Overview
Diani Beach, consistently ranked among Africa’s best beaches, is located south of Mombasa on Kenya’s Indian Ocean coast. It’s known for its powdery white sand, turquoise waters, lush palms, water sports, vibrant nightlife, and proximity to coral reefs and the Shimba Hills. Whether you want barefoot luxury, family fun, privacy, adventure, or value, Diani has the perfect accommodation for you.
1. Luxury Beach Resorts & Five-Star Hotels
Unparalleled service, gourmet cuisine, spa experiences, and stunning oceanfront locations. Perfect for honeymoons, celebrations, and those seeking the very best.
- Almanara Luxury Villas & Boutique Hotel: Private villas, all-inclusive service, personal chef, infinity pool, secluded.
- Leopard Beach Resort & Spa: Award-winning, spacious rooms and suites, multiple restaurants, spa, water sports, lively entertainment.
- Swahili Beach Resort: Unique multi-level pools, blend of African, Indian, and Arabian design, luxury rooms, wellness center.
- The Sands at Nomad: Beachfront boutique, stylish suites and villas, diving center, fine dining, yoga, eco-focus.
- Pinewood Beach Resort & Spa: Quiet, exclusive, gourmet dining, spa, water sports, boutique feel.
- Baobab Beach Resort & Spa: Expansive all-inclusive, three pools, kids’ club, numerous dining options, entertainment.
- Diani Reef Beach Resort & Spa: Five-star, large property, multiple pools, tennis, spa, casino, conference facilities.
- Waterlovers Beach Resort: Boutique luxury, suites and family villas, Italian-inspired cuisine, personal service.
- Amani Tiwi Beach Resort: Family-friendly, huge pool, kids’ activities, lush gardens.
- Southern Palms Beach Resort: Moorish architecture, two huge pools, beachfront, good value.
2. Boutique Hotels & Romantic Hideaways
Smaller, stylish, and often adults-only or with extra privacy—perfect for couples and honeymooners.
- Afrochic Diani Beach: Only 10 individually styled rooms, private pool, tailored service, exclusive vibe.
- The Maji Beach Boutique Hotel: Adults-only, luxurious, all rooms face the sea, infinity pool, tranquil gardens.
- Kinondo Kwetu: Swedish-owned, private beach, wellness focus, yoga, horse riding, family-run atmosphere.
- Villa Kalista Luxury Villas: Private villas, modern design, butler service.
- Diani Blue: Intimate, colonial-chic, friendly staff, excellent food.
- Kusini Beach Cottages: Secluded, boutique, self-catering, perfect for couples.
- The Zubeida: Villas and suites with private pools, personalized service.
- Msambweni Beach House & Private Villas: Cliff-top location, infinity pool, privacy, all-inclusive options.
- Mwamba Apartments & Villas: Boutique feel, beautiful gardens, friendly hosts.
3. Family-Friendly Resorts & Hotels
Facilities and programs for children, large rooms or villas, pools, and activities for all ages.
- Baobab Beach Resort & Spa: Family suites, kids’ club, playground, activities, safe swimming.
- Amani Tiwi Beach Resort: Dedicated kids’ pool, playground, family rooms.
- Swahili Beach Resort: Interconnecting rooms, kids’ menus, pools, shallow entry for small children.
- Neptune Village Beach Resort & Spa: All-inclusive, large grounds, kids’ club.
- Papillon Lagoon Reef: Great for children, animation team, easy beach access.
- Southern Palms Beach Resort: Huge pools, kids’ activities, children’s menus.
- Leopard Beach Resort & Spa: Children’s activities, baby-sitting on request.
- Diani Sea Resort: Family rooms, watersports, evening entertainment.
- Diani Sea Lodge: Great for groups, interconnecting rooms, animation team.
- Jacaranda Indian Ocean Beach Resort: Beachfront, gardens, multiple pools.
4. Mid-Range Hotels, Villas & Apartments
Great comfort and location at reasonable prices—perfect for small groups, families, or longer stays.
- Diani Marine Divers Village: Self-catering apartments, close to the beach, diving packages.
- Kusini Beach Cottages: Beautifully maintained, full kitchens, beachfront, ideal for groups.
- Simba & Oryx Diani Beach Cottages: Garden cottages, pool, bar/restaurant.
- Tropical Garden Villas: Family-run, lush gardens, budget rates.
- Villa Mandhari Diani Beach: Private villas with pools, kitchens, close to beach.
- Zebra House: Self-catering, pool, central location.
- Pendo Villas Diani: Private pools, ideal for groups/families.
- Morning Star Diani: Studios/apartments, affordable, pool.
- Shambani Cottages: Cottages in tropical gardens, self-cater, pool.
- Diani Backpackers: Dorms and private rooms, lively bar, social scene.
