A Tropical Oasis: Serena Beach Resort and Spa Review
Things To Do In Mombasa: Kenya’s Coastal Second City
October 30, 2017
Seed, Wine, And Food Festival Miami 2017
November 6, 2017
For many, the idea of a tropical, beach vacation typically doesn’t conjure up thoughts of Kenya. African safaris—Yes. Crystal Clear waters, palm trees, and white sand beaches—Not so much. Going solely off the recommendation of a local friend, I arrived in Mombasa not really knowing what to expect. But hey, carpe diem, right?!?
The massage room at the spa
I took a quick car tour of the city. The weather was beautiful, and between the climate and the lush greenery, I was immediately hit with an island vibe. After driving around for a bit, it was finally time for the main event—head toward the beach area and check into my room at Serena Beach Resort and Spa.
Check out that room view!
The Rooms
The property has 164 rooms in total. Many of which have either a private balcony, sea view, or both. What really stood out to me about the rooms; however, were the colors. Hues of red and yellow filled the spacious rooms with a bright, vibrant energy.
The Location
Serena Beach Resort and Spa is located directly on Shanzu Beach, just 20 minutes north of Central Mombasa. It’s tucked away neatly along its slither of the Indian Ocean. The entire property is sprawling. Each of the different sections is named after a village. That way, guests can feel as if they are walking through an African village while meandering the grounds—truly creating the feel of a home away from home and community within itself.
Serenity Room
Serena Beach Resort and Spa: The Final Verdict
If an off-the-beaten-path place of beauty is what you’re looking for in a beach vacation, then look no further. Guests of Serena Beach Resort and Spa can explore and enjoy a multitude of activities during their stay. Relax while sipping cocktails beachside and looking out at the Indian Ocean, or do so at the pool bar. Deep-sea diving, windsurfing, snorkeling, and hiking are just a few of the many activities that can be done either onsite or nearby the property. Whatever your vacation motivation is (even if it’s the prequel to climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro—such as was the case for me), Serena Beach Resort and Spa is a great place to lay your head in Mombasa.
In the comments below, share your best beach holiday memory or resort recommendation!
59 Comments
WHAT an amazing trip! Dying to go there!
Move it up on your travel list!
This place is so beautiful! I want to visit it so badly
I hope you can make it there soon!
What an absolutely beautiful place! I am in desperate need of a vacation right about now! I’d LOVE those views ASAP!!
I just came back and I already want to take another!
This looks like an amazing time and place to spend some relaxation away. What a beautiful view!
Great view and very peaceful!
ugh every part of me wants to go on vacation so bad. Give me an ocean view! lol
Haha…It’s been less than a month since Taiwan and I’m dying for the next vacation already.
This looks like pure paradise! Love it!
Seems so serene. Sounds like I need to check this place out!
I love the idea of having the resort set up like a village so you get a taste of the whole community all from one resort!
This sounds like it would be very fun and relaxing…oh how I dream of these type of things!
It was like a dream!
OMG take me to this place it looks amazing!!
Nicky x
http://www.nickyinsideout.com
Let’s go!
Wow this is making me have some serious wanderlust!
This sounds absolutely amazing! Wish I could go!
OH my goodness I love to travel! But I don’t get to do it nearly as often as I’d like. It also freaks my parents out when we go to far away places. I’d LOVE to visit Kenya, and this hotel is perfect. Thanks for adding so many relevant details.
It still freaks my family out as well…but I don’t let that stop me!
This place looks utterly gorgeous! I need to feel sand between my toes again soon but with a 3 year old I fear it may be a while before I get to relax by the pool again
Well, it’s the perfect time to get the 3 year old a head start on swimming lessons. Learning to swim as an adult kinda sucks and I wish I would have started earlier!
This beach resort Spa looks like a dream. i certainly would not mind taking it easy here for week or 2.
Just a week?!? I’d like to spend an entire month there just relaxing and exploring the area. One weekend actually wasn’t enough haha!
This looks beautiful! I’ve heard Africa has some beautiful beaches and less crowded than the Caribbean.
Yes, it’s like having the whole place to yourself!!
That looks like a great place to stay in, both the interior and the exterior is beautiful, and the ocean view is just the best ♥
Yes, I love hearing the ocean waters at night and waking up to that view in the mornings!
OMG really an amazing place to visit and I loved the spa room as i love to rest . I was not expecting a place like this in Kenya however I would love to visit this place.
I wasn’t either so imagine my delight! 🙂
I bet i would be happily spend most of my time at serenity room. Its very prestine and the zen is amazing.
That wouldn’t be a bad place to spend it. It was the perfect spot to relax and read or do yoga.
oh wow! What a beautiful place to vacation! The rooms are so beautiful and look so peaceful, I remember staying at a few Beach resorts and while one of them was not particularly relaxing or calm the other 2 were incredible lol.
I know exactly what you mean, I’ve stayed in a few of those “resorts” that for some reason or another weren’t that nice…but thankfully that wasn’t the case in Mombasa.
You had me at snorkeling and trekking! I’d love such a vacation with my family!
I can only imagine that it would be tons of fun to do such activities as a family.
I am in dire need of a spa break, combine that with the beach and you can count me in, this place looks stunning!
With winter fast approaching, I’m going to need another beach and spa pretty soon myself!
OMG so jealous! I need to make a visit here, it looks fabulous!
It is fabulous…so you should definitely try to visit asap! 🙂
What a wonderful place to spent a few days relaxing there! It looks so lovely, the colors, the rooms! I think this is the perfect place! Loved the pics!
They really got me with the colors as well. I loved the bold, vibrant patterns!
Thanks for sharing information and photos of this place. Wow, 164 rooms, it is a big place. Looks lovely. I would enjoy snorkeling in those clear ocean waters off the beach in Kenya.
Yes, it’s quite big. But spread out nicely so it doesn’t seem overwhelmingly big.
The pictures look gorgeous, and the imagery is so serene. I would like to do more water related activities, as a lover of nature. Kenya & places like Ethiopia, would be on my bucket list.
Water activities are definitely abundant. Next time, I hope to go fishing if possible.
The Serena Beach Resort and Spa looks like such a wonderful place to spend a few days. From its cozy and colorful rooms to the beautiful beaches, and proximity to a larger town, it has everything a person could want. x
Yes, it really does. It makes for a great long weekend escape!
You’re right! This is not what I think of when I think of Kenya. This looks amazing and like the perfect getaway. I’m hoping that one day I will make it out here for a relaxing get away. Maybe even with my (older) kids. They would absolutely love it here!
That would be an awesome trip to take with you children!
This place looks lovely. Luxurious and serene at the same time. Definitely a place where you get to relax and recharge.
Yup, one of those special places where you can turn off the wifi and just connect with the surrounding beauty.
As someone who appreciates the natural beauty of what nature has to offer us, I definitely like the sound of going off the tourist track. I have never been diving before so deep sea diving would definitely appeal to me although I definitely need to brush up on my diving skills before I do that!
For me, it’s important to periodically return to nature…almost as a way of keep myself grounded when the world starts to seem a bit to crazy.
Ok, this is the next place I want to go.:-) To say it looks great would be an understatement. Great pictures and great post!
Thank you. And the food was great too…but watch out for the monkeys!
Wow what a beautiful place to stay! I would love to stay at a beach resort like that, those views are just lovely!
Yup, there’s nothing like waking up to an ocean view!3