North Coast of Mombasa, Kenya
The Sarova Whitesands Beach Resort & Spa is situated North of Mombasa town on one of East Africa's most stunning white sand beaches leading into the protected Mombasa Marine Park. Set over 22 acres of naturally landscaped greens with lily ponds, five free form swimming pools and Lamu style architecture, the resort has a unique ambience suited for an ultimate leisure retreat.
The resort has 338 rooms in different categories on three floored room blocks, two large buffet dining pavilions, a bistro cafe, a fine-dining seafood grill, a beach bar and disco, a Tulia Spa with an outdoor ocean-view jacuzzi, Ozone children's club, PADI certified diving school and water-sports centre and numerous other leisure and recreation facilities. Set on 22 acres of tropical gardens along a 300 metre beach front with five expansive swimming pools, a luxurious spa, numerous dining and accommodation options and a vast plethora of things to do, Sarova Whitesands is a destination in itself.
The Swahili coast, a glorious ribbon of silver and sapphire, crashing surf and bright coral, is steeped in a turbulent history pre-dating Da Gama. The Swahili culture, a fabulous fusion of Arab, African, and Portuguese has created a pace of life, a style of cuisine and a mosaic of architecture, heritage, myth and magic that is found nowhere else in the world.
Location and seasons
Kenya's north coast, one of her most popular beach holiday destinations, offers clear blue sea, marine parks, excellent water sports, coral reefs, monsoon winds, numerous hotels and beach resorts, family vacations, sun n sand, cultural and beach travel and more. Close to Mombasa, it is also within easy reach of Malindi, Lamu, Diani and many other popular Kenya safari resort hotels.
Beach vacation facts
The Kenyan coast is roughly divided into ‘North and ‘South' of the island city of Mombasa. To reach the south coast, it is necessary to cross from the island of Mombasa via the Likoni Ferry (10 minutes) to the start of the south coast beaches. The link to the north coast is via the Nyali Bridge, which leads from the island (via the suburb of Nyali) to the north coast.
The north coast features:
Nyali Beach
Kenyatta and Bamburi Beaches
Shanzu beach
Kilifi
Watamu
Beach facts: Hottest time is between November and March, rainy season is May and June (hotel closed 01 May to 15 June); sea weed on beach and strong winds May /August. September to November is cool and pleasant.
The Background
Kenya's stunning coastline (485 kms from Nairobi) runs 700 km between the Tanzanian and Somali borders and is renowned for its silken white sandy beaches, coconut palms, sheltered lagoons, pellucid blue waters, remote islands, uncharted mangrove swamps and mysterious Arab and Swahili ruins, many of which date back to the 8th Century AD. An idyllic climate cooled by the monsoon, the Swahili coast offers a daily average of 8 hours of sunshine, and the hot steamy climate is tempered by the monsoon winds: the south-easterly Kusi, which blows from April to October; and the north-easterly Kaskazi which blows from November to March.
Accommodation
338 guestrooms and suites feature casual comfort amid pool and garden views or ocean vistas, all with resort comforts and services close at hand. There are 5 categories of rooms and suites to choose from as described below, all of which feature: balcony and pool or sea view, satellite TV, tea/coffee facilities, hair dryers, mosquito nets, air-conditioning, direct dial telephone, wireless internet connectivity. Private bath, shower and WC Voltage of 240 volts and 50 cycle razor outlets operating on both220 and 240 volts.
Presidential Suites (2)
The Presidential Suites are located in a serene and private spot on a secluded island overlooking the Palms pool. The suites offer two superbly appointed master bedrooms with king and queen size beds, en-suite bathrooms and a Jacuzzi. The large lounge in each suite is attached to a kitchenette and a fully stocked bar. Exclusive car parking slots are located nearby. A butler is assigned and available round the clock to ensure a most comfortable stay.
Executive Suites(6) The expansive Acacia suites, most with ocean views, feature spacious lounges and bedrooms. They are available as one or two bedroom suites, all with en-suite bathrooms done up in luxurious style complete with Persian rugs.
Palm Rooms (66)
Palm Rooms are located in the rooms blocks around the picturesque Palms pool. The large spacious rooms with high ceilings and en-suite bathrooms, are done up in warm colourful hues lending them a very inviting appearance. All rooms have balconies that overlook the Palms pool, colourful bougainvillea and frangipani trees.
Sea Front Rooms(125)
Sea Front rooms have an unimpeded view of the expansive tropical waters of the Indian Ocean beyond the landscaped greens and swaying palms.
Standard Rooms (133)
In addition to the above the resort has three specially equipped rooms for the physically challenged.
Dining and bars
The Pavilion Restaurant is the main dining restaurant and serves buffet style cuisine at breakfast, lunch and dinner. Cuisine includes continental, Asian and Indigenous African with 14 themed dinners over a fortnight. Entertainment is provided by live bands, traditional dancers and acrobats.
Minazi Café
A bistro style restaurant and pizzeria with a wood-fired pizza oven that serves light meals, a rich variety of coffees, Italian ice creams, milkshakes, smoothies and pattisserie. The restaurant also has a special menu for children with a children's buffet for early dinner where specially trained Sarova staff look after the children.
Lido Seafood Grill
Lido is a Chaine de Rotisseur certified, fine dining al-fresco restaurant set amidst the palms on the beach with a stunning ocean view. It serves fresh sea-food in a variety of nouvelle cuisine dishes as well as grilled prawns, lobsters and crab.
Cocos Beach Bar:
Situated on the beach, Cocos is the open air bar and night spot. There is a DJ every
night, special Salsa nights on Friday and live dance or acrobat performances on other days. Bar snacks and beverages are served all day with a special happy hour every evening.
Lido Pool Bar
Serves a variety of beverages to be enjoyed while relaxing in the Lido pool or in the loungers on the pool-side. Also serves an interesting menu of cocktails and mock tails to the adjoining Lido seafood restaurant.
Tulia Health Bar
Located alongside the Tranquil Pool near the Tulia Spa, the Tulia Health Bar serves light meals, salads, smoothies and freshly squeezed juices.
Special Occasion Dining
Sarova Whitesands offers a range of special occasion dining services which include private beach dining, a romantic dinner for two, cocktail parties, high tea service, bridal showers and gala dinners. The resort has the ability to fulfill any special requests for food, beverage, décor or ambience. Special menus are designed to meet the requirements of each occasion and service staff are trained for the same.
In-Room Dining
The resort offers 24-hours room service with a special In-Room Dining menu.
Conference and event facilities
The following conference facilities are offered:
Makutano Conference Centre
This amphitheatre has the capacity to seat three hundred and thirty people. It is also equipped with its own secretariat and rest rooms.
Baraza Conference Room
The conference room has a combined capacity of four hundred people. It can be separated into Baraza I, Baraza II and Baraza III, each with seating capacities ranging from one hundred to two hundred persons. It is equipped with its own secretariat and rest rooms.
Fahari Conference Room
It has a seating capacity of up to two hundred and forty people and is equipped with a secretariat and rest rooms.
Board Room
The Board Room has a seating capacity of up to 20 people in theatre style. Facilities available include flip charts, wireless connectivity, LCD and slide projectors.
Weddings
Sarova Whitesands has hosted many a special wedding and is well geared to create a spectacular wedding event. The resort has many interesting venues such as the Palms Pool island, on the beach or even in a glass bottomed boat.Wedding services include venue decor, floral arrangements, tiered wedding cakes, wedding banquets, music and dance, special romantic dining, special wedding services at the Tulia Spa, beauty and hair treatments at the Salon, special requests for accommodation for the guests and a honeymoon suite for the newlyweds.
Child-friendly
Children are especially welcome at Sarova Hotels and at Sarova Whitesands Beach Resort & Spa, we ensure that parents get as much of a break as the children. We have a large team of specially trained staff that keep children happy and entertained from morning till evening. A wide variety of activities are planned for the day including indoor activities at the Ozone Club and outdoor activities such as swimming, beach walks and nature trails. The Ozone Club is extensively equipped with games, toys, children's films, hobby craft and things to do. Children of all ages are welcome and appropriate activities are planned for different age groups. The resort has a special swimming pool for children with a water-slide where children can have a lot of safe fun. For younger children, there is a well-equipped mini-playground. A special children's menu is available at Minazi Cafe and there is even a Children's Buffet there each evening. Special meal requests are also taken for infants or children with allergies or unique meal requirements. In addition, baby-sitting services are provided on request.
What to see and do
Mombasa Marine Park
Sarova Whitesands Beach Resort has the longest stretch of natural beachfront on the eastAfrican coast. It is classified as a Marine Park by the Kenya Wildlife Services (KWS) to protect the sea animals, plants and coral reef. The Blue Lagoon Water sports Centre located within the resort enables guests to visit the reef in glass bottom boats to view the spectacular marine life. You can also choose to dive or snorkel among the tropical fish near the coral reef. KWS collects a park fee charged to both Kenya residents and non-residents wishing to visit the reef or go snorkeling.
