Turtle Bay Beach Resort

all inclusive at one of Kenya´s best beaches

by sphynxxs about Turtle Bay beach club

I stayed at the club for only one night over a weekend, but liked it a lot and wll certainly return. The hotel is all inclusive, but the animation is not too pushy - if you want to be left alone, they´ll just move on. There is also a "mini club" with sports and other offers for kids. The hotel has two pools, one of them in the silent area and for adults only - the kids can splash and scream in the bigger pool. The restaurant food is not spectacular, but okay, and there is a bar overlooking the beach - nice for sundowners. There are three categories of rooms, the seaside rooms have private terraces facing the beach Watamu is said to be one of the best beaches of Africa - the water is not as shallow as at other parts of the kenyan coast, and the marine park is closeby. If you have been to Kenya before, you know the problems of the beach boys who can be a pest (yes, I know some people like them, but I´m definitely not one of their fans) Turtle Bay lies at a broad stretch of the beach which is partitioned off so you can actually sunbathe under coconut palms on white sandy beach and only have to face the touts when you take a swim - big progress compared to those hotels at narrow beach parts where every sandy bit is in the public area and any walk along the beach means you have to turn down sales offers at every step you take

Been twice to Kenya. Got the...

by nyx

Been twice to Kenya. Got the safari bug after Shimba Hills and Tsavo on our first trip. Second time did a bigger safari into Amboseli(dried up dust bowl),Tanzania - Manyara, Ngorongoro and then back to the Maasai Mara.

Ngorongoro is quite amazing - a real highlight.
All lodges were excellent with v high standards of service. Staff could not have been more courteous and helpful. On each occasion stayed, after the safari, at Turtle Bay Beach club about 60 miles N of Mombasa. Excellent snorkelling from the beach. Good quality hotel without being superb.

Can't wait to come back!!!

by TripAdvisor Member AMYLawrence

We have a large family and everyone in it loves turtle bay beach club. We have returned on many occasions to the same high standard every time. We consider many of the staff to be our friends due to the friendly easy going atomsphere they create and the lengths they go to, to ensure they have a pleasant stay. We would recommend Turtle bay beach club to ANYBODY from 1-90. By far our familes favorite hotel and we put that down to the staff who made our holiday the best it could be.

Home from Home

by TripAdvisor Member Nannyannie

We had another great holiday at Turtle Bay Beach Club in early September. Not the usual time of year that we visit. Although the weather was not as good as Jan/Feb everything was just as enjoyable. The staff, food and setting on a fabulous beach make this hotel one that you can never tire of. We are back again in Feb with other family members and friends and are counting the days.

An experience of a lifetime - hotel and safari

by TripAdvisor Member teachandtravel

We visited Kenya in the summer holidays and stayed in a Turtle Bay Beach Club in Watamu village. It was on a sandy bay forming part of marine-park conservation area. .

Food (Always an important factor) was amazing for both of us. There are wonderful buffets, plus mid-afternoon pancakes (yum!) and all-day cheeseburgers which pleased my husband. As a vegetarian I have never had so much choice. One night there were 5 vegetarian options and all were delicious. Good job it's just the cases that they had put a weight restriction on for our return!

With regards to vegetarian food. I have experienced purely pasta as the vegetarian option in many countries and in a Cuban 4* hotel I was once served a head of broccoli covered in sweetcorn! (Amazing scenery in Cuba just don't go for the food!)

I should also mention that I have travelled extensively and visited the following places: North America - California, Conneticut, Florida, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Mexico. The Caribbean -St. Lucia, Barbados, Cuba and the Dominican Republic Asia - Hong Kong, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, India and Dubai Europe - Cyprus, France, Fuerteventura, Germany, Greece, Gozo, Lanzarote, Leichtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Spain, Tenerife, Switzerland and the U.K.Africa – Tunisia, Morocco, Kenya and the Gambia)

I say this because the food and service at Turtle Bay is second to none! There are not a range of restuarants as in many 4* hotels nor is the accomodation luxurious compared to 4* resorts in the Caribbean. However... I have NEVER experienced service like the service you receive at Turtle Bay. I did manage to find out why after an in depth talk with a new member of staff! There is an incentive program where waiters/waitresses are rewarded with cash bonuses for the amount of orders they place. This results in drinks being brought to you while you are on your sunbed on the beach and also drinks being brought to you just as you finish your previous drink!

The beach is beautiful and you are afe to walk around. Again the hotel have a system whereby local vendors are given plastic ID cards. If they hassle you or cause probelms their trading cards are taken off them and they are unable to trade for a week. You will never experience such hassle free beach buying. Also very cheap compared to hotel. Sarongs £2! We also had a magical experience when the conservation team released a turtle back into the ocean which they had been looking after

Walk up and down the beach without concern-- beach boys generally want to practise English and are harmless and unthreatening. I felt totally safe walking on the beach as the security people are wonderful at the hotel and keep a good eye out for their customers. On one occassion I walked into Turtle Bay village and was talking to the local owner of one of the shops/shacks. As I entered the hotel, the security asked me if I was okay and being hassled. I had no idea they were watching, so their vigilance is to be commended. I also felt safe walking to Watamu village for a wander round.

The hotel organises guided walks which last half an hour every morning at about 10am. This was also a really nice touch to the range of activities being offered.

