Staying in Mombasa? Did you know you get better
value by booking flights and hotels together?

Set on the pristine white sands of Shanzu Beach, Serena Beach Resort & Spa is only 30km from Mombasa, and only an hour’s drive from the airport, yet a world away from the stress and strain of the real world. Shaded by swaying coconut palms, and set in lush tropical gardens, Serena Beach Resort is a little piece of paradise on earth.

The resort is designed to reflect the winding lanes and colourful market places of a 13th-century Swahili town., yet each of the rooms and suites have all the mod cons you could wish for, including satellite TV, Wi-Fi, fully stocked mini bar, a safe and telephone. All the rooms have traditional Masai inspired handpainted wall frescos, fretwork cabinets and brightly coloured coastal cotton furnshings in red, white and yellow or cool blue, king sized or twin beds, mosquito net drapes, and a private veranda. There are Ocean view and garden room views and the new Zanzibar Suites offer separate spacious sitting rooms and terraces. Lavish bathrooms have walk-in showers, luxurious toiletries, robes and slippers and hairdryers.

For the full holistic experience, the Serena Maisha Spa is built from local natural eco-friendly materials, and offers a central relaxation area with spiritual library, Spa boutique, and Spa Arena, sauna, steam room and Jacuzzis, as wwell as a fitness studio, with cardiovascular and isotonic machines and free weights, plus an open air spa space with all kinds of Body Renewal classes, and yoga and martial arts. Body treatments are made from locally sourced ingredients, many of which are gathered from the beach and forest. There is a large free-form pool and terrace where you can relax and soak up the sun, and the beach offers all kinds of water sports, while for landlubbers, the Shimba Hills National Reserve as well as many historical and cultural sites are within easy reach. For wildlife lovers there is a Butterfly Centre and Turtle Watch programme, and the resort offers babysitting and a wedding planning service, though not necessarily in that order…

The Fountain Restaurant, the Jahazi Grill seafood restaurant and Sokomni Terrace brasserie offer three different beachside dining options, as well as 24-hour room service with everything from a club sandwich to a private dinner r cocktails and canapés on your terrace. For a special treat, why not stroll through the gardens to your private table for two on the beach, and enjoy a glass of sparkling wine and orange juice accompanied by a full English breakfast.