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Dine and relax at the shore of the Indian Ocean
Happy – after numerous wildlife encounters in the Masai Mara – we returned to the turquoise Indian Ocean and to the well-known Diani Beach – the most beautiful beach in Kenya!
In Kenya, a beach holiday can easily be combined with a safari. It is a mere 10 minutes from Ukunda Airstrip, where daily flights to the Masai Mara and other national parks depart from. And from Europe you can reach this beautiful beach in just 8 hours.
Boutique resort
There are countless hotels at Diani Beach, but The Sands at Nomad is the only boutique resort. The small, beautiful 5-star resort with just 37 rooms is located directly on the white sandy beach, nestled in lush tropical vegetation. It is the sister hotel of The Sands at Chale Island. Both hotels are perfect to relax and enjoy beach life at!
The romantic resort consists of a main building with reception, a bar, an à la carte restaurant, a lounge, a 5m deep pool, a shop, a beach bar with restaurant and various rooms and cottages scattered in the beautiful forest.
We were warmly welcomed with a friendly “Jambo“, flower garlands and a welcome drink.
Interview with Richard Glaser
Claudia and Richard Glaser have been living in Kenya with their two sons for 10 years and even got married here on the beach. Both of them are now managers at Nomad and love Kenya above all else. Why? Richard tells you in our little video!
Pool
What is special about this pool is the fact that it is suitable for both children and divers! On the one side quite shallow and on the other side 5 metres deep!
The pool directly borders a large lawn area with lots of beach chairs and a view of the ocean. You are basically right on the white beach and almost in the ocean!
With the hotel’s PADI dive center “Diving The Crab”, you can even attempt your first dive and then of course there are also diving trips. Price list
The pool is open until 23:00 and the bar 24 hours every day – very cool!
Beach
The fine, sandy beach is almost as white and pure as in the Seychelles (which is also not far away). And the water temperature is bathtub-warm.
Apart from a few beach boys and walkers, the beach is often almost deserted. Some mornings we even had the beach completely to ourselves. Far and wide nothing but silence and the sound of the waves – so beautiful!
It is not a private beach, so you are addressed by beach boys from time to time, when you come out of the water – but always in a friendly manner! As soon as they see that you are not interested, they leave you in peace. And they are not allowed to enter the hotel premises.
Beach Restaurant & Bar
The restaurant on the beach is really a dream! You can relax in the comfortable sitting areas with lots of cushions and a view of the ocean and of course also enjoy delicious food.
If you can only visit two continents in your lifetime, visit Africa! -R. Elliot
Breakfast consists of a wide variety of dishes with everything you could wish for. Fresh egg dishes, pancakes and the like can be ordered from the menu.
The restaurant is also very popular with guests from other hotels and locals! For lunch you can order mouth-watering pizzas, pasta and also very delicious homemade ice cream.
In the evening the restaurant has a really cozy and romantic atmosphere! The beach bar serves delicious cocktails and the restaurant tasty cuisine at moderate prices.
Those who wish can directly book half or full board or even dine á la carte.
In a relaxed atmosphere with a light breeze you can taste original Kenyan, Italian or Japanese dishes! You are really spoiled for choice! We tried the legendary Sushi platter for two one evening. Sushi with fresh fish directly from the ocean – awesome! The next evening we tried some local cuisine consisting of delicious meat skewers and fresh fish in coconut sauce – sheer poetry! Unfortunately, we were not there long enough to try more dishes – the burgers also looked amazing!
The service in the restaurant and also in the entire hotel was always very warm and friendly. The Kenyans quite simply are very friendly people! And if you speak a little Swahili, a good atmosphere is guaranteed in any case!
Rivas Fine Dine Restaurant with its special daily menu is located at the swimming pool and is perfect for even more exclusive dinners or as a special indulgence.
Rooms
The resort has 8 Forest View Rooms that are situated close to the front desk, the pool or the beach. The 10 Sea Breeze Rooms face the ocean. The 6 Ocean View Rooms have one or two bedrooms, a private veranda and are located right on the beach. For romantic moments, there are 7 Beach Cottages with plenty of privacy, also situated on the beach. The huge Beach Cottage Superior Suite with jacuzzi is ideal for honeymooners. In the main house there are another 3 Ocean View Superior Suites with jacuzzis.
All the rooms have been beautifully decorated by Claudia paying great attention to detail. The mixture of shiny mahogany furniture, stucco, traditional Swahili architecture, African patterns & colors and maritime decor radiates warmth and comfort.
BEACH COTTAGE
We stayed in the beautiful beach cottage – tucked away behind the huge trees. The cottages are right on the beach – the view and the tranquillity are just amazing!
Each cottage has a veranda with comfortable sitting area and sun loungers on the huge lawn in front of it. The area is also guarded around the clock by security personnel. So you could also quickly jump into the ocean without even worrying about your room key.
There is a cozy four-poster bed with mosquito net, a sitting area, a desk with a view of the ocean, a quaint chest of drawers, coffee, tea and a water dispenser. All rooms are equipped with a minibar, hairdryer, safe, air conditioning, telephone, free W-Lan and 24-hour room service.
The bathroom has a shower, a bidet and also water in a glass bottle to brush your teeth with.
