| Lagoon reef is near the southern end of Diani Beach. | | | | furniture. There are touches of stained glass, |
| This hotel feels slightly more intimate than some of | | | | patterned brass and cool tiling. |
| its larger neighbors. The beach hotel, situated on 20 | | | | The open-air reception sets the scene with towering |
| acres, has spectacular grounds and an interesting | | | | high thatch roof, a vast expanse of white tiled floor, |
| pool. Near the beach is a huge 50-year-old baobab | | | | and a scattering of rich color in upholstery and |
| tree which attracts many monkeys. The free form | | | | decorative tiles-exotic, elegant and airy. Even from |
| pool, built like a lagoon, has an island with jungle | | | | reception there are tantalizing views of the blue |
| vegetation. Tropical gardens cascade down the long | | | | ocean framed by white arches. A winding marble |
| slope towards the beach. | | | | stairway follows an indoor waterfall to the colorful |
| The lobby, with its high thatch roof is cool and exotic. | | | | Lamu lounge. Just beyond is rock garden dining |
| There is the sound of water and interplay of light | | | | terraces overlooking a large free-form swimming |
| and shadow. Wooden bridges lead over the lily ponds, | | | | pool, the romantic ruins of an old mosque and the |
| and there are bird songs from small aviary. The main | | | | sea. |
| dining room is at the same level as the lobby-the | | | | The graceful proportions of the mosque's arched |
| ocean and pool are a long way down a rather steep | | | | window have been reproduced in the balcony arches |
| slope. This hill has been nicely landscaped and path | | | | of the guest rooms, which rise in tiers on three sides |
| meanders down towards the pool. At night the | | | | of the terraced rock gardens. Most rooms have |
| gardens are illuminated. | | | | some sort of balcony sea view. Children are |
| There is more informal dining near the swimming pool. | | | | welcome. |
| An open-sided bar right at the edge of the beach | | | | Breakfast buffets and dinners are set up in the table |
| overlooks the ocean. Across the road, built in the | | | | d'hote restaurant or on the terrace. The Aladdin Grill |
| forest, are two hotel tennis courts. | | | | is an elegant restaurant for more romantic a' la carte' |
| The Beach Hotel Accommodations | | | | dining, and there are snack bars at poolside and |
| There are accommodations for almost 300 people in | | | | beach. A weekly program is announced which includes |
| thatched blocks, three stories high. All rooms have | | | | nightly entertainment such as tribal dancing, acrobats, |
| balconies and big windows, and most have garden or | | | | games and dancing to the hotel's resident band. On |
| pool views. There are fans and air conditioning. | | | | some evenings dinner is set up and served around |
| Mosquito nets are available on request. There is a | | | | the flood lit pool. Music is played on and off during |
| choice between superior, standard and family rooms. | | | | the day, volley ball arranged on the beach, and water |
| The superior sea front rooms on the top floor are | | | | sports often enliven the pool. |
| the favorite. Like its neighbors, Lagoon reef attracts | | | | Kaskazi has somewhat more sophisticated and |
| tour groups. | | | | elegant atmosphere than many of the other hotels |
| Kaskazi Beach Hotel | | | | on the Kenyan beach. |
| The Kaskazi Beach hotel is one of the newer large | | | | The Beach Hotel's Accommodations |
| hotels on Diani Beach. Its luminous white marble, | | | | There are 193 rooms at Kaskazi. Each room has one |
| graceful arches and established gardens suggest a | | | | double and one single bed, small ensuite bathroom, air |
| magical palace right out of the Arabian nights. | | | | conditioning, ceiling fan, minibar and telephone. Some |
| "Aladdin asked the spirit of the lamp to build him a | | | | rooms have connecting doors. There are wonderful |
| palace near the sea... the next moment a magnificent | | | | views in central room's #432-440, in south wing, |
| white building with beautiful arches and cupolas | | | | room #331, and in North wing Room #358 |
| emerged from the dry coastal land, the sound of the | | | | Special offerings |
| fountains filled the air, and there were people and | | | | There are air -conditioned conference facilities; two |
| music everywhere..." | | | | flood lit tennis courts, and centers for sea sports at |
| Like the tale, the hotel's décor is light, bright | | | | the beach. There are plans for Kaskazi to operate as |
| and airy. Jewel-bright cushions, drapes and upholstery | | | | an all inclusive club resort, similar to club Med. |
| accent the intricate wooden shapes of Swahili-style | | | | |