Water Lovers

Top choice in Diani Beach


Beautiful, peaceful and intimate, Water Lovers has eight rooms and one villa, all designed with aesthetics, sustainability and love in mind. The furniture is a mix of Swahili wood and Italian pottery, and the wonderful staff will cater for every need. As you might expect from Italian owners, there's a great private restaurant serving organic fare and homemade pasta.

Snorkelling, kayaking and kitesurfing can be arranged, and there's a spa in the tranquil gardens. Given the personalised level of service, 'Come as a guest, leave as a friend' is a very apt motto. We love everything about this place.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Diani Beach attractions

1. Colobus Conservation Centre

2.75 MILES

Notice the monkeys clambering on rope ladders over the road? The 'colobridges' are the work of the Colobus Conservation Centre, which aims to protect the…

2. Kongo Mosque

3.45 MILES

At the far northern end of the beach road (follow the faded sign behind the Jacaranda Resort) is the 16th-century Kongo Mosque – Diani’s last surviving…

3. Kaya Kinondo

6.21 MILES

This forest, sacred to the Digo people, is the only one of the area's sacred forests that's open to visitors. Visiting this small grove is a nature walk,…

4. Marere Dam

10.68 MILES

A watering hole that attracts animals, including elephants. Also a great birdwatching spot.

5. Sheldrick Falls

11.13 MILES

These pretty 21m-high falls are laced with lianas and greenery, and have a natural plunge pool. Free, two-hour, 2km walks, organised by the Kenya Wildlife…

6. Shimba Hills National Reserve

13.19 MILES

This park is among the easiest to visit in Kenya, within spitting distance of Diani Beach, with numerous driving routes and a couple of hiking trails. Its…

7. Elephant Hill

14.4 MILES

With the best viewpoint in the reserve, this hill is the place to see elephants. It affords lovely views out over the valley towards the ocean. Armed…

8. Mwaluganje Elephant Sanctuary

16.76 MILES

This sanctuary is a good example of community-based conservation, with local people acting as stakeholders in the project. It was opened in October 1995…