Return to Malindi

Q: I was born in Kenya and settled in South Africa many years ago, with the intention of revisiting my favourite coastal town, Malindi. Over 30 years ago we only had four hotels to choose from (Eden Roc, Blue Marlin, Lawfords and Sinbad). As we would like to visit Malindi shortly, could you please advise us of hotel options. - John Piers

A: All four of the hotels you remember still exist today. Of these, the Eden Roc Hotel seems to be a good option as it has been recently renovated. With its beachside location, it offers 150 comfortable rooms, four swimming pools and extensive gardens. Visit the www.edenrockenya.com website for further details. Rooms at the hotel are available on the discount website www.africapoint.com from 73 US dollars per night. If you want to splash out and stay at the very best hotel in Malindi, the one to opt for is the Plan Hotel Dream Of Africa. This five-star resort, with only 35 lavish rooms, is available from 208 US dollars per night. A good three-star hotel is the Driftwood Beach Club, a small, friendly hotel on Malindi Beach, which is available from 137 US dollars per night. For a list of cheaper hotels, visit the www.malindikenya.com website. If you don't want to book through an internet discount website, then visit a travel agent and check their prices for packages to Kenya. Packages from South Africa, which include all flights and hotels, are often the most cost-effective way of visiting the country. (21 June 2010)