Diani Reef Beach Resort & Spa

The food was the highlight of our seven-day all-inclusive stay. There was a good variety, with plenty of meat and vegetable choices, fruit and cake at every meal. The juices were a bit disappointing. They had something by the pool each day, cake, tea and coffee at 4pm, and evening entertainment like acrobats and bands. Leave room in the budget for tips. If lunch isn't included in your booking, you can order from the restaurant menu or pay $20 a day for the buffet. The staff were friendly, but service was very slow, so bring patience. The rooms need updating, especially the bathrooms, where the fittings were very old and rusty. The furniture was worn, there was no hairdryer, and the beach towels were torn. The lounge sofas by the beach were in poor shape too, with stuffing coming out. It's a nice spot for sun and lovely water, but the quality no longer feels like four stars.

The staff really make this hotel, they're so helpful, polite and always smiling. The place has a lovely vibe and I recommend staying here. The rooms are a little tired, though, and I would've liked more activities, yoga for example.

The pool and beach areas were lovely, with a beautiful view, and breakfast had a decent range of choices. The spa was closed while I was there, and vendors often came up to guests or watched them, which felt uncomfortable and took away from the nice setting. Check-in itself was friendly and efficient, and the arrival went smoothly. The rooms feel dated, though, and the phone in mine didn't work properly, so asking for things like towels was difficult.

The beach and location are world-class, but Diani Reef itself is run-down and badly maintained. Peeling paint, dated rooms and crumbling infrastructure make the luxury label hard to believe. This beautiful spot has been allowed to slide into neglect under poor management, and it badly needs renovation. The staff are the bright spot. They're kind, hardworking and exceptional, but management has clearly left them stretched too thin. Go for the beach if you like, but expect a resort that's seen much better days. I wouldn't recommend it, and I won't be going back.