Hotel reviews: Nyali International Beach

• Location
• TO KNOW
• Overview
• Accommodation
• Food and drink
• Beach
• Photos

The hotel not only overlooks the Indian Ocean but also the Mombasa Marine Park and National Reserve where guests will often spot dolphins in the morning. Every month the hotel organises a full moon 'sundowner' party, with a bonfire in the water and kitesurfing under the full moon. This event attracts locals and tourists alike.

• Location
• TO KNOW
• Overview
• Accommodation
• Food and drink
• Beach
• Photos

A good option for anybody looking for activities on their doorstep, Nyali International boasts an active animation team, a kid's club (added in November 2010), two pools plus kid's pool, two tennis courts, two beach volleyball facilities, several bars and restaurants and even a nightclub and casino. At the time of our visit, a conference facility was under construction that would eventually hold 350 people, and a spa and gym were to be added by the end of 2010. It also had plans to add its own watersports and diving facility (these activities are currently via an external company). Guests of all ages can keep busy with the animation team's various activities, while at night enjoy entertainment that ranges from classical music to live bands and cabaret performances.

There are two pools on site; the main pool is a large rectangular shape (handy for doing laps) which is overlooked by the Fountain Lounge terrace. At ground level there are two small bar areas where guests may play table tennis, partake in the quiz nights, or just sit back with a refreshing drink. Stone paths weave through the neatly landscaped gardens and lawns down to the beach area where there is plenty of room for guests to spread out and move around.

• Location
• TO KNOW
• Overview
• Accommodation
• Food and drink
• Beach
• Photos

The hotel comprises large white building blocks with wooden balconies and terracotta tile roofs and is divided into two wings; the palm and the garden. The garden wing is the oldest part of the resort (built in the 1960's) and it shows. In this area of the resort you'll also find the three cottages (each with their own Jacuzzi) nestled in a pleasant botanic garden. There are 120 garden wing rooms, all sea facing, and all due to undergo renovation. These rooms are basic but clean, featuring large beds with wicker cane bedheads draped in green and gold linen. There is a small seating area, desk and vanity with mirror, and small balcony with outdoor furniture. Even if they appear tired, most of these rooms benefit from partial sea views. The small bathrooms contain a separate bath and shower but have really begun to show their age.

Meanwhile, over in the palm wing where there are 40 rooms, the accommodation is more modern (well, built in the 1980's). Rooms feature wooden parquet floors and wicker cane finishing from the bedhead to the lamps on the bedside tables. The large bed is draped in pale yellow linen, and in the bathroom there is a small shower cabin and black marble vanity. The palm wing rooms also boast balconies.

The palm wing consists of three levels of accommodation while the older garden wing has four levels of rooms, but there are elevators in each building for those who need them. And yes, while the garden wing is in desperate need of a makeover, it was nice to see the hotel staff show dedication and enthusiasm to bring the hotel back to its former glory. The renovation program, which is already underway, will continue well into 2011.

• Location
• TO KNOW
• Overview
• Accommodation
• Food and drink
• Beach
• Photos

There are several outlets for food and drink at Nyali International. Sails, the main restaurant, serves a buffet breakfast, lunch and dinner. Large and airy with white dining furniture and purple tablecloths, it serves up international cuisine. Next door, Harry's Bar is a traditional English pub-style bar with big screen TVs, giving it a sports bar vibe. The karaoke nights held here every Friday are immensely popular with both guests and locals. Overlooking the main pool and gardens is the Fountain Lounge; open all day for tea and coffee, patisseries and snacks. Complimentary afternoon tea is served here everyday at 4:00pm. Downstairs and below the Sails restaurant, guests will find Noon's, the hotel's nightclub, also apparently the very first club in Nyali.

Other restaurants include the Bistro, serving Chinese, Japanese and Italian cuisine, Mvita seafood and grill (with lovely ocean views), and the beachside Aqua for tapas and grill snacks; all are à la carte and available to guests via an allowance scheme. There is also a large outdoor terrace under the shade of a frangipani tree, where dinner is served a few nights a week. There is a small stage for live bands to provide evening entertainment. Down by the beach, guests will find Lane's Bar, nestled in the gardens, but only serving juice and tea and coffee (read: no alcohol). For that, head to Aqua, the beach bar with a trendy chill out concept.

The jewel of the hotel, Aqua, serves up a mouthwatering selection of tapas and also boasts a state of the art grill. A pair of gazebos, each with their own colour scheme (blue or red, from the lighting to the cushions on the couches), is separated by a long central bar under a pergola. In the gazebos themselves, comfy seating areas face inwards to a circular bar where you can order anything from cocktails to shishas. A little further away and on the lawns, guests can sprawl out on one of the many day beds found under the palm trees. With lounge music playing from 3:00pm until 11:00pm, Aqua aims to become the Forty Thieves (hugely popular beach bar on the south coast) of the north coast. There is also a bar by the watersports centre for post-sport refreshments. Room service is available 24 hours a day at an extra charge.

• Z Location
• TO KNOW
• Overview
• Accommodation
• Food and drink
• Beach
• Photos

With a long stretch of beach on Mombasa's north coast, the hotel provides all the necessary facilities such as sun loungers, showers, bars (including the tapas/grill bar Aqua) and watersports. While the beach is certainly calm, safe and clean, with white sand and warm waters, Nyali's beach is certainly no competition to Diani or Galu on Mombasa's famous south coast.

RHP