We also went on safari to Tsavo East and West National Parks which are one of the world's largest game sanctuaries, about halfway between Nairobi and Mombasa. The scenery was spectacular and we saw loads of wildlife including the BIG 5! Thanks to my husband's eagle eyes we spotted the elusive rhino on the last day and were the only ones out of 25 buses to see them. The Safari experience was fabulous and we would recommend it to anyone. The guide was helpful, extremely knowledgeable and the wildlife we saw was incredible. We stayed in two lodges: (East) Voi Safari lodge with views of the Tsavo Plains below. Amazing place to stay, make sure you find the underground viewing tunnel - follow the steps down from the restaurant area! To hear the animals first thing in the morning and get so close to them was out of this world. Amazing photos of elephants which I love! We have blown up the last photo onto canvas and Terry made a frame for it. We also saw 15 giraffe all at once and 18 lioness after a herd of buffalo.

After that we went to Tsavo West (Ngulia Lodge) where there were stunning views across the park overlooking the Tsavo West Rhino Sanctuary and a waterhole in the other direction. Dining area looked out onto the lodge's waterhole and a tree where Leopard bait was put out daily. Saw the leopard in the evening and also on a game drive. Truly magical experiences which will be stored in our memories forever.

Safari tips - If you are going for one night only with children visit Tsave East and stay at the Voi Safari Lodge. Take a small torch, binoculars, fleece for evenings, wet wipes (good for removing red dust!) khaki/beige clothing, hats are useless unless they have a tie underneath them as they will blow off when you're travelling in your open top vehicle. Hats can be inexpensively purchased at the entrance to the safari whilst your guide pays the fee to go in. Make sure you know how to use your digital zoom on the camera. We have the Canon IXUS 50 and the pictures are amazing!

We also visited the local children’s home which we arranged through the community officer Chris at the hotel. He laid on free transport for us and contacted the orphanage to tell them of our arrival. The children were all outside singing and drumming on water butts to welcome us. Then they prayed to god to thank him for sending us to them. We gave out sweets, pencils, pens and made a donation. Again an experience which will not be forgotten and we have continued to support them through fundraising activities on our return.

My view in life is never go anywhere twice there is too much to see in the world. This hotel has made me rethink! I would definitely consider going back and also booking a longer safari. If you are considering going here - don't hesitate!

NB If you are considering doing Big game fishing contact 'Smudger 888' via the forums. We met him out there!

We will keep going back - best holiday's ever!

by TripAdvisor Member lovechester

We'll keep it brief! This is paradise. We got married here 14 years ago, have been back 5 times since, most recently with our 7 year old twin girls, and hope very much to go again in 2007.

The staff and management are truly lovely, the atmosphere totally relaxing - its not the best product in the world, but you feel like one of the family, and that's worth giving up posh bubble bath any day!

If you get a chance to go, you are very fortunate! The hotel also plays a big part in the community, so do what you can, every little really helps - from pens, to clothes, to money, to help.

I dream of Turtle Bay in Malindi

by TripAdvisor Member ian1516

I haven't written a review before, but had to write one for this hotel. I defy anyone to come away feeling they haven't been treated like royalty. The people here (staff and locals) are the nicest you could wish to meet. I am humbled by them. You will not regret any time spent in this hotel.

The childrens club was particularly good with all the staff there concentrating on one thing...keeping your child imaginatively amused and occupied. They had a great token system which enabled the children to earn tokens for taking part in activities, and these could be exchanged for items from the gift shop.

Food...out of this world. Something for everyone. Desserts to die for. Breakfast was particularly good too.

The hotel worked fast to sort out an ear infection my daughter had caught and even called out a doctor to come to us in the night. There was no charge for the doctors attendance.

Had a look in Hemingways. Yes, very beautiful and luxurius. But I doubt I would have fallen in love with that hotel the way I fell in love with Turtle Bay and its staff.

I miss Turtle Bay and will go back soon without a shadow of a doubt.

Damien and staff are fantastic

by TripAdvisor Member HelenCor

What a brilliant place to stay, the staff at the Hotel make your holiday, they are really friendly but are genuine with it. You are able to have a laugh with management too. The Hotel food was fantastic, can't wait to return in 2008.
Helen, Gary, Peter and Andrea.

Turtle Bay

by adriang6

The Turtle Bay Beach Club is an all inclusive hotel just outside Malindi. It was our first experience of all inclusive travel and I must say we were well impressed.
The hotel is about 2 hours north of Mombassa set on a beautiful white coral beach that stretches for about 5km. There is on of the best coral reefs on the African coast which is only about 10m of shore. The area is a Marine National Park and included in your holiday cost is a tariff allowing you to enter the sea onto the reef.
The prices are extremely inexpensive for the level of accommodation and service.
The staff genuinely cannot do enough for you.
Take T-***s and pens for the locals they will be very appreciative of them.
We came back with less than half the item that we took.
There are various safaris that you can include, either booked before or during your stay.

Watamu

by stanton-house

"Turtle Bay Beach Club"

We first visited Watamu in 1997. We had our 9 year old son with us. We stayed at the Turtle Bay Beach Club. We had always said that we would never visit the same place twice, 6 visits later and we are planning our next trip. We have never stayed at a hotel that has made us feel so welcome as this one. The staff are genuinely friendly and helpful and cannot do enough for you. It is always a sad time when we have to leave in fact our son once asked if he could give up his Christmas presents if we could come again.
The beach is absolutely amazing and the snonkelling fantastic. The beach boys are really friendly and do not give you much hassle. A polite "no thank you" will always do the trick. The big game fishing is great if you are into that sort of thing
It is safe to walk out of the hotel and there are some nice bike rides as the roads are quite flat.

Can't wait to go again