Dolphin Hotel

From the elevated reception area, with its central dolphin fountain, steps lead down to the restaurant, bar and shady terrace. Another flight of steps takes you down to the swimming pool, sun terrace and beach bar, which are attractively floodlit at night. Owing to these several flights of steps, this hotel is not recommended for people with walking difficulties.

Rating : 4.5 shields - Click here for more info
Location : Shanzu Beach
Transfer : 30 minutes (approx.) from Mombasa Airport

Your Accommodation

The 107 air-conditioned bedrooms are housed in seven separate two storey buildings. Most have wonderful views over the gardens and Indian Ocean, although views of the sea can be interrupted by the lush foliage. All have twin beds, a private shower and wc, a terrace or balcony with a table and chairs, and an internal telephone. There is a 13-amp power point and a safe, for which a small charge is made. Please note that there are no lifts. Suites in the hotel benefit from a bathroom with bath, shower and wc and a separate lounge area with a fridge. The gardens and ocean beyond can be seen from the large balcony, complete with sun loungers, although views are partially obscured by the foliage.

Wining and Dining

The main restaurant, which overlooks the pool and beach beyond. A hot and cold buffet breakfast is offered. Lunch and dinner are served from either a buffet or table d’hote menu. Afternoon tea is served around the pool’s terrace area for a small charge.

The hotel also has two à la carte restaurants which offer a good selection of cuisine at affordable prices; the Watamu Grill which specialises in local seafood dishes and grills or savour the ambience of Italy in the Piccolino restaurant. During the day, the pool bar can keep you refreshed as you relax in the sun, while the restful, air-conditioned Safari Bar is an excellent venue for that pre-dinner drink with new found friends.

Facilities and Entertainment

The hotel’s swimming pool, sun terrace and pool bar are just a few metres away from the white sandy beach, perfect for relaxing days in the sun. Sun beds, both around the pool and on the beach are available, for a small charge (approximately £1 per person per day). For a small supplement, you can reserve your own sunbeds (two) and parasol on the beach. Please note that pool towels are not provided. There is also a small shop for your souvenirs. There is occasional entertainment at night. Guests are also invited to use the facilities and enjoy the popular entertainment at our Shanzu Holiday Resort, to which a complimentary shuttle bus service operates in the evening.

Excursions

A programme of exciting optional daytime and evening excursions is available during your stay at the Dolphin Hotel. Spend the day at sea staying watchful for dolphins and turtles. A half day tour visits the old port of Mombasa where trade ships once sailed between Arabia, Persia and India. Enjoy an evening discovering the stunning sunsets of Mtwapa Creek and the tribal dances of the Masai warriors. Prices of excursions start from just £10 per person and are only bookable locally. Further details can be found in our General Information Booklet which will be sent with your Confirmation Invoice. Deep sea fishing trips can also be arranged locally.

Watersports

If watersports are your passion or you would like to give them a try, there’s dinghy sailing, windsurfing, snorkelling and more, available at the Watersports Centre, adjacent to the Shanzu-Paradise Beach Hotel which is approximately a 20 minute stroll away along glorious Shanzu Beach.

Diving Holidays

Kenya offers some of the best diving in the world with a coral reef that extends almost the entire length of the coast with a wide variety of marine flora and fauna. Diving is available offering excellent facilities for both the beginner and more experienced diver at Mtwapa Marina. From October to mid April, PADI courses are available, as well as CMAS beginner courses. These are only bookable locally.