BEACH COTTAGE SUPERIOR SUITE
Among the Beach Cottages there is a special Beach Cottage Superior Suite which is perfect for honeymooners.
The huge suite has its own small tropical garden, which is irrigated by a hole in the roof. The suite has a jacuzzi in the back garden behind the cottage, a large canopy bed and the staircase leads to another single bed.
NOMAD SUPERIOR SUITE
This suite is located on the first floor, has a wonderful double bed and a special jacuzzi overlooking the terrace.
OCEAN VIEW DOUBLE
These rooms are also all right on the beach, they have a veranda or balcony and sun beds on the lawn in front of them.
Forest Breeze Spa
We love massages in Africa. So we decided to treat ourselves with another massage. And once again, it was so worthwhile! The “After Sun Massage” was absolutely perfect for me as I unfortunately, got sunburnt while snorkelling.
The small half-open massage huts are situated in the heart of the forest.
Massages, facials, manicures, pedicures, aerobics, Zumba or private yoga lessons are offered. Spa Menu
The therapists were extremely kind and the treatments very professional.
Honeymoon & Wedding
You can get married right on the beach and then also spend your honeymoon here or at The Sands on Chale Island.
Wedding Package
Document service, wedding certificate, wedding fees, marriage officer, decorations for the ceremony, flowers in the room, bridal bouquet and corsages, wedding cake, a bottle of champagne, manicure and pedicure for the bride, partner massages for the bride and groom (1900 EUR)
Special Honeymoon Package (ansehen)
- Welcome drink on arrival
- Flower arrangement
- 1 bottle of wine and a fruit platter
- Partner massage at the spa
- Candlelight dinner on the beach
(Minimum stay: 3 nights in Ocean View Superior, Ocean View Suite, Beach Cottages, valid until 6 months after the wedding)
Conclusion
We especially liked the great location right on the beach! You can easily spend the whole day in the beach restaurant. The view of the ocean is simply fantastic. The beautiful beach cottages are spacious and the location is phenomenal. You simply walk out of your room and jump into the ocean. Privacy is guaranteed as the rooms are spread out evenly in the resort. The food is really good – we would have liked to try many more dishes. The African friendliness in Kenya is very special indeed – the people are very kind, warm and friendly! We can also imagine a wedding here – just like on Chale Island!
We met many travelers, who are repeat offenders and come back to Diani Beach again and again. Understandably so – because it is simply very beautiful! We also felt very safe, for all those who think that Kenya is dangerous.
Rooms: 37 rooms (Forest View Rooms, Ocean View Rooms, Sea Breeze Rooms, Beach Cottages, Beach Cottage Superior Suite, Junior Suite, Ocean View Superior Suites)
Transfer: 45 km (about 1.5 hours) from Mombasa Airport. Our tip for the transfer or safari excursions: D.M.Tours
Check-in / Check-out times: 12:00 / 10:00
Air Temperature: 20 – 32.5° Celsius
Water Temperature: 26 – 29° Celsius
Malaria: Malaria risk area. Please ensure that you take the necessary malaria prophylaxis (Malarone)
Vaccinations: Polio, tetanus, diphtheria, hepatitis A and B; Yellow fever when entering neighboring countries such as Tanzania
Best travel time: Year round; High season is from June – September, October – February are the hottest, March – May are the rainiest months and there might still be some rain in November.
Flight duration: With Condor from Frankfurt to Mombasa nonstop in 8.5 hours
Time shift: 2 hours (in summer only 1 hour)
Price: from 219 EUR / night (Double Room Forest View, breakfast included)
Special: 7 nights at The Sands at Nomad with breakfast + 7 nights at The Sands at Chale Island with half-board in standard rooms: 1200 EUR per person (Superior: 1990 EUR per person)
Special Features: relaxed atmosphere, lots of privacy, beautiful cottages and suites right on the beach, great beach restaurant, very delicious food
Perfect for: couples, families, nature lovers, beach lovers, beach weddings, honeymoons
The Sands at Nomad
P.O. Box 5066 – 80401
Diani Beach
South Coast, Kenya
Telefon: +254 725 373 888
info@thesandsatnomad.com
www.thesandsatnomad.com
Tipps
Romantic dinner
Ali Barbour´s Cave Restaurant was highly recommended to us. Dining under the stars, with candle light in a semi-open cave, should be very romantic. They will even pick you up from the hotel. (Menu)
Excursion
When you visit Diani Beach, you must make sure not to miss out on a tour with Pilli Pipa Dhow Safari in the Kisite Mpunguti Marine Park & Reserve. We could even swim with dolphins during the full day trip! Snorkeling and diving trips can also be done with them, including a delicious Swahili lunch and they pick you up from the hotel.
Beach Safari Combination
The 4 star sister hotel The Sands at Chale Island is just half an hour away on a beautiful private island. These two hotels can be perfectly combined during a round trip and also in conjunction with a safari (for example in the Mara Bush Camp).
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Note: During our stay we were supported by The Sands at Nomad and D.M.Tours. Thank you so much! The opinions expressed in this article are 100% our own – The tour was organized by Magical Kenya (Kenya Tourism Board). A heartfelt thank you!
Monique De Caro
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