Diani Beach, Diani Sea Resort Hotel

We cannot recommend this hotel enough. All the staff were very friendly and couldn't do enough for you, even the pool men were there to move the beds around and wouldn't let you do anything, saying that you are on your holidays and not there to do anything except enjoy yourself. Jambo Jambo all the way.

The food was very good and we didn't have one bad meal during our time there. Plenty of choice, especially on their special nights. It might not be as luxurious as a 5 star hotel but it is definitely good value for money.

The place was spotless, rooms were cleaned thoroughly every day, cleaners were also very friendly.

In the evening, the rooms were sprayed with mosquito spray and the nets around the beds were let down, which was a really nice touch.

The special nights were very entertaining and during the day the animators, especially Philip, were good fun for old and young alike. Many thanks to Philip for showing us where Ali Barbours restaurant was. Excellent food, excellent service and excellent value for money, we can definitely recommend their steaks, they were huge! They even organised for us to be picked up and dropped back off at the hotel for no extra cost!

We can definitely recommend the overnight safari, staying at Saltlick Lodges, what an unforgettable experience, we saw 4 out of the big 5, many thanks to Nowab, I think that is how you spell his name, as he made sure that we got some brilliant photos.

Also, go on the Pilli Pipa Dhow Safari, another must do trip. Everyone on the boat was really helpful and made sure even the least confident swimmers can go snorkelling, whilst they pull them along. They point out all the wonderful sights and will take your waterproof cameras down and take pictures for you. The lunch on Wasini Island is excellent and the setting is stunning.

As for the Beach Boys, if you decide to barter with them we found it easier to do it in Sterling, as long as you have some with you, be firm but polite at all times, after you have done your business, talk to them for a while and get to know them, they even offered us to join them on a lunch time.

Please make sure that you tip the bag carriers when you get there in Kenyan shillings, as the find it difficult to get Sterling changed into notes. Please take a stock of pens and pads to give to the local schools. Above all, enjoy this wonderful place.