Water Lovers is a chic and intimate boutique beach lodge right on the beach at Diani, about 35km south of Mombasa. Built and managed by an Italian couple, Valentina and Riccardo, Water Lovers has wonderful views of the ocean beyond the private bit of beach in front of the hotel. They love this spot and the personal hospitality is exceptional.
 

The four one-up one-down whitewashed cottages provide eight bright and

spacious rooms, each with a bespoke Swahili-style bed and a private verandah or balcony with ocean view, are also a showcase the talents of your hosts. Riccardo is a gifted furniture-maker who designed and built many of the pieces. Valentina designed the ceramic basins and you will see her hand-painted items throughout the lodge. All the rooms are equipped with air-conditioning, fan, mosquito nets, security box, tea and coffee kettle and a local SIM card to use in your mobile throughout your stay. The décor is a fusion of Swahili style and Mediterranean influences.

The private villa can accommodate up to eight people. There are two bedrooms with netted king-size beds and en suite bathrooms on the ground floor and a further two king-size beds, separated by a curtain, in the open space on the top floor. A third bathroom is on the top floor. The villa has a fully equipped kitchen, a large terrace and a living/dining area with sofas, cushions and a carved dining table. If you don’t fancy cooking, you can eat at the restaurant or arrange for a personal chef.

The lodge can arrange kite- and wind-surfing, diving, snorkelling and big game fishing; tennis and golf; dhow trips to snorkel at the coral gardens of Kisite Marine National Park; a variety of massage therapies and spa treatments; and yoga lessons. It has an inviting infinity pool, and the lagoon is sheltered by the reef 500m offshore.

The restaurant, Tides, is set by the pool, overlooking the Indian Ocean. The delicious and imaginative cuisine is inspired by both the Mediterranean culinary tradition and the local flavours and ingredients. Everything – from bread through pasta to cakes is freshly made on the premises. The menu changes daily.

Private candlelit beach dinners can be arranged.

Beside the pool, the beach bar provides cocktails, fruit juice and aperitifs. You can relax on one of the sofas in the lounge, on a swing-bed or in one of the handing chairs.

On the other side of the beach road is a shopping centre with supermarket, bank, cafés, restaurants and health food shop. There are a number of other nice restaurants within easy reach of Water Lovers.