Diani Reef Hotel

The Diani Reef Hotel is set on a high coral cliff overlooking one of the most beautiful white sand beaches in Kenya, 20 km south of Mombasa.

The developers required a deluxe hotel that would offer a wider range of facilities and be altogether more sophisticated than the average coast hotel. This brief, and the inspiration of the beautiful topography, have resulted in a grander, more formal building eminently distinguishable from the prevalent makutistyle hotels of the area. The design has a coordinating theme of white Swahili-style arched openings set off by red clay grills and dark mvuli screens. The hotel entrance, public rooms and shops are focused around a magnificent baobab tree in an open sixsided court. The dining room, cocktail bar and conference rooms all command dramatic views across the coral cliff to the Indian Ocean.

The swimming pool, with its coral island, has a ‘floating bar’ set in it and generous sunbathing terraces which lead directly to the beach through a coconut grove at the foot of the cliff. There is a high standard of finish throughout the hotel with ceramic or polished terazzo floors, teracotta clay screens in circulation areas and fitted carpets and sliding doors in guest rooms.

Client: Diani Reef Hotel
Project Location: Diani,Mombasa, Kenya
Gross Area:20,000sq.meters
Completion : 1989
Project Partner: David Bistrow