City hotel ranked Kenya’s best as Coast hogs top 10
Hemingways Nairobi has been voted the best hotel in the country by an American travel website.
TripAdvisor listed five hotels at the Coast — three in Kwale County and two in Kilifi — in the top 10, in a list that also has a club and two camps from Maasai Mara National Reserve in the top five.
According to the latest Travellers’ Choice Awards (Best of 2017) by TripAdvisor, visitors described Hemingways as a “fantastic hotel with friendly staff”.
Fairmont Mara Safari Club, in the Mara, was second while Medina Palms, Watamu, in Kilifi, took third position.
Mara West Camp and Sarova Mara Game Camp came fourth and fifth, respectively while Pinewood Beach Resort and Spa in Diani was sixth.
Nairobi’s Villa Rosa Kempinski followed, with The Sands At Chale Island and The Sands At Nomad, both in Kwale, and Kilili Baharini Resort and Spa, in Malindi, Kilifi, rounded off the top 10.
An international traveller had this to say about Medina Palms, Watamu: “Our best ever family holiday. Very nice and friendly staff.”
BEST FOOD AND SERVICE
According to travellers, Fairmont Mara Safari Club “never disappoints. Best food and service on safari. Excellent vacation, best family time”.
TripAdvisor provides reviews of travel-related content and includes interactive travel forums.
Medina Palms director Max Cheli was excited with the report.
“We are delighted to have been awarded for the third year running by TripAdvisor, such a prestigious recognition,” Mr Cheli said.
“This is a great achievement and we thank our staff for giving quality service to guests.”
He added that the natural beauty of Watamu also played a role in travellers voting Medina Palms the third best hotel in Kenya.
Pinewood Beach Resort and Spa operations manager Changawa Mlewa was also happy to hear the hotel was described as a quiet and beautiful place for holiday.
“Pinewood Beach Resort is also ideal for holidaymakers to soak up the sun on the sand beach, swimming in the sea or leisure walks,” Mr Mlewa said.
Kwale Governor Salim Mvurya was impressed with the awards.
He said the rankings had demonstrated that Kwale had best hotels for local and international tourists.
“It should be noted that the review of the best hotels is conducted by tourists, a demonstration that Kenya has superior visitors products,” he said.