5. Budget Hotels, Hostels & Campsites
Affordable, sociable, safe—best for backpackers, solo travelers, or those on a budget.
- Diani Backpackers: Famous for social scene, swimming pool, dorms and private rooms, close to beach.
- Jungle Junction Diani: Overlander hotspot, camping, dorms, bar, bike rental.
- Kenyaways Beach Bed & Breakfast: Kitesurf base, relaxed, simple rooms, beachfront.
- Simba & Oryx Diani Beach Cottages: Budget rates, central, safe.
- Stilts Backpackers: Treehouse dorms and rooms, lively bar, wildlife on site, affordable.
- Leisure Lodge Resort (budget wing): Safe, pool, good deals off-season.
- South Coast Backpackers: Pool, kitchen, chill-out vibe, friendly hosts.
- Coast Hostels Diani: Dorms, private rooms, affordable, central location.
- Diani Beachalets: Simple self-catering apartments on the beach, good value.
- Twiga Lodge: Basic rooms, camping, communal kitchen.
6. Eco-Lodges & Sustainable Stays
Focus on conservation, minimal impact, and supporting local communities.
- The Sands at Nomad: Green Globe certified, reef protection, solar energy, no plastic.
- Kusini Beach Cottages: Solar power, community projects.
- Baobab Beach Resort & Spa: Supports local charities and schools, eco-initiatives.
- Stilts Backpackers: Set in forest, protects bushbabies and colobus monkeys.
- Kinondo Kwetu: Eco-practices, water recycling, supports local village.
- Pinewood Beach Resort & Spa: Local sourcing, community partnerships.
- Afrochic Diani: Green efforts, local staff.
- Kenyaways Beach Bed & Breakfast: Promotes reef and turtle conservation.
- Waterlovers Beach Resort: Ocean-friendly amenities, reef conservation.
7. Self-Catering, Villas & Apartments
Perfect for long stays, privacy, or families/groups who want their own kitchen and living space.
- Almanara Luxury Villas: Private chef, all-inclusive, top luxury.
- Villa Kalista Luxury Villas: Modern, pools, daily housekeeping.
- Pendo Villas Diani: Full kitchen, pool, value for groups.
- Diani Beachalets: Beachfront, simple, good rates.
- Kusini Beach Cottages: Well-equipped kitchens, spacious.
- Tropical Garden Villas: Family-friendly, long-stay discounts.
- Villa Mandhari Diani Beach: Large villas, pools, gardens.
- Simba & Oryx Diani Beach Cottages: All sizes, pool, kitchenettes.
- Morning Star Diani: Modern, affordable, pool.
- Beachstone Villas: Boutique, beachfront, fully serviced.
Diani Accommodation Comparison Table
| Property/Category | Location | Type/Style | Price Range (pppn) | Key Features | Family Friendly | Pool | On Beach | Eco/Ethical |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Almanara Luxury Villas | Beachfront | Luxury Villas | $400–$800 | Private chef, pool, exclusive | Yes | Yes | Yes | Some |
| Leopard Beach Resort & Spa | Beachfront | Luxury Resort | $250–$500 | Award-winning, spa, restaurants | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Swahili Beach Resort | Beachfront | Five-Star Resort | $200–$400 | Pools, spa, luxury design | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| The Sands at Nomad | Beachfront | Boutique Eco | $180–$350 | Diving, eco, fine dining | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Baobab Beach Resort & Spa | Beachfront | All-Inclusive | $180–$350 | Huge, kids’ club, activities | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Afrochic Diani Beach | Beachfront | Boutique/Luxury | $350–$600 | 10 rooms, privacy, gourmet | No (adults) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Diani Backpackers | Central Diani | Hostel/Budget | $10–$40 | Social, pool, walk to beach | Yes | Yes | No | Some |
| Stilts Backpackers | Forest/Beach | Treehouse Hostel | $10–$50 | Treehouses, wildlife, lively bar | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| Simba & Oryx Cottages | Central Diani | Cottages/Villas | $20–$100 | Pool, kitchen, great rates | Yes | Yes | No | Some |
| Kenyaways Beach B&B | Beachfront | B&B/Budget | $40–$120 | Kitesurf, relaxed, eco-initiatives | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| Waterlovers Beach Resort | Beachfront | Boutique Luxury | $200–$400 | Villas, personal service, Italian | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Southern Palms Beach Resort | Beachfront | Large Resort | $150–$300 | Huge pools, kids’ activities | Yes | Yes | Yes | Some |
| Pendo Villas Diani | Central Diani | Villas/Self-Cater | $50–$200 | Pools, kitchens, group friendly | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Pinewood Beach Resort & Spa | Beachfront | Boutique Resort | $150–$300 | Water sports, spa, quiet setting | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
*pppn = per person per night. Prices are estimates and can vary by season and room type.