Ziwa Beach Resort

My daughter arrived today with her boyfriend - prebooked long ago and prepaid! The rooms were not available, no notice before, careless management on arrival...

The exterior views and decoration is what initially tamed us to book a room for two nights , later on when interacting the infrastructure is where our expectations hit rock bottom.
The tap is rusty including the whole washroom being moldy and smelly. Microwave and fridge are rusty and not maintained as well. Mirror rot.dirty curtains and smelly bedsheet. Bursted net which cannot protect you from mosquitoes.
No hot shower since the stingy owner uses only solar panels to store energy which is effortlessly gets finished by other residents (whoever takes shower first) , don’t expect to have hot showers at all . Expect showering with cold and salty shower.
After getting disappointed and having our first night in Mombasa ruined , we have requested to leave the resort and get a refund for the second night which we did not intend to stay. The manager by the name Nick promised to have us compensated but later on went on smearing us like butter throughout the whole day and did not pick our calls upon disappearing from the compound . Real snake in the grass. Unfortunately we had to leave Kenya right away and couldn’t stay for demanding and securing our refund. To summarize - don’t get close to that place, very wicked manager and owner.
Imagine 10000kes for night being extorted from you just to get your nights completely ruined.
TERRIBLE

Im so mad my favorite short came up missing after they cleaned my room. Told the staff and no one cared.

Vegetarian. And we did not know beforehand

We stayed at Ziwa Beach Resort in July 2025 for a few days of relaxation after climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro and had a lovely, peaceful stay. The food was good with a large choice of vegetarian options and different cuisines, and breakfast each morning had fresh fruit, eggs made to order, fresh juices, and traditional Kenyan food.

The rooms were spacious, made with natural materials, and our sea-facing room with a balcony was perfect for relaxing. The surroundings were quiet and peaceful, allowing us to be close to nature, apart from some ongoing works to enhance the hotel. The owner, Nitin, was very welcoming and made us feel at home.

The only improvements would be to address the salty water in the sink and shower and to install some sun umbrellas which are portable.

Overall, Ziwa is a really nice, quiet eco-lodge for anyone looking to unwind by the sea.

Good position directly on the beach

We’ve just returned from a wonderful 5-day family getaway at Ziwa Beach Resort, and we couldn’t be happier with our experience. Located right on the shores of Bamburi Beach, the resort offers stunning ocean views from the deck, which quickly became our favorite spot to relax and take in the coastal beauty.

The rooms are conveniently close to the beach and pool area, making it very easy to move around, especially with kids in tow. Speaking of which, the staff were incredibly warm and accommodating with our children, which made a big difference in how relaxed we felt throughout our stay.

One of the unique aspects of Ziwa is its vegetarian restaurant—something we really appreciated. The food was delicious, fresh, and reasonably priced. Just a heads-up: because everything is made to order, you’ll need to order in advance and give the kitchen time to prepare. But the wait is worth it! And for those craving seafood or meat, there are plenty of beachside restaurants just a short walk away.

The breakfast was basic but functional, and given the overall laid-back, peaceful vibe of the place, we didn’t mind keeping things simple in the mornings.

All in all, Ziwa Beach Resort is a real hidden gem—perfect for families, couples, or anyone looking to unwind by the ocean. We’re already looking forward to our next visit!

Ocean

Love the view

Love the view

I went to the restaurant for three days. The first two times I ordered food and a big bottle of still water to drink. The third time I noticed that on the menu the price of the water was half the price that they charged me. I confronted the manager with the fact and, while admitting that they had taken double the money, they took out a piece of paper, not signed by me or anyone else, pretending that there was still a bottle to pay.
I could not order any food, was encircled by three hard headed people, I told them that I don’t want discussions and that I want to eat. Instead of passing my order to the kitchen they wanted to discuss till I give in.
I stood up and went away. I ate at nearby restaurants lido and la casa di nico were I was treated as a king.

Overall I would recommend. My Oceanside view room was glorious each morning as I watched the sunrise over the beautiful Indian Ocean.

Staff was attentive, and professional for the most part.

Only one issue was experienced during my seven-night stay.

The food.
The "included" breakfast is vegetarian as is the restaurant there, so I wound up taking my meals from outside the resort, or I had Uber eats deliver. I believe I paid extra for the breakfast but that's water under the bridge...

When a friend and I attempted to bring in food delivery, and dine at an outdoor table in the common area- well let's just say, there was a problem with the staff and management. I was surprised with a stern rebuke by the waitress and then by who appeared to be a manager at the resort. I was told that we could not enjoy a meal with meat in any outdoor dining areas. Hilarious. They serve alcohol, folks are boozing it up, but I received hostility for attempting the crime of eating chicken biryani lol!!

