Tombo House

We enjoyed having the friendly German couple who run Tombo House around. They were happy to chat and share tips, and the rest of the staff were kind and attentive too. The hotel has several buildings: a main one with shared spaces and charming older rooms, plus newer buildings. We stayed in two different rooms and liked both. They’re well equipped and decorated with a mix of Arabic and Kenyan tropical styles. The shower pressure was great, the WiFi worked well throughout, and you can borrow yoga mats and weights. The pool was well looked after and tucked into the greenery, so we spent lots of time relaxing around it. Monkeys wandered through freely, which was fun, though we had to watch our belongings. Breakfast and other food were good. Breakfast included freshly made pancakes and scrambled eggs, homemade sourdough and gluten-free breads, local pastries, spreads, fruit, tomatoes and a little cheese. We also had snacks during the day. Prices are a bit above the Kenyan average, though they seem to be within the range for the coast. I’d recommend a stay at Tombo House.

The jungle around Tombo House is peaceful, and the pool area is beautiful. The food was amazing, especially the best shawarma we’ve ever had. We also enjoyed the monkeys popping up around the property. There aren’t many modern amenities like TVs or central AC, and joining the WiFi can be a struggle, but the charm and views more than make up for it. The staff were the real highlight. When our tour guides got lost trying to pick us up, security called to help them find the way. Veronica called ahead to get us a table at a popular dinner spot. Nelly remembered our room number whenever she served dinner, and Marcy offered fresh aloe Vera when we got sunburned. They even packed custom breakfasts for our early mornings. I can’t name everyone, but every person at the hotel was so friendly. We’ve never had hospitality like that. If we’re lucky enough to return to Diani beach, we’ll stay here again.

The chicken shawarma is five-star, and the rest of the hotel food is more than acceptable. We found it good value for money, with a nice pool area and great staff who made us feel welcome and helped make the stay enjoyable. Vanessa at reception was especially helpful with questions and recommendations for things to do. It’s a 15-minute walk to the beach, so factor that in when booking. On the other hand, you don’t pay the extra premium for a beachfront stay.

The food was one of our biggest surprises. Breakfast was fresh, beautifully presented and cooked to order at the live station. I’d never tried a quail egg before, so I asked for one fried. They said, “Let me check outside if they laid some.” They collect fresh eggs on the property, and so much is homegrown or homemade, even the bread. You can order at the bar throughout the day, and the menu feels like restaurant food: Wagyu beef, seafood, fish and shawarma, all carefully prepared and plated. The garden’s natural pool, little fountain and surrounding greenery made it easy to spend hours outside. Monkeys sometimes steal bread snacks when you get in the water, but that’s part of the charm, since it’s their home too. Two sweet dogs wander around as well and enjoy some attention. Our apartment was modern, spotlessly clean and thoughtfully furnished. It was mosquito-safe, the AC worked perfectly, and the big balcony faced the treetops. Morning coffee there felt like being in the jungle, with monkeys jumping through the branches. Nora and Daniel greeted us personally at the gate and were warm, calm and genuine. They and their team were attentive and caring while giving us space. The entire property felt green, peaceful, spotless and lovingly arranged. Tombo House isn’t on the beach, which makes it wonderfully quiet. A tuk-tuk comes within seconds and takes you to the beach in about two minutes. We preferred the tropical garden’s peace to the beach itself. We stayed in three places on this trip, two hotels and a safari lodge, and this was by far the most beautiful, clean and lovingly run. The value was excellent, almost too good for what you get. A real gem in Diani, and we wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone.