Sunday, June 03, 2007

Serena Mombasa Beach Hotel- (5) Five Star Mombasa Kenya Hotel

Mombasa Serena Beach Hotel

Imaginative arabesque architecture makes the Serena Beach Hotel one of the most interesting hotels on the Kenyan coast. The buildings are a delight of white wash, arches, and grill-work. There are lush gardens courts, and a spectacular arrangement of pools. Water is a major theme of this hotel. A free form swimming pool sparkles in the sun, there is the sound of fountains, and cool garden pools compliment white marble and colorful flowers. Beyond, the sea laps the beautiful white sand of Shanzu Beach.

The reception area sets a striking mood for the hotel. The high white ceiling has contrasting mangrove beams, and there is an entire wall of elegantly carved and arched wall niches. Lamu-style furniture with bright cushions and hanging brass lanterns continue the Swahili motif.

Although the hotel has space for more than 300 guests, its spacious grounds and rambling low layout mean that you never get the feeling of being in a large busy hotel. The management limits the size of tour groups. All the public areas look over lawns and tall palm trees towards the sea.

Serena Beach Hotel has been accepted as one of the “leading Hotels of the World”. There is something extra special about the appearance of this hotel and the services it offers. The public rooms and dining areas are particularly lovely. A host of water sport activities are included in the tariff. Champagne is poured at breakfast, and afternoon teas served on the beach.

There are several restaurants. The elegant Fountain Restaurant has white arches, cool dripping fountains, and intricately carved Lamu furniture. The restaurant spills out on to a terrace overlooking the ocean. Right on the beach is the less formal Jahazi Grill which specializes in charcoal-grilled seafood and barbecues. Here you can eat with sand underfoot or climb to the open upper level which is built like a dhow with sails overhead. There is an air-conditioned piano bar with complimentary hot hors d’oeuvres at the cocktail hour.

Accommodations at the Serena Mombasa Beach Hotel

Guests’ rooms and suites are in separate whitewashed buildings which are only two or three stories high. They are rather charming, with thatched roofs, carved balconies and various shaped arches. The rooms are located in the grounds on both sides of the main building.

The older section is closer to the sea and has smaller rooms. This section was designed to represent an old Swahili village. Some rooms are tucked behind others. The new section, although built further back from the sea, guarantees a glimpse of the water. These rooms are bigger with far superior bathrooms.

There are several suites and some family rooms. Two VIP suites are especially luxurious with private Jacuzzis. There are both twin and double bathrooms.

All of the 166 rooms are furnished in Lamu style, and although the décor is interesting, the old wind rooms are small and rather cramped. Swahili arches frame mirrors and windows. Each room has a balcony and ensuite bathroom with tub. There is air conditioning, a minibar, hair dryer and direct dial telephone. The favorites: #221 in New Wing-corner room with great sea view and sunning balcony. Front rooms in old section have good sea views (#116 and 121 sleep four)

Special offerings

Swimming pool, water sports center (windsurfing, sailing and snorkeling free to hotel guests), Scuba diving, deep sea fishing, dhow cruising by arrangement, four floodlit tennis courts, air-conditioned squash courts, mini golf, pool table, table tennis, conference room, hair dresser, free shuttle bus to Mombasa.

Reserve your Mombasa bay beach Serena hotel,click here

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