Considering that they sell/serve alcohol to their guests, I find it hypocritical that they would be so offended about me having so much as a hamburger!

Anyway, that issue was resolved because for the remainder of my stay I took my meals upstairs in my beach-side suite.

Be prepared to do the same if you are an omnivore.

It's a good, economical resort along a clean stretch of Beach; I might recommend staying there again, just be aware that the staff are sensitive about eating outside food.

We enjoyed our stay at this beautiful place. The atmosphere, the cleanliness, the service and the attitude of the staff was excellent. You get service with a smile. The food, although vegetarian , is of excellent taste and value for money.
We are already planning to go back to Ziwa Beach Resort next year. We will recommend this place to anyone going to Mombasa to enjoy the real Kenyan hospitality

It’s the beautiful resort. From the moment you entered the resort you feel like home. The staff are amazing.

Nice and clean

We were recommended Ziwa hotel by a friend. The resort is clean, tidy, exotic and at a perfect location on the beach front. It is somewhat remote so travel is required to reach shops etc.

The food was a particular highlight being so well priced and delicious. The omelette and garlic chips were a personal favourite.

The resort was peaceful and appeared to be a quiet time of year.

The owner (hopefully he can remind me of his name) was lovely, welcoming and gracious.

I would love to return for longer as this was a flying 2 day visit.

This is a wonderful place and unique on the Kenyan north coast. Not as noisy, huge, impersonal as other big beach resorts along Bamburi Beach, but very welcoming, with a personal touch, cozy and with all amenities one needs during a work trip or beach vacation. I came for 3,5 weeks and had known it from before (2023) when I had tried out the (delicious!) Indian vegetarian restaurant. I did not regret my stay at all: I worked quietly and with some good progress on the beach front veranda, with the very friendly and helpful staff reading all wishes from my lips (or engaging in a nice conversation here and there). The very kind owner, Nitin, invited me for lunch, or for a drink, several times during my stay, but equally gave me and all others all the space I/one needed. The rooms have AC, a fridge, kitchen amenities on the balconies, hot water, water kettle, TV, wifi, and most of the time during my stay I had very stable internet and solid electricity (when there was none, the generator was switched on – these tiny breaks were not at all the fault of Ziwa staff but due to the construction works on the main highway connecting Mombasa and Malindi). Nice and sufficient breakfast (it remains needless to say that there is less variety than in the big resorts – which the hotel also clearly states, but there is fresh, sufficient and diverse food, very tasty and healthy), perfect dinner choice in the à-la-carte restaurant (at a very good price!) and very easy-going vibe: You are free to move and do as you please (not like some of the bigger resorts around where you wait for towels forever, where you are not allowed to take towels to the beach, or where security checks you each time you get back to the veranda or on the hotel grounds...), freedom everywhere at all times. No problem to jump into the pool at midnight (did this several times – should not try this in the many other hotels next door which I have tried out since my first stay in Kenya in 2006). A wonderfully relaxed time and... already booked my next stay, will come back for another work trip in August/September 2024, and I bring several friends and colleagues this time. Thank you Ziwa and thanks Nitin and staff. This was amazing. See you soon! Nico/Germany

Ziwa Beach Resort is a unique pocket sized hotel on Bamburi Beach. It is not the typical multi occupancy, concrete, steel and glass building as is the norm in Mombasa. It's presentation is of a simplistic rustic, African plant and fauna background with quality rooms reflecting African art and decor. That is its charm. It is also reflects value for money with rates that are affordable for the tourist. The rooms are en suite and spacious, cleaned each day and bedding changed. The breakfast menu presents a choice of a variety of items to start the day.
Ziwa is an exceptional hotel, not run of the mill, and is well worth a stay. This was the second visit with my family and we are planned another stay next year.

The best part is the location and view from this resort to enjoy the wide view of open sea and the peaceful stay.. Its safe, beautiful and pleasant stay & love to watch the blue sea all around the clock whether its morning or evening or day or night.

The food, the hospitality, the peaceful and safe stay make me crave to visit again and enjoy the surrounding at this resort again.

Completely mesmerizing design that shows the personal touch of hardwork and thoughts for the complete resort.

Must visit resort for me and i m gonna visit again for sure.

Their Egg curry and Chapatti never disappoint. The room is basic and a classic but everything works and we had everything we needed. Friendly staff and great location next to a beautiful beach and exciting beach restaurants and bars. A very green beach hotel with a well maintained garden and use of original materials for decor and theme.
We keep coming back!😍