Deep-Sea Diving
Buccaneer Diving, the biggest diving operator on the north coast led by Kenya's only PADI Course Director, has its premier IDC Centre at Sarova Whitesands Beach Resort where you can learn diving and experienced divers can go deep-sea diving with Buccaneer.
Water Sports
The Blue Lagoon Water sports Centre offers a wide range of water sports including sailing,water scooters, Para-sailing and snorkeling.
Tulia Spa
Tulia is the Swahili word for 'relax' and the Tulia Spa at Sarova Whitesands Beach Resort is designed to help you relax and rejuvenate. The Spa bandas are set on greens at the beach side at one end of the resort, designed for privacy and relaxation in the quiet zone. Facilities include massage bandas, ayurvedic massage rooms, outdoor Jacuzzi, reflexology pool, steam and sauna.
Health Club
The health club offers a range of state-of-the-art exercise equipment including cross trainers, exercise cycles, free weights, multi gym, rowing machines and treadmills, free of charge to guests. There is also an instructor on duty at all times to assist you with your workout.
Aerobics
Aerobics classes are conducted by enthusiastic and experienced instructors. Water aerobics is conducted in the Lido swimming pool every morning.
Hair & Beauty Salon
The resort has a fully equipped Salon offering a range of hair and beauty treatments.
Lawn Tennis
The resort has two tennis courts and racquets and balls are provided on request.
Beach Volley Ball
A popular sport with most guests, the animation team organizes daily matches for guests to participate in.
Table Tennis & Pool Tables
Guests can also enjoy a game of table tennis or pool at their leisure.
Water Polo & Water Volley Ball
The animation team has a daily calendar of activities that include water sports that are held at the large Lido pool near the beach.
Swimming Pools
Sarova Whitesands has five large free-form swimming pools:
Lido Pool
The pool has a built-in Bar serving cocktails, alcoholic drinks, juices and other drinks and is the venue for pool aerobics each morning.
Palms Pool
A most picturesque pool surrounded by palms, frangipani trees and bougainvilleas, the pool features a waterfall and an island with a connecting bridge.
Children's Pool & Slide
Diving Pool
Tranquility Pool
African Market
A cultural market is set up twice each week at the African village within the resort. This is an opportunity to view and purchase cultural African mementoes as well as learn a few words of Swahili, the language of the local people.
The shop has a wide range of interesting and unusual curios for sale.
La Perla Boutique
This boutique is located in the lobby selling African themed items such as clothing and jewellery.
Cloud Nine
This is a fully stocked convenience store. It has also stocks some African curios and ornaments for sale.
Pepeo Curios Shop
Things to See and Do
Mombasa Marine National Park and Reserve
The Baobab Adventure
Haller Park - a magnificent example of land reclamation by the Bamburi Cement Company named in order of Rene Haller who instigated the project over the past 30 years. Leafy oasis, game sanctuary, nature trail commercial fish farm - antelope, hippo, giant tortoise and Rothschild's giraffe, crocodile, snake park and palmetium. Bamburi Forest rails - picnicking BBQ Butterfly Pavilion,
Nguuni Wildlife Sanctuary , 5km from Haller Park reclaimed park Masai ostrich eland and oryx and bird life (260 species).
Mamba Village - crocodile farm with 10, 00 crocodiles, camel rides and horse riding.
Ngomongo villages - representation of ten of Kenya tribes illustrating traditional homesteads, dress and activities.
Jumba la Mtwana (Mansion of the Slave)
2kms north of Mtwapa Creek (10 minutes from the Serena Beach Hotel) this national monument contains the remains of a 15th century Swahili slaving settlement and three ruined mosques.
Jumba la Mtwana is open daily 8am to 6pm and fees are payable upon entry.
Location: The site is signposted 1 km north of Mtwapa Bridge.
Mnarani Ruins
Just south of Kilifi creek the remains of a 15th century Swahili settlement including a magnificent pillar tomb and Friday mosque.
Bombolulu
Bombolulu is a crafts training school and manufacturing centre that employs over 260 disabled people, mostly polio victims. It features five handicraft workshops, all of which you can visit and the most famous of which is the jewellery workshop offering a wide variety of designs in metal and local materials such as old coins and seeds. There is also a cultural centre displaying six traditional homesteads, a central restaurant and dance floor where traditional crafts, cooking and farming are demonstrated.
The Bombolulu workshops are open Monday to Friday 8am to 12.45pm and 2-5pm. Entry is free. There is also a cultural centre and craft showrooms.
Location : Bombolulu is 3km north of Nyali Bridge.
Sarova Whitesands Beach Resort & Spa • Kenya North Coast Hotels • Mombasa Beach Hotels & Resorts
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