Sandy beaches, luxury hotels that make Kenya the ideal destination

A view of the Medina Palms. PHOTO | FILE 

By Doreen Wainainah and Sandra Chao-BlastoPosted  Thursday, January 28  2016 at  13:22

From its pristine sandy beaches and luxurious hotels to adventurous game drives, Kenya's reputation as a top leisure destination remains high despite recent security challenges.

The 2016 Travellers Choice Awards by American travel review website operator, Trip Advisor, confirms preference for Kenya's sandy beaches and hotels.

Hotels and beaches in Malindi and Ukunda were voted among the top destinations in Africa.

Hotels in Nairobi too feature among the continent's finest luxury sites, especially after the capital hosted several dignitaries ast year including US President Barrack Obama, Pope Francis as well as the dignitaries who attended the Global Entrepreneurship Summit(GES) and the World Trade Organisation(WTO) ministerial conference.

Travellers' Choice award winners are determined based on the millions of reviews and opinions collected in a single year from TripAdvisor travellers worldwide.

Hotels in the country were selected and ranked in various categories including top hotels, bargain, bed and breakfast (B&Bs) and inns, luxury, service and small hotels.

In the awards 14th edition the website which provides reviews of travel-related recognised over 7,000 properties globally in 97 countries.

In the recent past Kenya has been a top focus in Africa, given its growing hospitality sector and while insecurity had given the sector a run for its money, its slowly remerging as a global choice destination.

The prospects of the sector are expected to improve as soon as the government rolls out support, including Sh 1.2 billion rebates for charter flight operators who fly their clients to the coast.

From the sampled travellers views here are this year's top hotels in the country.

Kola Beach Resort in Malindi

Located at Mamburui in Malindi, the hotel has 17 villas that can be booked on full board and half board accommodation as well self-catering villas appropriate for families as they are those with three bedrooms and others with four.

The high-end hotel consists of 40 units whose architecture borrows heavily from the rich coastal heritage. These comprise of two luxury villas, eight beach villas, two ocean view lodges, 16 penthouses and 22 apartments that are surrounded with courtyards and tropical gardens.

Source: Sandy beaches, luxury hotels that make Kenya the ideal destination