. "Barefoot luxury" is a good description for KK - it is super-relaxed but at the same time run to a very high standard. All meals are eaten outside in the grounds of the hotel. Dinner is taken by lanternlight and your table is in a different location each evening - sounds weird but it works! The food is "eat what we are cooking" and is healthy and delicious. And the staff are just superb - nothing too much trouble, friendly, smiling and all with great personalities - they really make the place what it is. They are a huge credit to the management and owners - just wonderful. There are two swimming pools, horseriding, tennis, yoga, a basic weights gym, some kayaks and paddleboards all on site so plenty to do if you are an active type - and there is a full range of offsite activities (mainly water borne) which the incredibly friendly and efficient Dee-Dee runs through with you over breakfast each day. If you want the hustle and bustle and action of Galu beach, this is not the place to go - it is quiet, intimate, very private and laid back. You can mix and chat with the other guests or keep yourself to yourself. And the little send off that we received from the team when we departed brought a lump to the throat. This really is a special place.....

Arriving in Diani hot and sticky, we arrived at Kinondo Kwetu and were greeted by the wonderful Dee-Dee whose calm and informative welcome gave us a chance to catch our breath in this magical place. Our room was on the first floor with lovely views of the beach and the hotel. Barefoot luxury is spot on: you can pack light as you need very little footwear. The whole place is sandy (except in your room and in the main hotel areas) but we loved having dinner under the baobabs feeling the sand between our toes. Beds were super comfy and staff were all so friendly and welcoming. The farewell from staff, sung as we drove away, was a joy. Delicious food - red snapper is our new family favourite fish - and thoughtful touches such as being given the lunch menu at breakfast and the dinner menu at lunch gives you the chance to mix it up if preferred. The pool is glorious; plenty of places tucked away if you want to be under the trees, with a larger, child-friendly pool and a smaller, quieter adult-only pool. Loads of activities available to keep busy or stick to a stroll along the beach which is just as good. A lovely place to stay.