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The Best Hotels to Book in Diani Beach, Kenya

Youll never be far from the water at Southern Palms Beach Resort in Ukunda
You'll never be far from the water at Southern Palms Beach Resort in Ukunda | © Southern Palms Beach Resort / Expedia

Diani Beach in Kenya is exactly what you’d expect a paradise resort to look like: coconut palms swaying in a gentle breeze, a turquoise ocean lapping at soft, white sand, and coral reefs teeming with marine life. You might even spot the odd camel trudging along. Make the most of your getaway at one of these excellent hotels in Diani Beach, bookable through Culture Trip.

Swahili Beach Resort, for authentic elegance near Diani Beach Art Gallery

Resort, Luxury

The outdoor pool area at Swahili Beach Resort, with shaded sun loungers, plus palm trees
© Swahili Beach Resort / Expedia

Dive into Swahili Beach Resort’s outdoor infinity pool – stepping down towards the Indian Ocean, it’s one of the most impressive in Kenya. This sophisticated resort’s primary architectural influence is Arabic: delicate relief carving and filigree star patterns merge with Swahili sensibilities in the airy rooms, with sculpted niches and elegant wooden furniture. Palm trees line the pathways between four restaurants, with Kenyan-Indian fusion and pan-Asian options. Dim sum by the pool, anyone?

Diani Reef Beach Resort & Spa, for spectacular serenity near Diani Chale Marine National Park and Reserve

Hotel

The outdoor pool area at Diani Reef Beach Resort & Spa, as seen through tall palm trees
© Diani Reef Beach Resort & Spa / Expedia

At one of the larger resorts in Diani Beach, you’ll find plenty of variety, with a pool bar, beachfront restaurant serving Mediterranean dishes and seafood, and a suave pan-Asian restaurant for sophisticated teppanyaki tables. Camel rides along the beach are a popular activity, while the games room with a kids’ play area offers plenty for families to do. Bright and breezy rooms feature cooling tiled floors and natural materials such as wood and rattan.

Leisure Lodge Beach & Golf Resort, for beachfront bliss near Ukunda Airport

Resort, Golf Hotel

An aerial view of the sand and lapping ocean ahead of the trees surrounding Leisure Lodge Beach & Golf Resort
© Leisure Lodge Beach & Golf Resort / Expedia

With the glittering ocean on one side and an 18-hole golf course on the other, few hotels can compete with the range of amenities at this whitewashed property. You’ll enjoy the sea breeze in colourful rooms with private balconies and warm honey-and-wood-toned furnishings, contrasting with a blue, oceanic motif. For even more seclusion, the main suites are standalone villas with a private pool area. Sip sundowners at the Coral Beach Bar with your toes dipped in the soft sand.

Southern Palms Beach Resort, for laid-back luxury near Diani Chale Marine National Park and Reserve

Resort

The outdoor pool area of Southern Palms Beach Resort, lit by adjoining seating areas at night
© Southern Palms Beach Resort / Expedia

Looking for an all-inclusive stay in Diani Beach? Try this relaxed resort at its northern end, where the sheltered coral extends furthest from shore. Rooms with balconies or terraces have Swahili influences – you’ll note the thatched makuti roofs. Grab one of the many sun loungers on the sandy beach or around the palm-fringed outdoor pool, and relax with a freshly squeezed juice from the swim-up bar.

The Villa Luxury Suites Hotel, for atmospheric elegance near the Diani Beach Shopping Centre

Suite Hotel

A small, cross-shaped pool at the Villa Luxury Suites Hotel, with two seats at a candlelit table behind it
© The Villa Luxury Suites Hotel / Expedia

Lanterns dotted around the outdoor pool create a cosy atmosphere at night. Sip a dawa cocktail – honey, lime, white sugar, ice and vodka – under the silhouettes of lofty palms. Combine these elements with the minimalist facade, and you get a sense of harmony a few blocks from the sea (take a free tuk-tuk ride if you don’t fancy the sandy stroll). Instead of direct beach access, you have extra-spacious rooms decorated with East African art and wooden furniture, handmade on site.

Bahari Dhow Beach Villas, for serene self-catering near Colobus Conservation

Hotel, Villa

The exterior of Bahari Dhow Beach Villas, as seen from across its large outdoor pool at dusk
© Bahari Dhow Beach Villas / Expedia

The terracotta-roofed villas at this budget-friendly seafront option are set at angles around a long outdoor pool. Each one is divided into individual rooms lined with an inviting blend of simple furniture and animal-print curtains and cushions. You can also rent a villa in its entirety, with two- and three-bedroom options available for larger groups. After a day on the beach, tuck into freshly grilled meat and fish at one of the welcoming restaurants, or cook your own in the villa kitchen.

Elewana AfroChic Diani Beach, for intimate elegance near Kaya Kinondo Sacred Forest

Boutique Hotel

A living area containing a corner sofa at Elewana AfroChic Diani Beach, with a glass door opening towards an outdoor pool
© Elewana AfroChic Diani Beach / Expedia

Unlike many other hotels in the area, this villa-style property retains a small-hotel vibe, with only ten guest rooms. All have carved wooden bed frames, and each has its own curated design, drawing from local culture and nature. Admire the ocean or garden from your private balcony or terrace before sampling fresh seafood under a gazebo on the beach. There’s even a turtle hatchery on site, with green and hawksbill species both favouring this area for nesting.

Jacaranda Indian Ocean Beach Resort, for waterfront seclusion near Snake Park

Resort

A view of the outdoor pool at Jacaranda Indian Ocean Beach Resort, with palm trees separating it from the sand and ocean
© Jacaranda Indian Ocean Beach Resort / Expedia

Cabins at this secluded oceanfront resort are spread thinly across the forested coastline for maximum privacy. The gently shelving white sand beach gives way to turquoise water, which conceals the rich aquatic world of Diani Chale Marine National Reserve and Park beneath the waves. Light-filled rooms with half-timbered ceilings and hand-carved furniture are draped in fine lace curtains and mosquito nets. Love fish? Try the grilled snapper and salad.

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