The Reef Hotel in Mombasa is one of the most elegantly designed hotels in Mombasa. It is set in a lovely tropical garden with a sea view to die for. It is only 7 kilometers from the city center of Mombasa, and is even closer to the most popular shopping spots and restaurants in Mombasa.
The Reef has just recently finished remodeling, so there are new and improved guest rooms and lounge areas.
Reef Hotel Accommodation
The Reef has a total of 134 rooms with four main types of rooms, starting with the standard Garden View room with a double or twin beds, a balcony and a lovely view of the garden and swimming pools. The sea facing rooms are 3 types: the standard sea facing room, deluxe sea facing room, and the deluxe family sea facing view, with the major differences being the size and the type of beds: the deluxe rooms have two double beds.
All the rooms at this hotel have cable TV, a safe, air conditioning, and at a surcharge, you can get wireless internet in your room, too. If you prefer, each type of room has the option of having interconnected rooms, which could be ideal if you are vacationing with the family or with a group of friends.
Facilities
The Reef has 3 gorgeous swimming pools, non-smoking rooms if you prefer, a TV sports bar to catch a game or two, and for the sports buff you can enjoy the tennis and basketball courts, the fitness center and a games room for pool or darts.
This hotel is perfect for families with small children as well, since you can get a baby crib included to your room, and baby sitting services should you need them. The Reef’s Kids Club will keep your kids engaged throughout your stay, too. If you want to lounge and relax, there’s a massage parlor, and facials and pedicures at the beauty and wellness center.
Dining
The Reef has 3 main restaurants: the Ocean View Restaurant, Pool Side Bistro and the Tanga Bar and Grill. The Ocean View offers buffet style meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner, so you will never run out of variety given the various themed menus several days a week.
The Pool Side Bistro is the spot to get bites and snacks either as your main meals or as a between-meals bite. The Tanga is mainly for meats and sea food, so you can get your prawns and lobsters and a range of salads, too.
The hotel also has 5 bars, including the Pool Side Bar, the Karibuni Bar at the reception area, and the Tanga Bar and Grill and the Tanga Swim-up Bar, all great hang-outs to make friends and enjoy the ocean view.
Activities
There is plenty to do at the Reef Hotel, starting with the water sports including wind surfing, kite surfing, kayaking, sailing, snorkeling and scuba diving. You can scuba dive down to the M.V. Dania, which is one of, if not the most exciting wreck dives in Kenya. You can also play tennis, pool, and even try your hand at archery. Dolphin excursions, golf trips and a tour of Mombasa can also be arranged by the friendly staff of the Reef Hotel.
A Few Tips
If you’re a vegetarian, it would be best to mention this as you check in so that the hotel can include vegetarian selections in their buffets. Also, if you would like to include a trip to the Tsavo National Park, the hotel can arrange it for you at $400 per person for 2 days, 1 night. However, if it is possible, make arrangements independently that might be a bit cheaper for you for the same or even better experience.