Beach Palazzo

Kenya’s beautiful Indian Ocean coast stretches for more than 300 miles (500 km) and feels a world away from ‘upcountry’ East Africa. The coast is fringed by white sand beaches, backed by coconut palms and towering sand dunes, interspersed with mangrove flats, ancient forests and sheltered coastal creeks and anchorages. Another marked contrast is its enduring and distinctive Swahili culture – a unique amalgam of African, Arabian, Indian and European influences – which reveal themselves in the coast’s religious and social traditions, food, architecture and many other aspects of daily life. Its towns and villages, sometimes bustling but often sleepy, remain tranquil, traditional and welcoming.

Kenya’s beaches and coastal waters are nesting sites and home to five endangered species of sea turtle. Offshore coral reefs shelter much of the coastline and provide a crucial habitat for a wonderful variety of marine life. Scuba diving and snorkelling provide a window into this extraordinary underwater world. Two of its most spectacular areas are within Marine National Parks off Watamu and Malindi – both are also world-renowned centres for deep sea fishing. South of Mombasa, Diani Beach is regularly voted one of the most beautiful in Africa. An adventure sports hub, renowned for kitesurfing, skydiving and ocean fishing, its coastal woodland has a large population of lively black-and-white Colobus monkeys.

Kenya’s coastal settlements house the historic remains of a network of ancient city states that stretched the length of the East African coast – from Mogadishu in the north to Mozambique Island in the south. These ports were the gateways for external trade with Africa – exporting slaves, ivory, tortoiseshell, animal hides, ambergris and other precious commodities to Arabia, Europe and across the Indian Ocean. Lamu Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is the oldest living town south of the Sahara and the region’s best-preserved historic settlement. The ‘old town’ in Mombasa, Kenya’s second city and East Africa’s busiest port, is home to Fort Jesus – a magnificent Portuguese citadel built in the 1590s.

There are several scheduled flights daily from Nairobi to Lamu, Malindi, Vipingo, Mombasa and Diani/Ukunda. Safari destinations in the Masai Mara and Tsavo are also served by Mombasa’s Moi International Airport, as are Zanzibar and Dar Es Salaam in Tanzania. Mombasa also receives international flights from Dubai and Addis Ababa, and seasonal flights from Rome and Frankfurt. An alternative route to the Indian Ocean coast is via Kenya’s new Standard Guage Railway (SGR) which was completed in 2017 and connects Nairobi with Mombasa. The scenic 470 km (290 mile) journey takes around 6 hours by express train. Our travel team will be pleased to advise and plan your journey to the coast and beyond.

Jacaranda Beach is a peaceful stretch of coast approximately 10 kilometres south and 20 minutes’ drive from Malindi. Malindi airport has several scheduled flights each day to and from Nairobi, Mombasa and Lamu. There are one or two small beach bars within walking distance of the house, and the area is generally quiet and undeveloped. The resort village of Watamu is around 12 kilometres away to the south.

Part bustling coastal centre, part historic Swahili settlement and part laid-back beach resort, Malindi is Kenya’s second largest coastal town after Mombasa. Half way down the Kenyan coast, close to the mouth of the Sabaki River, it is 120 kilometres north of Mombasa and 130 kilometres south of Lamu.  Malindi is known for its large Italian population and has a number of excellent boutiques, delicatessens and places to eat. The narrow streets of the old town provide good shopping for colourful fabrics, Swahili antiques and traditional furniture.

Among Malindi’s main attractions are its beautiful white sand beaches and the Malindi Marine National Park & Reserve – the oldest marine park in Kenya, it covers 213 square kilometres of ocean and shore – with abundant brilliantly-colourful fish, organ-pipe coral, green sea-turtles and beds of Thalassia seagrass. Visitors can also enjoy glass-bottomed boat rides, snorkelling on the coral reef, surfing, PADI diving and other water sports. Malindi is also a centre for game fishing for marlin, sailfish, tuna and shark.

To the south of Malindi the Gedi Ruins are the ancient remains of a substantial Swahili Arab town dating back to the 12th Century. Once a thriving and well-planned community of at least 2500 people, with a magnificent palace, several  mosques and many large stone houses,  the people of Gedi  grew rich on trade with India, China and Europe, but the town was mysteriously abandoned in the 17th Century.

Just north of Malindi and a few miles inland close to the village of Marafa is the picturesque  Hell’s Kitchen – Malindi’s answer to The Grand Canyon – a dramatic series of rock formations and gorges.  The 4,300-hectare Arabuko-Sokoke Forest Reserve to the southwest of the town is the largest single block of indigenous coastal forest remaining in East Africa. It forms the centrepiece of a world-renowned habitat for rare and endangered birds and mammals including forest elephants.

Accommodation

• Entrance foyer & palm garden
• Poolside veranda – with breathtaking views, sitting areas and dining area. 15 metres in length
• Three internal sitting rooms
• One internal dining room
• Moroccan roof terrace – with a spectacular ocean view, lounging area, ideal for aperitifs and buffet dinners

Bedrooms

• Master Suite 1 – first floor, with 2 bedrooms (one double, one twin) and a private bathroom with bathtub, private terrace. Ideal for 2 adults and 2 children
• Master Suite 2 – first floor, with private foyer, 2 bedrooms (one double, one twin) and a private bathroom, private terrace. Ideal for 2 adults and 2 children
• Suite 3 – pool level, private foyer, double bed, private bathroom with bathtub, private terrace
• Suite 4 – pool level, private foyer, double bed, private bathroom with bathtub, private terrace
• Suite 5 – garden floor with direct access to the garden and the beach, double bedroom, sitting area, private bathroom, private terrace
• Suite 6 – garden floor with direct access to the garden and the beach, double bedroom, sitting area, private bathroom, private terrace
• Suite 7 – pool floor with direct access to the pool; 2 single beds, sitting area, private bathroom, private internal garden
• Suite 8 – pool floor with direct access to the pool; 2 single beds, sitting area, private bathroom, private internal garden
• Room 9 – pool floor, adjacent to the sitting rooms, private foyer, double bed, private bathroom

Outside

• 40-metre infinity pool
• 1.5 acres of lawns and tropical gardens
• 75 metres of frontage on to Jacaranda Beach
• 6 beachfront pergolas with sun loungers and chairs
• Shady beachfront dining area

“The Palazzo not only boasts stunning architecture but is also home to a remarkable team of individuals whose kindness and compassion radiate alongside its beauty. The Palazzo team possess hearts of gold, adding immeasurable value to this already enchanting place!”

“We cannot thank you enough for the wonderful experience we and all our guests had at the Beach Palazzo. The property was marvellous and eloquently matched by the warm hospitality and grace of Sheikha and staff. Elisha and team were superb, and so was the chef who accommodated our complicated dietary requirements. Everyone was very accommodating, friendly and responsive.”

“I want to thank you and the whole team for hosting us superbly at the Beach Palazzo. We enjoyed our stay and it was beautiful in every sense. We must expressly mention the staff who were very kind, honest and dedicated. These memories we shall carry with us for many years to come. Our stay exceeded all our expectations. Hoping to see you all again soon.”

“Where do I start from?! The staff have been exceptional – the hospitality is 100% and they are super friendly! The Palazzo is so beautiful and unique – what you see online is what you get in real life. We loved our stay here.”

“We have had an absolutely amazing time during our four days here at the Palazzo. The place is gorgeous and the staff are absolutely amazing – they all made our stay so memorable. Thank you to all of you!”

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